Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Maybe I'm a complete weirdo for this area, but I would rather my kid have a well rounded, classic childhood and don't want an intense academic program to detract from that. We do use tutoring for our 5th grader to make compacted math easier for her, and we require her to do a somewhat aggressive summer reading program, but that's it. She's in an intense athletic club, and with all of that, I want her to spend the remainder of her time running around the neighborhood with her friends, drawing, and making slime. Or, whatever else she wants to do with her creative energy. If she were obsessed with academics, I would support her, but in my own life, I find that social skills, creativity, and executive function are more important than knowledge.

So if your child got all the above reading and math support in school why shouldn’t she still be able to have a well rounded life? My 3rd grade DCplays an instrument at a high level, 3 day a week on a sport for 1.5 hrs each, runs around with the neighbors, has play dates sleep overs and a really close group of friends. She has been accepted into a CES that is near our house and I don’t see why having a mentally interesting day should take away from the rest of the things she does.

What you said is totally right.
But, come on. Show some sympathy!
The purpose of this thread is for the unlucky ones to comfort each other...

Anonymous wrote:Maybe I'm a complete weirdo for this area, but I would rather my kid have a well rounded, classic childhood and don't want an intense academic program to detract from that. We do use tutoring for our 5th grader to make compacted math easier for her, and we require her to do a somewhat aggressive summer reading program, but that's it. She's in an intense athletic club, and with all of that, I want her to spend the remainder of her time running around the neighborhood with her friends, drawing, and making slime. Or, whatever else she wants to do with her creative energy. If she were obsessed with academics, I would support her, but in my own life, I find that social skills, creativity, and executive function are more important than knowledge.

So if your child got all the above reading and math support in school why shouldn’t she still be able to have a well rounded life? My 3rd grade DCplays an instrument at a high level, 3 day a week on a sport for 1.5 hrs each, runs around with the neighbors, has play dates sleep overs and a really close group of friends. She has been accepted into a CES that is near our house and I don’t see why having a mentally interesting day should take away from the rest of the things she does.

Maybe I'm a complete weirdo for this area, but I would rather my kid have a well rounded, classic childhood and don't want an intense academic program to detract from that. We do use tutoring for our 5th grader to make compacted math easier for her, and we require her to do a somewhat aggressive summer reading program, but that's it. She's in an intense athletic club, and with all of that, I want her to spend the remainder of her time running around the neighborhood with her friends, drawing, and making slime. Or, whatever else she wants to do with her creative energy. If she were obsessed with academics, I would support her, but in my own life, I find that social skills, creativity, and executive function are more important than knowledge.

I’m a teacher in the county and years ago we used to encourage the kids to apply who couldn’t find their niche socially at the home school. It was kind of an “out” for kids who needed one. We didn’t recommend it to families whose kids were happy at the local school. I don’t feel the same way anymore because the overall quality of education has declined in MCPS, and the curriculum issues have been disastrous for many. That said, I still wouldn’t move a happy child. And I don’t think a long commute is worth it unless you’re unable to challenge your child in other ways or they’re acting out because they’re bored. My own child was accepted and we turned down a spot (granted this was years ago) because he loved his neighborhood friends and we prioritized that over academic challenge. But we signed him up for music and language lessons and robotics on the weekends. Much later he ended up in a selective program, but I have no doubt that we made the right choice for him at the time.

I moved to an area that we dont need to lotto away from for the local kids. That what it is really about right? Your kid isn’t that smart silver spring mom

Anonymous wrote:Would love to hear from other parents who aren’t that hung up on their kids acceptance/rejection. Our 4th grade son didn’t get in last year but didn’t really care. He’s doing very well in his classes and is happy at his school. I am totally fine with my kids in gen pop. Anyone else out there not think their kids is destined to a life of asking “would you like fried with that?”, or am I failing my kid and am just oblivious to it?

Our ES used to send 17-20 and now only sent 2 seats. So our whole neighborhood gave up on HGT, or CES as is is re-branded by the SJWs. Guess our kids have to keep taking the test and getting 99%s so they can get into the new "CES-lite classes."

Anonymous wrote:

Would love to hear from other parents who aren’t that hung up on their kids acceptance/rejection. Our 4th grade son didn’t get in last year but didn’t really care. He’s doing very well in his classes and is happy at his school. I am totally fine with my kids in gen pop. Anyone else out there not think their kids is destined to a life of asking “would you like fried with that?”, or am I failing my kid and am just oblivious to it?

What school are you in?

Its not a big deal in our school but our school is very high performing and doesn't really have any low performing kids. We have friends on the other side of the county and they make it sound like its either CES or cell block A/prison yard with future offenders.

OP here. We are in what most would consider ganglandia, but honestly have been very happy with my sons school experience.

My 5th grader did not get in CES two years ago. I was very disappointed.
Finally, I got over it -- earlier this year, he was admitted to the MS magnet program.
People may laugh at me, but I am not ashamed of telling the truth.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I thought basically no one goes.

This is sarcasm,right?

No. I know a bunch accepted and turned it down.

Just read the forum... lots of angst over getting into CES. There are some parents not hung up on CES, but "basically no one goes" to CES is not true, yet.

I do wonder if the change in admissions and opening up more local CES will reduce the desire for magnet CES.

Ideally the embedding of better and more enriched curriculum in all of the home schools (including local CES classes) will reduce the desire for magnet. The only students who should be going are those whose needs cannot be served in their home school - and this can be because there are far too few advanced students, or because the student is just an outlier in the way they think and process and they need a different peer group.

Anonymous wrote:If your child is happy at the home school, not bored in classes and the commute is too long, CES is obviously not worth it. If your child is spending 6 hrs a day un challenged, or struggling to find a like minded peer group then CES ca be a wonderful alternative and worth the ride. It really depends on your child. But painting all the kids who go, as children of tiger parents is a little unfair. Most of us are trying to do the best for our kids

This. It isn't unusual for some kids to go for the social reasons.

Would love to hear from other parents who aren’t that hung up on their kids acceptance/rejection. Our 4th grade son didn’t get in last year but didn’t really care. He’s doing very well in his classes and is happy at his school. I am totally fine with my kids in gen pop. Anyone else out there not think their kids is destined to a life of asking “would you like fried with that?”, or am I failing my kid and am just oblivious to it?

What school are you in?

Its not a big deal in our school but our school is very high performing and doesn't really have any low performing kids. We have friends on the other side of the county and they make it sound like its either CES or cell block A/prison yard with future offenders.

Anonymous wrote:I don't really care about CES. My only concern is that my kid be her very smart friends. They bring out the best in eachother. I am worried about siphoning the best kids out, so that what is left in the non-CES classes is not as empowering.

There are always more qualified students than seats at the CES programs. That means that there will still be smart children left in your child's classes.

I don't really care about CES. My only concern is that my kid be her very smart friends. They bring out the best in eachother. I am worried about siphoning the best kids out, so that what is left in the non-CES classes is not as empowering.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Mine is in 2nd now and I'm secretly hoping he doesn't get in. I think he's smart enough but not mature enough and it will be a constant battle to get him to put in the effort (though things may change in a year). He is happy in our home school, I am happy in our home school, I'm very involved with the PTA so I know a lot of families/parents and I like having both of my kids at the same school. I honestly don't want to have to make the decision if he does get in.

You can opt out of the testing/application

I know. But I don't want to deny him the opportunity either. I would rather know the options, even though the decision would be tough. Our CES school is actually not very far from our house and is right on my way to work so transportation is not an issue. I just love our home school and have put so much time into the PTA and getting to know the families/staff there that it would be really hard to send him to another school. But, things may change in a year so I want to have all of my options in front of me. I was sort of half-joking about hoping he doesn't get in (but half-not).

Anonymous wrote:My first I didn’t even have test. She probably would have been admitted as it was an easier process and she was a top student test/taker. But the bus commute was too long anc she loved her neighbor friends and activities.

Second not as smart but all kids had to takethe test. She got out on the WL and I took her off of it. Same reasons as above.

Just not a fan of bussing kids for this. I think only tiger moms do it and we are just far too laced to give up play and exercise for being on a bus 1.5 hours extra a day. No way for a kid to live.

My DC attended a CES that is closer to our house than our home school is. He benefited from the CES (then the HCG) and really blossomed that year as he had been very unhappy at our home school. He went on to TPMS and Blair, which have also been very good for him.

He was not well-served in our home school and I have zero regrets.