1 MSMC Middle School Magnet Consortium Overview MSMC Schools
Common Elements Choice Process Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The presentation will begin at 7:00 p.m. Slide 2 2 Argyle Magnet
School for Digital Design and Development A. Mario Loiederman
Magnet School for the Creative and Performing Arts Parkland Magnet
School for Aerospace Technology What schools are in the MSMC? Slide
3 3 Why was the MSMC created? Increase student performance in the
three target schools Broaden local school program choices and
expand student program choices in MCPS Reduce socioeconomic
isolation in the three target schools without increasing
socioeconomic isolation in the sending middle schools The MSMC was
funded by a $7.2 million federal grant through the 2007- 2008
school year. The programs are now locally funded through MCPS.
Slide 4 4 Who is eligible to attend? Montgomery County students
currently in Grade 5 *Note: Students who live within the attendance
areas of Argyle, Loiederman, and Parkland WILL be assigned to an
MSMC school. *Is one of these your home elementary school? MSMC
In-Consortium Elementary Schools: BrookhavenStrathmore Georgian
ForestViers Mill Harmony HillsWeller Road Sargent Shriver Wheaton
Woods Slide 5 5 Terminology You are In-Consortium if your home
elementary school is (i.e. you live in the boundary areas of):
BrookhavenStrathmore Georgian ForestViers Mill Harmony HillsWeller
Road Sargent Shriver Wheaton Woods You are Out-of-Consortium if you
live out of the boundary areas of those schools. Slide 6 6 Is
transportation provided? For students who live outside walking
distance of their assigned school, as designated by MCPS, and in
the attendance areas of: Argyle, Loiederman, and Parkland Yes -
from neighborhood bus stops if they live beyond the MCPS designated
walking distance All other areas of Montgomery County No - parents
provide transportation Slide 7 7 What is unique about MSMC schools?
Whole School Magnet Model Accelerated core curriculum Specialty and
advanced courses Unique course sequences Advanced mathematics
Highly effective instructional program Partnerships that support
magnet focus Slide 8 8 Accelerated Curriculum and Specialty Courses
Specialty courses open to all students Specialty elective courses
provide advanced study in magnet focus Slide 9 9 Highly Effective
Instructional Program MCPS curriculum in core subject areas Skilled
teachers Professional development Team planning and grading Student
support during and after school Rigorous course work Extended
learning opportunities Slide 10 Argyle Magnet Middle School for
Technology Innovation Invent the Future With Us! Slide 11 11
Technology- Hardware and Software Full Technical Modernization:
Summer 2013 28 NXT Robots 20 Boebots 50 Wacom tablets 3 Pleo
dinosaurs 45 Macbook Pro laptops 9 computer labs 36 Alienware
gaming laptops TV Studio 10 Sony Bloggie cameras 6 Vixia RF20 HD
cameras Lego Mindstorms Alice Game maker 8 Visual Basic Adobe
Creative Suite Adobe Premier Elements Eclipse for Java Dreamweaver
iMovie Flash Scratch Slide 12 12 Argyle Magnet Middle School:
Students Innovate and Invent Every Day Through: Digital Media
Production Suite-Creating Video or Computer Generated Graphics
Cutting Edge Technology Education-Designing Cell Phone Applications
and advanced video games Project SUCCESS-Connecting content areas
in a unique classroom environment Producing Technology for
Businesses and Non- Profit Organizations-Grade 8 Capstone 6 th
& 7 th Mile Marker-Students Develop Technology Product Slide 13
13 A. Mario Loiederman Magnet School for the Creative and
Performing Arts Advanced Arts Advanced Arts Advanced Mathematics 6
th grade integrated arts course- Perspectives in the Fine Arts.
Rigorous arts courses available in dance, music, theatre, visual
art, digital arts and film. Course curricula are aligned with state
and national standards. Arts performances, residencies and displays
are on- going. Students may participate in juried exhibitions,
adjudications, and competitions. Slide 14 14 A. Mario Loiederman
Magnet School for the Creative and Performing Arts What do the
students DO? C.H.O.I.C.E. Every Lion will have a CHOICE to be
Creative by incorporation Higher order thinking fostered by Ongoing
learning, and Integrates a universal design for learning fostered
by Collaboration supported by Engaging instruction Artful Thinking
Across Content Areas Use Garage Band and Mix- Craft technology to
compose a song that captures the mood Interpret the artwork through
dance MSMC English Slide 15 15 A. Mario Loiederman Magnet School
for the Creative and Performing Arts What do the students DO?
Awards & Accolades Selected as a School of Excellence in Arts
Education by the Kennedy Center, 2010 Selected for a Gold Award for
Positive School Climate by the State of MD, 2010 Chamber Choir
selected to performance at the MS National Conference for Choral
Music in Dallas, Texas, 2012 Unique Partnerships Round House
Theatre- Intersections residency using theatre to understand text
Strathmore- workshops, open rehearsals, residencies and performance
assemblies Baltimore Symphony Orchestra- guest conductors and open
rehearsals Slide 16 16 Parkland Magnet School for Aerospace
Technology Advanced Mathematics and Science Advanced Mathematics
and Science Engineering Engineering Every student is in a unique
accelerated MCPS middle school science program. Course curricula
are aligned with state and national standards. Scientific inquiry
and problem solving are part of instruction. Students can choose
electives in Astronomy, Engineering, Flight and Robotics. Students
design and construct kites, planes and robots and they conduct
authentic research in astronomy. Slide 17 17 Parkland Magnet School
for Aerospace Technology What do the students DO? Students work on
their yearly Milestone Projects. These projects can be entered into
the ScienceMONTGOMERY county fair. Our Aerospace Partners work with
our students on their Milestone projects and they deliver aerospace
and science lessons within their science classes. Students may
participate in competitions in robotics, science, engineering, and
mathematics. Slide 18 18 MSMC English 18 Kites and Hot Air Balloons
Bottle Rockets Physics Egg Drop Heart Dissection w/Dr. Holliday,
Aerospace Partner STEM Sea Perch Engineering Project Robotics Slide
19 19 MSMC Program Booklet Visit: www.montgomeryschools
md.org/schools/msmagnet/ www.montgomeryschools
md.org/schools/msmagnet/ Slide 20 20 After Grade 8, what high
school options are available for students? Attend one of the five
Downcounty Consortium (DCC) high schools Attend home high school
(based on students home address) Apply to DCC application high
school programs Apply to countywide application high school
programs Slide 21 21 What is the Choice Process? The Choice process
involves a LOTTERY assignment process. In-Consortium Grade 5
students who reside within the geographic boundaries of the MSMC
will participate in the Choice lottery and be assigned to one of
the three schools Out-of-Consortium Grade 5 students who reside
outside the geographic boundaries of the MSMC in other parts of
Montgomery County may participate in the Choice lottery Slide 22 22
What factors may be considered in the lottery school assignment
process? Computer program is used that randomly assigns based on:
School capacity Choice ranking Sibling link Socioeconomic status of
base middle school Gender Note: Test results, report card grades,
and teacher recommendations are NOT part of the MSMC school lottery
process. Slide 23 23 What factors ARE NOT considered in the lottery
school assignment process? Test results Report card grades Teacher
recommendations Race Participation in activities related to the
magnet focus Skill/interest level or preparation in the area of the
magnet focus Slide 24 24 What is the Choice Process Timeline?
September 2013 MSMC evening parent information meetings October
2013 MSMC open houses at each school Choice forms available
mid-October November 2013 November 8, 2013 - Choice form deadline
(Round 1) Continued Slide 25 25 Choice Process Timeline (Continued)
(Continued) Early February 2014 Results of Round 1 Notification
letters mailed to homes of Round 1 participants February 14, 2014
Round 2 forms due for: New applicants Students who did not get
their first choice school in Round 1 whose parents request in
writing to have original Choice form resubmitted Out-of-consortium
students not selected in Round 1 February 21, 2014 Acceptance
deadline for out-of-Consortium students invited in Round 1 Slide 26
26 How will families receive the Choice form? In-Consortium:
Students who live within the Consortium will receive a Choice form
in the mail. Out-of-Consortium: Students/parents may obtain a
Choice form from: the MSMC website
www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/msmagnet the Division of
Consortia Choice and Application Program Services, 301-592-2040
Slide 27 27 What does the Choice form look like? Slide 28 28 How do
students participate in the MSMC school Choice process? 1)
Parents/Grade 5 students complete a Choice form. Rank the three
MSMC schools in order of preference: 1st, 2nd, and 3rd choices. 2)
Please answer the 3 survey questions on form, too. We want your
feedback! 3) Return the form by Friday, November 8, 2013
In-Consortium Return to childs elementary school. Out-of-Consortium
Return to DCCAPS office. Slide 29 29 ? FAQ What are some frequently
asked questions? F A Q s ? Slide 30 30 What are the differences and
similarities between the MSMC schools and the magnet programs at
Clemente, Eastern and Takoma Park? MSMCApplication Programs Whole
school magnet Every child in the school participates in the magnet
focus Student assignment by lottery using Choice form Magnet
program within a larger school Only those selected participate
Student assignment by a highly competitive selection process
application (report card grades, teacher recommendations,
testing...) Similarities Rigorous course work Themed programs High
school credit available Limited seats Note: A student may apply to
application programs AND participate in the lottery. Slide 31 31
Are students who live within the MSMC attendance area guaranteed a
seat? Are students who live within the MSMC attendance area
guaranteed a seat? Yes, an In-Consortium student is guaranteed a
seat at one of the three schools. Slide 32 32 Are students
guaranteed their first choice school? No, but every effort will be
made to assign students to their first choice. Last year, 87% of
In-Consortium students received their first choice. Slide 33 33 How
many seats are available to students who live outside of the MSMC
attendance area? Depending on enrollment trends, approximately up
to 80 seats per school may be available for students entering Grade
6. Last year, 758 out-of-Consortium students submitted Choice
forms. Slide 34 34 Do MSMC schools offer similar services as other
MCPS middle schools? MSMC schools offer the same academic and
educational services as other MCPS schools, plus additional courses
and after school activities. All MCPS middle schools offer
opportunities for high school credit. Slide 35 35 May current Grade
6 students participate in the Choice process? May current Grade 6
students participate in the Choice process? Current Grade 6
students who live outside the MSMC attendance area may participate
in the Choice process. Factors that may be considered in the
selection process include the total number of available seats,
total number of applicants for those seats, choice ranking, sibling
link, socioeconomic status, gender, and the percentage of students
on Free and Reduced Meals (FARMS) at the applicants home school.
Slide 36 36 When are the MSMC Fall 2013 Open Houses? Wednesday,
October 9 Parkland 4610 West Frankfort Drive Rockville, MD 20853
Wednesday, October 16 Argyle 2400 Bel Pre Road Silver Spring, MD
20906 Wednesday, October 23 A. Mario Loiederman 12701 Goodhill Road
Silver Spring, MD 20906 Programs begin at 7:00 p.m. Parents and
their Grade 5 child(ren) are encouraged to attend all three. Slide
37 37 For more information, please contact
[email protected] Magnet Coordinator Argyle
[email protected] Magnet Coordinator A. Mario Loiederman
[email protected] Magnet Coordinator Parkland Questions
about the Choice Process? Division of Consortia Choice and
Application Program Services (DCCAPS) 301-592-2040 or visit
montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/msmagnet Slide 38 38 Thank you for
attending this presentation. To help us better serve you, please
complete your evaluation form and return it to a member of the
Consortia staff or in the boxes by the door as you leave.
Principals and coordinators are in the foyer to answer your
questions.
