Moving to PG County, what to expect from schools?

[Anonymous]

I have a 4 year old in DCPS right now and we're about to move to PG county. We're really debating whether this is a good move or not because of everything we've read about PGCPS, but I'm weary about trusting comments online because I know they normally tend negative. So I'm just wondering if others have BTDT and had positive reviews.

We aren't sure where we're moving yet, but it seems like all the houses we like are in PGC. Howard and Montgomery are also options but less likely.

Also was there anything that made you say you were just going to go private instead?

[Anonymous]

It completely depends on where you buy.
Broadly, elementary schools in PG are just fine.
The problem with PG Schools is that you need to figure out a path to a good middle and high school if you don't live in one of the few areas where the middle/high schools are ok.
We did our local ES (that I LOVE), then a magnet for MS and a different magnet for HS. It all worked out but it isn't something that just happens organically, you need to figure it out.

A lot of families I know moved to PG with the idea that they would give public schools a shot for elementary and then switch to private if it didn't work. The majority of those families are still in the public system.

[Anonymous]

What's with the weird school times in PG County? I see things as early as 7 ish. Is that when they're really expected to start their day? How does that impact working parents?

[Anonymous]

Do you have any names of ES that were good / better than the reviews?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What's with the weird school times in PG County? I see things as early as 7 ish. Is that when they're really expected to start their day? How does that impact working parents?

The staggered start times are strange but it is because bus drivers make runs for 3 or more schools in a morning. I think the earliest school starts is at 7:30 and the latest school starts at 9:30.
If parents both work full time, kids are going to need before or after care regardless of where in that range they start.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do you have any names of ES that were good / better than the reviews?

There are over 100 elementary schools in the county so there are lots that I have never even heard of.
Some Elementary Schools I have heard good things about:
Mount Rainer
Capitol Heights
Gladys Noon Spelllman
University Park
Berwyn Heights
Greenbelt
Hyattsville
Tulip Grove
Calverton

Also be aware that PGCPS is about to release a new boundary report (next month?) which is going to impact the elementary school boundaries .

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It completely depends on where you buy.
Broadly, elementary schools in PG are just fine.
The problem with PG Schools is that you need to figure out a path to a good middle and high school if you don't live in one of the few areas where the middle/high schools are ok.
We did our local ES (that I LOVE), then a magnet for MS and a different magnet for HS. It all worked out but it isn't something that just happens organically, you need to figure it out.

A lot of families I know moved to PG with the idea that they would give public schools a shot for elementary and then switch to private if it didn't work. The majority of those families are still in the public system.

This is my experience as well.

[Anonymous]

Do kids get recess? What about art and music? I'm worried that we missed the lottery (is it like the DC school lottery?), So we don't have any options other than our neighborhood school. So I'm wondering about how these things vary from school to school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do kids get recess? What about art and music? I'm worried that we missed the lottery (is it like the DC school lottery?), So we don't have any options other than our neighborhood school. So I'm wondering about how these things vary from school to school.

All Pre-K through 5th grade students get at least 20 min or recess and 20 min for lunch. My kids school schedules things so they get 30 Mon of recess.
Our ES has music twice a week and art once a week.

The frequency of art can depend on if the school is big enough to have a full time art teacher or not.

[Anonymous]

Totally depends where in PGC you are looking.

[Anonymous]

Is it true that the houses by the better (public) schools will be priced accordingly? I'm wondering how likely it will be to find a house that's reasonable in price but also near a good school. And if these two things are true are we likely to miss on something else like walkabilty?

[Anonymous]

Houses inbounds for University Park Elementary will go for a premium for sure-and near impossible to find. You might have better luck with some of the other schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is it true that the houses by the better (public) schools will be priced accordingly? I'm wondering how likely it will be to find a house that's reasonable in price but also near a good school. And if these two things are true are we likely to miss on something else like walkabilty?

What is your budget?

[Anonymous]

https://www.redfin.com/MD/Hyattsville/7003-Wells-Pkwy-20782/home/11097622?600390594=copy_variant&231528114=control&utm_source=ios_share&utm_medium=share&utm_nooverride=1&utm_content=link&utm_campaign=share_sheet

[Anonymous]

The person who said elementary are ok but have a plan for middle and high school are spot on.
I would not overspend on a house so that you can afford private school if necessary.