Best HS in MCPS to enroll a transgender student

[Anonymous]

I understand this is a divisive and difficult subject for some people to respond to with maturity and tact. However I do need to ask for opinions for those who may have more experience with this situation than I do.

My child is currently a 10th grade student at a MCPS high school. They have expressed to me their desire to transition their gender. I do not necessarily have a problem with this as ultimately I wish for them to live a happy and confident life however that may look. My student has also expressed a desire to change schools for their junior and senior year so they can have a blank slate/fresh start during their transition. We are likely going to hold off on any hormone therapy/surgery options until after high school so this transition will be mainly on paper at this moment. I am aware of the MCPS policy and guidelines for student Gender Identity. I just want to know any specific anecdotal evidence about which schools might be the best for them to attend during this process. Thank you in advace for any productive responses.

[Anonymous]

Mine who was flirting with being transgender had a good experience at Blake. But, it has changed a lot since then so you might want more recent experiences. However, you are going to have to move in order to get into a different school and unless you move into the area where Blake is the home school (not just an option in the NEC), you might not get it because Blake is really popular right now.

[Anonymous]

My daughter at BCC sits with a loose group of friends and friendly acquaintances which has at least one transitioning kid, plus another who goes by a pronoun and a name that do not correspond to their sex at birth. I don't know if there's an actual LGBTQ+ club or support group (there was one at Westland MS, which feeds into BCC). My DD just found this group because they're all artistic, musical, and/or nerdy, which is right up her alley.

But the thing is: anywhere they go, your child can receive rude remarks. Out of thousands of high schoolers, it takes only one insensitive kid to mar your child's experience. So even though I am sure many children are accepting of all differences in every MCPS school... there's going to be an element of luck involved, and your child will need to develop a thick skin.

Best of luck.

[Anonymous]

^ meant, sits at lunch with... they're all in different classes.

[Anonymous]

I don’t think you can get a COSA just for transitioning genders unless you can show history of bullying.

[Anonymous]

I work in the county as a teacher. I am aware of the COSA process and understand what I will have to do.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I understand this is a divisive and difficult subject for some people to respond to with maturity and tact. However I do need to ask for opinions for those who may have more experience with this situation than I do.

My child is currently a 10th grade student at a MCPS high school. They have expressed to me their desire to transition their gender. I do not necessarily have a problem with this as ultimately I wish for them to live a happy and confident life however that may look. My student has also expressed a desire to change schools for their junior and senior year so they can have a blank slate/fresh start during their transition. We are likely going to hold off on any hormone therapy/surgery options until after high school so this transition will be mainly on paper at this moment. I am aware of the MCPS policy and guidelines for student Gender Identity. I just want to know any specific anecdotal evidence about which schools might be the best for them to attend during this process. Thank you in advace for any productive responses.

Whitman

[Anonymous]

Didn’t raise many eyebrows at Northwood.

[Anonymous]

WJ would be fine too. There are several trans kids and even a few furries. I'm pretty sure anything goes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Didn’t raise many eyebrows at Northwood.

My daughter thrived at Northwood after a terrible middle school experience. Principal and counselor were very supportive and even openly addressed issues like dead names not being read at graduation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:WJ would be fine too. There are several trans kids and even a few furries. I'm pretty sure anything goes.

+100

[Anonymous]

RM has many students who are transgender or gender fluid and an active LGBTQ+ friendly club.

[Anonymous]

RM is accepting (according to my kids who go there). My friend who has a non-binary child says kid is well supported and has a great friend group at Quince Orchard.

[Anonymous]

I'm a queer RM grad with lots of trans friends who had a great experience!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:WJ would be fine too. There are several trans kids and even a few furries. I'm pretty sure anything goes.

WJ - it's a large school and everyone is able to find their people