Moving to the area from out of state with HS student

[Anonymous]

What areas should we look at? Job would be divided between Arlington, Baltimore, and other areas in DC and on metro line. I'd be working from home and going to these places 2-3 times a week, more often to Arlington/DC than Baltimore.

Our child will be a sophomore, loves music (in highest choir and orchestra at current high school in 9th grade), very motivated academically but has some difficulties and a 504.  Would prefer not to be in a super competitive school (does that exist in this area?) Open to alternative/charter schools, but in our current area most of those do not have good music programs. Not considering private schools as we need to save for college.

Thanks for any suggestions!

[Anonymous]

I’d look at James Hubert Blake in MCPS. Good music and arts programs and supportive for kids with special needs. The area would work well for you. It’s on the red line and Baltimore isn’t a terrible drive.

[Anonymous]

I want to say that there is an Arts HS in DC but I don't know the name of it or how you would be able to join the school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’d look at James Hubert Blake in MCPS. Good music and arts programs and supportive for kids with special needs. The area would work well for you. It’s on the red line and Baltimore isn’t a terrible drive.

Thanks! This does look like a great option.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I want to say that there is an Arts HS in DC but I don't know the name of it or how you would be able to join the school.

Duke Ellington School for the Arts. Public school with very competitive admissions process for top level arts students.

If you were going to be commuting to Baltimore with more frequency, I’d ptpbsy suggest Howard county Public Schools but that may not be too convenient if you have to go to Arlington more often. Great schools though!

[Anonymous]

Not sure where you are moving from, so maybe this is obvious…

Right now, commute traffic & congestion are better/lower than it was in metro DC pre-pandemic. Both are very likely to get visibly worse in the next 12-24 months. Even now, crossing the river can be a huge daily headache, depending on the direction and time of day.

When picking where to live look both at the school situation and also any work commute situation. And try to avoid needing to cross the river by car or bus on a daily basis for any reason. MetroRail and VRE across the river are fine, if one’s commute uses either of those.

[Anonymous]

Budget?

[Anonymous]

OP here - thanks for the suggestions! I'm a little surprised no VA suggestions. Are they weaker in music? Or larger and more competitive?

Was asked about budget - we would much prefer public schools. If its budget for housing you are asking, that isn't as much of a consideration for a few reasons I won't get into. Not looking for most expensive area, but can likely make most districts work.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’d look at James Hubert Blake in MCPS. Good music and arts programs and supportive for kids with special needs. The area would work well for you. It’s on the red line and Baltimore isn’t a terrible drive.

+1

Definitely find a school supportive of special needs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here - thanks for the suggestions! I'm a little surprised no VA suggestions. Are they weaker in music? Or larger and more competitive?

Was asked about budget - we would much prefer public schools. If its budget for housing you are asking, that isn't as much of a consideration for a few reasons I won't get into. Not looking for most expensive area, but can likely make most districts work.

There are still some republicans in VA, that’s why.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here - thanks for the suggestions! I'm a little surprised no VA suggestions. Are they weaker in music? Or larger and more competitive?

Was asked about budget - we would much prefer public schools. If its budget for housing you are asking, that isn't as much of a consideration for a few reasons I won't get into. Not looking for most expensive area, but can likely make most districts work.

There are still some republicans in VA, that’s why.

It’s because no one sane would commute VA to Baltimore even once a week. And Virginia colleges aren’t worth it: the good ones are crazy hard to get into from NoVa, which creates an extremely competitive high school culture. I would NOT throw an anti-competitive kid with a 504 into that environment.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here - thanks for the suggestions! I'm a little surprised no VA suggestions. Are they weaker in music? Or larger and more competitive?

Was asked about budget - we would much prefer public schools. If its budget for housing you are asking, that isn't as much of a consideration for a few reasons I won't get into. Not looking for most expensive area, but can likely make most districts work.

There are still some republicans in VA, that’s why.

It’s because no one sane would commute VA to Baltimore even once a week. And Virginia colleges aren’t worth it: the good ones are crazy hard to get into from NoVa, which creates an extremely competitive high school culture. I would NOT throw an anti-competitive kid with a 504 into that environment.

To clarify: this is why no one is suggesting Virginia schools. It has nothing to do with party politics.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
It’s because no one sane would commute VA to Baltimore even once a week. And Virginia colleges aren’t worth it: the good ones are crazy hard to get into from NoVa, which creates an extremely competitive high school culture. I would NOT throw an anti-competitive kid with a 504 into that environment.

OP again - Thanks, this confirms the feel I was getting from the VA high schools. Wasn't sure about VA colleges vs. MD colleges, so that's a good point.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’d look at James Hubert Blake in MCPS. Good music and arts programs and supportive for kids with special needs. The area would work well for you. It’s on the red line and Baltimore isn’t a terrible drive.

Blake is a fine school, but it is not on the red line. If you want to be more convenient to metro, I would look at Einstein HS, which has a very large and active performing arts program.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’d look at James Hubert Blake in MCPS. Good music and arts programs and supportive for kids with special needs. The area would work well for you. It’s on the red line and Baltimore isn’t a terrible drive.

Thanks! This does look like a great option.

Einstein is another MCPS school with strong music, red line access, and a not super competitive pressure cooker environment.