educational consultants for MCPS?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I tried this OP. I paid several hundred dollars to an educational consultant in Maryland, filled out paperwork, told her my child’s needs, explained the areas I was thinking about moving to, and asked which pyramids she thought met my criteria. I kid you not, she said she could only recommend the W schools. I said I couldn’t afford those and was looking at Silver Spring and Rockville. She said I needed to find a way to afford them, like living in an apartment or maybe renting an apartment in a W school area and actually living in Silver Spring if I want to. I said I thought that was illegal and also would not be affordable. It was a HORRIBLE waste of money. If I wanted that advice, I could have come to DCUM. I pushed back and said, “you mean to tell me there is no school in Silver Spring where my child can get a good education?” And she said something like, “I’m sure there is, but it’s hit or miss.” I said “ok, I’m asking you to tell me the hits. That’s what I am paying an educational consultant for.” And she repeated that she can only recommend the W schools.

Worthless and offensive.

There's a misconception about schools today. Maybe it stems from a time when the population was more homogenous, don't know, but things like GS rating simply measure the absence of low-income students. This doesn't indicate great opportunities. Most schools have a high-achieving cohort so you can do well in most places. For example, if your kids are in early elementary, I'd suggest looking at focus schools where class sizes are often 15-16 instead of 25-30, or maybe even a school with a local CES where a more reasonable percentage of capable students can benefit from the enrichment. For example, there are many wonderful G&T programs in MCPS, but unfortunately, they're limited to a few students. In fact, there are many more students who could benefit than there are seats so any place where you might have better odds may be a good choice. A recent thread on this forum that discussed such things was something like DCC trios. Good luck!

Thank you - this viewpoint is exactly what I need to discuss with my STBX. He believes that only the W schools or Fairfax are “good.” Is there a site where I can show him test scores from each school? For myself, my concern is that the schools not only have a cohort but also be safe and organized. I don’t think we’d fit in at all at very wealthy school though.

This is all very well and good on paper. However we tried a place like Wootton cluster for a few years and it didn’t fit culturally for us - all Russians, Chinese (Taiwanese) and South Asian. I’m not trying to sound racist - but basically after school all these kids went off to their cram schools (Russian math, classical piano, and or language tutor). Our kids were just culturally American. Had to get out of there - but that W cluster was a pretty cold place and that never showed up on a spreadsheet. Believe me that’s why we targeted that neighborhood 20 years ago.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I tried this OP. I paid several hundred dollars to an educational consultant in Maryland, filled out paperwork, told her my child’s needs, explained the areas I was thinking about moving to, and asked which pyramids she thought met my criteria. I kid you not, she said she could only recommend the W schools. I said I couldn’t afford those and was looking at Silver Spring and Rockville. She said I needed to find a way to afford them, like living in an apartment or maybe renting an apartment in a W school area and actually living in Silver Spring if I want to. I said I thought that was illegal and also would not be affordable. It was a HORRIBLE waste of money. If I wanted that advice, I could have come to DCUM. I pushed back and said, “you mean to tell me there is no school in Silver Spring where my child can get a good education?” And she said something like, “I’m sure there is, but it’s hit or miss.” I said “ok, I’m asking you to tell me the hits. That’s what I am paying an educational consultant for.” And she repeated that she can only recommend the W schools.

Worthless and offensive.

There's a misconception about schools today. Maybe it stems from a time when the population was more homogenous, don't know, but things like GS rating simply measure the absence of low-income students. This doesn't indicate great opportunities. Most schools have a high-achieving cohort so you can do well in most places. For example, if your kids are in early elementary, I'd suggest looking at focus schools where class sizes are often 15-16 instead of 25-30, or maybe even a school with a local CES where a more reasonable percentage of capable students can benefit from the enrichment. For example, there are many wonderful G&T programs in MCPS, but unfortunately, they're limited to a few students. In fact, there are many more students who could benefit than there are seats so any place where you might have better odds may be a good choice. A recent thread on this forum that discussed such things was something like DCC trios. Good luck!

Thank you - this viewpoint is exactly what I need to discuss with my STBX. He believes that only the W schools or Fairfax are “good.” Is there a site where I can show him test scores from each school? For myself, my concern is that the schools not only have a cohort but also be safe and organized. I don’t think we’d fit in at all at very wealthy school though.

The test scores are just an average. Some are more diverse than others, so there's a greater range. That doesn't mean that a school with just three sections of AP English provides an inferior opportunity to one with six. You still get the same course. It just means the same kid can do just as well at either school. For example, W schools are the least diverse schools in MCPS. They also have the lowest FARMS rate, typically <5%, but if you look at the non-FARMS students with similar demographics at most schools you begin to notice that kids do about the same.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DCUM is your educational consultant. What areas are you looking in OP, and how old are your kids?

I actually believe this may be true

I’m looking for a metro accessible area with affordable rent ($2500-3000 for a 2 br) or cheap condo/small house. I really dislike the suburbs/driving so hopefully something more walkable. My kid is very bright and quirky so I’d love to be in a neighborhood where kids are similar. Currently have to commute to L’Enfant Plaza only 1 day/week.

So far I have zeroed in on:

- TP/Blair. There are some affordable condos on Maple/Lee and a few house rentals. But I’d have to convince my STBX that those schools are good enough
- Silver Creek/BCC. There’s a little pocket of garden level condos (Rock Creek Gardens) walkable to Silver Spring metro.
- Sligo/Einstein. Lots of rentals at my budget in Silver Spring. STBX thinks Einstein is “bad.”
- Deal/Wilson. Apartment or cheaper condo along Conn Ave. I like the idea of staying in DC and feel like we’d fit in best here.
- Hardy/Foxhall High. Apartment or cheap condo in Glover Park or Wesley Heights. I love parks and trees so this is actually my personal favorite option
- Westland/BCC. I would rent near the metro but I think this area is more expensive. Also Bethesda just scares me, seems unappealing as a place to live and full of rich people? Please tell me I’m being a reverse snob.
- Tilden/WJ. Near White Flint metro. Housing more affordable but scares me to move so far from city. But I think this may be a good school choice.
- Virginia. No. I see Confederate ghosts and lots of traffic there.

Every place you have zoned in this list is fine but personally I will go with TP/Blair.

[Anonymous]

I would cross out Hardy/new Foxhall HS because the high school has not even been built yet and is a huge unknown.
Where does your ex live? You probably want an easy commute for your ex.
Do you work from home or will you have a commute.
I know your kid is only 10 but if you think you might want to encourage your kid to go to UMD then pick Maryland suburbs over DC. Or is paying for private college not an issue?

[Anonymous]

Based on the things you've said I think you should rent a place at Pike and Rose or nearby and send kid to Luxmanor/Tilden/Walter Johnson.

Good luck.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Based on the things you've said I think you should rent a place at Pike and Rose or nearby and send kid to Luxmanor/Tilden/Walter Johnson.

Good luck.

Would that likely be Woodward when their kid is HS age?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Based on the things you've said I think you should rent a place at Pike and Rose or nearby and send kid to Luxmanor/Tilden/Walter Johnson.

Good luck.

Would that likely be Woodward when their kid is HS age?

Yes, likely Woodward

[Anonymous]

I like your Sligo/Einstein or Silver Creek/BCC options. Both fine and affordable choices.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Based on the things you've said I think you should rent a place at Pike and Rose or nearby and send kid to Luxmanor/Tilden/Walter Johnson.

Good luck.

That area just seems so blah! Can you sell me on it?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Based on the things you've said I think you should rent a place at Pike and Rose or nearby and send kid to Luxmanor/Tilden/Walter Johnson.

Good luck.

That area just seems so blah! Can you sell me on it?

Easily: Just go visit Rockville Town Center.