Blair already has 4 academies for non magnet students, can't remember what they are.

It would be difficult to move Blair magnet because the magnet busses bus Eastern, tP and Blair kids all together. Eastern is just down the road from Blair and to 10 minutes away. Won't work

If they move the magnet and CAP, what do you think will be the specialization at Blair? All of the DCC schools have something. If Kennedy gets the STEM magnet, could the IB program at Kennedy move to Blair? Maybe Blair could be an IB program like RMIB and concentrate all of the immersion programs?

I think moving SMAC is a great idea. Suck it Takoma Park!

I think that there are a lot of arguments against it. The magnet improves Blair and the perception of Blair. MCPS knows it will attract from across the county. Moving it to another school is pretty risky. Risk damaging the reputation of the DCC school that has the best reputation of the bunch. Also is risky to assume that the same students would apply if the magnet were at a weaker school.

I don't believe that it will happen. I do think there is a chance that a new magnet could be formed at one of those schools, like the engineering magnet at Wheaton.

A new engineering program like Wheaton's at Kennedy isn't going to draw in high performing students, improve the diversity or alleviate the overcrowding at Blair. Blair has a good sized cohort of UMC students and could stand on its own. It may end up more on par with Einstein, Northwood and Wheaton but would that be so bad? The DCC would still have the county wide magnet it would just be at Kennedy not Blair. The students make the program prestigious not the building or the location. The students are the ones winning awards not the building. Why not let the Kennedy community have a turn to be the best in the bunch?

At the PTA board meeting was the source of the information mentioned? What office or administrator?

I would assume they would move CAP too since they both need a 9 period day and block scheduling. If they have to run a second set of busses at both schools for the longer school day, they will end up with more bus expense. Also remember MS magnet kids currently use the HS magnet busses to get to Blair and then switch to get to Eastern and TP. The only way the timing works for that is because Blair magnet kids have a long day. If the MS magnet kids need separate busses it will again drive up costs.

I think that there are a lot of arguments against it. The magnet improves Blair and the perception of Blair. MCPS knows it will attract from across the county. Moving it to another school is pretty risky. Risk damaging the reputation of the DCC school that has the best reputation of the bunch. Also is risky to assume that the same students would apply if the magnet were at a weaker school.

I don't believe that it will happen. I do think there is a chance that a new magnet could be formed at one of those schools, like the engineering magnet at Wheaton.

Kennedy enrollment in 2023-24 is projected at 2,171. Current capacity is 2,122, future capacity is 2,221. No, Kennedy does not have the capacity.

Neither does Springbrook: 1,994 projected for 2023-24, capacity 2,121.

They don't need 400 seats.

Blair is supposed to be what 696 over by 2023-24. Springbrook will be 127 under and Kennedy will be 50 under by 2023.

In the Kennedy scenario they end up being 350 over and Blair ends up being 296 over. Considering that enrollment has been growing at Blair and declining at Kennedy, its a fair bet that they will end being pretty equal in the end. Don't get forget that there are some heavy lobby efforts going on for some neighborhoods to get into Blair so Blair may creep up closer to 325-350 or offer more lottery seats to address the pressure.

The Springbrook scenario is far more equal with Blair ended up 296 over and Springbrook being 273 over.

Woodward doesn't exist yet but unless it becomes only DCC kids which nobody seems to want have happen then it can't solve the huge over capacity numbers that Blair, Einstein and Northwood are projecting. Kennedy and Springbrook are projecting to be under enrolled. Springbrook more so than Kennedy.

If Blair sheds the magnet and goes down to being only 200 over it could possibly take some neighborhoods that are across the street but zoned to Northwood. WJ, Einstein and Northwood send some neighborhoods to Woodward. Woodward has an enriched magnet lite DCC only option to make people happy. Blair magnet goes to Kennedy.

It certainly balances enrollment better, achieves the diversity goal, and raises up a struggling school. TP politicians have no grounds to say boo about it. Its hard to argue against it beyond self interest.

Anonymous wrote:Neither of these schools have capacity for 500 extra kids..

Correct, I just looked up the capacity numbers and either school has room for 400+ extra kids. Also, both schools will be at capacity in 3-4 years.

Anonymous wrote:

How could they justify spending $$ to rebuild the labs and facilities when they already exist?

Right because there are no science facilities at all at Kennedy. In fact the school doesn't even have desks, its just a big yard with a fence around it. Plus you can't pick up and move computer equipment! Those parts are poured into the foundation and concrete. And wait...OMG ..what about the posters stapled to the bulletin boards??? There is no way to move those materials. MCPS would need to hold a science competition to figure that one out. Maybe some kid could invent something like...oh I don't know something..called a staple taker outer or staple remover.

Seriously, the majority could easily move. It frees up much needed space at Blair and Kennedy has the capacity.

Kennedy enrollment in 2023-24 is projected at 2,171. Current capacity is 2,122, future capacity is 2,221. No, Kennedy does not have the capacity.

Neither does Springbrook: 1,994 projected for 2023-24, capacity 2,121.

Neither of these schools have capacity for 500 extra kids..

How could they justify spending $$ to rebuild the labs and facilities when they already exist?

Right because there are no science facilities at all at Kennedy. In fact the school doesn't even have desks, its just a big yard with a fence around it. Plus you can't pick up and move computer equipment! Those parts are poured into the foundation and concrete. And wait...OMG ..what about the posters stapled to the bulletin boards??? There is no way to move those materials. MCPS would need to hold a science competition to figure that one out. Maybe some kid could invent something like...oh I don't know something..called a staple taker outer or staple remover.

Seriously, the majority could easily move. It frees up much needed space at Blair and Kennedy has the capacity.

Anonymous wrote:The only rumor I have heard is that they will move it to the new Woodward HS..make it all magnet..so they do not have to change any boundaries. Maybe I should start a new rumour thread?

That would be great!!

If this happened, would CAP stay at Blair? It's a DCC program unlike the magnet.