Pissed off

[Anonymous]

Here's the thing: 2.0 does super suck, and kids will suffer bc of it. If your kid isn't affected by 2.0, then you can't understand what the OP is complaining about. Kids no longer switch classes for reading and math instruction on level; instead, the classroom teacher gives each group roughly 15 minutes of small group instruction. It's awful. I was happy with mcps until 2.0 came along, and now I worry that my kid will suffer because of it.

[Anonymous]

We have been unimpressed by our Whitman tier ES as well.

Also, pls note that the vast majority of MD Schools posters are not in that pyramid. So good luck, but look for camaraderie in your neighborhood, not in silver spring.

[Anonymous]

Definitely made the move before doing your homework.
2.0 is sending education backwards to the benefit of the private system. I was told that homework will be phased out as there can be no expectation that a child will complete it and therefore learn. MCPS has made a grave mistake and done this county a disservice. Many people in Montgomery County can afford private education but choose not to because of the historic excellent education provided by MCPS, I believe that will change.

[Anonymous]

Of course private is better but you can't deduct that cost which you should be able to.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Of course private is better but you can't deduct that cost which you should be able to.

Every single private school is better than every single public school?
You deserve a tax deduction or credit for buying this luxury good?

Go back to your teapot.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP: Yes, I did attend the school. Some famous types children attend this particular elementary school as well. If I mention it, I'll blow my cover.

Burning Tree

No. It has to be Potomac Elementary.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Not OP, but not entirely unsympathetic.
Her experience shows why it's really really important for parents to do their homework, and not just assume that your kid will get the education you aspire for them at any given school -- public or private. One can't entirely make the decision based on zip code or property values or school reputation.

My experience as a parent who has gone back and forth between private and public: The public schools in MoCo are all over the lot with respect to quality -- and those differences get magnified by the various magnet programs that create schools within schools.

At the best schools, the highs can be breathtaking with amazing instruction and facilities, but the lows can be quite sobering. Most schools that I've seen have been like yours sounds -- basically fine but uninspiring. I'm sure there are exceptions, but my DS has not been lucky enough to be in one of those.

The issue of class size by itself could give one pause -- it's hard to imagine how being taught in a class of 30 kids, as my DS is now, can ever be an advantage over being taught in a class of 15, as he was in private.

If you've got the coin -- and I'm afraid I don't -- that alone might be a good reason to go private, or might have been a reason to sit tight in your previous home, with a private school you liked.

+1 This has been our experience too.

[Anonymous]

OP, I can relate somewhat. We moved from a house/neighborhood in DC that we loved to MD for the schools. We stupidly didn't look at the schools before moving. We assumed that because the schools were so highly rated and because so many people that we know and respect send their kids to them, that they must be good. When our oldest came close to approaching K, we finally looked at the elementary school. We saw many problems with the school, for our child at least, including 28-29 kids per class with 1 teacher. We're at a private school that we love now. I only wish we had stayed in our old house, with a lower mortgage in a neighborhood we liked better.

[Anonymous]

To get into a magnet you need to have the child tested by the school...usually when they are in 2nd/3rd grade for the 4th/5th grade magnet program, and likewise for the continuing grades. If you go here: http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/curriculum/specialprograms/
click on Application information and you'll get detailed information

Thanks for letting me know that you are disappointed with 2.0.

We are currently at a private and trying to get into a magnet because finances are tight, but not tight enough that we would qualify for aid.
Maybe we should continue to tighten our belt and keep on keeping on instead of trying public school?

Anyhow good luck. Maybe you could try to get your child back into the good private school he was before?

[Anonymous]

I am sympathetic with the OP, but it is a good reminder that people should no longer assume you can just buy a an expensive suburban house and get a free excellent school. People may not know it but sometimes even the opposite is true: we have a less expensive suburban house in one of those more vilified clusters, and our elementary school is awesome, with 15-18 kids per class.

[Anonymous]

+1

I've started to inform my friends and others about the fact that it may not be worthwhile to dive into those so-called good school clusters. My advice is
- either go to Virginia
- or look somewhere in silver spring / wheaton area.

In the long run, what MCPS is doing will hurt the housing market in Montgomery county. After that, MCPS will see its own budget trouble since they need money from the county.

Anonymous wrote:I am sympathetic with the OP, but it is a good reminder that people should no longer assume you can just buy a an expensive suburban house and get a free excellent school. People may not know it but sometimes even the opposite is true: we have a less expensive suburban house in one of those more vilified clusters, and our elementary school is awesome, with 15-18 kids per class.

[Anonymous]

2.0 just makes it tough to get a good education at any MCPS school these days. Not saying it cannot happen of course. It will work wonderfully for some kids and not for others. In my opinion, it isn't good for most kids and teachers spend too much time with an odd grading system that just isn't fair.
Sadly, MCPS is still probably one of the best school systems in the country so I always wonder if I'm so unhappy with 2.0 - would I just be freaking out somewhere else? I have nothing else to compare it to except my own school experience (and that was back in the 80's so not really relevant!)

Still - I think MCPS has made a HUGE mistake with 2.0. Most parents hate it, some are OK with it and I'm waiting to hear from someone who likes/loves it.

[Anonymous]

2.0 is so all the underachieving kids can fit in. Oh and all the kids that don't know a lick of English can work too. It is Political Correctness at it's finest. Instead of the rich having to pay for the poor/illegals, it is the smart kids that have to "pay" for the dumb kids to climb higher. Thanks MCPS for encouraging my kids to do the bare minimum. They will be great politicians one day.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:2.0 just makes it tough to get a good education at any MCPS school these days. Not saying it cannot happen of course. It will work wonderfully for some kids and not for others. In my opinion, it isn't good for most kids and teachers spend too much time with an odd grading system that just isn't fair.
Sadly, MCPS is still probably one of the best school systems in the country so I always wonder if I'm so unhappy with 2.0 - would I just be freaking out somewhere else? I have nothing else to compare it to except my own school experience (and that was back in the 80's so not really relevant!)

Still - I think MCPS has made a HUGE mistake with 2.0. Most parents hate it, some are OK with it and I'm waiting to hear from someone who likes/loves it.

You will find many on this forum if you look for them. I'm one.

[Anonymous]

I also like it.