MoCo vs NW DC Schools

[Anonymous]

We are considering a move in the next year or so for better public school options. We've heard that Montgomery County schools are better than DC schools (those that feed up to Deal and Wilson). Wondering if folks have anecdotal thoughts on this one way or the other, or if anyone is able to point me to resources on how to consider comparing the two school systems.

[Anonymous]

Here’s where this thread will go: people will ask what you plan to do for HS—that if you plan to do private, it doesn’t matter, but that BCC and Whitman are a million times better than Wilson.

I’m a Wilson parent uninterested in that debate, just saying that that’s where this conversation will inevitably go since there’s no difference at the ES level (except DC has universal pre-K) and minimal difference at the MS level (except that Deal is pretty overcrowded—but maybe Pyle is too?).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Here’s where this thread will go: people will ask what you plan to do for HS—that if you plan to do private, it doesn’t matter, but that BCC and Whitman are a million times better than Wilson.

I’m a Wilson parent uninterested in that debate, just saying that that’s where this conversation will inevitably go since there’s no difference at the ES level (except DC has universal pre-K) and minimal difference at the MS level (except that Deal is pretty overcrowded—but maybe Pyle is too?).

DP. I appreciate this synopsis, and can also attest to OP that this assessment is pretty much correct.

[Anonymous]

oh then if you say your kid is real real real smart, smarter than ours, for real for real, then you should just move to Fairfax and get that shit over with and stop posting here about how to do everything besides move to Fairfax so bye.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:oh then if you say your kid is real real real smart, smarter than ours, for real for real, then you should just move to Fairfax and get that shit over with and stop posting here about how to do everything besides move to Fairfax so bye.

Maybe drink some more coffee, Jan. You aren't making much sense.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Here’s where this thread will go: people will ask what you plan to do for HS—that if you plan to do private, it doesn’t matter, but that BCC and Whitman are a million times better than Wilson.

I’m a Wilson parent uninterested in that debate, just saying that that’s where this conversation will inevitably go since there’s no difference at the ES level (except DC has universal pre-K) and minimal difference at the MS level (except that Deal is pretty overcrowded—but maybe Pyle is too?).

DP. I appreciate this synopsis, and can also attest to OP that this assessment is pretty much correct.

+1.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Here’s where this thread will go: people will ask what you plan to do for HS—that if you plan to do private, it doesn’t matter, but that BCC and Whitman are a million times better than Wilson.

I’m a Wilson parent uninterested in that debate, just saying that that’s where this conversation will inevitably go since there’s no difference at the ES level (except DC has universal pre-K) and minimal difference at the MS level (except that Deal is pretty overcrowded—but maybe Pyle is too?).

DP. I appreciate this synopsis, and can also attest to OP that this assessment is pretty much correct.

+1.

Is BCC really a million times better than Wilson? What about the atmosphere/culture/diversity between the two? Genuine questions as we also consider whether trying to stay in the city or move to MoCo. Also considering the actual differences between a BCC type school and Blair or Einstein, though that’s not a discussion for this forum.

[Anonymous]

I'd recommend you read the MoCo thread. DCPS certainly has it's issues. But MoCo is in chaos right now and has a lot of uncertainty. If your kid gets into the magnet program, MoCo is head and shoulders above anything DC offers. Just don't be one of the geniuses that spends $1.5M for a house in MoCo district and still ends up at a private school...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Here’s where this thread will go: people will ask what you plan to do for HS—that if you plan to do private, it doesn’t matter, but that BCC and Whitman are a million times better than Wilson.

I’m a Wilson parent uninterested in that debate, just saying that that’s where this conversation will inevitably go since there’s no difference at the ES level (except DC has universal pre-K) and minimal difference at the MS level (except that Deal is pretty overcrowded—but maybe Pyle is too?).

DP. I appreciate this synopsis, and can also attest to OP that this assessment is pretty much correct.

+1.

Is BCC really a million times better than Wilson? What about the atmosphere/culture/diversity between the two? Genuine questions as we also consider whether trying to stay in the city or move to MoCo. Also considering the actual differences between a BCC type school and Blair or Einstein, though that’s not a discussion for this forum.

I’m the “here’s where this thread will go” poster, and obviously I don’t think BCC is a million times better than Wilson. Or better at all! But that debate has been had so many times on here in exactly the same contours that I don’t think it’s profitable to re-engage on it. Look at the data on each (not just test scores—demographics, course offerings, extracurriculars, etc.), talk with parents in real life (not on an anonymous board), and think about what you and your family want/need (not just in terms of schooling but commute and neighborhood etc.).

[Anonymous]

ECE in DC has lower ratios because K class sizes are generally lower and there's an aide in every class.

MoCo has more opportunities for enrichment and acceleration in elementary school: compacted math is widely available for those for whom it would be appropriate and the CES classes are available for some. DC elementary schools might have differentiation within a classroom, depending on the skills and inclinations of the teacher, but no formal program.

In middle school, MoCo has magnet programs available to some and honors classes available to those for whom it would be appropriate. DC middle schools have some acceleration in math, but no designated honors classes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'd recommend you read the MoCo thread. DCPS certainly has it's issues. But MoCo is in chaos right now and has a lot of uncertainty. If your kid gets into the magnet program, MoCo is head and shoulders above anything DC offers. Just don't be one of the geniuses that spends $1.5M for a house in MoCo district and still ends up at a private school...

The DCUM version of MCPS being in chaos and actual chaos are two different things.

[Anonymous]

I think sometimes you have to sit back and think about your end goal. People have different goals- and I am not judging anyone for their goals. That being said, my family goals include raising our kids with a lot of diversity, helping them pursue a variety of interests, ensuring academics are a healthy priority, and sending them to a 4 year public college. Considering those goals- we think DC is sufficient. Our kids are neurotypical, advanced but not dramatically so, athletic but not bound for college play, etc. Essentially, we think they are wonderful but also fairly average for upper middle class white children. Priorities for you will be different based on your children and your family goals/values.

Bottom line- your individual needs, goals, and values are extremely important to this decision making process- and without knowing all that, it is hard to say what school would best fit. If your family is similar to mine, fairly average with fairly average goals- you are probably fine wherever you choose.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'd recommend you read the MoCo thread. DCPS certainly has it's issues. But MoCo is in chaos right now and has a lot of uncertainty. If your kid gets into the magnet program, MoCo is head and shoulders above anything DC offers. Just don't be one of the geniuses that spends $1.5M for a house in MoCo district and still ends up at a private school...

The DCUM version of MCPS being in chaos and actual chaos are two different things.

This is true....But I'm speaking from first hand knowledge. Lack of leadership in key areas is destroying the system.

[Anonymous]

Another issue is that very few people can do a 1-to-1 comparison (DC ES v. MC ES/DC MS v. MC MS/DC HS v. MC HS), so you have people speaking from experience as to one system and rumors/conventional wisdom/reputation as to the other. And your kid's temperament, needs, and abilities differ, and that's going to affect your experience (parents' temperament and expectations also vary).

[Anonymous]

We picked the DC side in part because I'm guessing MoCo will *have* to redistrict over the next few years, and the uncertainty of what that could bring with such a large and enormous socioeconomic and geographic spread was less appealing than the potential to redistrict in DC. And we've got the luxury of neurotypical kids who are smart but not super over-achievers.