Westland/other large MCPS middle schools

[Anonymous]

As the move to Westland MS gets closer, I'm concerned about the size of the school. We are thinking about various private options. Has anybody had an introverted kid who made the move to Westland, Pyle, or any of the large MCPS middles? How did it go? For my kid's year the student population is projected to be over 1300 (from schools at a glance). That seems soooo big. I'd be interested in thoughts/experiences, pro or con for wallflower type of kids.

[Anonymous]

My DS just started at one of the big MCPS HS's coming from a very small private. The key was getting involved in activities. I know that is harder in the middle schools because there are fewer sports, etc., but there must be some kind of clubs or other activities she can do.

Is she coming from a feeder ES? Then she will know lots of people anyway. My DS was amazed at how many people he knew in his classes even though he didn't go to the feeder ES or MS.

The school itself also did a great job of welcoming the 9th graders - special orientation day, welcome pizza night, coffee with the principal for parents, etc. Maybe Westland does the same thing for 6th graders?

[Anonymous]

My relatively introverted 6th grade boy moved to Westland from a small alternative school in another city. He didn't know a single child there on his first day. I was worried about the size, and him finding his way.

So far, things have been fantastic. He made a strong connection with one of his teachers (the one who teaches his homeroom and another subject) early on so he has someone to go to if he has a question. At parent conferences it was clear that the teachers really know him.

And he's made a small group of friends, which is, to me, the most important thing.

We really couldn't be happier.

[Anonymous]

Have you attended one of the Westland introduction meetings for those parents of kids articulating from the elementary schools? If not, you really should and you should raise these concerns there. I found the principal to be really responsive.

Last year, many parents expressed the same concern about the size. The response was that the school has been organized to minimize this somewhat. For example, the 6th grade has classes mostly only with other 6th graders, thus diminishing the number of kids your child is in regular contact with (exceptions are things like language classes). I think each grades classrooms have been organized to be mainly in similar parts of the building, etc. I forget what other things they've done, but I remember leaving unconcerned about size.

One other thing to think about -- why is your kid a "wallflower"? Does he/she have unusual interests? Doesn't fit a typical mold like athlete or musician? A big school allows kids a better chance to find someone like themselves. There is a lot more variety in a bigger group of kids. If your child came from a feeder school, he/she will already have friends at school, and encouraging them to participate in activities or sports will help them make new ones. Also, the bus commute is a prime time for making/finding new friends who live in your larger neighborhood.

Or is your concern not that he/she is a wallflower with other kids his/her age, but with teachers/school work? Another advantage to size -- more variety in class levels/choices. We like this aspect of Westland. And, again, the classes/grades seem to be organized to promote teachers/counselors/administrators getting to know kids.

[Anonymous]

This is OP. Thanks posters for this very useful feedback. I have not attended one of their introduction meetings but will make plans to do so. My kid is a wallflower because she's very introverted, not athletic AT ALL and not a standout in some of the other areas like drama which would be a great place to make friends.

[Anonymous]

Be sure to ask her what she thinks. If she knows she has options for other smaller schools that might help her put her feelings into words. The flip side is a bigger school exposes her to more kids and she could be more likely to find a close buddy who is similar in personality.