SSIMS vs. TPMS for 6th grade next year

[Anonymous]

We're looking to move out of DC and considering both of these catchments. I'm trying to catch up on the rezoning and closure of SSIMS issues but it's difficult to see how this cashes out for someone (perhaps stupidly) trying to make a decision now. My kid is going into 6th next year so would be done with MS by June 2029. She's creative - loves art, theatre, music, community activism, and we want her to take French as a second language (but it would be completely new to her). Good grade level student in ELA and math; she's a hard worker but isn't going to be the type to be pulled out into an advanced program. I wonder how much boundary/closure issues will take away what my reading suggests are the good parts of SSIMS (particularly community). I also worry about how it feels to attend TPMS as a non-magnet kid. Also trying to understand the differences in the academic schedules and electives offered but the websites are terrible and basically useless. Any thoughts on how you'd handle this choice?

[Anonymous]

Tpms. And I'm zoned for ssims. There is so much flux with that school and cachement. I'd go for some stability.

[Anonymous]

The current principal at TPMS is terrible. There are still some great teachers and good things remain despite her poor leadership, but it’s definitely gone down hill with major changes and the loss of some really key (much loved) staff with years of experience.

That said I’d probably still pick it over SIMS. If you are looking to buy though, bear in mind that TKPK property taxes are the highest in the county. Look for somewhere in bound but outside the city limits.

[Anonymous]

We are zoned for TPMS but my kids are in French immersion so we will attend SSIMS if it is open then. My sense is that TPMS is a better school generally. I think a lot of the good community you’re talking about for SSIMS is part of a language program — they are a very vocal and involved bunch. But that’s for kids who started in elementary. There is Spanish as well (for now) but again only if your kid is already fluent.

[Anonymous]

OP here - appreciate these insights which are super valuable to me. I will say $$ is of course a factor and makes SSIMS much more appealing in the ability to get a house we like for much less. But the whole impetus for moving is for continuity of decent public schools through HS so it would be illogical to choose something that would be unreasonably precarious for our kid. I guess I was hoping SSIMS might be good for 3 more years.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We are zoned for TPMS but my kids are in French immersion so we will attend SSIMS if it is open then. My sense is that TPMS is a better school generally. I think a lot of the good community you’re talking about for SSIMS is part of a language program — they are a very vocal and involved bunch. But that’s for kids who started in elementary. There is Spanish as well (for now) but again only if your kid is already fluent.

Does this mean there are no introductory world language classes at SSIMS? Also appreciate the insights re immersion community. This was my concern with TPMS--if everything is "about the magnet" and how that makes non-magnet kids feel. We've also been privileged to have a really excellent peer group in elementary in terms of being academically focused and positive about school, so that's something we want to preserve and it's hard to parse whether that exists for kids outside "special programs" in MCPS.

[Anonymous]

A lot is going to change in 2027-2028 unless MSDE takes back their 60-minute middle school math mandate. There is basically no way SSIMS will be able to keep 3 elective periods anymore (we will be lucky if middle schools are able to even have 2 elective periods-- 1 or 1.5 are more likely), so I would expect the number of electives offered there to drop significantly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here - appreciate these insights which are super valuable to me. I will say $$ is of course a factor and makes SSIMS much more appealing in the ability to get a house we like for much less. But the whole impetus for moving is for continuity of decent public schools through HS so it would be illogical to choose something that would be unreasonably precarious for our kid. I guess I was hoping SSIMS might be good for 3 more years.

They will make the decision in either spring 2027 or spring 2028 (spring 2027 more likely IMO.). The actual closure is very unlikely to happen before your daughter leaves in spring 2029, but there may be spillover effects sooner, like not enrolling new 6th grade classes, teachers heading for the exits, etc (or maybe it will be totally fine! Who knows?)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are zoned for TPMS but my kids are in French immersion so we will attend SSIMS if it is open then. My sense is that TPMS is a better school generally. I think a lot of the good community you’re talking about for SSIMS is part of a language program — they are a very vocal and involved bunch. But that’s for kids who started in elementary. There is Spanish as well (for now) but again only if your kid is already fluent.

Does this mean there are no introductory world language classes at SSIMS? Also appreciate the insights re immersion community. This was my concern with TPMS--if everything is "about the magnet" and how that makes non-magnet kids feel. We've also been privileged to have a really excellent peer group in elementary in terms of being academically focused and positive about school, so that's something we want to preserve and it's hard to parse whether that exists for kids outside "special programs" in MCPS.

There are introductory world language classes at SSIMS! The school has advanced French and Spanish for those who took it previously, and I think that's one of the strengths of the school, but yes definitely there are kids starting out in French and Spanish too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here - appreciate these insights which are super valuable to me. I will say $$ is of course a factor and makes SSIMS much more appealing in the ability to get a house we like for much less. But the whole impetus for moving is for continuity of decent public schools through HS so it would be illogical to choose something that would be unreasonably precarious for our kid. I guess I was hoping SSIMS might be good for 3 more years.

If you look at the area just past Takoma Park that is zoned for East Silver Spring elementary, that could help you out with saving money and still be walkable to TPMS. It will also almost certainly stay zoned for Blair High School which many people see as a plus.

[Anonymous]

Look at the hs instead.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Look at the hs instead.

OP here - I think in either case we would be at Blair (again more concerns about the special programs and how it feels to be not special / what the peer groups are like in general classes).

[Anonymous]

My kid goes to SSIMS and I'm semi-active in the PTSA.

The principal, Mr. Bilock, is amazing. He always shows up for events, always is willing to talk to parents, and has a really good rapport with the kids. He even agreed to get pied in the face by students to raise funds for the PTSA. He's high-fived my kid upon hearing how well they did on tests and is always encouraging the kids to try their best. Likewise, the teachers have been phenomenal for the most part and really encouraging.

If your kid likes music, I would definitely lean toward SSIMS. SSIMS music department is very strong and participates regularly in the Blair cluster events. Whereas SSIMS had at least 15 students show up for the Blair Marching Band night this fall, only 1 kid from Takoma I believe showed. Likewise, SSIMS fielded both orchestra and band performances at the Blair cluster concert this fall. TPMS only had a small band participate. SSIMS also had a lot more students participating in the MCPS Middle School All-County Band and Orchestra Ensembles this year compared to TPMS. The Band and Orchestra teacher is also just phenomenal and bends over backwards for her students and to make sure they're learning but also having fun at the same time.

Students at SSIMS are required to take a language each year. They offer Spanish and French. My kid didn't take a language before 6th grade and they're doing great. Most kids start out 6th grade not having taken a language previously, although there is French and Spanish Immersion at the school. So the path is Spanish/French I, Spanish/French II, Spanish/French III.

My kid has friends who go to TPMS, both in and out of the magnet. Their non-magnet friends have told them that at least some of the magnet kids make fun of and talk down to those who are not in the magnet, which is a bit ridiculous since it's a lottery and this particular non-magnet kid has test scores that blow the others away. So that can definitely be frustrating.

The biggest issue with SSIMS is the building, which is older. It can also be hard to keep my kid motivated, as they are a bit accelerated compared to most of their peers and take school very seriously. It's probably similar for a non-magnet kid at TPMS though. But my kid participates in a lot of the academically-focused afterschool clubs, so that definitely helps.

Community is definitely strong, and the PTSA/administration regularly organizes special school-wide events, such as a February Fest in the gym, open gyms before school, honor roll celebrations, field days, etc. There's always something going on! And it's definitely welcoming.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Look at the hs instead.

OP here - I think in either case we would be at Blair (again more concerns about the special programs and how it feels to be not special / what the peer groups are like in general classes).

There is just a little slice of DTSS within the SSIMS catchment zone that articulates to Blair. Maybe this is where you are looking to move, but if your preference is Blair then you're better off in the TPMS catchment. We live near SSIMS, we have a kid there and we are big SSIMS boosters, but all things being equal, we'd probably send our kid to TPMS over SSIMS. It's not just that the building sucks, but the possible closure and related issues are just so uncertain. It would be nice to not worry about those things!

Also, we have lots of friends in Takoma Park who are not in the magnet, and I honestly haven't heard any feedback about the non-magnet kids being looked down upon. But I think you need to hear from non-magnet families themselves about their experience.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Look at the hs instead.

OP here - I think in either case we would be at Blair (again more concerns about the special programs and how it feels to be not special / what the peer groups are like in general classes).

There is just a little slice of DTSS within the SSIMS catchment zone that articulates to Blair. Maybe this is where you are looking to move, but if your preference is Blair then you're better off in the TPMS catchment. We live near SSIMS, we have a kid there and we are big SSIMS boosters, but all things being equal, we'd probably send our kid to TPMS over SSIMS. It's not just that the building sucks, but the possible closure and related issues are just so uncertain. It would be nice to not worry about those things!

Also, we have lots of friends in Takoma Park who are not in the magnet, and I honestly haven't heard any feedback about the non-magnet kids being looked down upon. But I think you need to hear from non-magnet families themselves about their experience.

That little slice is reassigned from Blair to Northwood in the superintendent's boundary recommendation.