Would you move for Deal and J-R?

[Anonymous]

I'm curious for thoughts of families currently in Deal and/or J-R whether you think the schools would be worth moving for. We are in DCPS but in a weak feeder pattern. We're planning to move anyway and are deciding whether we should stay in DC (our strong preference) or give MD or VA a more serious look. Are you happy with Deal and J-R? Knowing what you know about them, would you consider moving for them?

[Anonymous]

Any reason why you wouldn't move for MacArthur? I have no dog in this fight (MCPS here), just asking. Also, what is your kid like? Special needs? Introvert or extrovert? Do they play certain sports? Behavior issues? Risk factors?

[Anonymous]

It's hard to say. Basically most of the JR and Deal neighborhoods are as suburban as the close in VA and MD suburbs and lack any real urban flavor anyway, and the suburban schools are generally better, so if it were me I'd just leave the city. The one exception I can think of is Mt Pleasant.

[Anonymous]

OP here. My kids are strong students with no special needs or behavior issues. Okay athletes but not a big focus. Relatively extroverted joiners of school clubs and activities.

[Anonymous]

We are Deal 6th and love it very much. So many clubs to make friends and so far very happy with the teachers. The size is not too much. Not sure if we will stay at JR but that is more about wanting to be open to a variety of HS options. MCPS has it's issues (we also considered moving). I heard Virginia schools have a good reputation. There's a new school and area in Falls Church - Mustangs.

[Anonymous]

I'm looking into this now and it feels much more real with a 7th grader! We decided that JR and BCC are both good fits and we will decide based on family logistics that are TBD and the specifics of the homes we are looking at. And if DD gets into Walls, Banneker, or McKinley Tech, or lotteries into Latin or DCI, then we won't move at all.

Consider the age of your kids and whether Latin or BASIS holds any appeal to you. Some people stay out through the 4th grade lottery and then decide.

Be aware that MoCo is considering school boundary changes.

If I have one regret about all of this, it's not getting my head around the MoCo gifted options and entry years for those programs.

[Anonymous]

Kids like yours do well at Deal and JR, as do some special needs kids (depends on the exact flavor of special needs).

Think about how many cars you own or want to own. In our walkable NWDC neighborhood, many families with 2-4 drivers (including teens) have 0-1 cars. Not all DC neighborhoods are that walkable, and some suburban neighborhoods are somewhat walkable.

Think about colleges. UMD and UVA/VT are better than UDC, and cheaper if you’re in-state, but if the kids want to go anywhere else, you’re probably better off (or at least no worse off) applying from DC.

Think about school culture. Deal and JR are definitely not the “pressure cooker” type school you can find in the suburbs. If you want that type of school, don’t move here. If you don’t want it, Deal/JR can be a good option.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. My kids are strong students with no special needs or behavior issues. Okay athletes but not a big focus. Relatively extroverted joiners of school clubs and activities.

Sounds like my kids, both of whom went to Deal and JR (one graduated, one is a senior). They’ve both had extremely positive experiences, especially at JR, which is big and vibrant and diverse, and offers tons of activities/outlets. Both found their niches, activity-wise, which expanded their social lives and gave them great leadership opportunities. They’ve both had mostly good teachers, and more excellent than bad ones on the extremes.

We’re within walking distance to both schools, which has been great for their independence and sense of community. So if you’re moving to be in-boundary, I’d factor that into the equation. But if that’s lower-priority for you, I agree with a PP that Mount Pleasant is the most desirable IB neighborhood; it’s where I’d move if I didn’t care about school proximity.

[Anonymous]

We have been very pleased with Deal and do not understand why in-bound families pay $50-60k per year for middle school. Our kids have received a great education at Deal. For the most part teachers are great and engaged. Good athletics and plentiful clubs (Model UN, debate, student government, screenwriters club, Anime club, robotics team, etc...). We will save our money by not sending to privates and invest it for our kids. Plan is to send oldest to JR next year. Sure it is a big urban public high school which comes with its own set of problems but the families we know who have sent their kids there liked it. They got a solid education and got into solid colleges. I suppose if your child is not a good student or has a tendency to get in with a bad crowd, JR might not be a good option. But then again private will not magically fix those things for your child either.

[Anonymous]

All three of mine went to Deal/JR. We moved for it way back in elementary school. It is far from perfect but I have no regrets. Most of my kids teachers were solid. Few bad ones here and there. Few chaotic classes. My kids all did an academy at JR that upped the rigor and took a lot of AP classes. I still hate the Honors for All angle and there are way too many behavioral issues that get swept under the rug. But, so many of the teachers and staff care at both schools. My kids all came out knowing how to advocate for themselves and are going/went to good colleges. It is not a pressure cooker - though some kids do that to themselves. It has great diversity. Pretty much every kid can find their niche. Mental health of the students seems better than at other big high schools around. Lots of activities, clubs and sports. And if you live in Upper NW - your kid can walk to school for elementary/middle/high and their friends will be nearby.

[Anonymous]

I think it is worth it to have good in bound options. Your kids can always apply to selective high schools or charters if interested, but have the comfort of solid IB.

[Anonymous]

We moved in bounds when our oldest was still in pre-K, and actually kept them at a DC charter until they started middle school at Deal. Both kids are now in high school (one at JR and one at Walls), and both have found the schools to be the right fit for each of them. We have no doubt they will end up at good colleges. Most of all, we are grateful they are happy and thriving. All in all, no regrets -- it has been fun watching them grow up in the city.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's hard to say. Basically most of the JR and Deal neighborhoods are as suburban as the close in VA and MD suburbs and lack any real urban flavor anyway, and the suburban schools are generally better, so if it were me I'd just leave the city. The one exception I can think of is Mt Pleasant.

Well a particular kind of suburban-don't think the poster is interested in all of the close in MD suburbs.

[Anonymous]

Interested in hearing more why people like Mt. Pleasant in particular. (I'm not sure I have ever been there and am asking out of total ignorance).

[Anonymous]

WOTP can be a worse commute downtown than crossing the bridge from parts of Arlington. Looking myself, and I have a hard time understanding what the benefit of paying to be near Deal and JR. Arlington has well-funded schools with solid cohorts. For out of bounds options you have to look at TJ v. Walls/Banneker. And then for college, in-state tuition at UVA is superior to DC Tag.