Anonymous wrote:

Wow - this is eye opening.
I did not realize they grade on a curve - no wonder these kids are under so much stress if they are competing with each other. It also sounds like a lot of the pressure is self generating - they are trying to distinguish themselves from their classmates on their college apps. I wonder if it is like this at Blair SMAC.

I don't have any experience with RM IB but I know there is no curve grading in Blair SMAC. Of course Blair kids will still be still be stressed sometimes, but it's mostly because they have high expectations of themselves and a lot of extracurricular commitments. Overall the social environment is quite healthy and relaxed; there are also tons of spaces for electives junior/senior year.

Thanks. I find this very reassuring.

Anonymous wrote:

Wow - this is eye opening.
I did not realize they grade on a curve - no wonder these kids are under so much stress if they are competing with each other. It also sounds like a lot of the pressure is self generating - they are trying to distinguish themselves from their classmates on their college apps. I wonder if it is like this at Blair SMAC.

I don't have any experience with RM IB but I know there is no curve grading in Blair SMAC. Of course Blair kids will still be still be stressed sometimes, but it's mostly because they have high expectations of themselves and a lot of extracurricular commitments. Overall the social environment is quite healthy and relaxed; there are also tons of spaces for electives junior/senior year.

My kid's at RMIB. No curve grading as far as I know. Not sure what PP was referring to.

Wow - this is eye opening.
I did not realize they grade on a curve - no wonder these kids are under so much stress if they are competing with each other. It also sounds like a lot of the pressure is self generating - they are trying to distinguish themselves from their classmates on their college apps. I wonder if it is like this at Blair SMAC.

I don't have any experience with RM IB but I know there is no curve grading in Blair SMAC. Of course Blair kids will still be still be stressed sometimes, but it's mostly because they have high expectations of themselves and a lot of extracurricular commitments. Overall the social environment is quite healthy and relaxed; there are also tons of spaces for electives junior/senior year.

I went to RM IB for high school--coming up on 20 years since graduation (scary). It doesn't sound like things have changed that much.

Yes, it was a TON of work, much of which was not useful. In particular, we had these long exams on European history that basically involved memorizing chapters of a book by RR Palmer. History was so intense that I remember I got a 5 on the AP European History exam literally without studying for it, even though the curriculum for AP Euro was somewhat different from the IB. A number of what could have been electives had I attended another school were instead consumed by quirky IB curriculum requirements, like these endless European History classes which left no room for World History, and a completely useless class in "Theory of Knowledge" taught by an English teacher. I wanted to take Creative Writing, but had to take four years of "IB English" instead. I really missed having freedom to explore different things, which I didn't have as much of in college since I majored in a technical subject which had a ton of requirements.

The foreign language department was excellent.

College humanities seemed very easy relatively. I was not, however, well prepared in math or science. At the time, RM science was not strong.

Many of my peers were amazing and have gone on to become well known doctors, professors, musicians, attorneys, etc. That said a lot of the folks coming out of RM who went to colleges like Northwestern or Oberlin would easily have been valedictorian of their home schools and gone to Harvard. Things were very competitive; not just in the classroom but extracurriculars--lots of competition to be Features Editor for the Tide, or Fiction Editor of Fine Lines, or to make the "It's Academic" TV show, for example...so that meant there were often less opportunities then there might have been in a smaller pond.

I live in the RM boundary now, and have young children. I am not sure whether or not I would want my kids to go to the magnet. I think I would prefer them to go somewhere like Churchill where they might have many of the same opportunities, but more freedom to explore things, and maybe less pressure. But RM was an excellent experience academically.

Anonymous wrote:So is there really more homework at a school like Whitman than at a school like Einstein (assuming same classes)?

No.

So is there really more homework at a school like Whitman than at a school like Einstein (assuming same classes)?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can anyone who has had a child in a non magnet high school speak to the difference in workload as compared to a magnet?

Every high school has about 1-2 hours of homework for a standard 5 major class. What sets it apart is what your electives are, if you go easy in Junior/Senior year once your mandatories are done. If you take extra classes for your electives. If you take honors, and AP courses. They all make a difference and can increase/decrease the times.

1-2 hours per class per night?

I can't imagine they're talking about 5-10 hours of HW per night, so it must be total. Seems on the light side.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can anyone who has had a child in a non magnet high school speak to the difference in workload as compared to a magnet?

Every high school has about 1-2 hours of homework for a standard 5 major class. What sets it apart is what your electives are, if you go easy in Junior/Senior year once your mandatories are done. If you take extra classes for your electives. If you take honors, and AP courses. They all make a difference and can increase/decrease the times.

1-2 hours per class per night?

First let your kid get into a magnet program.

Next, let him choose. If he is very bright, self motivated, has great time management skills and likes to be challenged, he will thrive. If not, it will not be a great experience.

Anonymous wrote:Can anyone who has had a child in a non magnet high school speak to the difference in workload as compared to a magnet?

Every high school has about 1-2 hours of homework for a standard 5 major class. What sets it apart is what your electives are, if you go easy in Junior/Senior year once your mandatories are done. If you take extra classes for your electives. If you take honors, and AP courses. They all make a difference and can increase/decrease the times.

Anonymous wrote:Can anyone who has had a child in a non magnet high school speak to the difference in workload as compared to a magnet?

I do not have a student in a regular high school but I've asked many parents this in order to help our child make his decision and what I've heard is that it depends on the school and the child. If you have a motivated child in a high achieving school they are likely to graduate with 10-12 AP courses and exams under their belt in which case they might be spending 3 hours a night on homework - perhaps even more if they have a lot of science classes with double periods and labs.
So, the work load for this smaller group of students in a regular high school might be comparable to the work load for a magnet student. The main differences then might be that the magnet child has a stronger peer group in most of his classes and is exposed to a much richer/ higher level curriculum. I am not speaking from direct experience though.

Can anyone who has had a child in a non magnet high school speak to the difference in workload as compared to a magnet?

Anonymous wrote:

This is a great thread to read today...

-a parent who is not sure that she wants her child to get in to a magnet.

It does sound funny. But my daughter got into a magnet yet doesn't want to attend b/c so many kids end up with severe anxiety. She said her classes are challenging enough and she doesn't want to only focus on school.

Maybe I have the greatest underachiever??? But she certainly does well in school and obviously knows her threshold.

My child chose to leave HGC between 4/5th and chose not to go to Takoma Park Magnet. She is extremely bright but also social and is happier with friends and enjoying some free time. Unless your child enjoys the non-stop work and challenge, it could be an anxious 4 years. No diploma and certain college acceptances is worth leaving your entire 4 year high school life in the bedroom studying.

Anonymous wrote:Considering Blair because RM does not seem as organized. Info night was a mess. Very little info in the acceptance package. Nothing about shadowing. Got a phone call from a Blair student this weekend for questions. But live much closer to RM

+1
My kid was very impressed by Blair SMAC. He is a well-rounded student - strong in science, math, the humanities and a good writer. I was so sure that RMIB would therefore be the best place for him but he was really taken by the atmosphere at Blair and by how much the students seem to love what they do. I really liked the Blair presentation much more than the RMIB presentation - the director really stressed love of learning and the educational experience over outcomes such as college destinations.

You can at Blair..it is in the acceptance letter.