Where to get a primer on high schools

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Moving to the area. Don’t know where to start. 2 bright kids. One into sports. One a theater/ music / creative type. One on the spectrum. Both iffy at math. Where do we begin figuring out where to buy or rent?

Einstein and Blake are schools that have a good reputation for theater/ music / creative types.

Richard Montgomery HS has the oldest, and most prestigious theater program.

They produce some really great shows.

RMHS also has the IBDP program for in cluster students, and RMIB magnet program that RM students can also apply to or join in 11th.

I don't know that much about their sports programs, but recently, I think some of their sports teams won regional and/or state.

It has the oldest theater program because it's the oldest high school...

Okay, that's kind of funny. I guess they also have the most prestigious football team, cafeteria tray sledding team, and Home Ec department as well.

To return to OP's question, there are good and bad things about almost every high school in MCPS. If you share just general commute, what kind of quality of life you are looking for, and a budget range, we can probably make some recommendations.

If we assume commute and money are no object, the "best" HS is probably Whitman just in terms of sheer wealth available to supplement existing school resources. If you want an "urban" quality of life with good access to transportation, but money is still no object, B-CC is a great choice. If you want a traditional American HS experience with football and homecoming and all that jazz, Quince Orchard is generally regarded as the most "normal" HS in the area.

Wouldn't the best have the most NMSF or best college outcomes?

Eh, the magnets confuse the NMSF thing because kids who test well are "pulled" into specific schools, where they continue to test well. Similarly, college admissions tell you something, but it's hard to disaggregate wealth, legacy status, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Moving to the area. Don’t know where to start. 2 bright kids. One into sports. One a theater/ music / creative type. One on the spectrum. Both iffy at math. Where do we begin figuring out where to buy or rent?

Einstein and Blake are schools that have a good reputation for theater/ music / creative types.

Richard Montgomery HS has the oldest, and most prestigious theater program.

They produce some really great shows.

RMHS also has the IBDP program for in cluster students, and RMIB magnet program that RM students can also apply to or join in 11th.

I don't know that much about their sports programs, but recently, I think some of their sports teams won regional and/or state.

It has the oldest theater program because it's the oldest high school...

Okay, that's kind of funny. I guess they also have the most prestigious football team, cafeteria tray sledding team, and Home Ec department as well.

To return to OP's question, there are good and bad things about almost every high school in MCPS. If you share just general commute, what kind of quality of life you are looking for, and a budget range, we can probably make some recommendations.

If we assume commute and money are no object, the "best" HS is probably Whitman just in terms of sheer wealth available to supplement existing school resources. If you want an "urban" quality of life with good access to transportation, but money is still no object, B-CC is a great choice. If you want a traditional American HS experience with football and homecoming and all that jazz, Quince Orchard is generally regarded as the most "normal" HS in the area.

Wouldn't the best have the most NMSF or best college outcomes?

Eh, the magnets confuse the NMSF thing because kids who test well are "pulled" into specific schools, where they continue to test well. Similarly, college admissions tell you something, but it's hard to disaggregate wealth, legacy status, etc.

I hear that but it's also not always true. I remember seeing the data the county accidentally released that showed SAT scores by racial cohort at each HS and for my kids cohort Blair was 50 points higher than any W, and since the magnet is something like 90% Asian, that wasn't a factor.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Moving to the area. Don’t know where to start. 2 bright kids. One into sports. One a theater/ music / creative type. One on the spectrum. Both iffy at math. Where do we begin figuring out where to buy or rent?

Einstein and Blake are schools that have a good reputation for theater/ music / creative types.

Richard Montgomery HS has the oldest, and most prestigious theater program.

They produce some really great shows.

RMHS also has the IBDP program for in cluster students, and RMIB magnet program that RM students can also apply to or join in 11th.

I don't know that much about their sports programs, but recently, I think some of their sports teams won regional and/or state.

It has the oldest theater program because it's the oldest high school...

Okay, that's kind of funny. I guess they also have the most prestigious football team, cafeteria tray sledding team, and Home Ec department as well.

To return to OP's question, there are good and bad things about almost every high school in MCPS. If you share just general commute, what kind of quality of life you are looking for, and a budget range, we can probably make some recommendations.

If we assume commute and money are no object, the "best" HS is probably Whitman just in terms of sheer wealth available to supplement existing school resources. If you want an "urban" quality of life with good access to transportation, but money is still no object, B-CC is a great choice. If you want a traditional American HS experience with football and homecoming and all that jazz, Quince Orchard is generally regarded as the most "normal" HS in the area.

FWIW I always think Einstein has the best performing arts too. I'm sure RM is great just never heard that about it before.

Einstein definitely has an artsy feel to it. Besides the visual arts application magnet, they have the in-house Visual and Performing Arts Academy program, so there’s always something happening, and lots of options for arts electives and extracurriculars.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, this is a huge county so we need some context.. not just budget (though that is important to know) but also location (do you want to be near the city for commuting?), preference for urban/suburban/rural setting, importance to you of having so diversity in the school in terms of race/ethnicity/income level, etc. Provide that and we can be more helpful.

Helpful. OP here. Thank you. Commuting to DC. Multiracial Black children. Diversity important.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, this is a huge county so we need some context.. not just budget (though that is important to know) but also location (do you want to be near the city for commuting?), preference for urban/suburban/rural setting, importance to you of having so diversity in the school in terms of race/ethnicity/income level, etc. Provide that and we can be more helpful.

Helpful. OP here. Thank you. Commuting to DC. Multiracial Black children. Diversity important.

Per someone’s suggestion on the first page more info on budget and what you are looking for would be helpful. Even “commuting to DC” doesn’t tell us what part of DC or if you are planning to drive or take transit.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Moving to the area. Don’t know where to start. 2 bright kids. One into sports. One a theater/ music / creative type. One on the spectrum. Both iffy at math. Where do we begin figuring out where to buy or rent?

Einstein and Blake are schools that have a good reputation for theater/ music / creative types.

Richard Montgomery HS has the oldest, and most prestigious theater program.

They produce some really great shows.

RMHS also has the IBDP program for in cluster students, and RMIB magnet program that RM students can also apply to or join in 11th.

I don't know that much about their sports programs, but recently, I think some of their sports teams won regional and/or state.

It has the oldest theater program because it's the oldest high school...

Okay, that's kind of funny. I guess they also have the most prestigious football team, cafeteria tray sledding team, and Home Ec department as well.

To return to OP's question, there are good and bad things about almost every high school in MCPS. If you share just general commute, what kind of quality of life you are looking for, and a budget range, we can probably make some recommendations.

If we assume commute and money are no object, the "best" HS is probably Whitman just in terms of sheer wealth available to supplement existing school resources. If you want an "urban" quality of life with good access to transportation, but money is still no object, B-CC is a great choice. If you want a traditional American HS experience with football and homecoming and all that jazz, Quince Orchard is generally regarded as the most "normal" HS in the area.

Wouldn't the best have the most NMSF or best college outcomes?

Eh, the magnets confuse the NMSF thing because kids who test well are "pulled" into specific schools, where they continue to test well. Similarly, college admissions tell you something, but it's hard to disaggregate wealth, legacy status, etc.

I hear that but it's also not always true. I remember seeing the data the county accidentally released that showed SAT scores by racial cohort at each HS and for my kids cohort Blair was 50 points higher than any W, and since the magnet is something like 90% Asian, that wasn't a factor.

Demographics have a big impact on test score averages. It's too bad they don't provide more detail by cohort. This would make it easier to do a true comparison between these schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Moving to the area. Don’t know where to start. 2 bright kids. One into sports. One a theater/ music / creative type. One on the spectrum. Both iffy at math. Where do we begin figuring out where to buy or rent?

Einstein and Blake are schools that have a good reputation for theater/ music / creative types.

Richard Montgomery HS has the oldest, and most prestigious theater program.

They produce some really great shows.

RMHS also has the IBDP program for in cluster students, and RMIB magnet program that RM students can also apply to or join in 11th.

I don't know that much about their sports programs, but recently, I think some of their sports teams won regional and/or state.

It has the oldest theater program because it's the oldest high school...

Okay, that's kind of funny. I guess they also have the most prestigious football team, cafeteria tray sledding team, and Home Ec department as well.

To return to OP's question, there are good and bad things about almost every high school in MCPS. If you share just general commute, what kind of quality of life you are looking for, and a budget range, we can probably make some recommendations.

If we assume commute and money are no object, the "best" HS is probably Whitman just in terms of sheer wealth available to supplement existing school resources. If you want an "urban" quality of life with good access to transportation, but money is still no object, B-CC is a great choice. If you want a traditional American HS experience with football and homecoming and all that jazz, Quince Orchard is generally regarded as the most "normal" HS in the area.

Wouldn't the best have the most NMSF or best college outcomes?

Eh, the magnets confuse the NMSF thing because kids who test well are "pulled" into specific schools, where they continue to test well. Similarly, college admissions tell you something, but it's hard to disaggregate wealth, legacy status, etc.

I hear that but it's also not always true. I remember seeing the data the county accidentally released that showed SAT scores by racial cohort at each HS and for my kids cohort Blair was 50 points higher than any W, and since the magnet is something like 90% Asian, that wasn't a factor.

Demographics have a big impact on test score averages. It's too bad they don't provide more detail by cohort. This would make it easier to do a true comparison between these schools.

Don't they have this in the MD school report card?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, this is a huge county so we need some context.. not just budget (though that is important to know) but also location (do you want to be near the city for commuting?), preference for urban/suburban/rural setting, importance to you of having so diversity in the school in terms of race/ethnicity/income level, etc. Provide that and we can be more helpful.

Helpful. OP here. Thank you. Commuting to DC. Multiracial Black children. Diversity important.

I'm an RM parent.

If you are commuting to DC pick something closer in, like BCC, Blair, or Einstein

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Moving to the area. Don’t know where to start. 2 bright kids. One into sports. One a theater/ music / creative type. One on the spectrum. Both iffy at math. Where do we begin figuring out where to buy or rent?

Einstein and Blake are schools that have a good reputation for theater/ music / creative types.

Richard Montgomery HS has the oldest, and most prestigious theater program.

They produce some really great shows.

RMHS also has the IBDP program for in cluster students, and RMIB magnet program that RM students can also apply to or join in 11th.

I don't know that much about their sports programs, but recently, I think some of their sports teams won regional and/or state.

It has the oldest theater program because it's the oldest high school...

Okay, that's kind of funny. I guess they also have the most prestigious football team, cafeteria tray sledding team, and Home Ec department as well.

To return to OP's question, there are good and bad things about almost every high school in MCPS. If you share just general commute, what kind of quality of life you are looking for, and a budget range, we can probably make some recommendations.

If we assume commute and money are no object, the "best" HS is probably Whitman just in terms of sheer wealth available to supplement existing school resources. If you want an "urban" quality of life with good access to transportation, but money is still no object, B-CC is a great choice. If you want a traditional American HS experience with football and homecoming and all that jazz, Quince Orchard is generally regarded as the most "normal" HS in the area.

Wouldn't the best have the most NMSF or best college outcomes?

Eh, the magnets confuse the NMSF thing because kids who test well are "pulled" into specific schools, where they continue to test well. Similarly, college admissions tell you something, but it's hard to disaggregate wealth, legacy status, etc.

I hear that but it's also not always true. I remember seeing the data the county accidentally released that showed SAT scores by racial cohort at each HS and for my kids cohort Blair was 50 points higher than any W, and since the magnet is something like 90% Asian, that wasn't a factor.

Demographics have a big impact on test score averages. It's too bad they don't provide more detail by cohort. This would make it easier to do a true comparison between these schools.

Don't they have this in the MD school report card?

They do, but just a warning to anyone who uses the school report card. In the most recent version, the only math score available is Algebra 1. Every single school in MCPS is going to look like it is underperforming in math, because the on-grade standard is to take Algebra 1 before getting to school. So, the only kids taking the Algebra 1 exam in high school are kids working below grade level.

That's true for every single school, so it leaves English 10 exam as the only metric to compare across schools and across demographic groups.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Moving to the area. Don’t know where to start. 2 bright kids. One into sports. One a theater/ music / creative type. One on the spectrum. Both iffy at math. Where do we begin figuring out where to buy or rent?

Einstein and Blake are schools that have a good reputation for theater/ music / creative types.

Richard Montgomery HS has the oldest, and most prestigious theater program.

They produce some really great shows.

RMHS also has the IBDP program for in cluster students, and RMIB magnet program that RM students can also apply to or join in 11th.

I don't know that much about their sports programs, but recently, I think some of their sports teams won regional and/or state.

It has the oldest theater program because it's the oldest high school...

Okay, that's kind of funny. I guess they also have the most prestigious football team, cafeteria tray sledding team, and Home Ec department as well.

To return to OP's question, there are good and bad things about almost every high school in MCPS. If you share just general commute, what kind of quality of life you are looking for, and a budget range, we can probably make some recommendations.

If we assume commute and money are no object, the "best" HS is probably Whitman just in terms of sheer wealth available to supplement existing school resources. If you want an "urban" quality of life with good access to transportation, but money is still no object, B-CC is a great choice. If you want a traditional American HS experience with football and homecoming and all that jazz, Quince Orchard is generally regarded as the most "normal" HS in the area.

Wouldn't the best have the most NMSF or best college outcomes?

Eh, the magnets confuse the NMSF thing because kids who test well are "pulled" into specific schools, where they continue to test well. Similarly, college admissions tell you something, but it's hard to disaggregate wealth, legacy status, etc.

I hear that but it's also not always true. I remember seeing the data the county accidentally released that showed SAT scores by racial cohort at each HS and for my kids cohort Blair was 50 points higher than any W, and since the magnet is something like 90% Asian, that wasn't a factor.

Demographics have a big impact on test score averages. It's too bad they don't provide more detail by cohort. This would make it easier to do a true comparison between these schools.

Don't they have this in the MD school report card?

Unfortunately, that relies on the new MCAP test which has serious issues to the point where the scores aren't especially meaningful. Perhspas once they work thei bugs out of this new test that won't be true but for now it's just not helpful.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Moving to the area. Don’t know where to start. 2 bright kids. One into sports. One a theater/ music / creative type. One on the spectrum. Both iffy at math. Where do we begin figuring out where to buy or rent?

Potomac/Bethesda

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, this is a huge county so we need some context.. not just budget (though that is important to know) but also location (do you want to be near the city for commuting?), preference for urban/suburban/rural setting, importance to you of having so diversity in the school in terms of race/ethnicity/income level, etc. Provide that and we can be more helpful.

Helpful. OP here. Thank you. Commuting to DC. Multiracial Black children. Diversity important.

I'm an RM parent.

If you are commuting to DC pick something closer in, like BCC, Blair, or Einstein

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, this is a huge county so we need some context.. not just budget (though that is important to know) but also location (do you want to be near the city for commuting?), preference for urban/suburban/rural setting, importance to you of having so diversity in the school in terms of race/ethnicity/income level, etc. Provide that and we can be more helpful.

Helpful. OP here. Thank you. Commuting to DC. Multiracial Black children. Diversity important.

I'm an RM parent.

If you are commuting to DC pick something closer in, like BCC, Blair, or Einstein

+1

This just goes back to pick a house that works for you for commute, budget, walkability, neighborhood and chances are very high the HS will work for your kids

[Anonymous]

They’re all fine!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, this is a huge county so we need some context.. not just budget (though that is important to know) but also location (do you want to be near the city for commuting?), preference for urban/suburban/rural setting, importance to you of having so diversity in the school in terms of race/ethnicity/income level, etc. Provide that and we can be more helpful.

Helpful. OP here. Thank you. Commuting to DC. Multiracial Black children. Diversity important.

I'm an RM parent.

If you are commuting to DC pick something closer in, like BCC, Blair, or Einstein

+1

This just goes back to pick a house that works for you for commute, budget, walkability, neighborhood and chances are very high the HS will work for your kids

I think this is your best bet, provided the in-boundary schools have 40% or lower FARMs.