Middle School Magnet Consortium
MSMC
• Overview
• MSMC Schools
• Common Elements
• Choice Process
• Frequently Asked
The presentation will
begin at 7:00 p.m.
1
Questions (FAQs)
What schools are
in the MSMC?
• 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
2
Why was the
MSMC created?
The MSMC was
funded by a
$7.2 million
federal grant
through the 20072008 school year.
The programs are
now locally funded
through MCPS.
3
• 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
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:
Brookhaven
Strathmore
Georgian Forest
Viers Mill
Harmony Hills
Weller Road
Sargent Shriver
Wheaton Woods
4
Terminology
You are “In-Consortium” if your home elementary
school is (i.e. you live in the boundary areas of):
Brookhaven
Strathmore
Georgian Forest
Viers Mill
Harmony Hills
Weller Road
Sargent Shriver
Wheaton Woods
You are “Out-of-Consortium” if you live out of the
boundary areas of those schools.
5
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
6
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
7
Accelerated Curriculum
and Specialty Courses
8

Specialty courses open to all students

Specialty elective courses provide
advanced study in magnet focus
Highly Effective
Instructional Program
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
9
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
Argyle Magnet Middle School
for Digital Design and Development
Invent the Future With Us!
Technology- Hardware and Software
One Computer per Student!












11
Technical Modernization in 2013
540 laptops & Chrome books
510 PCs
20 Boebots
50 Wacom Tablets
45 Macbook Pro Laptops
11 Computer Labs
36 Alienware Gaming Laptops
TV Studio
42 Sony Bloggie Cameras
6 Vixia RF20 HD Cameras
Lego Mindstorm NXT Robots










MIT App Inventor
Gamemaker 8
Visual Basic
Adobe Creative Suite
Adobe Premier Elements
Java
Dreamweaver
HTML 5
Flash
Scratch
Argyle Magnet Middle School
Students Innovate and Invent Every Day!
•
•
•
•
•
•
12
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
6th & 7th Mile Marker-Students develop technology
products
Grade 8 Capstone-Producing technology for businesses
and non-profit organizations
After School Enrichment-Montgomery College Junior
PhD program
A. Mario Loiederman Magnet School
for the Creative and Performing Arts
• Advanced Arts •
• World Languages •
• Advanced Mathematics •





13
6th grade integrated arts course- Perspectives in the
Fine Arts.
Rigorous arts courses available in dance, music,
theater, visual art, digital arts and film.
Course curricula are aligned with state and
national standards.
Arts performances, residencies and displays are ongoing.
Students may participate in juried exhibitions,
adjudications, and competitions.
A. Mario Loiederman Magnet School
for the Creative and Performing Arts
What do the students DO?
•
•
•
14
Instructional Focus—To develop Higher Order Thinking skills through
authentic tasks aligned to measurable mastery objectives.
Supporting School Vision: All students will exhibit a high level of thinking as
measured by the proficiency levels aligned to the Common Core State
Standards identified in the PARCC.
Milestones – Integrating
the Arts Across Content
Areas
Interpret the artwork
through dance
Use Garage Band and
Mix- Craft technology to
compose a song that
captures the mood through
various art forms
Milestones in World Studies and English
A. Mario Loiederman Magnet School
for the Creative and Performing Arts
What do the students DO?
Unique Partnerships
Round House TheatreIntersections residency using
theatre to understand text
Strathmore- workshops, open
rehearsals, residencies and
performance assemblies
Baltimore Symphony Orchestraguest conductors and open rehearsals
Awards & Accolades
15
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
 1st and 2nd place at Ghandi
Brigade Youth Media Festival,
2014
Chamber Choir selected to
performance at the MS National
Conference for Choral Music in Dallas,
Texas, 2012
Parkland Magnet School for
Aerospace Technology
• Advanced Mathematics and Science •
• Engineering •
16

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.
Parkland Magnet School for
Aerospace Technology
What do the students DO?
17

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.
Kites and Hot Air Balloons
Heart Dissection w/Dr. Holliday,
Aerospace Partner
Bottle Rockets
Physics Egg Drop
STEM
Sea Perch Engineering
Project
Robotics
18
MSMC English
18
MSMC Program Booklet
Visit:
www.montgomeryschools
md.org/schools/msmagnet/
19
After Grade 8, what high school
options are available for
students?
●
●
●
●
20
Attend one of the five Downcounty
Consortium (DCC) high schools
Attend home high school
(based on student’s home address)
Apply to DCC application high school
programs
Apply to countywide application high
school programs
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

21
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
Note: Test results, report card grades, and teacher recommendations
are NOT part of the MSMC school lottery process.
22
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

23
What is the Choice
Process Timeline?
September 2014
– MSMC evening parent information meetings
October 2014
– MSMC open houses at each school
– Choice forms available mid-October
November 2014
– November 7, 2014 - Choice form deadline (Round 1)
Continued 
24
Choice Process Timeline
(Continued)
Early February 2015 – Results of Round 1
– Notification letters mailed to homes of Round 1 participants
February 13, 2015
– 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
25
February 20, 2015
– Acceptance deadline for out-of-Consortium students invited in
Round 1
How will families
receive the
Choice form?

In-Consortium: Students who live within the
Consortium will receive a Choice form in the mail
in mid-October.

Out-of-Consortium: Students/parents may obtain
a Choice form in mid-October from:
– the MSMC website
www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/msmagnet
–
26
the Division of Consortia Choice and
Application Program Services, 301-592-2040
What does
the Choice
form look
like?
27
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 7, 2014
In-Consortium – Return to child’s elementary school.
Out-of-Consortium – Return to DCCAPS office.
28
?
FAQ
What are some
frequently asked
questions?
FAQs
?
29
What are the differences and similarities between
the MSMC schools and the magnet programs at
Clemente, Eastern and Takoma Park?
MSMC
Application 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

**A student may apply to application programs AND participate in the lottery.
Due Dates and Notification Dates are the SAME.
30
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.
31
Are students guaranteed their
first choice school?
No, but every effort will be made to
assign students to their first choice.
Last year, 94% of In-Consortium students received
their first choice.
32
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, over 800 out-of-Consortium
students submitted Choice forms.
33
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.
34
May current Grade 6
students participate in
the Choice process?
35
When are the MSMC
Fall 2014 Open Houses?
Wednesday, October 8
Argyle
2400 Bel Pre Road
Silver Spring, MD 20906
Wednesday, October 15
A. Mario Loiederman
12701 Goodhill Road
Silver Spring, MD 20906
Wednesday, October 22
Parkland
4610 West Frankfort Drive
Rockville, MD 20853
Programs begin at 7:00 p.m.
Parents and their Grade 5 child(ren) are encouraged to attend all three.
36
For more information,
please contact …
Peter_A_Daddone@mcpsmd.org
Magnet Coordinator – Argyle
Royce_A_Wallace@mcpsmd.org
Magnet Coordinator – A. Mario Loiederman
Donna_M_Blaney@mcpsmd.org
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
37
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.
38