feeling dark about MS choice

[Anonymous]

We decided to send our DS to the small Title 1 neighborhood MS instead of moving … I’m totally second guessing myself now. The MS has a growing reputation and is small, and has a ton of SEL supports. But one by one DS’s friends are peeling off for charters and privates and I’m starting to feel like it will be a mess. Should I have moved to MoCo? He has behavioral issues and autism and at least MoCo has a broader array of programs. He’s fine 90% of the time and on target/advanced academically. Ughgh

[Anonymous]

DC with ADHD did great at their regular high poverty school. Just because a school is Title 1 does not mean the teachers and staff aren't great. DC has friends in wealthy schools in MCPS and FCPS and they are struggling. The grass isn't always greener.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DC with ADHD did great at their regular high poverty school. Just because a school is Title 1 does not mean the teachers and staff aren't great. DC has friends in wealthy schools in MCPS and FCPS and they are struggling. The grass isn't always greener.

Yeah I am actually feeling fairly good about the school staff and admins based on their reputations. I don’t like the proximity to crime. Also concerned about how DCPS does not have the same range of autism programs as MCPS, so it’s not just the Title 1 status. A bigger school could also give a bigger pool of friend candidates.

[Anonymous]

DS went to Title 1 MS and is now a junior at a Title 1 HS. He has a 504 for ADHD and some learning disabilities. Are there things could be better? Yes, but other non-Title 1 schools in our district are dealing with the same thing (vandalism in the bathrooms, fights, and drug use (some overt/some covert.) But the teachers and admin are great and committed. We are super involved (team parents, on the PTA board, etc.) and so people know us/know our kid.

Yes, there are times I wish we could have done a private, but financially, we couldn't so I try not to waste time thinking 'what if...' DS will graduate with 6 AP/IB classes and will take classes at community college his senior year so I think he will be fine in the long run.

Good luck!

[Anonymous]

MoCo parent here. I can’t speak to the autism programs, but MoCo middle and high schools also have drugs, crime, anti-semitism, etc.

[Anonymous]

FCPS parent here just to commiserate. Vandalism in the bathrooms, fights, and drug use is also an issue in non-title 1 MS/HS. I can't speak to the programs either, but I would focus on the teachers who are staffing the programs they do have. They can make a world of difference and many Title-1 teachers are there because that's what they want to do.