Which is a stronger school cluster?

[Anonymous]

We are considering 2 homes zoned for the following schools. One is Rock View ES-Newport Mills-Einstein. The other is Montgomery Knolls-Pine crest-Eastern Middle-Blair. Is one stronger than the other or the same? We like each house the same and everything else is equal such as commutes, nice neighborhood. The only difference is the schools.

[Anonymous]

Look at the signature programs at the HSs. See which one might be a better fit for your child...if they are old enough to tell.

[Anonymous]

OP here, my daughter is 4 so hard to tell which school is a better fit for her. I am currently pregnant with baby number 2.

[Anonymous]

They're both in the Down County Consortium, where kids can choose their high schools. So both high schools would be an option either way. Your child's strengths and interests would probably best determine the better middle school. For example, Eastern holds the Humanities Middle School Magnet.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They're both in the Down County Consortium, where kids can choose their high schools. So both high schools would be an option either way. Your child's strengths and interests would probably best determine the better middle school. For example, Eastern holds the Humanities Middle School Magnet.

Thank you, that makes sense. But hard to assess in my case since my daughter is 4 and I have a child on the way. I don’t know what my daughter’s interest will be yet.

[Anonymous]

You might prefer RVES since it's just one school for all of elementary. Also NMMS and Einstein are smaller than Eastern and Blair, respectively, and the latter two host large magnet programs in addition to serving the local areas. Einstein has a very small countywide arts magnet. NMMS and Einstein also are IB schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You might prefer RVES since it's just one school for all of elementary. Also NMMS and Einstein are smaller than Eastern and Blair, respectively, and the latter two host large magnet programs in addition to serving the local areas. Einstein has a very small countywide arts magnet. NMMS and Einstein also are IB schools.

Super helpful! What does it mean when a school is an IB school?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We are considering 2 homes zoned for the following schools. One is Rock View ES-Newport Mills-Einstein. The other is Montgomery Knolls-Pine crest-Eastern Middle-Blair. Is one stronger than the other or the same? We like each house the same and everything else is equal such as commutes, nice neighborhood. The only difference is the schools.

You can get the exact same education at any Montgomery county School.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You might prefer RVES since it's just one school for all of elementary. Also NMMS and Einstein are smaller than Eastern and Blair, respectively, and the latter two host large magnet programs in addition to serving the local areas. Einstein has a very small countywide arts magnet. NMMS and Einstein also are IB schools.

Super helpful! What does it mean when a school is an IB school?

International Baccalaureate. It's more of a thing in HS, but in middle school they will build in things about global perspectives and making interdisciplinary connections. They will talk about the different learner profiles--communicator, inquirer, risk taker, etc.

[Anonymous]

Both so-so school clusters. You will get equally good/bad education. Is that your only choices?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We are considering 2 homes zoned for the following schools. One is Rock View ES-Newport Mills-Einstein. The other is Montgomery Knolls-Pine crest-Eastern Middle-Blair. Is one stronger than the other or the same? We like each house the same and everything else is equal such as commutes, nice neighborhood. The only difference is the schools.

Both clusters are excellent. He would be hard pressed to get a better education elsewhere.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They're both in the Down County Consortium, where kids can choose their high schools. So both high schools would be an option either way. Your child's strengths and interests would probably best determine the better middle school. For example, Eastern holds the Humanities Middle School Magnet.

You should choose the HS cluster you are interested in. There is no guarantee that OP's kid will get into Blair from another DCC "cluster". There are very few OOB spots at Blair. I don't know any kids that have gotten a spot through school choice (as Freshman) in the last 10+ years. Blair is historically the most sought after school in the DCC, but, Einstein has some advantages depending on your kids' interests.

OP, Blair and Einstein have a pretty different feel due to sheer size (Blair is the largest HS in MD), Einstein is a smaller HS for MCPS. If budget, commute, neighborhood are all equal, I would probably buy the house zoned for Blair. It is likely your kid could get a spot at Einstein (or any other school) if they wanted it, but it is unlikely they could get into Blair from another school "cluster". MCPS middle school curriculum is pretty lackluster, and NMMS was very mediocre. Mediocre ECs, little effort to increase rigor, low expectations all the way around. I was basically happy at RVES. I wouldn't hesitate to send a kid a there.

My own thoughts between the two HSs.

Einstein-
small, strong community feel and great school spirit
better foreign language classes
has IB program
has an "arts academy"
better theater and dance programs than Blair

Blair-
huge school so lots of different classes to choose from
stronger science/math-- offering the highest level math and sciences
orchestra program is better than Einstein due to size and magnet program presence

[Anonymous]

It's really not necessary to focus on 2022 high school information when OP's oldest child is currently 4.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's really not necessary to focus on 2022 high school information when OP's oldest child is currently 4.

Especially because no one knows yet how the DCC high school boundaries will be redrawn when the new buildings open in 2025. Nothing is set in stone.

[Anonymous]

I think both clusters are good for elementary school and high school. Middle school is the weakest link. I would ask around for recent experiences with Newport Mill and Eastern (non-magnet.) I do like that the Rock View option means that all of your schools are close by - maybe walkable?