Don't buy in MoCo until the school redistricting is setled?

[Anonymous]

While rezoning might not be possible for some schools, while bussing might be not acceptable, there are still
county wide magnets that are lottery based open to all kids in the county. It is one possible solution to
bring diversity to the W schools padded by other W schools buffers.

The magnets of that sort do not require zoning nor bussing. The parents are responsible for transportation
for those kids. Those magnets are very popular and have gigantic amount of applicants. Since they
are not test-based, any child who wants to participate may apply. Unlike STEM, Ecology and International
Bachelorette those are more career oriented magnets preparing the kids for work in certain
industries and in some way are sponsored / supported by those industries.

MCPS already introduced them to many High Schools lately so there is a model that works for this process
and can be utilized.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, if you are that concerned about school redistricting, you should buy a house right next to your dream school.

Redistricting would be moving to different district, like .. out of MoCo. While rezoning would be moving the school boundaries.

Wrong - redistricting “is the process of changing school attendance zones within a school district”. Please try to stop being a technical asshole - especially if you’re wrong. See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/School_redistricting.

[Anonymous]

I think we really need to ramp up the magnet programs focusing on trade skills and workforce education. This was in the big report for Maryland. This could be used to get students more distributed around the county equitably. I always hear Bethesda and Potomac families complain about the lack of magnet options.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:While rezoning might not be possible for some schools, while bussing might be not acceptable, there are still
county wide magnets that are lottery based open to all kids in the county. It is one possible solution to
bring diversity to the W schools padded by other W schools buffers.

The magnets of that sort do not require zoning nor bussing. The parents are responsible for transportation
for those kids. Those magnets are very popular and have gigantic amount of applicants. Since they
are not test-based, any child who wants to participate may apply. Unlike STEM, Ecology and International
Bachelorette those are more career oriented magnets preparing the kids for work in certain
industries and in some way are sponsored / supported by those industries.

MCPS already introduced them to many High Schools lately so there is a model that works for this process
and can be utilized.

I don't actually think this is true - there are bus routes for magnet programs. If parents were required to provide transport, it would be yet another barrier for low-income families. So while magnets may be part of the mechanism for facilitating greater diversity in schools like Whitman or Churchill, they wouldn't be cost-free or necessarily successful in recruiting kids from the east side of the county (because of distance/time.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:While rezoning might not be possible for some schools, while bussing might be not acceptable, there are still
county wide magnets that are lottery based open to all kids in the county. It is one possible solution to
bring diversity to the W schools padded by other W schools buffers.

The magnets of that sort do not require zoning nor bussing. The parents are responsible for transportation
for those kids. Those magnets are very popular and have gigantic amount of applicants. Since they
are not test-based, any child who wants to participate may apply. Unlike STEM, Ecology and International
Bachelorette those are more career oriented magnets preparing the kids for work in certain
industries and in some way are sponsored / supported by those industries.

MCPS already introduced them to many High Schools lately so there is a model that works for this process
and can be utilized.

I don't actually think this is true - there are bus routes for magnet programs. If parents were required to provide transport, it would be yet another barrier for low-income families. So while magnets may be part of the mechanism for facilitating greater diversity in schools like Whitman or Churchill, they wouldn't be cost-free or necessarily successful in recruiting kids from the east side of the county (because of distance/time.)

And you are wrong.

Some magnets do provide bussing. Other do not provide bussing. Still extrmely
popular and hard to get in. Way more applicants then spots.

The test-in highly competitive magnets like for instance STEM at Blair do provide bussing.
The application only, no testing in do not provide bussing.

Call and ask.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think we really need to ramp up the magnet programs focusing on trade skills and workforce education. This was in the big report for Maryland. This could be used to get students more distributed around the county equitably. I always hear Bethesda and Potomac families complain about the lack of magnet options.

Do you mean a carrer magnet acadamy for plumbers, beauticians, autorepairman?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think we really need to ramp up the magnet programs focusing on trade skills and workforce education. This was in the big report for Maryland. This could be used to get students more distributed around the county equitably. I always hear Bethesda and Potomac families complain about the lack of magnet options.

Do you mean a carrer magnet acadamy for plumbers, beauticians, autorepairman?

The new Seneca Valley is going to include several programs like that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think we really need to ramp up the magnet programs focusing on trade skills and workforce education. This was in the big report for Maryland. This could be used to get students more distributed around the county equitably. I always hear Bethesda and Potomac families complain about the lack of magnet options.

Do you mean a carrer magnet acadamy for plumbers, beauticians, autorepairman?

It appears that the bountiful of offerings of all kind of wonderful career oriented
magnets that MCPS offers is is not a common knowledge. Perhaps because they are relatively
new, or perhaps that they are not widely advertised. It is possible that outside of MCPS
parents, people do not realize the many great options that are offered every year at
more schools. MD Public School forum on DCUM, it is a place where the magnet
topic is well known and well discussed usually by parents who are considering the
options and want to learn more form those who have chosen those paths.

Here is an example of one of High Schools that have application-only (no testing required)
magnet programs. Wheaton High:

https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/wheatonhs/academies/magnet.aspx
Wheaton High School Application-only Programs

Engineering
The Engineering Application-Only Program provides a cohort of highly motivated students with a rigorous math, science, and engineering sequence of courses. Students will experience hands-on and project based activities that promote the development of critical thinking skills. Students will become familiar with and explore multiple fields of engineering including aerospace, mechanical, civil, and electrical. Through the use of the engineering design process, students will create their own inventions or innovations to solve real world problems.

Biomedical
The Biomedical Application-Only Program provides a cohort of highly motivated students with a rigorous math, science, and medicine sequence of courses. Through a hands-on and collaborative approach, students will explore prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of disease in order to design innovative solutions for 21st century health challenges. Through the use of data acquisition software, students will monitor body functions such as muscle movement, reflex, voluntary action, and respiration.


And below are few more.. you can research more about them on MCPS site directly:
https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/curriculum/specialprograms/high/

https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/curriculum/specialprograms/high/


Global Ecology House
Poolesville HS


Visual Art Center
Albert Einstein HS


International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
John F. Kennedy HS
Springbrook HS
Watkins Mill HS

Humanities House
Poolesville HS

Biomedical Program
Wheaton HS

Communication Arts Program (CAP)
Montgomery Blair HS

Engineering Program
Wheaton HS

Leadership Training Institute (LTI)
John F. Kennedy

Clarksburg: P-Tech
Gaithersburg: PLTW Bio Science
Magruder: Aviation
Rockville: IB Career-related
Seneca Valley: College and Career
Watkins Mill: IB Career-related
Wheaton HS/ Edison HS partnership

Thomas Edison High School of Technology
Career Programs:
Arts, Humanities, Media, & Communication
Biosciences, Health Sciences, & Medicine
Human & Consumer Services, Hospitality & Tourism
Information Technologies
Construction & Development
Transportation, Distribution, & Logistics

Bottom line is, there are a LOT of different magnet offerings that are housed in different
High Schools and MCPS is expanding the concept to new schools. The good thing about
them is that the catchment area for the magnet is always beyond the school boundaries,
be it the whole county, half of it or more less a quarter.
Children are not bussed, parents are responsible for the transportation and that
never had been an issue to feel those spots anyway since they are highly competitive
because those programs are so good. Students attending the programs within
a host school share many classes with the general school community, except
few core classes that they are limited to those who are in the program.

[Anonymous]

The rezoning won't be anything radical. It is long overdue. Last time they did this was in the 1980s. Currently, many boundaries result in people living closer to one school but being bused to another that is further away. This is very common. If they can also improve diversity by changing the edges of a few boundaries great. It is likely the final plan will involve less busing than today.

[Anonymous]

Considering moving to MoCo from DC. Post boundary changes will prices go up even more? Looking at BCC in bounds at the moment. Chevy Chase or Kensington. Currently in DC charter.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Considering moving to MoCo from DC. Post boundary changes will prices go up even more? Looking at BCC in bounds at the moment. Chevy Chase or Kensington. Currently in DC charter.

I imagine BCC will remain pretty much as it is. It's one of the most diverse "good" clusters already. There's a plan for a new elementary school for both BCC and WJ, so likely somewhere near that boundary, but they don't know where yet.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think we really need to ramp up the magnet programs focusing on trade skills and workforce education. This was in the big report for Maryland. This could be used to get students more distributed around the county equitably. I always hear Bethesda and Potomac families complain about the lack of magnet options.

Do you mean a carrer magnet acadamy for plumbers, beauticians, autorepairman?

It appears that the bountiful of offerings of all kind of wonderful career oriented
magnets that MCPS offers is is not a common knowledge. Perhaps because they are relatively
new, or perhaps that they are not widely advertised. It is possible that outside of MCPS
parents, people do not realize the many great options that are offered every year at
more schools. MD Public School forum on DCUM, it is a place where the magnet
topic is well known and well discussed usually by parents who are considering the
options and want to learn more form those who have chosen those paths.

Here is an example of one of High Schools that have application-only (no testing required)
magnet programs. Wheaton High:

https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/wheatonhs/academies/magnet.aspx
Wheaton High School Application-only Programs

Engineering
The Engineering Application-Only Program provides a cohort of highly motivated students with a rigorous math, science, and engineering sequence of courses. Students will experience hands-on and project based activities that promote the development of critical thinking skills. Students will become familiar with and explore multiple fields of engineering including aerospace, mechanical, civil, and electrical. Through the use of the engineering design process, students will create their own inventions or innovations to solve real world problems.

Biomedical
The Biomedical Application-Only Program provides a cohort of highly motivated students with a rigorous math, science, and medicine sequence of courses. Through a hands-on and collaborative approach, students will explore prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of disease in order to design innovative solutions for 21st century health challenges. Through the use of data acquisition software, students will monitor body functions such as muscle movement, reflex, voluntary action, and respiration.


And below are few more.. you can research more about them on MCPS site directly:
https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/curriculum/specialprograms/high/

https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/curriculum/specialprograms/high/


Global Ecology House
Poolesville HS


Visual Art Center
Albert Einstein HS


International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
John F. Kennedy HS
Springbrook HS
Watkins Mill HS

Humanities House
Poolesville HS

Biomedical Program
Wheaton HS

Communication Arts Program (CAP)
Montgomery Blair HS

Engineering Program
Wheaton HS

Leadership Training Institute (LTI)
John F. Kennedy

Clarksburg: P-Tech
Gaithersburg: PLTW Bio Science
Magruder: Aviation
Rockville: IB Career-related
Seneca Valley: College and Career
Watkins Mill: IB Career-related
Wheaton HS/ Edison HS partnership

Thomas Edison High School of Technology
Career Programs:
Arts, Humanities, Media, & Communication
Biosciences, Health Sciences, & Medicine
Human & Consumer Services, Hospitality & Tourism
Information Technologies
Construction & Development
Transportation, Distribution, & Logistics

Bottom line is, there are a LOT of different magnet offerings that are housed in different
High Schools and MCPS is expanding the concept to new schools. The good thing about
them is that the catchment area for the magnet is always beyond the school boundaries,
be it the whole county, half of it or more less a quarter.
Children are not bussed, parents are responsible for the transportation and that
never had been an issue to feel those spots anyway since they are highly competitive
because those programs are so good. Students attending the programs within
a host school share many classes with the general school community, except
few core classes that they are limited to those who are in the program.

You are mistaken about some of these programs not requiring testing/portfolio.

Wheaton’s engineering and biomedical magnets, Poolesville’s Humanities and Global Ecology House and Blair’s CAP program are test-in programs. Einstein’s VAC program requires an extensive portfolio and “try out” where students have to come and make art on demand. Kennedy’s leadership program also has some kind of hurdle for prospective students to jump through. Some busing is available to students in these programs.

Many of the other programs you have listed serve only the school specific population and are not available to kids assigned to other schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Please don't move here. We have enough happy families here already and it's way too crowded as it is.

OP said she already lives here. She is looking to upsize. She is one of the happy families you mention. Catch up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Considering moving to MoCo from DC. Post boundary changes will prices go up even more? Looking at BCC in bounds at the moment. Chevy Chase or Kensington. Currently in DC charter.

I imagine BCC will remain pretty much as it is. It's one of the most diverse "good" clusters already. There's a plan for a new elementary school for both BCC and WJ, so likely somewhere near that boundary, but they don't know where yet.

Because Woodward is so close to BCC it's adjacent boundary to the north will likely change. It makes sense for many people who will live closer to Woodward to go there anyway.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Considering moving to MoCo from DC. Post boundary changes will prices go up even more? Looking at BCC in bounds at the moment. Chevy Chase or Kensington. Currently in DC charter.

I imagine BCC will remain pretty much as it is. It's one of the most diverse "good" clusters already. There's a plan for a new elementary school for both BCC and WJ, so likely somewhere near that boundary, but they don't know where yet.

Because Woodward is so close to BCC it's adjacent boundary to the north will likely change. It makes sense for many people who will live closer to Woodward to go there anyway.

Not so close. Woodward and BCC are 5 miles apart. Woodward is less than 5 miles from these high schools: WJ, Wheaton, Einstein, Whitman, RM, and Rockville. Also, as has been stated numerous times on this forum, Woodward is being reopened to relieve overcrowding at WJ and the DCC schools, not BCC.