Pregnant, first time homebuyer, looking to move to DC

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP still hasn’t explained what a solid school is, so we have no idea if any of the schools suggested will be satisfactory. Most neighborhoods suggested have people bailing on DCPS by 2nd grade which isn’t indicative of “solid.” OP at least has to say what risk she is willing to take. Also, OP, are you planning on DCPS PK-3 because that changes things too. It’s a different lottery game than Kinder and above.

OP is pregnant with her first child, so I think it's hard for her to say. However, she has indicated that she wants at least a doable elementary, and better yet if middle school is also good. I take it she'd like to be comfortable with her IB options, but doesn't necessarily need Bethesda schools. She's also limited by her budget, to some extent. Here's her thread from DC schools forum, where she discusses Maury and Takoma Park schools:

https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/947089.page

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP still hasn’t explained what a solid school is, so we have no idea if any of the schools suggested will be satisfactory. Most neighborhoods suggested have people bailing on DCPS by 2nd grade which isn’t indicative of “solid.” OP at least has to say what risk she is willing to take. Also, OP, are you planning on DCPS PK-3 because that changes things too. It’s a different lottery game than Kinder and above.

OP is pregnant with her first child, so I think it's hard for her to say. However, she has indicated that she wants at least a doable elementary, and better yet if middle school is also good. I take it she'd like to be comfortable with her IB options, but doesn't necessarily need Bethesda schools. She's also limited by her budget, to some extent. Here's her thread from DC schools forum, where she discusses Maury and Takoma Park schools:

https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/947089.page

I'm not sure PP understands what we're all hinting at with our schools question. Schools such as Maury/Brent are not, to my understanding, much better than other DCPS elementaries when you compare test scores of white kids (used as a proxy for upper SES.) They stand apart in test scores BECAUSE they have higher SES, but that doesn't mean a so-called "worse" neighborhood school who has more lower SES kids will serve your (presumably middle/upper class) kid any less. The question being asked is "Is a majority minority school acceptable and you really just want a loving school filled with caring and excellent teachers, or do you insist on a school with a large cohort of whites.?"

[Anonymous]

^^ultimately, with your budget, the answer to that question determines whether you buy in DC or outside

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP still hasn’t explained what a solid school is, so we have no idea if any of the schools suggested will be satisfactory. Most neighborhoods suggested have people bailing on DCPS by 2nd grade which isn’t indicative of “solid.” OP at least has to say what risk she is willing to take. Also, OP, are you planning on DCPS PK-3 because that changes things too. It’s a different lottery game than Kinder and above.

OP is pregnant with her first child, so I think it's hard for her to say. However, she has indicated that she wants at least a doable elementary, and better yet if middle school is also good. I take it she'd like to be comfortable with her IB options, but doesn't necessarily need Bethesda schools. She's also limited by her budget, to some extent. Here's her thread from DC schools forum, where she discusses Maury and Takoma Park schools:

https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/947089.page

OP here- this is a good way of putting it. Sorry if I didn't provide enough detail! I honestly don't really know how to describe what "solid" means... I guess I'd really value a warm environment with a range of classes (art, music, maybe languages) where my kids will be happy, be academically challenged, and find a peer group. I don't need (or even really want) a "perfect" school. I would like to avoid schools that are really rigid, or schools that are constantly struggling with behavior management, or schools that put too much pressure on kids, or schools that teach to a test. I want to know that when I send my child to school they are safe and valued and learning and have friends. I know all parents want those things, but I'm struggling to define more than that.

My family lives in Howard County, which is why Takoma Park and Silver Spring felt more accessible for them to help with childcare. In terms of risk, I did think that if we get to middle school and our feeder school isn't an option, maybe we could sell and move, or try for a lottery? It feels far in the future right now.

I do appreciate everyone's time and thoughts... this is a lot to think about. Bummer to hear that our budget is so limiting- as first time home buyers it feels like a lot!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP still hasn’t explained what a solid school is, so we have no idea if any of the schools suggested will be satisfactory. Most neighborhoods suggested have people bailing on DCPS by 2nd grade which isn’t indicative of “solid.” OP at least has to say what risk she is willing to take. Also, OP, are you planning on DCPS PK-3 because that changes things too. It’s a different lottery game than Kinder and above.

OP is pregnant with her first child, so I think it's hard for her to say. However, she has indicated that she wants at least a doable elementary, and better yet if middle school is also good. I take it she'd like to be comfortable with her IB options, but doesn't necessarily need Bethesda schools. She's also limited by her budget, to some extent. Here's her thread from DC schools forum, where she discusses Maury and Takoma Park schools:

https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/947089.page

I'm not sure PP understands what we're all hinting at with our schools question. Schools such as Maury/Brent are not, to my understanding, much better than other DCPS elementaries when you compare test scores of white kids (used as a proxy for upper SES.) They stand apart in test scores BECAUSE they have higher SES, but that doesn't mean a so-called "worse" neighborhood school who has more lower SES kids will serve your (presumably middle/upper class) kid any less. The question being asked is "Is a majority minority school acceptable and you really just want a loving school filled with caring and excellent teachers, or do you insist on a school with a large cohort of whites.?"

Sorry- I wrote out a response to an earlier post and didn't see this. I don't think I understood this earlier. I am comfortable with a majority minority school- much more interested in a loving school filled with excellent and caring teachers. I want my children to learn and be challenged. I want them to make friends.

[Anonymous]

^^above question stands. Are you comfortable with majority minority?

[Anonymous]

Lol sorry we are tandem posting!

[Anonymous]

Then you need to take everything on DCUM with a huge grain of salt. Try your best to meet we real people with kids in the school's you're wondering about- but there is a wealth of info here too! Also, unfortunately, all the schools teach to the test, even my social justice charter. I don't think they have much of a choice with how funding works. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Lol sorry we are tandem posting!

No worries- I just got off work lol. I know no one here will have the "right" answer for us- just looking to get some perspectives, as I am a first time mom and first time homebuyer so I basically have no idea what I'm doing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Then you need to take everything on DCUM with a huge grain of salt. Try your best to meet we real people with kids in the school's you're wondering about- but there is a wealth of info here too! Also, unfortunately, all the schools teach to the test, even my social justice charter. I don't think they have much of a choice with how funding works. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong

Honestly, the test is fine. It’s not so bad to teach to it.

[Anonymous]

OP, you may need to compromise on something, maybe get a condo in a neighborhood with "better" schools, or look further out, but on a metro line that would work for the commute.

[Anonymous]

You should look in Cheverly until the kid is older, then sell at a profit and move for school.

[Anonymous]

Rosemary Hills might be a good option if you are okay with suburban. You should be able to find a single family house in your price range and the schools are excellent. The k-2 school is walkable in the neighborhood. Many people walk to the metro but it is a decent walk. Definitely not as much going on as some of the neighborhoods people are listing but a great value for the schools and in beltway location. Forest Glen is also a good option with an amazing neighborhood pool.

[Anonymous]

University Park, Calvert Hills, and Hyattsville in PG County are well within your budget and an easy commute on the green/yellow line. High school may be an issue, but the elementary and middle schools are good and continuously improving.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:University Park, Calvert Hills, and Hyattsville in PG County are well within your budget and an easy commute on the green/yellow line. High school may be an issue, but the elementary and middle schools are good and continuously improving.

Unfortch it’s almost as hard to find a nice house in these places as it is in silver spring/takoma. But it’s much easier to win bidding wars at the lower price point.