Applying to the Magnet

**Application DEADLINE: November 9, 2009**

Five W's and How

Selection Criteria

Application Forms

About Testing


What are you applying to?

The Blair Magnet Program is funded to accept 100 Montgomery County students for its incoming 9th Grade class. Because the Magnet Program's curriculum is interrelated between grades and sequentially different from other high schools, only students entering 9th Grade are accepted. No mid-high school transfer of students is permitted. However, juniors and seniors enrolled in other Montgomery County high schools who meet the prerequisites and can provide their own transportation are eligible for magnet electives that are not offered at their home school.

Who should apply?

Students in Grade 8 with a strong interest in science, mathematics, and computer science who are enrolled in at least Algebra I may apply to the Blair Magnet Program for entrance the following school year. Applicants must reside in one of the following MCPS high school clusters at the time of testing (for more information on testing, see below): Bethesda-Chevy Chase, Winston Churchill, the Downcounty Consortium (Montgomery Blair, Albert Einstein, John F. Kennedy, Northwood, Wheaton), the Northeast Consortium (Blake, Paint Branch, Springbrook), Walter Johnson, Richard Montgomery, Rockville, Sherwood, Walt Whitman, or Thomas S. Wootton. Students in other high school clusters can apply to the Poolesville Magnet Program.

Where and when can you get additional information?

Each fall there are informational meetings about the Magnet for interested students and their parents/guardians. This year families can choose one of three meetings to learn more about the Magnet. There is no need to attend more than one of these meetings.

  • Oct. 8 (7 p.m.) at Herbert Hoover Middle School
  • Oct. 14 (7 p.m.) at Argyle Middle School
  • Oct. 22 (7 p.m.) at Montgomery Blair High School

How do you apply?

Applications are sent to guidance offices in every MCPS middle school and most private middle schools in October and are also available at the informational meetings. The application will also be available online (Note: Please verify that you have the 2010-2011 application form.).

Applications must be postmarked or hand delivered to Blair by the deadline, November 9, 2009. Applications should be sent to:

  • Magnet Program Coordinator
  • Montgomery Blair High School
  • 51 University Boulevard East
  • Silver Spring, MD 20901

Because of the volume of applications and preparation for test administration, late applications cannot be accepted.

There is a $50 fee to cover the administrative costs of these tests.

Further questions? Call the Magnet Program at (301) 649-8240.