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Gangs in area schools
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Anonymous
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There are gangs everywhere - from downcounty (SS/Langley Park to Germantown/Gaithersburg).
They recruit those most at risk - kids with unstable home lives who aren't connected to any positive role models and who have no hobbies or activities in which they participate. If your child fits the profile, then I'd worry. If not, don't run. Usually gang members know how to play the game with attendance (being there just "enough"), and they're quiet about their activities. Furthermore, most EFOs (in-school officers) and security guards are aware of who they are and are constantly tracking their behavior. I've turned in a few recruits b/c they're reckless with their tagging. So even teachers are in the know! |
Anonymous
| Don't get it twisted...the word "gang" might be loosely associated with public schools. But my niece attended Madeira...and there were cliques...that could and would have made "gangs" look like wimps. Her boyfriend who attended Georgetown Prep was the the leader of the pack type... All though there actions were borderlined inappropriate...and in some instances were criminal. It was handled in a way that the public was not privy or for some odd-reason those who were victims and I know they were many didn't pursue the media. My conclusion...is that "misery loves company" and those with disposable money truly believe that what is done in high-school is not a death-sentence. |
Anonymous
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"Don't get it twisted...the word "gang" might be loosely associated with public schools. But my niece attended Madeira...and there were cliques...that could and would have made "gangs" look like wimps. Her boyfriend who attended Georgetown Prep was the the leader of the pack type... All though there actions were borderlined inappropriate...and in some instances were criminal. It was handled in a way that the public was not privy or for some odd-reason those who were victims and I know they were many didn't pursue the media. My conclusion...is that "misery loves company" and those with disposable money truly believe that what is done in high-school is not a death-sentence. "
Madeira??? I'm a Madeira alum and I can't imagine anything gang like at Madeira. The only clique girls were the ones from the deep south who wore laura ashley, all had cousins that knew each other or were related somehow across the south (this was just bizarre to us west coast and yankee girls), and were at worst mildly annoying- |
Anonymous
not gang in the typical way - more like white collar crime!
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Anonymous
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You got it...white collar crime at it's best? Yeah...t[s]exting was all the rampage at one point. And if you haven't had a child who's a victim...then count your blessing...as it takes on the genre of being a "gang" called technology.
How old are you "M" alum? Really, what equates to a gang? I have seen more of the mob-metality than actual gang activity...and that all stems from the "mob" mentality that can be exhibited at the college level i.e.., sporting events. We've all seen the footage of Univ. of MD acting like a mob after a winning night. |
Anonymous
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I agree with PP who says there are "gangs" at top privates b/c cliques are gangs with money.
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Anonymous
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Some of you people are ridiculous. "Cliques are gangs with money?" Come on. The gangs OP is worried about (I presume) are those that are ongoing criminal enterprises that engage in drug sales and violent crime. MS-13 is a nationwide criminal organization, not a group of high school juniors.
Are there bad kids at private schools? Of course. Do they often hang out together? Yes. Does that constitute a gang, given the any rational understanding of the term? No. Not unless your knowledge of gangs comes exclusively from West Side Story or a Michael Jackson video. (As an aside, I would like to see one of the "gangs" from Landon or Prep cross paths with real gang members.) Who knew preppy kids could run so fast?!?!) |
Anonymous
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Either way, whether it be a wealthy group of kids at Langley, Churchill, or (fill in private school of choice) or a group of MS-13/whatever members at (fill in less-desirable public school of choice) ... they're making (or potentially making) your kid's educational experience worse. While MS-13 members are more directly violent, they seem to be better at leaving the non-gang members alone than the rich bullies.
It can even differ over a 5-6 year period at the same school. Get some sociopath or group thereof whose dad is wealthy enough to cover it up and that ruins it all for kids at any school. For example, my senior year everyone got along OK ... my sister's senior year they couldn't even go on a day trip for the senior class trip or organize a 5 year reunion because they got along so poorly. |
Anonymous
Haha this made me laugh. But on the other hand, I wouldn't be so sure about that! Have you ever seen the Landon/Prep lacrosse/football players? HUGE! Also, many of these privates have kids with massive egos but also a sense of invincibility. I don't think they'd run. |
Anonymous
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I've worked with the two extremes. "Gangs with Money" can tear down students in no time just by ripping egos into shreds.
Those in gangs like MS13 only recruit kids in their own neighborhoods - similar demographics. The two worlds don't mix, and in public institutions where you have schools w/in schools, this is apparent. So, again, unless OP has a very vulnerable child, I seriously doubt MS13 or any other gang will try to recruit her child. You all make me laugh. Join me in the teaching field if you want a real education.
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Anonymous
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To the pp asking about moving out of Einstein district...
Don't send your kids to CRIMESTEIN! I don't say this to be funny, since it's not a joke if you're possibly sending your children there, but we were looking at a home in that school district and when we asked our friends what they thought we heard that nickname from more than a few people (including a realtor!!). However, we were looking at other homes in the Churchill, Whitman, BCC, and Walter Johnson districts--Einstein doesn't hold a candle to those, but it's not the worst school in the world...just compared to some of the top in the country that happen to be in the area. |
Anonymous
Some kids in private cliques sell drugs, so the comparison with MS-13 and illegal activities isn't completely off. The difference would seem to be in the level of violence, and the lesser extent to which the clique kids' identities and futures are wrapped up in the drug dealing. |
Anonymous
| If there is nothing to be concerned about at Einstein, etc. unless your child is at risk, then why are houses two blocks away in Walter Johnson or similar zoning, several hundred thousand dollars more? It seems that people do fear the violence and reputation. |
Anonymous
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And houses in the Whitman or BCC districts are 100K or more than those in the Walter Johnson district. It may be the academic reputation - I wouldn't put it all down to drugs and gangs.
That said, there is an IB program at Einstein with a decent reputation. If it's like a typical IB program, it would be walled off, to some extent, from the rest of the school. (Which may be fine or not, I don't know that much about it.) |
Anonymous
I agree that it is both the academic reputation and the violence reputation. But still, the academic offerings are just as good. It's really about who the other kids are. |