MCPS to DCPS

[Anonymous]

Hi. We’re zoned for a Silver Spring ES that feeds into BCC. We’re thinking about moving into a HJKLM/Mann school before our kids begin K because the ES schools are stronger than our local ES.

I feel like this bucks convention, but we’re just so impressed with what parents say about DCPS ES.

Are we crazy? Should we stay put or maybe move to Bethesda instead?

Open to public or private MS and HS

[Anonymous]

Fine for ES but plan to move again or go private for MS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Fine for ES but plan to move again or go private for MS.

ES is fine (Mann is a great school!) but no need to move for MS. My kids went to Hardy and both of them loved it and all their friends did too. It was such a nice community that most people in their grade had trouble adjusting to high school.

[Anonymous]

Please keep in mind that DC has no school buses. That logistical nightmare alone should make you stay in Maryland. I'm on year 11 of driving my kids to school and I'm about sick of it.

Have they had a good education? Yes. No problems on that front.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Please keep in mind that DC has no school buses. That logistical nightmare alone should make you stay in Maryland. I'm on year 11 of driving my kids to school and I'm about sick of it.

Have they had a good education? Yes. No problems on that front.

Do your kids go to school OOB? Charters? DCPS is set up for most elementary and middle schools to be walkable to all kids in their zone. In our neighborhood, kids are walking to and from school alone by 5th, and pretty much all MS kids walk alone (well, in groups, but without parents). Some MS kids take the bus, again in groups. HS kids take the bus or ride metro. Public transit us free for students and it's common for kids to ride together.

There is no need for school buses in DC and no reason for car commutes unless you set it up to make it necessary (lottery into an OOB or charter far from your home).

[Anonymous]

OP here:

PP, There is no such thing as OOB in MCPS unless your child is doing an advanced / specialty program (starts in grade 3).

Our child would be bussed to school a 10 minute drive away, which I do not love the idea of.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Fine for ES but plan to move again or go private for MS.

ES is fine (Mann is a great school!) but no need to move for MS. My kids went to Hardy and both of them loved it and all their friends did too. It was such a nice community that most people in their grade had trouble adjusting to high school.

+1. My kids went to Hardy and also loved it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Please keep in mind that DC has no school buses. That logistical nightmare alone should make you stay in Maryland. I'm on year 11 of driving my kids to school and I'm about sick of it.

Have they had a good education? Yes. No problems on that front.

Why don’t your kids take metro?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hi. We’re zoned for a Silver Spring ES that feeds into BCC. We’re thinking about moving into a HJKLM/Mann school before our kids begin K because the ES schools are stronger than our local ES.

I feel like this bucks convention, but we’re just so impressed with what parents say about DCPS ES.

Are we crazy? Should we stay put or maybe move to Bethesda instead?

Open to public or private MS and HS

Grass is always greener. We moved to the area because we heard how great those elementary schools were and wound up putting our kids in private after a couple of years. We loved the community and the neighborhood, and aspects of the school itself were fine but DCPS dysfunction made it untenable for us.

[Anonymous]

PP, did you keep the friends your family made at the community school after your kids left dcps?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hi. We’re zoned for a Silver Spring ES that feeds into BCC. We’re thinking about moving into a HJKLM/Mann school before our kids begin K because the ES schools are stronger than our local ES.

I feel like this bucks convention, but we’re just so impressed with what parents say about DCPS ES.

Are we crazy? Should we stay put or maybe move to Bethesda instead?

Open to public or private MS and HS

Are you planning to move back for middle?

[Anonymous]

I teach in DCPS but am potentially your neighbor.

1) The MoCo zones are potentially changing. Taylor is currently suggesting 7,000 different things right now.

2) My kids got into an immersion elementary to increase rigor. Middle and high are stronger in MoCo.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hi. We’re zoned for a Silver Spring ES that feeds into BCC. We’re thinking about moving into a HJKLM/Mann school before our kids begin K because the ES schools are stronger than our local ES.

I feel like this bucks convention, but we’re just so impressed with what parents say about DCPS ES.

Are we crazy? Should we stay put or maybe move to Bethesda instead?

Open to public or private MS and HS

Ask your neighbors. People are generally pleased with rock creek forest.

[Anonymous]

Not crazy at all. Mann/Stoddert and Hardy were lovely.
I never even set foot in the middle and high school when my kids were there. Functioned great for me and my kids.
Kids took the bus, walked, or I drove when I had time.
Older DC is in college now and doing very well. He got 30 credits transferred, has all As, and works part time. His choice to work as college is not hard right now.
Younger one loves Hardy and doesn't want to hear about going private or Walls.
You can always go private later if needed. You know your kids and needs do change.

[Anonymous]

If you already live in md, it makes no sense to move to DC. Unless you are doing it for a shorter commute or some other reason. DC elementary schools can be pretty good but believe me, they fall short of amazing. If you don’t want your kid on the school bus in MD, you can always move closer to the school so you can walk them or just drive them to school