Anonymous wrote:For reference: the W schools are Watkins Mill, Wheaton, Whitman, and Wootton.

Not on this forum. "W" refers to Churchill, Wootton, Whitman and WJ.

Anonymous wrote:OP - if you are not interested in MCPS magnet programs (i.e., IB @ RM, STEM at Blair, or PHS programs), I think other "W" schools make better comparisons to WJ than RM. Without knowing anything about your child, however, it's hard to suggest which school might be the best. They are all good school though. Good luck.

For reference: the W schools are Watkins Mill, Wheaton, Whitman, and Wootton.

What I think would be a better comparison would be Walter Johnson vs. Churchill, Whitman, Wootton, and Bethesda-Chevy Chase.

16:52, you insufferable snob. Go back to Whitman.

Yes the IB was added about 25 years ago along with the Ritchie Park neighborhood and long before several upscale neighborhoods were built like King Farm, Traville, and Falls Grove were added.

Anonymous wrote:IB and Magnet programs are placed in poor performing schools that need a boost in test scores. That tells you all you need to know about RM.

Yes, way back in the late '80s, RM wasn't doing so well. That doesn't tell us anything about what kind of school it is today.

IB and Magnet programs are placed in poor performing schools that need a boost in test scores. That tells you all you need to know about RM.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:RM number of 42 is a little misleading. I think 41 out 42 kids came from its IB program - out of about 100 kids. Check out RM/IB profile sheet.

Probably true, but the point is that RM has the IB program from which many National Merit scholars were selected. Really, what is the definition of better? I think different people have different opinions about that. To some, it's all about the scores, to others, it's something else.

Well, the purpose of the thread is to help someone evaluate the school for someone who may move to the cluster. From that perspective, the IB program isn't relevant (except to the extent being in the cluster gives you preferred access to it).

There is no debate that the IB program is excellent and a great opportunity for students who get into it.

If one is interested in being in the IB program, whether the last 2 yrs or MYP years, then yes, the fact that RM has the MYP and IB certificate program is very relevant.

That's a misleading response. National Merit scholars are being touted to show the quality of RM (which is what OP is asking about), but those scholars are from the magnet program to which you have no special access to in 9th grade. As such, they are non-responsive to the question being asked, which expressed no specific desire for an IB-based curriculum.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:RM number of 42 is a little misleading. I think 41 out 42 kids came from its IB program - out of about 100 kids. Check out RM/IB profile sheet.

Probably true, but the point is that RM has the IB program from which many National Merit scholars were selected. Really, what is the definition of better? I think different people have different opinions about that. To some, it's all about the scores, to others, it's something else.

Well, the purpose of the thread is to help someone evaluate the school for someone who may move to the cluster. From that perspective, the IB program isn't relevant (except to the extent being in the cluster gives you preferred access to it).

There is no debate that the IB program is excellent and a great opportunity for students who get into it.

If one is interested in being in the IB program, whether the last 2 yrs or MYP years, then yes, the fact that RM has the MYP and IB certificate program is very relevant.

OP - if you are not interested in MCPS magnet programs (i.e., IB @ RM, STEM at Blair, or PHS programs), I think other "W" schools make better comparisons to WJ than RM. Without knowing anything about your child, however, it's hard to suggest which school might be the best. They are all good school though. Good luck.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:RM number of 42 is a little misleading. I think 41 out 42 kids came from its IB program - out of about 100 kids. Check out RM/IB profile sheet.

Probably true, but the point is that RM has the IB program from which many National Merit scholars were selected. Really, what is the definition of better? I think different people have different opinions about that. To some, it's all about the scores, to others, it's something else.

Well, the purpose of the thread is to help someone evaluate the school for someone who may move to the cluster. From that perspective, the IB program isn't relevant (except to the extent being in the cluster gives you preferred access to it).

There is no debate that the IB program is excellent and a great opportunity for students who get into it.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just take a look at the "at a glance sheets" WJ is a much better school.

WJ is an excellent school but not sure I want to go that far...

There were 163 national merit semifinalists from MCPS last year (class of 2014).
Bethesda-Chevy Chase: 7
Montgomery Blair: 36
Winston Churchill: 18
Clarksburg: 1
Walter Johnson: 8
Richard Montgomery: 42
Northwest: 2
Poolesville: 9
Quince Orchard: 3
Rockville: 1
Sherwood: 3
Springbrook: 1
Walt Whitman: 21
Thomas S. Wootton: 11

It's not the only measure of how good school is but it tells you something.

Since there are more than 42 kids in RM's IB program, it tells me that not all of them national merit finalists and other schools can have a great amount without IB.

Anonymous wrote:RM number of 42 is a little misleading. I think 41 out 42 kids came from its IB program - out of about 100 kids. Check out RM/IB profile sheet.

Same with Blair's. I am sure most of 36 kids are from it's STEM magnet program.

Anonymous wrote:RM number of 42 is a little misleading. I think 41 out 42 kids came from its IB program - out of about 100 kids. Check out RM/IB profile sheet.

Probably true, but the point is that RM has the IB program from which many National Merit scholars were selected. Really, what is the definition of better? I think different people have different opinions about that. To some, it's all about the scores, to others, it's something else.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just take a look at the "at a glance sheets" WJ is a much better school.

Specifically what on the "at a glance" sheets demonstrates that Walter Johnson is a much better school?

NP here. I would actually look the "negative" aspects of a school. For example, how are FARMS kids performing at each school. To me, if low income students fair well in a school, that speaks volumes about the school. It's a lot easier for wealthier kids to do well in school. So, those scores don't really mean all that much. I would also look at the programs offered in each school, if that's possible. Your kid might do well in either school, but what are the opportunities for varying programs in each school for your kids to be engaged in?

RM number of 42 is a little misleading. I think 41 out 42 kids came from its IB program - out of about 100 kids. Check out RM/IB profile sheet.