Start 8th grade at Pyle (or Westland) or wait and move for HS

[Anonymous]

I would start them as soon as you can and let them find their people.

[Anonymous]

Presuming you have a 7th grader this year at Deal, I'd move to MS next year for MCPS. That will let him make friends and then also let him apply to magnet high schools if he wants to.

[Anonymous]

We moved from DC to MCPS for 9th grade. It was fine but it definitely helped that DC had a friend-of-a-friend that attended the school. I think moving for 8th would be fine, too.

Registration: They had to meet virtually with teachers for language placement; did Honors NSL but belatedly they wish they had taken AP; all the gym and art electives they wanted were full. We didn't find out about the dates for fall sports tryouts until quite late (August 9th this year, fyi).

[Anonymous]

I have a DC at Westland and I would say that there seem to be a lot of kids moving in and out. Perhaps bc of international families in Bethesda. Also the Principal at Westland is excellent.

[Anonymous]

B-CC alum who started at the school in 9th grade. I really enjoyed my experience, but wish I had moved to Westland in 8th grade to get to know everyone. People came in with really tight knit groups, and while I found my people, coming in beforehand would be an easier adjustment than having to acclimate to the community/culture/rigors of moving up a level all at once.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Pyle has had some issues recently. You can look them up in the news. The administration is struggling.

I’ve got 2 kids at Pyle. The only thing I’m aware of are the the horrific incidents of antisemitic vandalism at Pyle and Whitman. Looks like it’s happening at other schools in the county, too. Awful.

[Anonymous]

FYI there are now 2 MS for BCC. Silver Creek is a bit smaller and as a newer school, it has a lot of great teachers. I've had kids at both Westland and SC and would choose the latter ten times over.

Whereever you go, I think either option you're considering would be fine. Starting in 8th grade gives a little more time in terms of hitting the ground running for HS. The thing about this area is that there are always kids moving in and out, if only because of parent jobs. And MCPS HS classes tend to be pretty large without tight cohorts. So it's not a huge handicap to be the 'new kid' in class.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If he is your only kid, stay put and apply for private.

Unless you want him to be instate for Maryland colleges, which is a very valid reason to move.

The MCPS high schools really aren’t that much better than Wilson. I wish we had sent my kid to private instead.

Whitman is way better than Jackson Reed, Einstein not so much

[Anonymous]

I would look into the Silver Creek areas as well, OP (CCMD). And I would move sooner - give your kids as much time as possible to acclimate and make new friends. And JOIN THE POOL.

[Anonymous]

Start in 8th. Will have friends before going to 9th.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If he is your only kid, stay put and apply for private.

Unless you want him to be instate for Maryland colleges, which is a very valid reason to move.

The MCPS high schools really aren’t that much better than Wilson. I wish we had sent my kid to private instead.

Whitman is way better than Jackson Reed, Einstein not so much

THIS WHITMAN IS BETTER THAN JR IS A MYTH THAT DESERVES ITS OWN POST. NOT TRUE BUT GO AHEAD AN SEND FOLKS THERE- GIVES US MORE SPACE.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would look into the Silver Creek areas as well, OP (CCMD). And I would move sooner - give your kids as much time as possible to acclimate and make new friends. And JOIN THE POOL.

Agree that pool is great way to meet families.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If he is your only kid, stay put and apply for private.

Unless you want him to be instate for Maryland colleges, which is a very valid reason to move.

The MCPS high schools really aren’t that much better than Wilson. I wish we had sent my kid to private instead.

Whitman is way better than Jackson Reed, Einstein not so much

THIS WHITMAN IS BETTER THAN JR IS A MYTH THAT DESERVES ITS OWN POST. NOT TRUE BUT GO AHEAD AN SEND FOLKS THERE- GIVES US MORE SPACE.

IT IS TRUE. THEY ARE ON DIFFERENT LEAGUES