Reassure me about Walter Johnson / explain the DCC

[Anonymous]

Hi, moving back to the area with kids that will be in 6th and 9th grades next year after years away (and we lived in the District when we last lived there).

We were hoping for BCC cluster but are really striking out on real estate and I need to expand my options.

I am concerned about WJ for it’s sheer size looming threat of redistributing. How do new kids find their people there? Clubs, sports? Can someone who moved to the area reassure me their kids found friends?

We don’t think we want the IB program but liked BCC for the option. If WJ kids want to do IB, do they have that option?

And finally, we haven’t really looked at Blair/Einstein because for the life of me I don’t understand how school selection in the DCC works, particularly for people who aren’t residents yet. We most likely won’t be able to prove residency until July or August so will be scrambling to enroll. I assume at that point, the only option is the geographically assigned school right?

Help!

[Anonymous]

OP again: “its sheer size,” not it’s. Autocorrect fail, I swear.

[Anonymous]

Avoid Tilden MS. Read the thread. WJ is not as bad.

[Anonymous]

I can't comment on WJ except to say that any redistricting would result in either attending a smaller WJ (win) or attending a brand new high school that is also smaller (win).

But, DCC works like this:

You can attend your "in-bounds" high school by right, and your rising 9th grader would be able to just enroll at Blair or Einstein (or whatever).

Your 6th grader would get a form in 8th grade to rank their DCC choices. If they rank their home school first, they'll get it.

If they are in-bounds for Blair and want to go someplace else, they will almost certainly get it because Blair is overcrowded and the school most-requested by kids who are out of bounds.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I can't comment on WJ except to say that any redistricting would result in either attending a smaller WJ (win) or attending a brand new high school that is also smaller (win).

But, DCC works like this:

You can attend your "in-bounds" high school by right, and your rising 9th grader would be able to just enroll at Blair or Einstein (or whatever).

Your 6th grader would get a form in 8th grade to rank their DCC choices. If they rank their home school first, they'll get it.

If they are in-bounds for Blair and want to go someplace else, they will almost certainly get it because Blair is overcrowded and the school most-requested by kids who are out of bounds.

correct

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hi, moving back to the area with kids that will be in 6th and 9th grades next year after years away (and we lived in the District when we last lived there).

We were hoping for BCC cluster but are really striking out on real estate and I need to expand my options.

I am concerned about WJ for it’s sheer size looming threat of redistributing. How do new kids find their people there? Clubs, sports? Can someone who moved to the area reassure me their kids found friends?

We don’t think we want the IB program but liked BCC for the option. If WJ kids want to do IB, do they have that option?

And finally, we haven’t really looked at Blair/Einstein because for the life of me I don’t understand how school selection in the DCC works, particularly for people who aren’t residents yet. We most likely won’t be able to prove residency until July or August so will be scrambling to enroll. I assume at that point, the only option is the geographically assigned school right?

Help!

Honestly, don't overthink this. Any of these schools will be fine. It has more to do with where you want to live. Each school has a significant high-performing cohort and many enriched options. Picking one of another won't limit them.

[Anonymous]

I have kids at WJ and BCC. Walter Johnson is academically stronger than BCC, OP (teachers are more rigorous and teach better, which is the important thing!). The housing is more pleasant around downtown Bethesda. So you have to choose what's more important to you

Woodward will open in 2025. Your older kid might be allowed to stay the whole 4 years. In theory, kids within walking distance to their school are not redistricted, but these two schools are so close, who knows. Maybe your best bet is to find a house at the far south-west side of the WJ cluster? But I'm sure Woodward will be a good school, too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I can't comment on WJ except to say that any redistricting would result in either attending a smaller WJ (win) or attending a brand new high school that is also smaller (win).

But, DCC works like this:

You can attend your "in-bounds" high school by right, and your rising 9th grader would be able to just enroll at Blair or Einstein (or whatever).

Your 6th grader would get a form in 8th grade to rank their DCC choices. If they rank their home school first, they'll get it.

If they are in-bounds for Blair and want to go someplace else, they will almost certainly get it because Blair is overcrowded and the school most-requested by kids who are out of bounds.

This is really great, succinct description of how the DCC works. Bravo.

This thread has a ton of info on the WJ/Woodward boundary stuff so ask specific questions about that here: https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/1128527.page

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I can't comment on WJ except to say that any redistricting would result in either attending a smaller WJ (win) or attending a brand new high school that is also smaller (win).

But, DCC works like this:

You can attend your "in-bounds" high school by right, and your rising 9th grader would be able to just enroll at Blair or Einstein (or whatever).

Your 6th grader would get a form in 8th grade to rank their DCC choices. If they rank their home school first, they'll get it.

If they are in-bounds for Blair and want to go someplace else, they will almost certainly get it because Blair is overcrowded and the school most-requested by kids who are out of bounds.

Great take. As a DCC parent, I 100% agree with you. There are good cohorts in all of the DCC schools. Just make sure your kid is in with that crowd, which usually tracks with kids who take AP/IB courses.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have kids at WJ and BCC. Walter Johnson is academically stronger than BCC, OP (teachers are more rigorous and teach better, which is the important thing!). The housing is more pleasant around downtown Bethesda. So you have to choose what's more important to you

Woodward will open in 2025. Your older kid might be allowed to stay the whole 4 years. In theory, kids within walking distance to their school are not redistricted, but these two schools are so close, who knows. Maybe your best bet is to find a house at the far south-west side of the WJ cluster? But I'm sure Woodward will be a good school, too.

No--its opening has now been delayed to 2026.

[Anonymous]

If WJ kids want to do IB, do they have that option?

The only way for WJ to take IB courses is to apply to the IB magnets -- RM is the whole county magnet, then there are four regional ones. WJ's regional IB magnet is Kennedy HS.

https://www2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/curriculum/specialprograms/high/ib#tabs-4

[Anonymous]

WH has Apex too?

We were happy with BCC but I would have hesitation about WJ (neighborhood aside I might even prefer it)

[Anonymous]

WJ parent of a recent grad. Very large crowded school, but the upside is that there are people for all. There is something for everyone at WJ. Course selections, so many APs. Clubs that meet at lunchtime for just about anything and all interests. The theatre group (STAGE) puts on amazing performances. The math club was another favorite. Not sure about the B-CC more pleasant housing comment (more expensive, yes of course, if walkable to Bethesda Row). Like everything, it will come down to how much you are willing to pay for a house.

[Anonymous]

It’s really not worth worrying too much. My kids have loved Einstein (a little smaller than WJ), but their friends have had a great experience at Blair (huge) and Wheaton through the DCC. My older child is a senior and he and his friends are thriving and launching to colleges of their choice. Even at a large school the kids find their people through activities and sports. Move where you find a house you like!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have kids at WJ and BCC. Walter Johnson is academically stronger than BCC, OP (teachers are more rigorous and teach better, which is the important thing!). The housing is more pleasant around downtown Bethesda. So you have to choose what's more important to you

Woodward will open in 2025. Your older kid might be allowed to stay the whole 4 years. In theory, kids within walking distance to their school are not redistricted, but these two schools are so close, who knows. Maybe your best bet is to find a house at the far south-west side of the WJ cluster? But I'm sure Woodward will be a good school, too.

No--its opening has now been delayed to 2026.

The delay is so it can be used as a holding school during the Northwood renovations, correct?