Pros/cons of Brent vs Maury?

[Anonymous]

Weighing these as possible options for third grade. We know about the middle school issues. Really looking for thoughts on academics, teaching, warm community feel, science and arts. Thanks.

[Anonymous]

Which do you live closer to? The middle schools are both maybe gaining some traction.

[Anonymous]

Thanks PP - we are moving to DC so haven’t picked a neighborhood yet. We know Brent catchment more walkable and close to more things (which would be great) but we also know we could get a bigger place for the same money in the Maury catchment. So, pros and cons for both. A school that felt like the better fit would break the tie. Also, I should have said - wondering about class sizes too. Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Brent is awesome, great teachers and community but building is old and just terrible. It needs major renovation asap.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Brent is awesome, great teachers and community but building is old and just terrible. It needs major renovation asap.

The current 2nd grade class is full of really really nice kids.

[Anonymous]

Are you buying? Why not buy IB for a solid middle school? If it was moving for 3rd I would move IB for Deal, Hardy or Stuart Hobson.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Brent is awesome, great teachers and community but building is old and just terrible. It needs major renovation asap.

The current 2nd grade class is full of really really nice kids.

Isn’t it about to move to swing space to start its reno? I wouldn’t go there for a 3rd grader if so. I actually like the LT neighborhood the best, think it’s a solid school and you get the SH back up middle option, so I personally would be choosing between there at Maury. (Nothing against Brent in general; I like the neighborhood better than Maury’s except for the very expensive part on the west side of Lincoln Park too. I just wouldn’t put up with swing space & a reno for a 3rd grader… esp when it’s 50/50 whether they’d do 5th there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Brent is awesome, great teachers and community but building is old and just terrible. It needs major renovation asap.

The current 2nd grade class is full of really really nice kids.

Isn’t it about to move to swing space to start its reno? I wouldn’t go there for a 3rd grader if so. I actually like the LT neighborhood the best, think it’s a solid school and you get the SH back up middle option, so I personally would be choosing between there at Maury. (Nothing against Brent in general; I like the neighborhood better than Maury’s except for the very expensive part on the west side of Lincoln Park too. I just wouldn’t put up with swing space & a reno for a 3rd grader… esp when it’s 50/50 whether they’d do 5th there.

They'll do 5th at Basis like every other Hill family.

[Anonymous]

Sarcastic comment about is unhelpful.

We've been at Brent for a decade, with second kid in 5th. The reality is that both Brent 4th and 5th graders move on to a great variety of schools, DCPS, charter, private, suburban, abroad, whatever.

We were a lot happier with Brent pre-Covid than post. Some great teachers left during the pandemic and Brent's efforts to address Covid learning loss haven't impressed us. I don't know if it's the same story at Maury. We hire a writing tutor and bright kid goes to Mathnasium. OP, I'd lean Maury for stronger academics.

[Anonymous]

We have a second grader at Brent now and are very happy there with academics, activities, and community. It’s true the building is terrible and in major need of a renovation. That won’t be happening until our kid is in fifth grade (and as previously mentioned, will hopefully be at a charter middle school).

[Anonymous]

Second the advice to move somewhere with a solid middle and high school option. Unless you're 100% sure you are only here for two years. Otherwise, move inbound for deal or hardy.

[Anonymous]

A challenge at Brent is so many families start peeling off that the kid your child becomes friends with may not be there for 4th (and repeat for 5th).

It happens at Maury as well - but not to the same extent.

[Anonymous]

Just not true that lots of Brent families peel off between 3rd and 4th. A small number do. What is true that around two-thirds leave, mostly for the Latins and BASIS, between 4th and 5th. Maury friends tell me that roughly half leave between 4th and 5th over there, so no great difference.

Without a strong, comprehensive DCPS middle school EotP, you have the same issue at every Hill DCPS elementary school with a large high SES cohort. Elementary school pals often stay connected on the Hill nonetheless. My 7th grader, who came up through Brent from the ECE years, remains close to several of her Brent grad pals although they do not attend her charter middle school. Indeed, these kids remain her best friends.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A challenge at Brent is so many families start peeling off that the kid your child becomes friends with may not be there for 4th (and repeat for 5th).

It happens at Maury as well - but not to the same extent.

Data does not support this claim. Both had 11 move to BASIS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Are you buying? Why not buy IB for a solid middle school? If it was moving for 3rd I would move IB for Deal, Hardy or Stuart Hobson.

This. 100% this. OP, you are insane for buying a place with an eye towards 2 years (max). Buy IB for a MS/HS path you would use. If you are planning on going private, buy with an eye towards that commute.