Will we regret Oakland Terrace (OTES)?

[Anonymous]

We are planning a move to MD with our 2 year old son. We've been looking at University Park and Silver Spring.

We found a house we like in 20902 near the FG metro. The school is zoned OTES.

Because the house is at the tip-top of our budget - and because we're trying to have a second child, private education is likely out.

The overcrowding at OTES, along with the student surveys - in which many students state that they feel unsafe and fear property theft while at school - have us nervous.

What's the real scoop on OTES? Will the McKinney Hills ES actually open on time? Will it help?

Should we rent for a couple of years instead and try to buy a small home in the BCC cluster?

Any insight is greatly appreciated!

[Anonymous]

I have friends are in area and they like it a lot. They are happy with Oakland Terrace (yes it's overcrowded, but they are still maintaining smaller class sizes than most of MoCo). My friends haven't gotten past elem. school yet, but the concerns I usually hear aren't for OTES, but for the grades past that (high school). If you search the archives you may find other helpful posts.

[Anonymous]

We have a child at OTES. Everyone I know is very happy. The first three years (through grade two) the classes sizes are very small, 17 in K.

McKenney Hills is definitely happening in 2012 so I don't think your family will be affected by the overcrowding. The new school will mainly draw kids from OTES, with about 100 taken from Woodlin.

[Anonymous]

We are new to OT after years in private. While it is overcrowded, we are thrilled with the school. The principal is fantastic, and our DC's teacher is experienced, warm, and top notch. We were nervous about the transition, but honestly, I have never seen such a clean, organized, and well-run school. Plus, all the kids we've met have been incredibly nice.

[Anonymous]

Sorry to rain on the parade, but everyone is NOT happy at OTES.

[Anonymous]

Um, I think she said "everyone I know" is happy. Apparently she does not hang around the "everyone is NOT happy" crowd.

[Anonymous]

OP here - what are the unhappy folks unhappy about? That info would be helpful.

[Anonymous]

I am sure that in a school of 790 kids someone is dissatissfied. But, yes, everyone I know personally (a lot since my child goes there and it is our neighborhood school) is happy.

For the OP, I wouldn't make your decision based on internet comments (which I am sure you are not doing and I am not criticizing you for asking- please don't misinterpret). I've just noticed that there is a lot of bias on these boards against down-county schools, and it is often from people who have absolutely no first hand experience. If I were you, I would try to ask a lot of people in the neighborhood. BTW, if you are still reading, you should come to Getty Park tomorrow. There is a farmer's market in the morning and a lot of people will be there to ask about OTES.

[Anonymous]

The only negative is how big the school is. We really like the school and love the neighborhood. We are looking forward to the new school opening to relieve the overcrowding.

[Anonymous]

OP: The McKenney Hills facility is being rebuilt and will open in 2012. It has been approved in MCPS budget and is currently in the design phase (demolition is supposed to begin any day now). Boundaries have not yet been drawn - that's usually the last thing to happen - and there is a likelihood that some homes in this neighborhood will remain OTES homes (McKenney Hills - Carroll Knolls runs from Forest Glen Road to Plyers Mill Road). Also, the older elementary kids will likely not be moved from OTES to the new school, but younger classes may be affected. Details can be found on the MCPS website (meeting minutes, plans, etc.).

For what it's worth, I have only heard great things about OTES. I'm a resident of the neighborhood with a young child, not yet in school.

[Anonymous]

Have you read the reviews on Great Schools? http://www.greatschools.net/school/parentReviews.page?id=932&state=MD

And here are the surveys done of the school community:
http://sharedaccountability.mcpsprimetime.org/SurveyResults/index.php?sch=769

[Anonymous]

Honestly, with a child at age 2, I'd try to live in smaller/less expensive digs and save the difference if it helps you step up to a home in the BCC cluster. IMO, when buying a house and putting your kids in public school you want to do it in an area that you can stay thru high school. I would not be happy with the middle/high school/downcounty consortium process that OTES feeds into.

Plus, in terms of the real estate market, you won't be able to buy and flip in order to buy some place new in three years by the time your kid starts K. And, market rates for rentals are very reasonable now. I am spending in rent only about 50% of what I would have to pay in mortgage & taxes for a similar house location/size. Of course, I don't have granite counters and stainless appliances, but our space, location, etc. is great.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Honestly, with a child at age 2, I'd try to live in smaller/less expensive digs and save the difference if it helps you step up to a home in the BCC cluster. IMO, when buying a house and putting your kids in public school you want to do it in an area that you can stay thru high school. I would not be happy with the middle/high school/downcounty consortium process that OTES feeds into.

Plus, in terms of the real estate market, you won't be able to buy and flip in order to buy some place new in three years by the time your kid starts K. And, market rates for rentals are very reasonable now. I am spending in rent only about 50% of what I would have to pay in mortgage & taxes for a similar house location/size. Of course, I don't have granite counters and stainless appliances, but our space, location, etc. is great.

Believe it or not, there are people who live and send their kids to school in the downcounty consortium, and who are happy with their choices. These people (including me) are highly-educated and intelligent (I'm a lawyer; DH has a PhD and is a college professor) and are confident that our kids will do well and go on to achieve academically and professionally, even if you think that *gasp* our middle & high school choices are sub-par.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Sorry to rain on the parade, but everyone is NOT happy at OTES.

Why? Staff? Curriculum implementation? Size?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Honestly, with a child at age 2, I'd try to live in smaller/less expensive digs and save the difference if it helps you step up to a home in the BCC cluster. IMO, when buying a house and putting your kids in public school you want to do it in an area that you can stay thru high school. I would not be happy with the middle/high school/downcounty consortium process that OTES feeds into.

Plus, in terms of the real estate market, you won't be able to buy and flip in order to buy some place new in three years by the time your kid starts K. And, market rates for rentals are very reasonable now. I am spending in rent only about 50% of what I would have to pay in mortgage & taxes for a similar house location/size. Of course, I don't have granite counters and stainless appliances, but our space, location, etc. is great.

Believe it or not, there are people who live and send their kids to school in the downcounty consortium, and who are happy with their choices. These people (including me) are highly-educated and intelligent (I'm a lawyer; DH has a PhD and is a college professor) and are confident that our kids will do well and go on to achieve academically and professionally, even if you think that *gasp* our middle & high school choices are sub-par.

Sorry PP, but you are misinterpreting my spin on the downcounty consortium process. I didn't say they were sub-par. I didn't say anything about education levels, or future success, etc. What I don't like about downcounty consortium, from what I understand, is that kids have a base school assignment but also go thru an application process to multiple schools. About 50% of kids in 8th grade put a non-base school as their first choice in the consortium process. Distances are longer for high school commutes if you don't go to the base, and all that goes with that for social life, afterschool activities, splitting elementary school friendships, etc. Also, many of the high schools have multiple programs, which while these might be attractive to some, to me they silo kids in particular areas of interest which I don't like. Sorry, but I really don't want my kid focusing entrepreneurship and business management at age 14. I think high school should be more well-rounded than that. I also don't like the school within a school vibe that some of these programs have. I would prefer to buy into a school district which has the whole progression of elem/middle/high that I can plan on.

If you like it, great for you. I'm just trying to point out to OP that the decision about buying isn't just based on whether the elementary school is good, but that one also has to look at middle and high school. Especially in this housing market when the recent assumptions about buying and selling at a profit in 3 years are gone....

So, no need for that chip on your shoulder.