Takoma Park schools

[Anonymous]

Hey folks,

Considering a move to Takoma Park, but I have some questions about the schools.

First of all, how is Piney Branch? I heard class sizes recently expanded. Is that having a big impact? Is there still a local enriched studies program there, and is it any good? What is the deal with aftercare, and does the school have any good activities?

As for Takoma Park middle and Blair, I know they both have great magnets—but what if a smart, high achieving kid gets bad luck and doesn’t get into the magnets? Do kids like that feel totally boxed out from the magnet kids they’d otherwise want to be friends with (as in, are they shut out from what would otherwise be their chosen merry band of nerds?) I know kids often get to take the cool magnet classes even if they strike out on the magnets, but does being a non-magnet kid at Blair screw you over for college admissions? Or can you still put together a great set of experiences and not be seen as second tier to the magnet kids?

Basically, I love the community vibe and the magnets seem like such amazing opportunities, but I’ve heard some bad reviews of piney branch, and for middle/high, I don’t want my kids’ social and other opportunities to turn on something that can be so random.

[Anonymous]

This was covered a week or two ago here.

https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/60/1129112.page#24964702

[Anonymous]

I'm not sure what you mean by class sizes blowing up, but MCPS data show classes at PBES for the 3rd grade range from 21-24, similar to when my kids were there, but the CES class in 4/5 was at the max of 28.

https://ww2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/data/LAR-charts/Elementary-Class-Size-Dashboard.html

[Anonymous]

Concerning the magnets, there are plenty of opportunities at both TPMS and Blair for a kid not in the magnet to benefit from this programming. Also, it's less of a big deal than you'd imagine in MS and for HS any student who meets the prereqs can take many of the advanced courses.

[Anonymous]

I had two kids go through Blair, but only one was in the SMCS magnet. Selection to these programs doesn't always make sense, so that I wouldn't plan on it. However, my other kid took similar courses like APCS, APUSH, AP NSL, and AP Physics during grades 9 & 10. Because they were very advanced at math, they could also take magnet math all four years and five additional magnet courses in grades 11 and 12. There are many ways for students to pursue their interests at Blair, including some great ECs that involve STEM. This is just one example. Another student might want to apply to the CAP or other DCC choice programs like Wheaton Engineering.

[Anonymous]

Why is there this constant misconception about class sizes being school specific? Individual schools don't set class sizes, and class sizes one year at a given school are no guarantee of similar class size the next year. It is all based on enrollment numbers and set by the county.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why is there this constant misconception about class sizes being school specific? Individual schools don't set class sizes, and class sizes one year at a given school are no guarantee of similar class size the next year. It is all based on enrollment numbers and set by the county.

At one point, Piney Branch was a focus school, so class sizes were smaller than normal. I'm not aware of its current status; however, would wager it is no longer a focus school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why is there this constant misconception about class sizes being school specific? Individual schools don't set class sizes, and class sizes one year at a given school are no guarantee of similar class size the next year. It is all based on enrollment numbers and set by the county.

No clue, but the information about class sizes per school and grade is available at the PP's link.

[Anonymous]

TPMS teachers are excellent within and outside the magnet and magnet kids are in classes with non magnet kids, though the magnet kids do socialize with each other a lot. But your kid can still take advanced math classes outside of the magnet, just not magnet level classes.

Blair has so many different options and pathways your kid will be completely fine either way. Only a very very tiny number of kids are capable of the rigor of the magnet program so it’s really not something you should count on for a kid who must still be elementary age. Folks here will tell you that thousands of smart kids who should get a place get turned down but on the whole the selection process works. It’s hard work and not for everyone.

[Anonymous]

Piney Branch is fine but the building is old and the principal is uninspiring. Your kid will have an ok time there. In contrast TPMS is amazing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Piney Branch is fine but the building is old and the principal is uninspiring. Your kid will have an ok time there. In contrast TPMS is amazing.

Didn't really interact with the principal but my kids got fantastic teachers when they were there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why is there this constant misconception about class sizes being school specific? Individual schools don't set class sizes, and class sizes one year at a given school are no guarantee of similar class size the next year. It is all based on enrollment numbers and set by the county.

Okay, but the “numbers” include things like Title I status and Focus status. My kid’s kinder class was not allowed to get larger than 15; other schools regularly have kinder classes of 28. That info can be important.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why is there this constant misconception about class sizes being school specific? Individual schools don't set class sizes, and class sizes one year at a given school are no guarantee of similar class size the next year. It is all based on enrollment numbers and set by the county.

Okay, but the “numbers” include things like Title I status and Focus status. My kid’s kinder class was not allowed to get larger than 15; other schools regularly have kinder classes of 28. That info can be important.

Sure, but when in doubt look it up. The above link shows exactly the size of every class at every school and grade. For example, both of the classes at Cold Spring have only 19 students.

[Anonymous]

My kid went through the CES at PBES when it was still criteria based and it was great. A friend has a child in the CES now through the lottery and had another child in the CES pre lottery and says it is a bit different, but still good.

At TPMS - my kid was in the lottery, but did not get a spot. The friend group consists of both magnet and non magnet kids, all are interested in math and science and nerd out together. Even if they are not selected for the math/science magnet at TPMS, they can try out/participate in Math Team and Science Bowl clubs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kid went through the CES at PBES when it was still criteria based and it was great. A friend has a child in the CES now through the lottery and had another child in the CES pre lottery and says it is a bit different, but still good.

At TPMS - my kid was in the lottery, but did not get a spot. The friend group consists of both magnet and non magnet kids, all are interested in math and science and nerd out together. Even if they are not selected for the math/science magnet at TPMS, they can try out/participate in Math Team and Science Bowl clubs.

Even the non-magnet math, robotics, and science classes seem good at TPMS. At least that was our experience with a kid in the magnet (pre-lottery) and another who was in the pool but missed the lottery. The lottery is supposed to end this year so who knows what's next.