Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can some one share the regional magnet programs in Woodward region?

Art, Design, Performing Arts, Communication.

So with 30% FARMS + these programs ---> Very little numbers left for higher level STEM classes. Woodward may not offer good STEM courses.

WJ with 15% FARMS rate should be able to offer good STEM courses despite school size going down.

Wheaton and Blair have well over 30% FARMS currently and offer higher level STEM classes. Those things are not mutually exclusive.

Ah, you missed a fact that Whaton and Blair host STEM magnet. Woodward will host Art, drama etc. Apple to orange situation.

I didn’t miss it. Blair does have the SMCS magnet, but the engineering and biomedical academy programs at Wheaton aren’t magnets.

If magnets are the issue, then comparing to WJ, which doesn’t have a magnet, is also irrelevant.

Not the PP, but you missed the point totally.

Low FARMS( WJ) -- Enough kids with interest in higher level STEM
Engineering and biomedical academy programs program will attract STEM kids, lots of STEM kids come from outside to attend and it allows high level STEM courses.
Woodward will have high FARMS rate with no attraction for STEM kids from outside to come and attend.


In short, either STEM program or low FARMS, both will work fine.

No, I didn’t miss the point entirely.

The point is that people switched to Woodward don’t want 30% FARMS, period, especially not if WJ is half that. Hand wave all you want about STEM. That’s the real issue.

It's not handwaving, it's based on school course offering in various MCPS high school. Higher the FARMS rate less liekly to have any advance STEM courses if there is no magnet/magnet like program attracting motivated kids from outside. You got to have enough kids to have course.

Woodward with 30% FARMS will work much better if one of the STEM program is offered in Woodward.

Anonymous wrote:

DP, I have kids in 8th, 6th, and 4th grades. The older two are at Newport and youngest at one of the Newport feeder elementaries. Our experience with Newport so far has been very positive and our 8th grader is excited for Einstein. I don’t love all of the options, but I’m also not concerned, knowing what a strong community of kids and parents we have in this area.

That makes me feel great. I love our community too.

Anonymous wrote:
My kid is zoned for these schools and is in early ES. What bothers you about these proposed boundary changes with regards to Newport Mill and Einstein? I'm still taking it all in. I am glad our particular ES isn't subject to split articulation in any of the options.

There was some concern from Einstein parents in the program analysis thread, and it seems like here we were the only ones with increased farm rates across all options. I don't know if both of these things is as big a negative as others would make it seem, but I am a worrier and anxious in general.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can some one share the regional magnet programs in Woodward region?

Art, Design, Performing Arts, Communication.

So with 30% FARMS + these programs ---> Very little numbers left for higher level STEM classes. Woodward may not offer good STEM courses.

WJ with 15% FARMS rate should be able to offer good STEM courses despite school size going down.

Wheaton and Blair have well over 30% FARMS currently and offer higher level STEM classes. Those things are not mutually exclusive.

Ah, you missed a fact that Whaton and Blair host STEM magnet. Woodward will host Art, drama etc. Apple to orange situation.

I didn’t miss it. Blair does have the SMCS magnet, but the engineering and biomedical academy programs at Wheaton aren’t magnets.

If magnets are the issue, then comparing to WJ, which doesn’t have a magnet, is also irrelevant.

Not the PP, but you missed the point totally.

Low FARMS( WJ) -- Enough kids with interest in higher level STEM
Engineering and biomedical academy programs program will attract STEM kids, lots of STEM kids come from outside to attend and it allows high level STEM courses.
Woodward will have high FARMS rate with no attraction for STEM kids from outside to come and attend.


In short, either STEM program or low FARMS, both will work fine.

No, I didn’t miss the point entirely.

The point is that people switched to Woodward don’t want 30% FARMS, period, especially not if WJ is half that. Hand wave all you want about STEM. That’s the real issue.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can some one share the regional magnet programs in Woodward region?

Art, Design, Performing Arts, Communication.

So with 30% FARMS + these programs ---> Very little numbers left for higher level STEM classes. Woodward may not offer good STEM courses.

WJ with 15% FARMS rate should be able to offer good STEM courses despite school size going down.

Wheaton and Blair have well over 30% FARMS currently and offer higher level STEM classes. Those things are not mutually exclusive.

Ah, you missed a fact that Whaton and Blair host STEM magnet. Woodward will host Art, drama etc. Apple to orange situation.

I didn’t miss it. Blair does have the SMCS magnet, but the engineering and biomedical academy programs at Wheaton aren’t magnets.

If magnets are the issue, then comparing to WJ, which doesn’t have a magnet, is also irrelevant.

Not the PP, but you missed the point totally.

Low FARMS( WJ) -- Enough kids with interest in higher level STEM
Engineering and biomedical academy programs program will attract STEM kids, lots of STEM kids come from outside to attend and it allows high level STEM courses.
Woodward will have high FARMS rate with no attraction for STEM kids from outside to come and attend.
[b]

In short, either STEM program or low FARMS, both will work fine.

Many Woodward STEM kids will go outside and combined that with bold, no way higher level STEM courses are going to be offered in Woodward.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: I don't know enough to have a strong opinion yet. How should we feel as a parent to a three year old zoned to Einstein and Newport Mill? Feels like we are being shafted somewhat with both sets of changes, but not sure if our fears are premature and overblown.

My kid is zoned for these schools and is in early ES. What bothers you about these proposed boundary changes with regards to Newport Mill and Einstein? I'm still taking it all in. I am glad our particular ES isn't subject to split articulation in any of the options.

DP, I have kids in 8th, 6th, and 4th grades. The older two are at Newport and youngest at one of the Newport feeder elementaries. Our experience with Newport so far has been very positive and our 8th grader is excited for Einstein. I don’t love all of the options, but I’m also not concerned, knowing what a strong community of kids and parents we have in this area.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can some one share the regional magnet programs in Woodward region?

Art, Design, Performing Arts, Communication.

So with 30% FARMS + these programs ---> Very little numbers left for higher level STEM classes. Woodward may not offer good STEM courses.

WJ with 15% FARMS rate should be able to offer good STEM courses despite school size going down.

Wheaton and Blair have well over 30% FARMS currently and offer higher level STEM classes. Those things are not mutually exclusive.

Ah, you missed a fact that Whaton and Blair host STEM magnet. Woodward will host Art, drama etc. Apple to orange situation.

I didn’t miss it. Blair does have the SMCS magnet, but the engineering and biomedical academy programs at Wheaton aren’t magnets.

If magnets are the issue, then comparing to WJ, which doesn’t have a magnet, is also irrelevant.

Not the PP, but you missed the point totally.

Low FARMS( WJ) -- Enough kids with interest in higher level STEM
Engineering and biomedical academy programs program will attract STEM kids, lots of STEM kids come from outside to attend and it allows high level STEM courses.
Woodward will have high FARMS rate with no attraction for STEM kids from outside to come and attend.


In short, either STEM program or low FARMS, both will work fine.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:These options make sense to me. No crisscrossing students across the county. Reasonable utilization rates. Improved articulations. No option will be perfect for everyone, but these options seem more realistic financially while also helping in other areas

How is it reasonable to have two schools below 80% capacity while others remain overcrowded?

Maybe they didn’t count the magnets yet but who knows

Anonymous wrote: I don't know enough to have a strong opinion yet. How should we feel as a parent to a three year old zoned to Einstein and Newport Mill? Feels like we are being shafted somewhat with both sets of changes, but not sure if our fears are premature and overblown.

Newport + Einstein parent here! If your child was starting at either school today, I would say both schools have a lot to offer!

But there’s a lot of time between now and when your child will be in middle school. Even without all these changes, the schools could be very different in the future. I suggest you stay informed, get to know other parents in the area, and get involved with the PTA once your child starts kindergarten. It’s all about community effort.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Damn they are really leaning away from considering demographics in any way

project 25 vibes??

I mean the thought did occur to me

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can some one share the regional magnet programs in Woodward region?

Art, Design, Performing Arts, Communication.

So with 30% FARMS + these programs ---> Very little numbers left for higher level STEM classes. Woodward may not offer good STEM courses.

WJ with 15% FARMS rate should be able to offer good STEM courses despite school size going down.

Wheaton and Blair have well over 30% FARMS currently and offer higher level STEM classes. Those things are not mutually exclusive.

Ah, you missed a fact that Whaton and Blair host STEM magnet. Woodward will host Art, drama etc. Apple to orange situation.

I didn’t miss it. Blair does have the SMCS magnet, but the engineering and biomedical academy programs at Wheaton aren’t magnets.

If magnets are the issue, then comparing to WJ, which doesn’t have a magnet, is also irrelevant.

Anonymous wrote: I don't know enough to have a strong opinion yet. How should we feel as a parent to a three year old zoned to Einstein and Newport Mill? Feels like we are being shafted somewhat with both sets of changes, but not sure if our fears are premature and overblown.

My kid is zoned for these schools and is in early ES. What bothers you about these proposed boundary changes with regards to Newport Mill and Einstein? I'm still taking it all in. I am glad our particular ES isn't subject to split articulation in any of the options.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:These options make sense to me. No crisscrossing students across the county. Reasonable utilization rates. Improved articulations. No option will be perfect for everyone, but these options seem more realistic financially while also helping in other areas

How is it reasonable to have two schools below 80% capacity while others remain overcrowded?

DP
It's reasonable to the entitled parents who think their kids' schools should have extra space while others are overcapacity because Woodward for some reason belongs to them even though TAXPAYERS paid for it.

I don't know enough to have a strong opinion yet. How should we feel as a parent to a three year old zoned to Einstein and Newport Mill? Feels like we are being shafted somewhat with both sets of changes, but not sure if our fears are premature and overblown.

Anonymous wrote:These options make sense to me. No crisscrossing students across the county. Reasonable utilization rates. Improved articulations. No option will be perfect for everyone, but these options seem more realistic financially while also helping in other areas

How is it reasonable to have two schools below 80% capacity while others remain overcrowded?