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Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS)
Any opinions on Wyngate ES/ N. Bethesda MS/ Johnson HS Cluster in Bethesda?
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Anonymous
| We're looking at place in that cluster and any feedback from people with kids in any of those schools would be really helpful! Thanks! |
Anonymous
| We love Wyngate! Such a great neighborhood...We've been told that WJ is also wonderful and North Bethesda not so much. Our kids are not at North Bethesda yet so we'll wait to see how that goes. But, Wyngate has been superb. Ask specific questions if you've got them. |
Anonymous
| Thanks so much. Good to know about Wyngate. Are there any neighborhoods in the area to avoid (we're looking inside the Beltway for now) or are they all pretty great up there? Also, what are the concerns about N. Bethesda? Is it really not good or just not as good when compared to Pyle? Are there any safety issues? Thanks again. |
Anonymous
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There are so many families in this area that the boundaries for the school are not that far from one another--a pretty small geographic area so I don't have much to say about certain neighborhoods. The biggest decision would likely be whether you'd want to live close enough to the school so your kids could walk to school or whether you choose a house "far" enough (like on the other side of Old Georgetown Rd from the school) so that your kids will take the bus to school. Our kids take the bus and enjoy it.
It is one of the more affordable neighborhoods in Bethesda--we like that feature as there are many families here, doctors and scientists from NIH, and families affiliated with Walter Reed and Bethesda Naval. Can't say enough good things about it. I will say, however, that the school is overpopulated and there are a few classes that are in portables (trailers) but that is a problem in most schools in Bethesda. And Wyngate is currently in the expansion process, with an addition hopefully opening in 3-4 years. I don't have specifics about the complaints re: North Bethesda but it wasn't something about safety. Wyngate is a very well run school with a very respected Principal so it is hard for a school, particularly a middle school as middle schools are generally not as strong as elem and high schools, to live up to that. I'm not concerned about it--maybe that will change once my kids get there! |
Anonymous
| The general preception is that the cluster you are looking at is very good - although many will say it is not as good as those in the Whitman, BCC, and Churchill neighborhoods nearby. This position generally leads to a lot of arguments on this site and it is certainly a matter of opinion. Regarding the North Bethesda middle school quesiton - I think the issue is that MoCo parents generally are not satisfied with the middle school ciriculum overall right now and not that this particular middle school has a problem. In just about any school district in the county you will hear parents say that the elementary and the high school are better then the middle school. |
Anonymous
| Wyngate very very crowded. 9 or more trailers. School is in the CIP queue for a new addition, but nothing is for sure. If all goes well, it would be 3-4 years for an addition. Check out the playground and back of school to see the overflow. On a positive note, strong leadership and high test scores. Nearby Bradley Hills has similar scores and not nearly the crowding. |
Anonymous
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Although I see the obvious reasons for comparing Wyngate to Bradley Hills re: quality of education and current spacing problems, the reality is that many families can buy a house in the Wyngate district but can not afford one in the Bradley Hills district, as Wyngate feeds into WJ and Bradley Hills into Whitman--therefore the price of an average house is quite different in the two. Obviously the value of being in the Whitman district vs. WJ district (and the other public high schools in Bethesda/Potomac) has been debated on this board--I won't go there.
As an aside, Bradley Hills ES sits adjacent to county fields, so it appears to have more property than a school like Wyngate. Now it actually might be a larger property (I've got no idea) but I did want to point out that it appears to have much more outdoor space due to the public fields than it really does. |
Anonymous
WHY are you posting this link everywhere? WHY? |
Anonymous
| Yet another inane remark from a "Big 3" parent. |
Anonymous
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Another good area to move in is where Ashburton is also another very good school.
And about North bethesda being a bad school, academically no, they have AMAZING Map-R and MSA scores and 20% of students get straight A's. And 40% get honor roll (A's, B's and one C) It really is a good school, cause there are a few rumors of drinking, drug-using and sexual interactments in this school. But you shouldnt let a few students represent the school. 
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Anonymous
| ya, north bethesda middle school has the highest science msa score in bethesda |
Anonymous
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Anonymous
Sorry, I was referring to the playground and equipment itself, not the adjacent fields. Should have been more specific. Much more to do at Bradley Hills at recess. And yes, there are price differentials, but with the amount of newer construction in the Wyngate area it strikes me that some families, perhaps OP, could afford to look at either school zone. Just offered as a suggestion. |
Anonymous
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I thought WJ offered amazing opportunities. I went there as a kid, and so did my two younger sisters (I'm talkin' class of 88, 91, and 97). Of course, the culture of the school can change over time, so a more contemporaneous review might be in order.
We all went to "fancy" (some might say) undergrads, and we have two lawyers and one ABD. If that kind of thing matters to you.
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