STEM Academy for New 9th graders

[outlawrc]

In Saint Marys county.
My Child has been chosen for this program. Does anyone have thoughts, ideas or information on this program?

[chess]

Suppose to be top notch program and teachers....

[LOL]

Originally Posted by outlawrc

In Saint Marys county.
My Child has been chosen for this program. Does anyone have thoughts, ideas or information on this program?

It is an outstanding program. Definitely go through with it. It is a great thing to get them involved in at this age, especially with us being right next to PAX.

[LOL]

SMCPS - Curriculum and Instruction

FAQ's and a bunch of links to STEM information.

[red_explorer]

Originally Posted by outlawrc

In Saint Marys county.
My Child has been chosen for this program. Does anyone have thoughts, ideas or information on this program?

Think very carefully about it. Some friends of mine have children in all three Stem programs and have not been pleased by them. They say the programs are very disorganized.

If your child is not a Math or Science child (even if they have great grades), they will probably not enjoy it.

[outlawrc]

Originally Posted by red_explorer

Think very carefully about it. Some friends of mine have children in all three Stem programs and have not been pleased by them. They say the programs are very disorganized.

If your child is not a Math or Science child (even if they have great grades), they will probably not enjoy it.

These are some of my thoughts as well, if my child isn't going to take the path of this type of carreer, is it still worth it.
I was also told that they are moving the "gifted" kids with higher grades to scools with lower scores to lift those levels up. Not sure how much truth there is to that.

Thanks for all the input.

[Dymphna]

Originally Posted by outlawrc

I was also told that they are moving the "gifted" kids with higher grades to scools with lower scores to lift those levels up. Not sure how much truth there is to that.

Thanks for all the input.

There is SOME truth to that, but the other aspect of it is that the schools with the lower scores also tend to be the schools with Title I status which gets them money from the federal government. Which allows more funds to flow into the infrastructure of the school as well as the "regular" classes, which the STEM children will also benefit from....the STEM program itself is funded by private grants, but it wouldn't cover things like the cafeteria, the PE classes, music classes etc. which the STEM kids also use.

[outlawrc]

It has been a while since I was in High school, but I know when I was, Great Mills was the worst (I went to Leonardtown) as far as troubled and trouble causing students. I know there are still rumors oof the same. Also, the rumors of how bad The Great Mills area itself is. This is definately a concern of my child and her parents as to the distractions this could cause.

[Dymphna]

Originally Posted by outlawrc

It has been a while since I was in High school, but I know when I was, Great Mills was the worst (I went to Leonardtown) as far as troubled and trouble causing students. I know there are still rumors oof the same. Also, the rumors of how bad The Great Mills area itself is. This is definately a concern of my child and her parents as to the distractions this could cause.

Has your child been accepted into the program or has she been invited to apply? It seems early, we went through this last year and it seems to me at this point in the year, they were just starting to accept applications.

If that's the case, you have probably been invited to attend informational meetings. It can't hurt to get more information and perhaps you can ask for "references." Perhaps they can put you in contact with parents whose children are in the program.

[outlawrc]

Originally Posted by Dymphna

Has your child been accepted into the program or has she been invited to apply? It seems early, we went through this last year and it seems to me at this point in the year, they were just starting to accept applications.

If that's the case, you have probably been invited to attend informational meetings. It can't hurt to get more information and perhaps you can ask for "references." Perhaps they can put you in contact with parents whose children are in the program.

Yes, there is a meeting this evening that I/we are going to attend for more information. I kinda like getting the real info from real people though. You know, people that have been there type of thing.
Thanks.