| DC was invited to the IB and LTI at Kennedy but got into their top DCC choice - Einstein. The arts are also very important to them. I know the arts are strong at Einstein but how are they at Kennedy especially drama? |
Someone correct me if I have misinformation, but I've heard Kennedy doesn't have a theater program. |
| That would clinch it! TYSM |
Kennedy does not have a theater program. In fact, the excellent Northwood program was proposed to hold shows there to try to boost up their program. |
| How does a high school not have a theatre program? Is there a lack of student interest? Faculty issue? |
https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/1240123.page#28798264 |
Northwood has no theater facilities in their current holding location at the future Woodward. For the moment, they have to hold their productions at other schools or use community theaters. Propping up Kennedy’s theater program was probably just a bonus; more simply, there was an unused theater facility going to waste. |
They also don’t have a strong music program. That was the final straw when my Einstein now-senior was weighing the Kennedy IB magnet offer. |
| Einstein definitely |
| I have a kid at Kennedy in IB and a kid at Einstein. Both kids love their schools, but there are serious safety issues at Kennedy. Kennedy does not have a theater program, but I do think they are doing a musical this year. We will see if that happens. |
| I'm a Kennedy parent and I without will tell you to send your kid to Einstein. |
| What one or two good things can you say about Kennedy? |
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https://ww2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/regulatoryaccountability/glance/currentyear/schools/04815.pdf
Data from Kennedy (2022-2023) linked above confirms: 70%+ FARMs (and I’m sure it’s only increased) Less than 5% White which means the school isn’t in fact diverse—it’s 70%+ Hispanic. Poor planning on the county’s part when it surrounded the school with so many garden apartments. The surrounding SFH neighborhoods have an over abundance of rentals as well. It’s become a low-income majority area with a significant amount of crime, gang activity, drugs, and trafficking. I know a retired school safety officer who said Kennedy has legitimate crime issues. Fwiw, I grew up in the area a long time ago and it’s shocking to see how far it has devolved. |
| Noted, 08:01. But none of that is "one or two good things" about the HS. |
1. If your child is Black or Hispanic, they will find community. The school is overwhelmingly Black and Hispanic. 2. There are teachers there who genuinely care and will build relationship and community with your kids. Especially those veteran teachers who have been there for years. The newer teachers, unfortunately, tend to struggle and flounder. 3. The school size is "small" compared to the much larger overcrowded DCC schools. This means it's less competitive and cutthroat when it comes to creating space for kids of on athletic teams. 4. The Regional IB program is easier to get into than RM's and it offers a nice school-within-a-school experience if your kid is gifted and willing to endure the rigor that comes with the IB Diploma Program |