Annapolis Proper for Young Families?

[Anonymous]

You sound like us. We narrowed down our options to Annapolis and Frederick. We chose Frederick because we were told the schools were better. While being on the water would have been nice, we have no regrets!

[Anonymous]

I live on the water just outside of Annapolis.

While downtown Annapolis is a lovely place, and absolutely wonderful for raising our young kids, I don't know that I would really call it "walkable." You can't really get groceries/visit a doctor/get a haircut on foot, even in the most compact areas.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There have been a few Annapolis threads here the past few months that are worth a read. I think in Annapolis, West Annapolis is probably your best bet. You could also look down at Hillsmere, but that's pretty far down into Annapolis if you need to commute out. How far out from Annapolis are you willing to go? I have friends with kids in Crownsville (more rural), Arnold, Cape St. Claire, and Severna Park. The schools outside of Annapolis are historically better than Annapolis, especially when you get to Middle School.

Thanks! I grew up with a lot of friends in Severna Park and have always liked that area. I am mostly, I think, interested in West Annapolis because of the elementary school and—based on when I’ve done the drive—just a lot easier of a commute than once you get over to the other areas you mentioned.

I don’t at all want to downplay the importance of planning ahead to middle and high school, but am mostly focused on ensuring we’re in a strong elementary school district, knowing much in life can change by the time my daughter will be finishing up 5th grade. That said, I heard good things about the IB program in the high school West Annapolis feeds into. I have concerns about the middle school, but curious if what I’ve heard about the IB program rings true to you?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I live on the water just outside of Annapolis.

While downtown Annapolis is a lovely place, and absolutely wonderful for raising our young kids, I don't know that I would really call it "walkable." You can't really get groceries/visit a doctor/get a haircut on foot, even in the most compact areas.

Thanks—I was probably being overly general in using the term walkable. While expect to drive for groceries other than perhaps small specialty things and other essentials, mostly just meant being able to walk to coffee, restaurants and bars, and community events. I love the Christmas events in Annapolis, I guess is one example. Do you find the downtown walkable in that sense?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I live on the water just outside of Annapolis.

While downtown Annapolis is a lovely place, and absolutely wonderful for raising our young kids, I don't know that I would really call it "walkable." You can't really get groceries/visit a doctor/get a haircut on foot, even in the most compact areas.

Thanks—I was probably being overly general in using the term walkable. While expect to drive for groceries other than perhaps small specialty things and other essentials, mostly just meant being able to walk to coffee, restaurants and bars, and community events. I love the Christmas events in Annapolis, I guess is one example. Do you find the downtown walkable in that sense?

Sure, especially Eastport. On Sundays we drive in, park, and spend the day walking around downtown for lunch and shopping and such things. Two young kids. If we lived in Eastport we would probably walk over the bridge and do the same things.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I grew up in Annapolis and it was fun. People here will say some of the schools are “bad” but so are lots of schools around here. I don’t like the small mindedness of my friends who stayed in AA county and there is definitely a redneck/republican thing there. But being near the water is great. Look at houses in West Annapolis elementary area. It is near the stadium and close to downtown.

The majority of Anne Arundel County voted for Clinton.

Yikes. So they’re rednecks, Republicans and rapist-enabler-supporting? Quite a crowd.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I grew up in Annapolis and it was fun. People here will say some of the schools are “bad” but so are lots of schools around here. I don’t like the small mindedness of my friends who stayed in AA county and there is definitely a redneck/republican thing there. But being near the water is great. Look at houses in West Annapolis elementary area. It is near the stadium and close to downtown.

The majority of Anne Arundel County voted for Clinton.

Yikes. So they’re rednecks, Republicans and rapist-enabler-supporting? Quite a crowd.

I very strongly encourage you not to move here, thanks.

[Anonymous]

The public schools in Annapolis are unusable. Seriously.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I grew up in Annapolis and it was fun. People here will say some of the schools are “bad” but so are lots of schools around here. I don’t like the small mindedness of my friends who stayed in AA county and there is definitely a redneck/republican thing there. But being near the water is great. Look at houses in West Annapolis elementary area. It is near the stadium and close to downtown.

The majority of Anne Arundel County voted for Clinton.

Yikes. So they’re rednecks, Republicans and rapist-enabler-supporting? Quite a crowd.

I very strongly encourage you not to move here, thanks.

OP here, just wanted to be clear that comment wasn't from me. Thanks all for the advice!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I grew up in Annapolis and it was fun. People here will say some of the schools are “bad” but so are lots of schools around here. I don’t like the small mindedness of my friends who stayed in AA county and there is definitely a redneck/republican thing there. But being near the water is great. Look at houses in West Annapolis elementary area. It is near the stadium and close to downtown.

The majority of Anne Arundel County voted for Clinton.

Yikes. So they’re rednecks, Republicans and rapist-enabler-supporting? Quite a crowd.

It is definitely small minded placs. Sure you wil! Find educated peop!e but I am amazed at my friends who never left and have fears of crossing the county line.

[Anonymous]

There are lots of kids but the commute would be miserable.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I grew up in Annapolis and it was fun. People here will say some of the schools are “bad” but so are lots of schools around here. I don’t like the small mindedness of my friends who stayed in AA county and there is definitely a redneck/republican thing there. But being near the water is great. Look at houses in West Annapolis elementary area. It is near the stadium and close to downtown.

The majority of Anne Arundel County voted for Clinton.

Yikes. So they’re rednecks, Republicans and rapist-enabler-supporting? Quite a crowd.

It is definitely small minded placs. Sure you wil! Find educated peop!e but I am amazed at my friends who never left and have fears of crossing the county line.

You either have thick thumbs, long fingernails, or a drinking problem. Just kidding!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There are lots of kids but the commute would be miserable.

Thanks, like I’ve said—familiar and comfortable with the commute (and find it less stressful than many of the standard MoCo commutes, though low bar).

Mind elaborating past “lots of kids” in regard to Annapolis proper?

[Anonymous]

Here are the local Annapolis residents views of the private and leading public schools. Please don't hate, just enjoy the folklore:

1)Key is DC's Georgetown Day without GDS rigor
2) Severn is St. Albans gone coed with the same issues of class and race; Annapolis's moneyed set
3) St. Mary's: think jocks, Naval Academy-bound, Eastport rich Catholics
4) Spalding: less money than St. M's, but no jocks, demanding academics, Severn attitude---pride themselves on being "smarter" than St. Mary's and Key
5) Annapolis High: truly great college placement for a public school/IB, Visual Arts Program, and known for Chinese Language Program.
6) Severna Park is Bethesda Chevy Chase
7) Broadneck: I won't repeat. Not kind.
8) South River: STEM, but not even remotely close to Thomas Jefferson. Still finding their way and a few safety issues.
9) Crofton: the brand new high school in a nice, affordable area. One of last affordable in AA. Great ratings so far. None of the social issues of other schools. A on Niche. Get in before it spoils.
10) Chesapeake Point Science Academy: only strong charter.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Here are the local Annapolis residents views of the private and leading public schools. Please don't hate, just enjoy the folklore:

1)Key is DC's Georgetown Day without GDS rigor
2) Severn is St. Albans gone coed with the same issues of class and race; Annapolis's moneyed set
3) St. Mary's: think jocks, Naval Academy-bound, Eastport rich Catholics
4) Spalding: less money than St. M's, but no jocks, demanding academics, Severn attitude---pride themselves on being "smarter" than St. Mary's and Key
5) Annapolis High: truly great college placement for a public school/IB, Visual Arts Program, and known for Chinese Language Program.
6) Severna Park is Bethesda Chevy Chase
7) Broadneck: I won't repeat. Not kind.
8) South River: STEM, but not even remotely close to Thomas Jefferson. Still finding their way and a few safety issues.
9) Crofton: the brand new high school in a nice, affordable area. One of last affordable in AA. Great ratings so far. None of the social issues of other schools. A on Niche. Get in before it spoils.
10) Chesapeake Point Science Academy: only strong charter.

This thread is from 4 years ago, I'm sure OP has this figured out by now.