Anonymous wrote:Thanks for the input. Anyone create a good comparison chart to use as a starting point to help walk a child through some criteria to make a decision. Basics and then kid can add a few more??

Yes, great question - please share if you have one!

Anonymous wrote:OP here and I agree with PP. We are trying now to figure out how to do prerequisites for a few magnet classes, but it won't be the same. I really hope this thread is helpful -- we were quite lost last year trying to decide.

This thread is very helpful. We are going through the same decision now.

OP here and I agree with PP. We are trying now to figure out how to do prerequisites for a few magnet classes, but it won't be the same. I really hope this thread is helpful -- we were quite lost last year trying to decide.

For those of you choosing between SMAC and CAP there are significant differences in the academic experience you can expect. Although any Blair student can theoretically take a SMAC elective if they meet the prereqs and there is room in the class (magnet kids get priority), it is hard to take many SMAC electives if you are a non magnet student. Magnet students take 4 magnet math and science classes every semester in 9th and 10th grade and then have to take at least 10 magnet classes in 11th and 12th grade to graduate from the program. This is in addition to working on a Senior Research Project which takes them around a year to complete. It is a very different experience from taking a few magnet electives in high school.
For those of you who are worried that your kid will spend four years doing math worksheets and memorizing the periodic table, the SMAC program does encourage interdisciplinary work, and the curriculum stresses creativity, original thought, experimentation, problem solving, working collaboratively with other students etc. My kid was trying to decide between SMAC, CAP and RMIB a couple of years ago and he is very happy with his decision to pick SMAC. Like the OP's child, he loves science but also enjoys history and English and is quite intellectual. He takes his Social Studies and English classes primarily with other magnet students (typically very intelligent and curious students), the teaching and curriculum have been very good in these subjects. Not on par with the CAP curriculum but certainly at the level of the best high schools in MCPS. The CAP program is very intense for the first two years and it tapers off in 11th and 12th grade. SMAC retains its intensity (and workload) for all four years.
Bottom line, choose the program you are most excited about but I don't think it is realistic to expect you can enroll in CAP and enjoy a meaningful magnet experience through taking a few magnet electives.

..and that is not just CAP students..it is any Blair student btw

CAP students typically do not have access to SMAC electives until their junior year...assuming they have the pre-recs.

Anonymous wrote:I'm the OP from 2016 thread. DC decided on CAP. Loves almost all the CAP classes, but is fairly bored in honors math and physics. Friends in the magnet program seem to have more homework, but DC is sometimes wistful about missing the high-level math classes. And now we're trying to figure out how to fit in the cool math/science courses among the required CAP classes. It would be nice if there was a way to do both. Maybe that's what IB is about, but that wasn't something we considered because Richard Montgomery is too far away. Hope this helps for those deciding this year.

OP. I am very curious to know whether your CAP child has been able to take/enroll in any SMAC classes.

I'm the OP from 2016 thread. DC decided on CAP. Loves almost all the CAP classes, but is fairly bored in honors math and physics. Friends in the magnet program seem to have more homework, but DC is sometimes wistful about missing the high-level math classes. And now we're trying to figure out how to fit in the cool math/science courses among the required CAP classes. It would be nice if there was a way to do both. Maybe that's what IB is about, but that wasn't something we considered because Richard Montgomery is too far away. Hope this helps for those deciding this year.

They have have completely different focuses. Communication/arts vs STEM. SMAC is harder to get into as the selecting pool is larger. Both have good reputations.

Anonymous wrote:No, people haven't heard yet this year--this thread was started in February 2016.

The post that revived it is confusing

No, people haven't heard yet this year--this thread was started in February 2016.

Anonymous wrote:Thanks for the input. Anyone create a good comparison chart to use as a starting point to help walk a child through some criteria to make a decision. Basics and then kid can add a few more??

Did your kid already get in? I thought acceptances were mailed in February.

Thanks for the input. Anyone create a good comparison chart to use as a starting point to help walk a child through some criteria to make a decision. Basics and then kid can add a few more??

Anonymous wrote:Magnet MS rigor is not a good reference point for HS magnet rigor, particularly for RM. Different ball game.

Ok but for people who have not yet had a high school student but have had a student in a ms magnet it is useful to understand.

Anyone willing to say what day the CAP meeting is? We are still waiting for a letter. Just knowing the date would be helpful.