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Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS)
elementary school that would welcome my biracial child?
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Anonymous
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We're moving from San Francisco to NoVa or MoCo. Had a chance to tour schools in NoVa, but situation changed, and are now considering MoCo as well. Problem is, schools are closed, and it's hard to get the feel for the diversity vibe at some of these high achieving schools. Hoping to find a really warm environment, with excellent academic results, including art and science, hopefully with a French or Spanish after school program, and a community that would welcome my not-white, high achieving, a bit self-conscious 1st grader, and her little brother. I managed to identify 2 schools in NoVa, but am really struggling in MoCo. Satisfaction surveys on district site do not break down responses by ethnicity / heritage. Any leads? African American families here? Hispanic families? others? What are schools that you felt your child was valued for who they were? Any schools / areas I should avoid?
We're targeting the Bethesda - Rockville 270 corridor, possibly including Chevy Chase and Olney. Tahoma Park? |
Anonymous
[b] The places you list are all very different in terms of price, atmosphere and commute. I know you didn't mention commute, but that is a big factor in these parts. Olney and some parts of the 270 corridor will have monster commutes if you are heading into DC. Having said that, we are an AA family happily living in Silver Spring, close to Takoma Park.There are several schools in the SS/TkPK area that are so diverse that they have no race in the majority. Woodlin, Forest Knolls, Takoma Park ES and Highland View are some great schools that would be very welcoming to a multiracial family. There are some schools in Bethesda dn Chevy Chase with super high test scores, but we did not want our children to be the only black children in their respective classes. |
Anonymous
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Too bad VA is out, there are many good schools (like Kent Gardens in McLean - French) here where your kids won't feel out of place. My kids are biracial (AA and Caucasian), and it's never been an issue for us here. Many of their friends are as well, but more Asian/Caucasian than AA and Caucasian. Plenty of Hispanic families in NoVa, too--I'm sure MD is the same.
Both kids have attended private school in MD - Potomac--also never a problem. DC and surrounding areas are pretty diverse, I don't really think you'll have an issue with that. |
Anonymous
| Garrett Park Elementary School - (North Bethesda/White Flint/Rockville) - very supportive environment. My high-achieving kid is challenged academically. Very diverse student body - 21% Hispanic, 10% AA and 5% biracial according to the 2010 demographic info on MCPS website. 98% met benchmarks for K reading - with only a slight differential between AA and other groups. 90% are above 50% percentile on Terra Nova (2nd grade exam). The long-time Ass't Principal who just moved up to a different school (we will miss her) is AA, and the principal is Asian. I feel that the PTA and the staff are very supportive, welcoming and proud of our diversity. I certainly am. |
Anonymous
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We're considering work in Rockville for my husband, me -- starting out at home until everyone is settled, then find something in high tech, close by, telecomuting or contract work. So I guess drive to/from Olney becomes feasible. We're city folks, used to walk / bike places, and have some wiggle room with home prices once i start working, though not so much on a single income.
Kent Gardens was my top school, closely followed by Westbriar in Vienna, with a lovely principal. With the job in Rockville, commute may start to be difficult from VA, which is why we're trying t understand the Rocville / Betheda area. Wondering what the commute would look like from Tahoma Park to Rockville... reverse, maybe? Thanks for the feedback!!! |
Anonymous
It's "Takoma" Park.  - It's not really a reverse commute, as you would probably have to go around the beltway to get to Rockville Pike or 270 - that part would be rush hour and could be ugly (30-40 minutes to travel what should take 10) - once you get to 270 it would be reverse commute. You might be able to go up Georgia and over on Mid-County or the new IC Connector - but I don't know how that would work.
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Anonymous
| Montgomery County schools are extremely diverse. I wouldn't think you would have an issue at any school, public or private. |
Anonymous
| Montgomery County schools are extremely diverse. I wouldn't think you would have an issue at any school, public or private. |
Anonymous
I agree with this. I think MoCo actually skews some of its elementary school districts to make sure the schools are diverse. I am not sure about upcounty, but this is certainly true where we are in N. Bethesda. |
Anonymous
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What about College Gardens in Rockville?
http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/regulatoryaccountability/glance/currentyear/schools/02229.pdf |
Anonymous
Not really so in western MoCo. Carderock ES, for example, and Burning Tree as well as Somerset - all lily-white. To the extent there is diversity, it's because of the diplomats' kids. And economic diversity? Fuhgetaboutit. |
Anonymous
LOL I can't count on both my hands how many mixed race families are in our kids school in that area Lots of IMF etc but a lot of normal white black white asian etc |
Anonymous
I don't know what you mean by "normal" but here are the statistics: Carderock - 80% White, 10% Asian, rest other (3% Black): http://www.schooldigger.com/go/MD/schools/0048000798/school.aspx?entity=18 Burning Tree Elementary: http://www.schooldigger.com/go/MD/schools/0048000793/school.aspx 345 White students, 34 Hispanic, 43 African American Somerset Elementary - 344 White students, 27 African American students, 30 Hispanic Diverse indeed. 
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Anonymous
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PP here, forgot the link for Somerset:
http://www.schooldigger.com/go/MD/schools/0048000923/school.aspx |
Anonymous
| Rosemary Hills has been great for my kids who are biracial. Takoma Park would also be great. Check out the Great Schools website for info on demographics because some Montgomery County schools have very little diversity. We did not move to Bethesda for that very reason. |