When should we move to MD County? (Schools)
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Anonymous
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DH will retire from USAF next year. We are currently stationed at Fort Meade, looking to move to Bethesda in early 2013. DD will be entering 9th grade Fall 2013 and we want her to go to a MOCO public H.S. When should we move so we can take advantage of any choices? I'm all new to this. All the talk on here about Immersion programs have my head spinning! TIA |
Anonymous
| In Bethesda you go to your neighborhood school. The only exceptions are the Richard Montgomery IB program or the Blair math/science magnet. You can search for the application processes for those but presumably it is in the fall/winter of 8th grade. Because the Bethesda/Potomac schools are good people don't seem to worry much about the magnets. So if you want a magnet you'd have to move here by 8th grade. If not then move before 9th, unless you want your DD to go to a moco middle school to start getting prepared for HS. |
Anonymous
Go to Mclean. The taxes in MoCo are ridiculous |
Anonymous
You should have your new house under contract before the summer. That way you will know for sure what school your daughter is going to attend. You will have all summer to enroll her, bring all her transcripts from middle school, and meet with her new counselor. By the way you don't really have a choice unless she is accepted into some magnet program. You go to your neighborhood high school. |
Anonymous
| I just wanted to make sure I understand something (I'm not OP). Can you apply to Richard Montgomery IB if you don't live in that school area? |
Anonymous
| This is PP - we are just moving to MoCo in a few weeks and although I like the elem and middle school the kids will go to - I'm not thrilled about the HS. |
Anonymous
RM IB is a county wide magnet program. Application only even if you live in bounds. Very difficult to get in to as its a small program. So it's a great option but don't count on it. |
Anonymous
Are there other county wide magnets? I guess I need to do some reading on the MCPS website! |
Anonymous
| If you live in the cluster of the magnet you have more of a shot. There are 25 slots at the RM magnet reserved for just RM cluster kids. |
Anonymous
| Poolesville also has a magnet program, I think? And Montgomery Blair. |
Anonymous
| Einstein has an IB program also. |
Anonymous
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Some of the programs are by testing and application: RM magnet, Blair Science and Math magnet, Poolesville magnet, and the Blair Communication Arts Program (the last only if you live downcounty).
Other programs are by lottery, like the Einstein IB program. |
Anonymous
| There are also signature programs (Rockville, Seneca Valley, B-CC, Watkins Mill IB programs) which are open access but only if you reside within the cluster boundaries for each of these schools. Almost every school has a signature program of some kind. |
Anonymous
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You want to be in Bethesda, Chevy Chase High School Cluster presuming you can afford it. Trust me.
Failing that, Walter Johnson Cluster is a very close second. |
Anonymous
| Yes the PP is correct. There is only 1 good high school in MoCo and it is B-CC! Gosh DCUM can basically shut down since we hae settled that issue. |