Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you value indoctrination then go catholic, but if things like critical thinking or academics matter then Eastern.

LOL

I’m not Catholic, but MCPS certainly does its own version of ‘indoctrination’. And to think that any MCPS middle school values critical thinking and academics is a bit…laughable. MCPS middle schools are not very strong at all.

You don’t know anything about the magnet program at Eastern do you?

My DD’s good friend attended the Eastern Magnet for a year and then came back to our home MS. Went on to a Magnet HS and had a good experience there.

Is it possible to know why they decided to return to their home MS? Thanks again!

My child is a current 8th grader and students that have left have done so either because the bus ride was interfering with other activities, or because they moved further away and the bus ride was worse, or they moved out of MCPS entirely, or just because the enriched humanities and English wasn't enough to compensate for the logistical hassle. The last group is more likely to be kids who weren't "sold" on Eastern to begin with, and who would have attended TPMS instead if the lottery had worked out for them.

The Humanities magnets are incredible...for the right kid, but they are not the right fit for every kid. They are a much better fit for kids with "big theater kid energy" than for kids who don't want to work in groups, or speak in front of crowds, or write screenplays.

Thank you so much! My child loves LOVES writing, especially creative writing since DC was 7 (and even had a screenplay written by DC stage-read in Bryant park in NYC in a children’s playwriting competition). But DC is naturally introverted so doesn’t have the “big theater kid energy” and we are unsure how DC will react to numerous group work. With that said, after seeing the virtual open house for Eastern and the writing program, DC is adamant that it’s the school DC wants to be in despite the commute. So maybe that’s definitely something we need to consider.

The big theater kids eat everyone else alive and not in a good way. They are overbearing in groups and dominate class discussion making it about "me me me." DD told me her math class is basically a private lesson for one girl who can't keep up and also told me the English teacher basically told one classmate to basically shut up, although she obviously didn't use those words but it was a firm admonishment. The teacher said the girl was talking too much but was not contributing anything to the discussion. She was just making noise to make noise.

I'm confused by the math comment because math isn't a part of the Eastern magnet program? So if an EM kid can't keep in the math class, that's not the fault of the magnet, that's a problem with the school's general education math placement process.

Also disagree with the "big theater kids" label. It is true that EM kids like to read, write, and discuss things but that's not theater energy. Discussion in class is not about performance at Eastern it is about substance - if your kid prefers classes where no one participates in discussion or raises their hand to add something then Eastern magnet is wrong for them. But, quite contrary to what you describe, magnet students who speak are on point and adding to a real high-level discussion. This, in fact, is what DC hated about coming back to her base HS - discussion in HS was boring, people said dumb and egregiously wrong stuff all the time which the teacher would not correct and students talked just to get points for talking without adding worthy substance. It was literally painful for DC to witness HS discussion, whereas at Eastern she was regularly blown away by thoughts of her peers - more diverse group with more accurate, on point thoughts.

The math classes are not officially cohorted but there are so many requirements for the program that kids basically end up in the same math classes. I don't think the point is that a kid was behind in math but that there are kids with strong personalities who tend to dominate the discussion and they aren't always saying anything that helps everyone else.

I think it's laughable that you assert that "magnet students who speak are on point and adding to a real high-level discussion." Have you ever been in a middle school? Even when we went to parent observation day there were kids who were saying really off point things just so they could hear their own voices. You can argue that the level of discussion is higher overall than at other schools in the humanities classes, but DC also experienced a number of very loud and aggressive classmates who did not really have much to contribute and treated speaking in class like a performance.

I would still recommend the program to OP and others. As long as you recognize you'll be with some kids with big egos and can deal with that it'll be fine.

It's not my observation - it's DCs - non-magnet discussion made her cringe. It was slow, painful to listen to and even more maddening because the kids DC knew were smart but refused to participate because of the perceived social cost of "being smart" and having a "big ego".

That social cost came from students as well as parents. Parents at our home school pooh-poohed advanced classes and academics, preferring that their kids invest in academics and social networks - I suppose you can afford to focus on that over grades and advanced classes when you have wealthy parents who are paying for the full college ride and have connections.

For the PP whose kid likes writing - there is no better quality writing instruction anywhere in the county - public or private - and practice genre is wide very wide - 10-20 page papers, website text, research skills, video/film script, speeches, short stories, poetry, etc.

DC's EM magnet writing carried her thru HS, undergrad and grad school. She learned very little writing in any of those places - and, specifically, never got feedback on writing in HS even though she was in AP and IB classes.

Other DC went to Takoma magnet, which prepares one to write a scientific paper - useful to that population but not as broadly useful as Eastern magnet.

Anonymous wrote:Please read old threads. Some kids really enjoy the school and program, but others hate it and when I say hate it I mean hate it.
I don't know about the curriculums but the instruction can be hit or miss at Eastern. One very good female teacher. One really poor teacher who happens to be male.

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you value indoctrination then go catholic, but if things like critical thinking or academics matter then Eastern.

LOL

I’m not Catholic, but MCPS certainly does its own version of ‘indoctrination’. And to think that any MCPS middle school values critical thinking and academics is a bit…laughable. MCPS middle schools are not very strong at all.

You don’t know anything about the magnet program at Eastern do you?

My DD’s good friend attended the Eastern Magnet for a year and then came back to our home MS. Went on to a Magnet HS and had a good experience there.

Is it possible to know why they decided to return to their home MS? Thanks again!

My child is a current 8th grader and students that have left have done so either because the bus ride was interfering with other activities, or because they moved further away and the bus ride was worse, or they moved out of MCPS entirely, or just because the enriched humanities and English wasn't enough to compensate for the logistical hassle. The last group is more likely to be kids who weren't "sold" on Eastern to begin with, and who would have attended TPMS instead if the lottery had worked out for them.

The Humanities magnets are incredible...for the right kid, but they are not the right fit for every kid. They are a much better fit for kids with "big theater kid energy" than for kids who don't want to work in groups, or speak in front of crowds, or write screenplays.

Thank you so much! My child loves LOVES writing, especially creative writing since DC was 7 (and even had a screenplay written by DC stage-read in Bryant park in NYC in a children’s playwriting competition). But DC is naturally introverted so doesn’t have the “big theater kid energy” and we are unsure how DC will react to numerous group work. With that said, after seeing the virtual open house for Eastern and the writing program, DC is adamant that it’s the school DC wants to be in despite the commute. So maybe that’s definitely something we need to consider.

The big theater kids eat everyone else alive and not in a good way. They are overbearing in groups and dominate class discussion making it about "me me me." DD told me her math class is basically a private lesson for one girl who can't keep up and also told me the English teacher basically told one classmate to basically shut up, although she obviously didn't use those words but it was a firm admonishment. The teacher said the girl was talking too much but was not contributing anything to the discussion. She was just making noise to make noise.

I'm confused by the math comment because math isn't a part of the Eastern magnet program? So if an EM kid can't keep in the math class, that's not the fault of the magnet, that's a problem with the school's general education math placement process.

Also disagree with the "big theater kids" label. It is true that EM kids like to read, write, and discuss things but that's not theater energy. Discussion in class is not about performance at Eastern it is about substance - if your kid prefers classes where no one participates in discussion or raises their hand to add something then Eastern magnet is wrong for them. But, quite contrary to what you describe, magnet students who speak are on point and adding to a real high-level discussion. This, in fact, is what DC hated about coming back to her base HS - discussion in HS was boring, people said dumb and egregiously wrong stuff all the time which the teacher would not correct and students talked just to get points for talking without adding worthy substance. It was literally painful for DC to witness HS discussion, whereas at Eastern she was regularly blown away by thoughts of her peers - more diverse group with more accurate, on point thoughts.

The math classes are not officially cohorted but there are so many requirements for the program that kids basically end up in the same math classes. I don't think the point is that a kid was behind in math but that there are kids with strong personalities who tend to dominate the discussion and they aren't always saying anything that helps everyone else.

I think it's laughable that you assert that "magnet students who speak are on point and adding to a real high-level discussion." Have you ever been in a middle school? Even when we went to parent observation day there were kids who were saying really off point things just so they could hear their own voices. You can argue that the level of discussion is higher overall than at other schools in the humanities classes, but DC also experienced a number of very loud and aggressive classmates who did not really have much to contribute and treated speaking in class like a performance.

I would still recommend the program to OP and others. As long as you recognize you'll be with some kids with big egos and can deal with that it'll be fine.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you value indoctrination then go catholic, but if things like critical thinking or academics matter then Eastern.

LOL

I’m not Catholic, but MCPS certainly does its own version of ‘indoctrination’. And to think that any MCPS middle school values critical thinking and academics is a bit…laughable. MCPS middle schools are not very strong at all.

You don’t know anything about the magnet program at Eastern do you?

My DD’s good friend attended the Eastern Magnet for a year and then came back to our home MS. Went on to a Magnet HS and had a good experience there.

Is it possible to know why they decided to return to their home MS? Thanks again!

My child is a current 8th grader and students that have left have done so either because the bus ride was interfering with other activities, or because they moved further away and the bus ride was worse, or they moved out of MCPS entirely, or just because the enriched humanities and English wasn't enough to compensate for the logistical hassle. The last group is more likely to be kids who weren't "sold" on Eastern to begin with, and who would have attended TPMS instead if the lottery had worked out for them.

The Humanities magnets are incredible...for the right kid, but they are not the right fit for every kid. They are a much better fit for kids with "big theater kid energy" than for kids who don't want to work in groups, or speak in front of crowds, or write screenplays.

Thank you so much! My child loves LOVES writing, especially creative writing since DC was 7 (and even had a screenplay written by DC stage-read in Bryant park in NYC in a children’s playwriting competition). But DC is naturally introverted so doesn’t have the “big theater kid energy” and we are unsure how DC will react to numerous group work. With that said, after seeing the virtual open house for Eastern and the writing program, DC is adamant that it’s the school DC wants to be in despite the commute. So maybe that’s definitely something we need to consider.

The big theater kids eat everyone else alive and not in a good way. They are overbearing in groups and dominate class discussion making it about "me me me." DD told me her math class is basically a private lesson for one girl who can't keep up and also told me the English teacher basically told one classmate to basically shut up, although she obviously didn't use those words but it was a firm admonishment. The teacher said the girl was talking too much but was not contributing anything to the discussion. She was just making noise to make noise.

I'm confused by the math comment because math isn't a part of the Eastern magnet program? So if an EM kid can't keep in the math class, that's not the fault of the magnet, that's a problem with the school's general education math placement process.

Also disagree with the "big theater kids" label. It is true that EM kids like to read, write, and discuss things but that's not theater energy. Discussion in class is not about performance at Eastern it is about substance - if your kid prefers classes where no one participates in discussion or raises their hand to add something then Eastern magnet is wrong for them. But, quite contrary to what you describe, magnet students who speak are on point and adding to a real high-level discussion. This, in fact, is what DC hated about coming back to her base HS - discussion in HS was boring, people said dumb and egregiously wrong stuff all the time which the teacher would not correct and students talked just to get points for talking without adding worthy substance. It was literally painful for DC to witness HS discussion, whereas at Eastern she was regularly blown away by thoughts of her peers - more diverse group with more accurate, on point thoughts.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you value indoctrination then go catholic, but if things like critical thinking or academics matter then Eastern.

LOL

I’m not Catholic, but MCPS certainly does its own version of ‘indoctrination’. And to think that any MCPS middle school values critical thinking and academics is a bit…laughable. MCPS middle schools are not very strong at all.

You don’t know anything about the magnet program at Eastern do you?

My DD’s good friend attended the Eastern Magnet for a year and then came back to our home MS. Went on to a Magnet HS and had a good experience there.

Is it possible to know why they decided to return to their home MS? Thanks again!

My child is a current 8th grader and students that have left have done so either because the bus ride was interfering with other activities, or because they moved further away and the bus ride was worse, or they moved out of MCPS entirely, or just because the enriched humanities and English wasn't enough to compensate for the logistical hassle. The last group is more likely to be kids who weren't "sold" on Eastern to begin with, and who would have attended TPMS instead if the lottery had worked out for them.

The Humanities magnets are incredible...for the right kid, but they are not the right fit for every kid. They are a much better fit for kids with "big theater kid energy" than for kids who don't want to work in groups, or speak in front of crowds, or write screenplays.

Thank you so much! My child loves LOVES writing, especially creative writing since DC was 7 (and even had a screenplay written by DC stage-read in Bryant park in NYC in a children’s playwriting competition). But DC is naturally introverted so doesn’t have the “big theater kid energy” and we are unsure how DC will react to numerous group work. With that said, after seeing the virtual open house for Eastern and the writing program, DC is adamant that it’s the school DC wants to be in despite the commute. So maybe that’s definitely something we need to consider.

The big theater kids eat everyone else alive and not in a good way. They are overbearing in groups and dominate class discussion making it about "me me me." DD told me her math class is basically a private lesson for one girl who can't keep up and also told me the English teacher basically told one classmate to basically shut up, although she obviously didn't use those words but it was a firm admonishment. The teacher said the girl was talking too much but was not contributing anything to the discussion. She was just making noise to make noise.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you value indoctrination then go catholic, but if things like critical thinking or academics matter then Eastern.

LOL

I’m not Catholic, but MCPS certainly does its own version of ‘indoctrination’. And to think that any MCPS middle school values critical thinking and academics is a bit…laughable. MCPS middle schools are not very strong at all.

You don’t know anything about the magnet program at Eastern do you?

My DD’s good friend attended the Eastern Magnet for a year and then came back to our home MS. Went on to a Magnet HS and had a good experience there.

Is it possible to know why they decided to return to their home MS? Thanks again!

My child is a current 8th grader and students that have left have done so either because the bus ride was interfering with other activities, or because they moved further away and the bus ride was worse, or they moved out of MCPS entirely, or just because the enriched humanities and English wasn't enough to compensate for the logistical hassle. The last group is more likely to be kids who weren't "sold" on Eastern to begin with, and who would have attended TPMS instead if the lottery had worked out for them.

The Humanities magnets are incredible...for the right kid, but they are not the right fit for every kid. They are a much better fit for kids with "big theater kid energy" than for kids who don't want to work in groups, or speak in front of crowds, or write screenplays.

Thank you so much! My child loves LOVES writing, especially creative writing since DC was 7 (and even had a screenplay written by DC stage-read in Bryant park in NYC in a children’s playwriting competition). But DC is naturally introverted so doesn’t have the “big theater kid energy” and we are unsure how DC will react to numerous group work. With that said, after seeing the virtual open house for Eastern and the writing program, DC is adamant that it’s the school DC wants to be in despite the commute. So maybe that’s definitely something we need to consider.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you value indoctrination then go catholic, but if things like critical thinking or academics matter then Eastern.

LOL

I’m not Catholic, but MCPS certainly does its own version of ‘indoctrination’. And to think that any MCPS middle school values critical thinking and academics is a bit…laughable. MCPS middle schools are not very strong at all.

You don’t know anything about the magnet program at Eastern do you?

My DD’s good friend attended the Eastern Magnet for a year and then came back to our home MS. Went on to a Magnet HS and had a good experience there.

Is it possible to know why they decided to return to their home MS? Thanks again!

My child is a current 8th grader and students that have left have done so either because the bus ride was interfering with other activities, or because they moved further away and the bus ride was worse, or they moved out of MCPS entirely, or just because the enriched humanities and English wasn't enough to compensate for the logistical hassle. The last group is more likely to be kids who weren't "sold" on Eastern to begin with, and who would have attended TPMS instead if the lottery had worked out for them.

The Humanities magnets are incredible...for the right kid, but they are not the right fit for every kid. They are a much better fit for kids with "big theater kid energy" than for kids who don't want to work in groups, or speak in front of crowds, or write screenplays.

Thank you so much! My child loves LOVES writing, especially creative writing since DC was 7 (and even had a screenplay written by DC stage-read in Bryant park in NYC in a children’s playwriting competition). But DC is naturally introverted so doesn’t have the “big theater kid energy” and we are unsure how DC will react to numerous group work. With that said, after seeing the virtual open house for Eastern and the writing program, DC is adamant that it’s the school DC wants to be in despite the commute. So maybe that’s definitely something we need to consider.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you value indoctrination then go catholic, but if things like critical thinking or academics matter then Eastern.

LOL

I’m not Catholic, but MCPS certainly does its own version of ‘indoctrination’. And to think that any MCPS middle school values critical thinking and academics is a bit…laughable. MCPS middle schools are not very strong at all.

You don’t know anything about the magnet program at Eastern do you?

Anonymous wrote:My older one went to parochial middle and MCPS HS magnet. Younger one went to regular MCPS middle and MCPS HS magnet.

OP if you want MCPS for HS, there is no question on whether you should switch for middle school. You want your kid with the strongest peers and MCPS accelerates math and language quicker than parochial school. If you send your kid to parochial for middle, when they get into HS they will be “behind”, which we experienced with my older child.


Parochial has a different path so stronger peers will be Geometry in 9th rather than Algebra 2. My friends whose kids stayed in private have done wonderfully 1500 plus SATs etc, but it’s a different system and moving from public to private for HS will definitely make your kid feel behind.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you value indoctrination then go catholic, but if things like critical thinking or academics matter then Eastern.

LOL

I’m not Catholic, but MCPS certainly does its own version of ‘indoctrination’. And to think that any MCPS middle school values critical thinking and academics is a bit…laughable. MCPS middle schools are not very strong at all.

You don’t know anything about the magnet program at Eastern do you?

My DD’s good friend attended the Eastern Magnet for a year and then came back to our home MS. Went on to a Magnet HS and had a good experience there.

Is it possible to know why they decided to return to their home MS? Thanks again!

My child is a current 8th grader and students that have left have done so either because the bus ride was interfering with other activities, or because they moved further away and the bus ride was worse, or they moved out of MCPS entirely, or just because the enriched humanities and English wasn't enough to compensate for the logistical hassle. The last group is more likely to be kids who weren't "sold" on Eastern to begin with, and who would have attended TPMS instead if the lottery had worked out for them.

The Humanities magnets are incredible...for the right kid, but they are not the right fit for every kid. They are a much better fit for kids with "big theater kid energy" than for kids who don't want to work in groups, or speak in front of crowds, or write screenplays.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Trying to see if we should accept our child’s spot for the humanities magnet at Eastern MS. We were planning for our child to attend an Archdiocese of DC parochial school until this offer from Eastern came. Anyone in DCUM has experience with Eastern’s magnet program and an Archdiocese parochial school, and have thoughts on this?

Or in the alternative, anyone knows how MCPS’ Math 6+ or AIM curriculum at MCPS compares versus the Math curriculum at Archdiocese of DC parochial schools?

TIA!

Catholic schools employ teachers who are not all accredited. They pay a lower salary. We did St Johns for a year. Great for community and behavior at school. Not as good academically as MCPS.

We have 1 kid in MCPS and 1 at catholic MS and overall the teaching is better at private. The teachers are happier there as they don’t have to deal with some of the MCPS shenanigans about not being able to discipline kids or being forced give them a failing grade in order to boost the achievement gap. They also have more flexibility to tailor the curriculum to an individual students needs.

I’ve also heard from our MCPS MS principal that they are struggling to remove bad teachers because it’s so hard to find good replacements. It’s really bad this year with retirements and teachers just not coming back…..

We have found the curriculum to be a lot more rigorous at catholic school as well. Our kid in catholic MS has 6 others in their advanced math class- lots of 1:1 attention and ability to do fun projects.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you value indoctrination then go catholic, but if things like critical thinking or academics matter then Eastern.

LOL

I’m not Catholic, but MCPS certainly does its own version of ‘indoctrination’. And to think that any MCPS middle school values critical thinking and academics is a bit…laughable. MCPS middle schools are not very strong at all.

You don’t know anything about the magnet program at Eastern do you?

My DD’s good friend attended the Eastern Magnet for a year and then came back to our home MS. Went on to a Magnet HS and had a good experience there.

Is it possible to know why they decided to return to their home MS? Thanks again!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Trying to see if we should accept our child’s spot for the humanities magnet at Eastern MS. We were planning for our child to attend an Archdiocese of DC parochial school until this offer from Eastern came. Anyone in DCUM has experience with Eastern’s magnet program and an Archdiocese parochial school, and have thoughts on this?

Or in the alternative, anyone knows how MCPS’ Math 6+ or AIM curriculum at MCPS compares versus the Math curriculum at Archdiocese of DC parochial schools?

TIA!

Catholic schools employ teachers who are not all accredited. They pay a lower salary. We did St Johns for a year. Great for community and behavior at school. Not as good academically as MCPS.