African Americans in Top Montgomery County Elementary Schools

[Anonymous]

My child currently attend a DC private school. We are contemplating moving to a better school district. We're looking at homes in the Carderock, Seven Locks areas. I'm concerned that my child will be the only African American (or minority) child in the class (I viewed the Carderock website and saw no children of color on the PTA webpage), and that he'll as a result be adversely affected. For those familiar with these schools, I'd appreciate any insight you can offer regarding this issue.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My child currently attend a DC private school. We are contemplating moving to a better school district. We're looking at homes in the Carderock, Seven Locks areas. I'm concerned that my child will be the only African American (or minority) child in the class (I viewed the Carderock website and saw no children of color on the PTA webpage), and that he'll as a result be adversely affected. For those familiar with these schools, I'd appreciate any insight you can offer regarding this issue.

He very well might be the only black child in his class but its not like he is moving to the middle of Iowa. Kids at that age are color blind. I can't imagine how he would be "adversely affected". If anything he will be better off.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My child currently attend a DC private school. We are contemplating moving to a better school district. We're looking at homes in the Carderock, Seven Locks areas. I'm concerned that my child will be the only African American (or minority) child in the class (I viewed the Carderock website and saw no children of color on the PTA webpage), and that he'll as a result be adversely affected. For those familiar with these schools, I'd appreciate any insight you can offer regarding this issue.

He very well might be the only black child in his class but its not like he is moving to the middle of Iowa. Kids at that age are color blind. I can't imagine how he would be "adversely affected". If anything he will be better off.

On the basis of this alone, just ignore the PP.

I am not AA but I would be concerned -- in fact, this is one reason we have stayed away from these areas.

I think you can find a bit more diversity in other ES areas as you move closer to downtown Bethesda and even parts of Chevy Chase and Kensington. Keep in mind that the MCPS curriculum is the same everywhere -- of course there are downsides to schools with very high levels of poverty, but you aren't getting much different education-wise choosing a more diverse Bethesda or Chevy Chase school over Carderock, and the advantages of diversity to all kids are great.

[Anonymous]

If you're interested in seeing the percentages of different groups, check out MoCo's "at a glance" pages for each school:

http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/regulatoryaccountability/glance/

[Anonymous]

I agree--if you are looking at elementary schools in Bethesda, I'd look at the feeder schools for BCC and WJ, not Whitman, for a bit more diversity.

[Anonymous]

What is the attraction of diversity? The same people who wouldn't think about moving into a diverse neighborhood are all about pushing their children into diverse schools.

Seems hypocritical.

[Anonymous]

As an AA who grew up in that area, let me tell you it was tough being the only one. yes, the schools were excellent, but my parents made it extra tough because there was pressure to be perfect. We felt like all eyes were on us, at school and at home. I won't do the same to my children

[Anonymous]

Seven Locks ES is over 8% AA, unlike Bannockburn and some of the other Bethesda schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Seven Locks ES is over 8% AA, unlike Bannockburn and some of the other Bethesda schools.

They leave Seven Locks as soon as the come in.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Seven Locks ES is over 8% AA, unlike Bannockburn and some of the other Bethesda schools.

Is this because the Scotland community feeds into Seven Locks? (I honestly don't know if it does, it is also near Bells Mill, so maybe feeds there?) If so, OP might want to consider how it would be for AA students from outside this community but still at the school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Seven Locks ES is over 8% AA, unlike Bannockburn and some of the other Bethesda schools.

Is this because the Scotland community feeds into Seven Locks? (I honestly don't know if it does, it is also near Bells Mill, so maybe feeds there?) If so, OP might want to consider how it would be for AA students from outside this community but still at the school.

Scotland and Carver Road feeds into Seven Locks Elem.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My child currently attend a DC private school. We are contemplating moving to a better school district. We're looking at homes in the Carderock, Seven Locks areas. I'm concerned that my child will be the only African American (or minority) child in the class (I viewed the Carderock website and saw no children of color on the PTA webpage), and that he'll as a result be adversely affected. For those familiar with these schools, I'd appreciate any insight you can offer regarding this issue.

I say to suck it up.

We have good friends (high-powered black couple) with two kids in private schools. Both children are clearly minorities, but b/c their parents don't make a big deal of it, the kids are fine. One is in my daughter's class (elementary); the other is at a private girls' school (middle).

Both are receiving an excellent education. There comes a time when you need to choose. And when you're given a strong foundation, you're more likely to succeed. Furthermore, YOU'RE the main teacher for your children. So when difficulties arise, they'll be fine if you're there to help them.

best of luck in your decision

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My child currently attend a DC private school. We are contemplating moving to a better school district. We're looking at homes in the Carderock, Seven Locks areas. I'm concerned that my child will be the only African American (or minority) child in the class (I viewed the Carderock website and saw no children of color on the PTA webpage), and that he'll as a result be adversely affected. For those familiar with these schools, I'd appreciate any insight you can offer regarding this issue.

I say to suck it up.

We have good friends (high-powered black couple) with two kids in private schools. Both children are clearly minorities, but b/c their parents don't make a big deal of it, the kids are fine. One is in my daughter's class (elementary); the other is at a private girls' school (middle).

Both are receiving an excellent education. There comes a time when you need to choose. And when you're given a strong foundation, you're more likely to succeed. Furthermore, YOU'RE the main teacher for your children. So when difficulties arise, they'll be fine if you're there to help them.

best of luck in your decision

Are you black? Because if you're not, you may not fully appreciate the difficulties involved. Pointing out one family is hardly comforting.

OP, I posted a thread a few months ago that may be of interest to you - there are some posts that discuss the experiences of black students in mostly while public and private schools. http://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/219457.page#2199333

[Anonymous]

The big problem with this whole discussion is the concept that kids can't get an excellent education in a diverse school. THis is inherently a racist point of view.

Sure, you want to avoid the issues of a high rate of poverty. But there are lots of MCPS schools with a better balance re diversity and you get the SAME curriculum.

So "suck it up" why, exactly? What adbantage are you getting?

[Anonymous]

We live in a very diverse part of MoCo, and I love it for that. But we don't get the same curriculum. While DC's friends in Bethesda ES were studying Asian cultures, my kid was doing fingerprinting in Social Studies and even then many social studies and science classes were skipped for other things like msa prep. And yes, the teachers were stretched teaching a wider range of abilities - there was a table of kids who couldn't read yet in DC's 3rd grade class. It is what it is. We love our neighborhood and, as a PP said, we are DCs' ultimate teachers.