Moving to Bethesda or Kensington

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We have had a great experience at Oakland Terrace and really value the dual immersion approach. There was very positive leadership from Ms Royal and Mr Howard through virtual schooling, when zoom is particularly challenging with two languages, and now.

Forgot to add, they have small class sizes as a Title 1 school, and generally about 17-18 students/class in year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m a little baffled by the test score discussion. I mean, don’t you realize that socioeconomics trump race when it comes to test scores? A black child with two parents who can afford a home in Bethesda or Kensington will thrive academically in local schools. Don’t compare that child to another black student in a lower-income area who might have a single parent who rents. Geez.

You are assuming that socioeconomics trump race, but this often is not true. If you break down outcomes by income level the wealthy Black kids often do worse than poor White kids. The impacts of racism are severe and real.

Yeah.... ok.. tell that to John Urschel

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Adding another element-- with the schools that you have named-- do any of these schools seem to be hands on -- more progressive. As I preview- I am trying to avoid schools that have heavy testing/ worksheet vibe. For early childhood I would rather have more play based and experiential. Your thoughts?

North Chevy Chase ES
Burning Tree

Kensington
Kensington Parkwood
Rock Creek Forest
Rock View ES


Silver Spring
Flora Singer Elementary
Oakland Terrace Elementary
East Silver Spring Elementary School
TKPK: Takoma Park (outside of Silver Spring)


Silver Spring:
Woodlin Elementary School
Highland View Elementary School
Forest Knolls Elementary School

Is this a joke? Yes, some of these schools will have a different "vibe", but, none of them are play-based or experiential. They are all MCPS public schools.

Keep your kids in preschool or pay for private if you want that.

I don't know much about MC Schools, but I find it hard to believe that all schools have the exact same culture. I understand curricular demands -- but are you saying there are no Reggio or Montessori inspired schools?

Lots of Montessori but you pay for them. Public is public.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:https://www.edweek.org/teaching-learning/whos-to-blame-for-the-black-white-achievement-gap/2020/01

Wealth, schools, parenting, expectations, etc. matter.

How about such things as talking to your infant/child/preschooler? We know how much that matters in terms of wiring the brain for language acquisition, grammar and writing.

So does race. If you think achievement gaps are explained entirely by socioeconomic differences or "parenting" (the majority of Black fathers live with their children and are actually more involved than White fathers https://www.vox.com/2015/6/21/8820537/black-fathers-day ), you aren't paying attention. Schools matter too, but race determines access to housing (because of both discrimination and the theft of Black people's wealth from slavery to redlining) which determines access to schools.

Yes, I know all about systemic racism, redlining, etc. It’s literally my life’s work.

But I fear the response has been diluted if not derailed by fixating on history rather than addressing issues in real time. History is important, but redlining isn’t relevant to the op’s current decision of where to buy a home and enroll her child. They have resources that most county residents do not.

Nonetheless, they must make a choice that contemplates many issues, including race in terms of student body and teachers. Very important.

Lastly, the data (some of which has been shared already) doesn’t say it’s exclusively socioeconomics. Race matters. But it doesn’t only matter through the lens you assume; it’s not just “racism.” Race and culture matter when it comes to the educational level of the parents, fluency in oral and written English, expectations when it comes to behavior, subcultural norms related to school not being “cool,” etc.

This stuff is complex. Advocates and some researchers attempt to oversimplify it (often chasing research dollars seeking a spin). We should be able to properly educate kids in one of the more affluent public school systems in the country, yet we continue to struggle. I don’t think it’s because mcps is racist; it is indeed one of the most diverse, progressive and well-resourced systems on the planet.

The fact that you put racism in quotes is pretty troubling. Racism works in tangible and documented ways. Bad parenting exists among families of all cultures and races. This stuff is complex but you sound extremely biased.

DP, but you sound extremely ignorant, the PP is literally the most logical and clear explanation on this thread. It's a complicated issue, it's not black and white clear cut. Please treat the OP intelligently and give them the information they are looking for and stop viewing everything with the racism lens just because they said they are Black. Also realize as the PP educated you, that the OP clearly is invested in their child's education and their child will be just fine. Race is just one of many factors here, there are many other positive factors that offset race as was illustrated above.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We have had a great experience at Oakland Terrace and really value the dual immersion approach. There was very positive leadership from Ms Royal and Mr Howard through virtual schooling, when zoom is particularly challenging with two languages, and now.

Forgot to add, they have small class sizes as a Title 1 school, and generally about 17-18 students/class in year.

OTES does have small class sizes, but it isn't a Title I school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We have had a great experience at Oakland Terrace and really value the dual immersion approach. There was very positive leadership from Ms Royal and Mr Howard through virtual schooling, when zoom is particularly challenging with two languages, and now.

Forgot to add, they have small class sizes as a Title 1 school, and generally about 17-18 students/class in year.

OTES does have small class sizes, but it isn't a Title I school.

DP (and OTES parent) - right, it’s a Focus school.