Best "overall" DCC trios?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are planning on moving to the DCC (Takoma Park/Silver Spring/Kensington). We don't have a large budget, but like the Takoma Park area and think we may be able to find something our family of 5 could squeeze into.

I have 3 kids, when we move my daughter will be going into 6th grade, which would put her in the Takoma Park/Blair district, which is great for her because she. Is bright and definitely excels math/STEM (we know the magnet thing is hard to get into, but it seems like a good overall STEM school).

My concern is that I will also have a 3rd grader and a kindergartner when we move, and from what I've heard the TP elementary schools are really big, which may be an issue with my highly sensitive 3rd grader and any kindergartner I would think.

Are there other clusters that y'all would recommend as a whole? My 3rd grader also seems more STEM/engineering oriented, but would probably do better in a smaller school. My 4yo is just a spitfire who bosses us all around so who knows with her.

We also would prefer to be as close to DC or Metro station.

Thank you for any helpful advice.

The only MCPS middle schools with anything interesting STEM-wise are Takoma Park, Clemente, Argyle, and Parkland.

Fixed it. Clemente has a program similar to TPMS, serving the smaller up-county population (with fewer seats). There aren't special STEM middle school programs other than these 4 in the whole county, and Argyle/Parkland have a limited number of seats for those outside of the combined Middle School Magnet Consortium catchment (those two plus Loiederman).

OP's 6th grader is unlikely to find an open spot for any at this point, with lottery invitations having been sent earlier this year and considerable wait pools. Regular TPMS is fine, as are the other area middle schools, though TPMS with it's more recent improvement project may have fewer idiosyncratic issues (facilities, etc.) than Eastern or SSIMS; however, the math/science/CS magnet is a separate program within the school. The 3rd grader and kindergartener will have a chance for that.

Big school or small, comfort in the learning experience is going to be more about the individual teachers and classmates than anything else, though good principals definitely help, as do more up-to-date/adequate facilities. There are some schools that don't have enough room and have to stretch lunches from as early as about 10:30 to as late as about 2, changing with each grade.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are planning on moving to the DCC (Takoma Park/Silver Spring/Kensington). We don't have a large budget, but like the Takoma Park area and think we may be able to find something our family of 5 could squeeze into.

I have 3 kids, when we move my daughter will be going into 6th grade, which would put her in the Takoma Park/Blair district, which is great for her because she. Is bright and definitely excels math/STEM (we know the magnet thing is hard to get into, but it seems like a good overall STEM school).

My concern is that I will also have a 3rd grader and a kindergartner when we move, and from what I've heard the TP elementary schools are really big, which may be an issue with my highly sensitive 3rd grader and any kindergartner I would think.

Are there other clusters that y'all would recommend as a whole? My 3rd grader also seems more STEM/engineering oriented, but would probably do better in a smaller school. My 4yo is just a spitfire who bosses us all around so who knows with her.

We also would prefer to be as close to DC or Metro station.

Thank you for any helpful advice.

The only MCPS middle schools with anything interesting STEM-wise are Takoma Park, Clemente, Argyle, and Parkland.

Fixed it. Clemente has a program similar to TPMS, serving the smaller up-county population (with fewer seats). There aren't special STEM middle school programs other than these 4 in the whole county, and Argyle/Parkland have a limited number of seats for those outside of the combined Middle School Magnet Consortium catchment (those two plus Loiederman).

OP's 6th grader is unlikely to find an open spot for any at this point, with lottery invitations having been sent earlier this year and considerable wait pools. Regular TPMS is fine, as are the other area middle schools, though TPMS with it's more recent improvement project may have fewer idiosyncratic issues (facilities, etc.) than Eastern or SSIMS; however, the math/science/CS magnet is a separate program within the school. The 3rd grader and kindergartener will have a chance for that.

Big school or small, comfort in the learning experience is going to be more about the individual teachers and classmates than anything else, though good principals definitely help, as do more up-to-date/adequate facilities. There are some schools that don't have enough room and have to stretch lunches from as early as about 10:30 to as late as about 2, changing with each grade.

Gee, how helpful your "fix" is to the OP who specifically asked about DCC schools and said they wanted to live close to DC.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are planning on moving to the DCC (Takoma Park/Silver Spring/Kensington). We don't have a large budget, but like the Takoma Park area and think we may be able to find something our family of 5 could squeeze into.

I have 3 kids, when we move my daughter will be going into 6th grade, which would put her in the Takoma Park/Blair district, which is great for her because she. Is bright and definitely excels math/STEM (we know the magnet thing is hard to get into, but it seems like a good overall STEM school).

My concern is that I will also have a 3rd grader and a kindergartner when we move, and from what I've heard the TP elementary schools are really big, which may be an issue with my highly sensitive 3rd grader and any kindergartner I would think.

Are there other clusters that y'all would recommend as a whole? My 3rd grader also seems more STEM/engineering oriented, but would probably do better in a smaller school. My 4yo is just a spitfire who bosses us all around so who knows with her.

We also would prefer to be as close to DC or Metro station.

Thank you for any helpful advice.

The only MCPS middle schools with anything interesting STEM-wise are Takoma Park, Clemente, Argyle, and Parkland.

Fixed it. Clemente has a program similar to TPMS, serving the smaller up-county population (with fewer seats). There aren't special STEM middle school programs other than these 4 in the whole county, and Argyle/Parkland have a limited number of seats for those outside of the combined Middle School Magnet Consortium catchment (those two plus Loiederman).

OP's 6th grader is unlikely to find an open spot for any at this point, with lottery invitations having been sent earlier this year and considerable wait pools. Regular TPMS is fine, as are the other area middle schools, though TPMS with it's more recent improvement project may have fewer idiosyncratic issues (facilities, etc.) than Eastern or SSIMS; however, the math/science/CS magnet is a separate program within the school. The 3rd grader and kindergartener will have a chance for that.

Big school or small, comfort in the learning experience is going to be more about the individual teachers and classmates than anything else, though good principals definitely help, as do more up-to-date/adequate facilities. There are some schools that don't have enough room and have to stretch lunches from as early as about 10:30 to as late as about 2, changing with each grade.

Gee, how helpful your "fix" is to the OP who specifically asked about DCC schools and said they wanted to live close to DC.

More helpful than the post that was fixed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are planning on moving to the DCC (Takoma Park/Silver Spring/Kensington). We don't have a large budget, but like the Takoma Park area and think we may be able to find something our family of 5 could squeeze into.

I have 3 kids, when we move my daughter will be going into 6th grade, which would put her in the Takoma Park/Blair district, which is great for her because she. Is bright and definitely excels math/STEM (we know the magnet thing is hard to get into, but it seems like a good overall STEM school).

My concern is that I will also have a 3rd grader and a kindergartner when we move, and from what I've heard the TP elementary schools are really big, which may be an issue with my highly sensitive 3rd grader and any kindergartner I would think.

Are there other clusters that y'all would recommend as a whole? My 3rd grader also seems more STEM/engineering oriented, but would probably do better in a smaller school. My 4yo is just a spitfire who bosses us all around so who knows with her.

We also would prefer to be as close to DC or Metro station.

Thank you for any helpful advice.

The only MCPS middle schools with anything interesting STEM-wise are Takoma Park, Clemente, Argyle, and Parkland.

Fixed it. Clemente has a program similar to TPMS, serving the smaller up-county population (with fewer seats). There aren't special STEM middle school programs other than these 4 in the whole county, and Argyle/Parkland have a limited number of seats for those outside of the combined Middle School Magnet Consortium catchment (those two plus Loiederman).

OP's 6th grader is unlikely to find an open spot for any at this point, with lottery invitations having been sent earlier this year and considerable wait pools. Regular TPMS is fine, as are the other area middle schools, though TPMS with it's more recent improvement project may have fewer idiosyncratic issues (facilities, etc.) than Eastern or SSIMS; however, the math/science/CS magnet is a separate program within the school. The 3rd grader and kindergartener will have a chance for that.

Big school or small, comfort in the learning experience is going to be more about the individual teachers and classmates than anything else, though good principals definitely help, as do more up-to-date/adequate facilities. There are some schools that don't have enough room and have to stretch lunches from as early as about 10:30 to as late as about 2, changing with each grade.

Gee, how helpful your "fix" is to the OP who specifically asked about DCC schools and said they wanted to live close to DC.

More helpful than the post that was fixed.

Well, OP said they are "planning on moving to the DCC." So in addition to Takoma Park, they might consider moving into the Argyle or Parkland area and would therefore not be competing for the "limited number of seats" outside the MSMC.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are planning on moving to the DCC (Takoma Park/Silver Spring/Kensington). We don't have a large budget, but like the Takoma Park area and think we may be able to find something our family of 5 could squeeze into.

I have 3 kids, when we move my daughter will be going into 6th grade, which would put her in the Takoma Park/Blair district, which is great for her because she. Is bright and definitely excels math/STEM (we know the magnet thing is hard to get into, but it seems like a good overall STEM school).

My concern is that I will also have a 3rd grader and a kindergartner when we move, and from what I've heard the TP elementary schools are really big, which may be an issue with my highly sensitive 3rd grader and any kindergartner I would think.

Are there other clusters that y'all would recommend as a whole? My 3rd grader also seems more STEM/engineering oriented, but would probably do better in a smaller school. My 4yo is just a spitfire who bosses us all around so who knows with her.

We also would prefer to be as close to DC or Metro station.

Thank you for any helpful advice.

The only MCPS middle schools with anything interesting STEM-wise are Takoma Park, Clemente, Argyle, and Parkland.

Fixed it. Clemente has a program similar to TPMS, serving the smaller up-county population (with fewer seats). There aren't special STEM middle school programs other than these 4 in the whole county, and Argyle/Parkland have a limited number of seats for those outside of the combined Middle School Magnet Consortium catchment (those two plus Loiederman).

OP's 6th grader is unlikely to find an open spot for any at this point, with lottery invitations having been sent earlier this year and considerable wait pools. Regular TPMS is fine, as are the other area middle schools, though TPMS with it's more recent improvement project may have fewer idiosyncratic issues (facilities, etc.) than Eastern or SSIMS; however, the math/science/CS magnet is a separate program within the school. The 3rd grader and kindergartener will have a chance for that.

Big school or small, comfort in the learning experience is going to be more about the individual teachers and classmates than anything else, though good principals definitely help, as do more up-to-date/adequate facilities. There are some schools that don't have enough room and have to stretch lunches from as early as about 10:30 to as late as about 2, changing with each grade.

Gee, how helpful your "fix" is to the OP who specifically asked about DCC schools and said they wanted to live close to DC.

More helpful than the post that was fixed.

Well, OP said they are "planning on moving to the DCC." So in addition to Takoma Park, they might consider moving into the Argyle or Parkland area and would therefore not be competing for the "limited number of seats" outside the MSMC.

Could be wrong, but the language suggested inner suburbs, close to DC/Metro. Not sure if they meant as far up as Glenmont.

Meanwhile, the brevity of the "the only DCC schools with anything..." post suggests a tone that could easily imply there were more STEM middle school options if only it wasn't DCC. At least the reply discounted that notion and filled in detail.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:East Silver Spring elementary school also feeds to Takoma Park MS and Blair. It's a smaller school than TPES/PBES.

OP here. We haven't seen a single house in ESS elementary, so maybe that area is out of our budget?

How about this one? https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/8407-Galveston-Rd-Silver-Spring-MD-20910/37283393_zpid/?

OP here. Lol I wish. Budget is MAX $650 but we'd prefer to stay under $600

[Anonymous]

OP again, and yes we'd prefer to stay closer in and if possible in the DCC so we can have the choices for HS, but at minimum we'd like to be no further than a mile from metro if we ended up going further out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:East Silver Spring elementary school also feeds to Takoma Park MS and Blair. It's a smaller school than TPES/PBES.

OP here. We haven't seen a single house in ESS elementary, so maybe that area is out of our budget?

How about this one? https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/8407-Galveston-Rd-Silver-Spring-MD-20910/37283393_zpid/?

OP here. Lol I wish. Budget is MAX $650 but we'd prefer to stay under $600

Then skip us here in Kensington. All the newer houses (former knock downs) are over 1million. Some remaining in the 600 range. We got a good deal when we moved here 4 years ago and specifically chose Oakland Terrace ES for its dual immersion program.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:East Silver Spring elementary school also feeds to Takoma Park MS and Blair. It's a smaller school than TPES/PBES.

OP here. We haven't seen a single house in ESS elementary, so maybe that area is out of our budget?

How about this one? https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/8407-Galveston-Rd-Silver-Spring-MD-20910/37283393_zpid/?

OP here. Lol I wish. Budget is MAX $650 but we'd prefer to stay under $600

I think it's going to be very challenging to be within the TPMS zone for that price, unless you want a fixer-upper. But the neighborhoods walking distance to the Forest Glen or Wheaton metros should work for you. That would be Sligo or Newport Mill MS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:East Silver Spring elementary school also feeds to Takoma Park MS and Blair. It's a smaller school than TPES/PBES.

OP here. We haven't seen a single house in ESS elementary, so maybe that area is out of our budget?

How about this one? https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/8407-Galveston-Rd-Silver-Spring-MD-20910/37283393_zpid/?

OP here. Lol I wish. Budget is MAX $650 but we'd prefer to stay under $600

That house is super cute. Not helpful I know, sorry. I do think you will have to go out a bit to find a SFH at that price range

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:East Silver Spring elementary school also feeds to Takoma Park MS and Blair. It's a smaller school than TPES/PBES.

OP here. We haven't seen a single house in ESS elementary, so maybe that area is out of our budget?

How about this one? https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/8407-Galveston-Rd-Silver-Spring-MD-20910/37283393_zpid/?

OP here. Lol I wish. Budget is MAX $650 but we'd prefer to stay under $600

That house is super cute. Not helpful I know, sorry. I do think you will have to go out a bit to find a SFH at that price range

https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/404-Hinsdale-Ct-Silver-Spring-MD-20901/37280183_zpid

https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/7908-Lockney-Ave-Takoma-Park-MD-20912/37339996_zpid/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:East Silver Spring elementary school also feeds to Takoma Park MS and Blair. It's a smaller school than TPES/PBES.

OP here. We haven't seen a single house in ESS elementary, so maybe that area is out of our budget?

How about this one? https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/8407-Galveston-Rd-Silver-Spring-MD-20910/37283393_zpid/?

OP here. Lol I wish. Budget is MAX $650 but we'd prefer to stay under $600

That house is super cute. Not helpful I know, sorry. I do think you will have to go out a bit to find a SFH at that price range

https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/9810-Cherry-Tree-Ln-Silver-Spring-MD-20901/37311827_zpid/?utm_campaign=androidappmessage&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=txtshare

[Anonymous]

For middle I think most would agree TPMS and SSI and then on to Blair. I think there are a number of really great elementary schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:East Silver Spring elementary school also feeds to Takoma Park MS and Blair. It's a smaller school than TPES/PBES.

OP here. We haven't seen a single house in ESS elementary, so maybe that area is out of our budget?

How about this one? https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/8407-Galveston-Rd-Silver-Spring-MD-20910/37283393_zpid/?

OP here. Lol I wish. Budget is MAX $650 but we'd prefer to stay under $600

That house is super cute. Not helpful I know, sorry. I do think you will have to go out a bit to find a SFH at that price range

https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/9810-Cherry-Tree-Ln-Silver-Spring-MD-20901/37311827_zpid/?utm_campaign=androidappmessage&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=txtshare

This house backs up to the Beltway--I would not want to live there.

[Anonymous]

North Kensington is still mostly in the 550k range and you have the choice between Wheaton and Grosvenor metro stations. Schools are Rock View ES/Newport Mill MS/Einstein HS