Woodward HS boundary study - BCC, Blair, Einstein, WJ, Kennedy, Northwood, Wheaton, Whitman impacts

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can anyone give a quick overview re what might happen with Takoma park schools? Any likelihood that TPMS or Blair boundaries will change for homes in Takoma Park.

I doubt TPMS boundaries will change. But Blair's are going to need to be trimmed back to relieve it from being 600ish students over capacity. No one knows where they will make the changes.

What if MCPS move the SMAC magnet and CAP from Blair Northwood, it would take 600+ students from Blair.

The MCPS magnets were all instituted to help integrate specific schools. So I doubt they’d move those.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Can anyone give a quick overview re what might happen with Takoma park schools? Any likelihood that TPMS or Blair boundaries will change for homes in Takoma Park.

Blair's boundary is adjacent to Northwood and Einstein, so those must be trimmed back to make room. With Woodward opening, it should create sufficient space there to accommodate maybe 200 students; similarly, with Northwood's expansion, they can pick up a few hundred from the area outside (or near) the beltway. After all, Blair's existed in DTSS, and even though its new location is elsewhere, it is the only school for that part of the county.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can anyone give a quick overview re what might happen with Takoma park schools? Any likelihood that TPMS or Blair boundaries will change for homes in Takoma Park.

Blair's boundary is adjacent to Northwood and Einstein, so those must be trimmed back to make room. With Woodward opening, it should create sufficient space there to accommodate maybe 200 students; similarly, with Northwood's expansion, they can pick up a few hundred from the area outside (or near) the beltway. After all, Blair's existed in DTSS, and even though its new location is elsewhere, it is the only school for that part of the county.

Where we live in Western SS near the park, BCC is the closest school, not Einstein or Blair, but we're zoned to Blair. BCC will also play a part in this, especially with the ToK moving to Woodward.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can anyone give a quick overview re what might happen with Takoma park schools? Any likelihood that TPMS or Blair boundaries will change for homes in Takoma Park.

Blair's boundary is adjacent to Northwood and Einstein, so those must be trimmed back to make room. With Woodward opening, it should create sufficient space there to accommodate maybe 200 students; similarly, with Northwood's expansion, they can pick up a few hundred from the area outside (or near) the beltway. After all, Blair's existed in DTSS, and even though its new location is elsewhere, it is the only school for that part of the county.

Where we live in Western SS near the park, BCC is the closest school, not Einstein or Blair, but we're zoned to Blair. BCC will also play a part in this, especially with the ToK moving to Woodward.

Yes. Blair’s move from Wayne Ave in Silver Spring to Four Corners created some issues with the present boundaries. It will be interesting to see which neighborhoods are moved to Woodward et al to relive the crowding.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can anyone give a quick overview re what might happen with Takoma park schools? Any likelihood that TPMS or Blair boundaries will change for homes in Takoma Park.

Blair's boundary is adjacent to Northwood and Einstein, so those must be trimmed back to make room. With Woodward opening, it should create sufficient space there to accommodate maybe 200 students; similarly, with Northwood's expansion, they can pick up a few hundred from the area outside (or near) the beltway. After all, Blair's existed in DTSS, and even though its new location is elsewhere, it is the only school for that part of the county.

Where we live in Western SS near the park, BCC is the closest school, not Einstein or Blair, but we're zoned to Blair. BCC will also play a part in this, especially with the ToK moving to Woodward.

By "the park," do you mean Rock Creek Park? That neighborhood is already zoned for BCC.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can anyone give a quick overview re what might happen with Takoma park schools? Any likelihood that TPMS or Blair boundaries will change for homes in Takoma Park.

I doubt TPMS boundaries will change. But Blair's are going to need to be trimmed back to relieve it from being 600ish students over capacity. No one knows where they will make the changes.

What if MCPS move the SMAC magnet and CAP from Blair Northwood, it would take 600+ students from Blair.

These programs are woven into the fabric of that school, so it's not a practical choice. It makes more sense to adjust the boundary on the edges near Northwood and possibly Einsten by creating space there with Woodward.

It's not impossible, but it would mean some specific design/build decisions that I've not seen on the table for Northwood. More recording spaces and expandable classrooms for the CAP kids (a pretty small design change), and more lab space for the SMCS kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can anyone give a quick overview re what might happen with Takoma park schools? Any likelihood that TPMS or Blair boundaries will change for homes in Takoma Park.

Blair's boundary is adjacent to Northwood and Einstein, so those must be trimmed back to make room. With Woodward opening, it should create sufficient space there to accommodate maybe 200 students; similarly, with Northwood's expansion, they can pick up a few hundred from the area outside (or near) the beltway. After all, Blair's existed in DTSS, and even though its new location is elsewhere, it is the only school for that part of the county.

Where we live in Western SS near the park, BCC is the closest school, not Einstein or Blair, but we're zoned to Blair. BCC will also play a part in this, especially with the ToK moving to Woodward.

Yes. Blair’s move from Wayne Ave in Silver Spring to Four Corners created some issues with the present boundaries. It will be interesting to see which neighborhoods are moved to Woodward et al to relive the crowding.

I could see them moving ESS and the Blair-zoned part of Sligo Creek to Northwood, which are both adjacent to the part of Sligo Creek already zoned to Northwood. That would allow them to keep the city of Takoma Park together at Blair.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can anyone give a quick overview re what might happen with Takoma park schools? Any likelihood that TPMS or Blair boundaries will change for homes in Takoma Park.

I doubt TPMS boundaries will change. But Blair's are going to need to be trimmed back to relieve it from being 600ish students over capacity. No one knows where they will make the changes.

What if MCPS move the SMAC magnet and CAP from Blair Northwood, it would take 600+ students from Blair.

These programs are woven into the fabric of that school, so it's not a practical choice. It makes more sense to adjust the boundary on the edges near Northwood and possibly Einsten by creating space there with Woodward.

It's not impossible, but it would mean some specific design/build decisions that I've not seen on the table for Northwood. More recording spaces and expandable classrooms for the CAP kids (a pretty small design change), and more lab space for the SMCS kids.

A better idea is to incorporate Whitman and BCC into the DCC. They are both down county and we could offload more students while reducing the segregation at those schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can anyone give a quick overview re what might happen with Takoma park schools? Any likelihood that TPMS or Blair boundaries will change for homes in Takoma Park.

I doubt TPMS boundaries will change. But Blair's are going to need to be trimmed back to relieve it from being 600ish students over capacity. No one knows where they will make the changes.

What if MCPS move the SMAC magnet and CAP from Blair Northwood, it would take 600+ students from Blair.

These programs are woven into the fabric of that school, so it's not a practical choice. It makes more sense to adjust the boundary on the edges near Northwood and possibly Einsten by creating space there with Woodward.

It's not impossible, but it would mean some specific design/build decisions that I've not seen on the table for Northwood. More recording spaces and expandable classrooms for the CAP kids (a pretty small design change), and more lab space for the SMCS kids.

A better idea is to incorporate Whitman and BCC into the DCC. They are both down county and we could offload more students while reducing the segregation at those schools.

This sounds logical. Not sure logistically how it would work. Whitman and B-CC would likely need to develop unique academic programs to qualify for membership in the DCC.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can anyone give a quick overview re what might happen with Takoma park schools? Any likelihood that TPMS or Blair boundaries will change for homes in Takoma Park.

I doubt TPMS boundaries will change. But Blair's are going to need to be trimmed back to relieve it from being 600ish students over capacity. No one knows where they will make the changes.

What if MCPS move the SMAC magnet and CAP from Blair Northwood, it would take 600+ students from Blair.

These programs are woven into the fabric of that school, so it's not a practical choice. It makes more sense to adjust the boundary on the edges near Northwood and possibly Einsten by creating space there with Woodward.

It's not impossible, but it would mean some specific design/build decisions that I've not seen on the table for Northwood. More recording spaces and expandable classrooms for the CAP kids (a pretty small design change), and more lab space for the SMCS kids.

A better idea is to incorporate Whitman and BCC into the DCC. They are both down county and we could offload more students while reducing the segregation at those schools.

This sounds logical. Not sure logistically how it would work. Whitman and B-CC would likely need to develop unique academic programs to qualify for membership in the DCC.

Offering some unique application programs at those schools to DCC students to create pull and improve diversity without forced busing at those schools does seem like a win.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can anyone give a quick overview re what might happen with Takoma park schools? Any likelihood that TPMS or Blair boundaries will change for homes in Takoma Park.

Blair's boundary is adjacent to Northwood and Einstein, so those must be trimmed back to make room. With Woodward opening, it should create sufficient space there to accommodate maybe 200 students; similarly, with Northwood's expansion, they can pick up a few hundred from the area outside (or near) the beltway. After all, Blair's existed in DTSS, and even though its new location is elsewhere, it is the only school for that part of the county.

Where we live in Western SS near the park, BCC is the closest school, not Einstein or Blair, but we're zoned to Blair. BCC will also play a part in this, especially with the ToK moving to Woodward.

You have no idea whether the ToK will move to Woodward or not.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can anyone give a quick overview re what might happen with Takoma park schools? Any likelihood that TPMS or Blair boundaries will change for homes in Takoma Park.

I doubt TPMS boundaries will change. But Blair's are going to need to be trimmed back to relieve it from being 600ish students over capacity. No one knows where they will make the changes.

What if MCPS move the SMAC magnet and CAP from Blair Northwood, it would take 600+ students from Blair.

These programs are woven into the fabric of that school, so it's not a practical choice. It makes more sense to adjust the boundary on the edges near Northwood and possibly Einsten by creating space there with Woodward.

It's not impossible, but it would mean some specific design/build decisions that I've not seen on the table for Northwood. More recording spaces and expandable classrooms for the CAP kids (a pretty small design change), and more lab space for the SMCS kids.

A better idea is to incorporate Whitman and BCC into the DCC. They are both down county and we could offload more students while reducing the segregation at those schools.

This sounds logical. Not sure logistically how it would work. Whitman and B-CC would likely need to develop unique academic programs to qualify for membership in the DCC.

Offering some unique application programs at those schools to DCC students to create pull and improve diversity without forced busing at those schools does seem like a win.

"Forced busing"

The school boundaries are the school boundaries. How your child gets to school is up to you. If you don't want your child to go to school by school bus, then find a different mode of transportation. Nobody is going to stand at your door to force your child onto the school bus.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can anyone give a quick overview re what might happen with Takoma park schools? Any likelihood that TPMS or Blair boundaries will change for homes in Takoma Park.

Blair's boundary is adjacent to Northwood and Einstein, so those must be trimmed back to make room. With Woodward opening, it should create sufficient space there to accommodate maybe 200 students; similarly, with Northwood's expansion, they can pick up a few hundred from the area outside (or near) the beltway. After all, Blair's existed in DTSS, and even though its new location is elsewhere, it is the only school for that part of the county.

Where we live in Western SS near the park, BCC is the closest school, not Einstein or Blair, but we're zoned to Blair. BCC will also play a part in this, especially with the ToK moving to Woodward.

Yes. Blair’s move from Wayne Ave in Silver Spring to Four Corners created some issues with the present boundaries. It will be interesting to see which neighborhoods are moved to Woodward et al to relive the crowding.

I could see them moving ESS and the Blair-zoned part of Sligo Creek to Northwood, which are both adjacent to the part of Sligo Creek already zoned to Northwood. That would allow them to keep the city of Takoma Park together at Blair.

The city of Takoma park is so far from any other schools it doesn’t make sense to do anything other than stay with Blair. Really a new high school in downtown silver spring or Takoma Park would make a lot of sense.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can anyone give a quick overview re what might happen with Takoma park schools? Any likelihood that TPMS or Blair boundaries will change for homes in Takoma Park.

I doubt TPMS boundaries will change. But Blair's are going to need to be trimmed back to relieve it from being 600ish students over capacity. No one knows where they will make the changes.

What if MCPS move the SMAC magnet and CAP from Blair Northwood, it would take 600+ students from Blair.

These programs are woven into the fabric of that school, so it's not a practical choice. It makes more sense to adjust the boundary on the edges near Northwood and possibly Einsten by creating space there with Woodward.

It's not impossible, but it would mean some specific design/build decisions that I've not seen on the table for Northwood. More recording spaces and expandable classrooms for the CAP kids (a pretty small design change), and more lab space for the SMCS kids.

A better idea is to incorporate Whitman and BCC into the DCC. They are both down county and we could offload more students while reducing the segregation at those schools.

This sounds logical. Not sure logistically how it would work. Whitman and B-CC would likely need to develop unique academic programs to qualify for membership in the DCC.

Offering some unique application programs at those schools to DCC students to create pull and improve diversity without forced busing at those schools does seem like a win.

The best thing would be to get rid of the DCC. The special DCC programs (other than CAP which also has non-DCC students who attended certain middle schools) are not strong and having students in a neighborhood scattered at different DCC schools decreases the sense of community. The DCC has not been successful.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can anyone give a quick overview re what might happen with Takoma park schools? Any likelihood that TPMS or Blair boundaries will change for homes in Takoma Park.

Blair's boundary is adjacent to Northwood and Einstein, so those must be trimmed back to make room. With Woodward opening, it should create sufficient space there to accommodate maybe 200 students; similarly, with Northwood's expansion, they can pick up a few hundred from the area outside (or near) the beltway. After all, Blair's existed in DTSS, and even though its new location is elsewhere, it is the only school for that part of the county.

Where we live in Western SS near the park, BCC is the closest school, not Einstein or Blair, but we're zoned to Blair. BCC will also play a part in this, especially with the ToK moving to Woodward.

Yes. Blair’s move from Wayne Ave in Silver Spring to Four Corners created some issues with the present boundaries. It will be interesting to see which neighborhoods are moved to Woodward et al to relive the crowding.

I could see them moving ESS and the Blair-zoned part of Sligo Creek to Northwood, which are both adjacent to the part of Sligo Creek already zoned to Northwood. That would allow them to keep the city of Takoma Park together at Blair.

The city of Takoma park is so far from any other schools it doesn’t make sense to do anything other than stay with Blair. Really a new high school in downtown silver spring or Takoma Park would make a lot of sense.

Where do you think this new high school should be?