Going through the FARMS rates for 2024-25, in what world does Damascus belong in Region 6?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would want to know why as well, but it seems like no one wants to come out to advocate or complain to the media. For equity, I don't understand why region 5 FARM rate is so high, especially after QO HS become part of region 5 district. It has been relatively quiet for region 5 and region 6 affected families when it comes to all these boundaries study, magnet program, region studies or renovation etc. I wonder if it is because many families are FARM, and they don't understand (language barrier or cultural barrier ), don't know or don't care because it is not their priority when it comes to their kid education.

Or they are undocumented and don’t want to shine a large flashlight on their communities, especially in the current political environment.

So sad to hear about it but it is the truth. I wish there are more voices speaking on behalf of the region 5 and region 6 on any topics, good or bad. It does feel unfair and not to mention about equity when other regions are relatively loud and heavily discussed everywhere and these 2 regions seem like to be forgotten and just be a sucker sitting quietly take whatever MCPS give.

Op here. I also think it's because parents of kids zoned for Region 5 do not want undue attention on themselves. A lot of Hispanic population in the Montgomery Village area and it looks like they are trying to put all the Hispanic population together. Where is the diversity here - QO has ES feeders that have kids bussed to increase the FARMS rates. So having QO in Region 5 is basically putting all the Hispanic population together. They should pull Damascus or Clarksburg in to have diversity in that grouping but the wealthy regions always get their way.

Seneca Valley is seeing better FARMs rates after Cabin Branch got pulled in. Something needs to happen to make Watkins Mill and Gaithersburg HS FARMS rates better. The IB program didn't do it for Watkins Mill, so I doubt the STEM magnet will help Gaithersburg.

Cabin Branch will now feed to Clarksburg. I worry about SV being the IB school for Region 6, because the “rich” people in our area won’t want their snowflakes going to a “poor” school. I have two kids there now (we’re in Cabin Branch), and we love it. I’m sad my youngest won’t have SV as his home school.

Cabin Branch used to feed to Clarksburg and was just changed to feed to SV with the last boundary study. Moving them back could be irksome as the schools and neighborhoods are finally building community. Additionally Clarksburg is already overcrowded, Cabin Bramch is expanding and there are other nearby neighborhoods in construction. So how would moving them to Clarksburg help? Cabin Branch folks I heard are wanting to be unmoved from SV or moved to Poolesville.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would want to know why as well, but it seems like no one wants to come out to advocate or complain to the media. For equity, I don't understand why region 5 FARM rate is so high, especially after QO HS become part of region 5 district. It has been relatively quiet for region 5 and region 6 affected families when it comes to all these boundaries study, magnet program, region studies or renovation etc. I wonder if it is because many families are FARM, and they don't understand (language barrier or cultural barrier ), don't know or don't care because it is not their priority when it comes to their kid education.

Or they are undocumented and don’t want to shine a large flashlight on their communities, especially in the current political environment.

So sad to hear about it but it is the truth. I wish there are more voices speaking on behalf of the region 5 and region 6 on any topics, good or bad. It does feel unfair and not to mention about equity when other regions are relatively loud and heavily discussed everywhere and these 2 regions seem like to be forgotten and just be a sucker sitting quietly take whatever MCPS give.

Op here. I also think it's because parents of kids zoned for Region 5 do not want undue attention on themselves. A lot of Hispanic population in the Montgomery Village area and it looks like they are trying to put all the Hispanic population together. Where is the diversity here - QO has ES feeders that have kids bussed to increase the FARMS rates. So having QO in Region 5 is basically putting all the Hispanic population together. They should pull Damascus or Clarksburg in to have diversity in that grouping but the wealthy regions always get their way.

Seneca Valley is seeing better FARMs rates after Cabin Branch got pulled in. Something needs to happen to make Watkins Mill and Gaithersburg HS FARMS rates better. The IB program didn't do it for Watkins Mill, so I doubt the STEM magnet will help Gaithersburg.

Cabin Branch will now feed to Clarksburg. I worry about SV being the IB school for Region 6, because the “rich” people in our area won’t want their snowflakes going to a “poor” school. I have two kids there now (we’re in Cabin Branch), and we love it. I’m sad my youngest won’t have SV as his home school.

Cabin Branch used to feed to Clarksburg and was just changed to feed to SV with the last boundary study. Moving them back could be irksome as the schools and neighborhoods are finally building community. Additionally Clarksburg is already overcrowded, Cabin Bramch is expanding and there are other nearby neighborhoods in construction. So how would moving them to Clarksburg help? Cabin Branch folks I heard are wanting to be unmoved from SV or moved to Poolesville.

MCPS catering to the wealthy again