MS/HS recommendations for artsy kid

[Anonymous]

Kid is in 4th at a DC public on the hill. On or slightly above grade level, benefits from the relatively small class sizes and positive peer pressure of having classmates who take school seriously. Doesn’t love school other than art and music, and does art, music, and theatre outside school.

Our zoned middle school doesn’t look great on paper but kids headed there from our elementary seem to do really well. But the high school situation isn’t pretty and I don’t see our kid having the grades to get into a magnet school, so we’re thinking of moving to MoCo now rather than later.

House budget is about $850K and prefer to be within or near beltway in a relatively urban area. What would you recommend? And how easy is it to get your first choice in DCC consortium (if, for example, we moved to takoma park for middle but wanted Einstein for high)? Thanks in advance!

[Anonymous]

Both Blair and Einstein have great arts programs, with Einstein of course hosting the portfolio-based fine arts program.

In terms of DCC, it's hard to project as far out as you are looking but every kid I know who is inbounds for Blair got their top choice in the DCC lottery, including my child who got their first choice of Einstein.

It's slightly harder to go in the other direction, and much harder to go from any of the other DCC schools to Blair.

So, at your budget and age range, I'd recommend looking at homes in-bounds for TPMS including the part zoned for ESSES.

Alternatively, you could look at homes zones for Sligo MS or Newport Mill MS and Einstein. Sligo is sort of an overlooked option on DCUM but families I know there are very happy.

[Anonymous]

For middle school, try Loiderman.

[Anonymous]

Periodic reminder that boundaries aren't set in stone and these MS and HS may be different after the current boundary study takes place.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Kid is in 4th at a DC public on the hill. On or slightly above grade level, benefits from the relatively small class sizes and positive peer pressure of having classmates who take school seriously. Doesn’t love school other than art and music, and does art, music, and theatre outside school.

Our zoned middle school doesn’t look great on paper but kids headed there from our elementary seem to do really well. But the high school situation isn’t pretty and I don’t see our kid having the grades to get into a magnet school, so we’re thinking of moving to MoCo now rather than later.

House budget is about $850K and prefer to be within or near beltway in a relatively urban area. What would you recommend? And how easy is it to get your first choice in DCC consortium (if, for example, we moved to takoma park for middle but wanted Einstein for high)? Thanks in advance!

You're guaranteed your first choice if it's your inbound school.

[Anonymous]

Depending on what arts your student is interested in, I can highly recommend Einstein. Their theater and music programs are terrific. It is currently challenging to get into Blair and Wheaton through the DCC process unless it’s your home school. Wheaton is really stem driven but its music program can be very individualized which is great.

[Anonymous]

In addition to boundaries changing, teachers change. For example, the Einstein chorus/drama teacher is retiring.

[Anonymous]

Pay attention to the boundary study AND program analysis- based on the board meeting today I’d expect changes. They weren’t clear other than fewer, if any countywide programs, instead six regions with the same/similar programs in each.

[Anonymous]

I love Einstein for my art kid. I will say that the IB program brings in a group of motivated students, but that's not the vibe of the school overall, if that's important to you. I actually like the chiller environment for my DC, but if you're looking for a highly motivated school cohort overall, Einstein might not be the place.

[Anonymous]

Einstein, hands down. Given the current boundary study going on, be within walking distance

[Anonymous]

Einstein is academically weak.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Einstein is academically weak.

Other than math, we’ve been pleased. English and history instruction have been stellar. IB diploma kid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Einstein is academically weak.

Other than math, we’ve been pleased. English and history instruction have been stellar. IB diploma kid.

PP with kid at Einstein. DD is not in the IB program and we’re a bit disappointed about lack of AP science. Otherwise, we’ve been ok with the academics.

[Anonymous]

Loiederman is phenomenal for theatre and rapidly growing excellent for chorus (new teacher's second year, and fantastic progress). We've been really happy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Einstein is academically weak.

Other than math, we’ve been pleased. English and history instruction have been stellar. IB diploma kid.

English and ap history are their stronger classes. Ap gov was fantastic as the teacher taught study skills. Science, math, are weak. Not a lot of computer science or engineering. Ap computer science teacher is very good. No aps in science and no math past calc. Good if your kid wants ib but not ap. Theater program and art are good, music is just ok - other schools have much more and higher levels. We have mostly very good teachers, but a few not good or responsive. Principle not responsive with concerns, though that’s common in mcps. Doesn’t try to help at all. Some teachers do go above and beyond which does make a difference. Not a bad school but if we had to do it again for academic we’d pick another school. My kids are happy for the most part. It’s one of the less rough schools but still fights and issues. Locked bathrooms are also an issue. Security staff are very good too but not enough of them. Building is in desperate need of repair or replacement.