If you have kids in Wheaton or Blair, is overcrowding an issue?

[Anonymous]

I keep hearing that over-enrollment is an issue in the DCC schools, especially Wheaton and Blair, but the reported average class size on the stats page of MCPS don't seem that bad. What's it really like? And somewhat related, do these schools have issues with closed bathrooms?

[Anonymous]

It's fine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's fine.

What does that mean in this context?
-DP

[Anonymous]

DP. My third kid is at Blair now; I have two fairly recent Blair graduates. There are portables to help with the large student body, and hallways are very busy between classes, but my kids never complained about "overcrowding." They found places to sit at lunch (outside when weather permits, sometimes in a hallway on the floor, but they didn't seem to mind that) and have all been really happy with the school. It's huge, but that's OK. It's a great school.

[Anonymous]

My child is happy at Wheaton and it seems very well run.

[Anonymous]

There was a parent testimony back in summer showing how the CIP plan consistently over-projecting the enrollment by ~ 3000 students for now. That testimony was not particularly for Blair or Wheaton, but demonstrated how the projection can deviate so far from reality.

Figure 1 here: https://www.boarddocs.com/mabe/mcpsmd/Board.nsf/files/DHWJ9K4C0A62/$file/Testimony_crownHSboundarystudy_June24_2025_JGong_v3_clean.pdf

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I keep hearing that over-enrollment is an issue in the DCC schools, especially Wheaton and Blair, but the reported average class size on the stats page of MCPS don't seem that bad. What's it really like? And somewhat related, do these schools have issues with closed bathrooms?

Class size is not necessarily related to whether a school is overcrowded. They add portables to schools in many cases, and teacher positions are allotted based on number of students enrolled. Overcrowding is more apparent in there not being enough room in the hallways, the cafeteria, the parking lot, etc.

[Anonymous]

My kid is happy at Blair, especially with classes. Hallways are crowded but most of the kids attending middle schools that also had crowded hallways.

[Anonymous]

The class sizes do not seem very large at Wheaton. I have no idea about the bathrooms. The school seems well run. I really like the principal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The class sizes do not seem very large at Wheaton. I have no idea about the bathrooms. The school seems well run. I really like the principal.

Bathrooms are mostly locked. Principal is one of the better ones.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The class sizes do not seem very large at Wheaton. I have no idea about the bathrooms. The school seems well run. I really like the principal.

Bathrooms are mostly locked. Principal is one of the better ones.

How can I school be well run if the kids can't even go the bathroom? How has no one yet sued over this?

[Anonymous]

FWIW, there is a lot of talk of Einstein being overcrowded but that doesn’t seem to bother my kid or any of his friends. They have ugly portables but then so did our elementary school just a few years after it opened.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The class sizes do not seem very large at Wheaton. I have no idea about the bathrooms. The school seems well run. I really like the principal.

Bathrooms are mostly locked. Principal is one of the better ones.

How can I school be well run if the kids can't even go the bathroom? How has no one yet sued over this?

There is usually one open but you have to search for it. It’s still well run.