High school if you had to choose...

[Anonymous]

Poolesville - the area is beautiful. We both work from home now (before covid), so we do not commute to DC. More land, space, air, and better quality of life.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would choose Bethesda, because I don't want to live in Potomac (too far, too car-dependent) or Poolesville (way too far). And I guess Whitman would come with that. But I wouldn't base my decision on the high school.

Let's say location not an issue but simply focusing on academics and test scores and college placement (private not an option ) , what choice then?

DP. Poolesville all the way. The only downside about Poolesville is its rural location. If that's not an issue, then it's an excellent option.

What are the reasons for Poolesville all the way? Do you mean just the magnet program? I also have read here and there that there are physical building issues with Poolesville and Wootton, or is that outdated information? There are so many opinions at odds with each other. Do the schools even let prospective parents in the building to look around, like in private schools, before you have bought a house in the disctrict?

Poolesville is an old school and needs to be rebuilt. It was on the plan for 2024 but was removed. I don't really have more information on that.

You can go to the school and walk around. I'd call the front desk and ask when is the best time.

the W school parents will vehemently defend their schools as the best, it's mostly ego or housing prices they are trying to protect. Just read some of their posts, it's who your kids will be friends with, that is somethign to think about.

The Poolesville project is still scheduled for 2024 according to the CIP.

https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/facilities/construction/project/poolesvillehs.aspx

https://gis.mcpsmd.org/cipmasterpdfs/MP22_Chapter4Poolesville.pdf

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Poolesville - the area is beautiful. We both work from home now (before covid), so we do not commute to DC. More land, space, air, and better quality of life.

If that's what you like. I would not want to live in Poolesville.

[Anonymous]

I choose Quince Orchard

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here- let me put it this way- does anyone here deeply regret the MCPS high school they have sent their child to? Technically, except for the magnets, isn't the curriculum the same? If you could redo it, would you send to a different high school within MCPS? Or maybe move out of the area altogether?

I don't. Two different kids, two different high schools (not magnet). DCUM thinks one is ok and the other is terrible. No regrets. What is prompting this thread, OP?

Pandemic, spouse with terminal cancer, dashed expectations at private school for other child. Etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here- let me put it this way- does anyone here deeply regret the MCPS high school they have sent their child to? Technically, except for the magnets, isn't the curriculum the same? If you could redo it, would you send to a different high school within MCPS? Or maybe move out of the area altogether?

I don't. Two different kids, two different high schools (not magnet). DCUM thinks one is ok and the other is terrible. No regrets. What is prompting this thread, OP?

I have one in a magnet at a school DCUM loves to hate if you are not magnet and one who is non-magnet in a school DCUM loves to hate whether or not you are magnet. Both are happy, learning, and have no regrets. The one in magnet applied to three, was accepted to two programs, and waitlisted for a third. The one not in magnet had a choice in the consortium. I also have a child who was non-magnet and after graduation has done much better in her field than her friends who were in the magnet.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here- let me put it this way- does anyone here deeply regret the MCPS high school they have sent their child to? Technically, except for the magnets, isn't the curriculum the same? If you could redo it, would you send to a different high school within MCPS? Or maybe move out of the area altogether?

I don't. Two different kids, two different high schools (not magnet). DCUM thinks one is ok and the other is terrible. No regrets. What is prompting this thread, OP?

Pandemic, spouse with terminal cancer, dashed expectations at private school for other child. Etc.

OP, I’m so sorry to hear this. As a cancer patient myself, I’ll share with you with what I was advised by both our family therapist and my support group: If you can, do not switch your child’s school. The school already knows your child as a student and you as a parent. They are more likely to extend you both Grace than if they meet you already in crisis. It’s sad, but true.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here- let me put it this way- does anyone here deeply regret the MCPS high school they have sent their child to? Technically, except for the magnets, isn't the curriculum the same? If you could redo it, would you send to a different high school within MCPS? Or maybe move out of the area altogether?

I don't. Two different kids, two different high schools (not magnet). DCUM thinks one is ok and the other is terrible. No regrets. What is prompting this thread, OP?

Pandemic, spouse with terminal cancer, dashed expectations at private school for other child. Etc.

I'm sorry, OP. That's tough. My advice would be: do what you think will work best for the family for overall life. There is no way to know in advance whether a given kid will do well in a given high school. There are way too many variables.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If your family was at a crossroads and housing costs were not an issue, would you choose Churchill, Poolesville, or Whitman?

I'd get far away from the money in Churchill and Whitman. I'm not a huge fan of Poolesville, either, but that's where I would go.

AA PP is right. They are racist as **** in the W schools. I guess it's "good" that it's so blatant? At least you know what you are dealing with.

But there is so much money, and so little supervision, many kids are doing drugs -- lots of them and hard core.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here- let me put it this way- does anyone here deeply regret the MCPS high school they have sent their child to? Technically, except for the magnets, isn't the curriculum the same? If you could redo it, would you send to a different high school within MCPS? Or maybe move out of the area altogether?

My kid was zoned for Wootton and we moved to Magruder. At Wootton, he was only allowed to enroll in Honors History. At Magruder, he was given the choice of regular history. So there's that... but yes, other than magnet-specific courses, they all have the same curriculum.

And honestly they all have many deeply committed, talented teachers. Peer groups and peer abilities will vary. But your kid is your kid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If your family was at a crossroads and housing costs were not an issue, would you choose Churchill, Poolesville, or Whitman?

I'd get far away from the money in Churchill and Whitman. I'm not a huge fan of Poolesville, either, but that's where I would go.

AA PP is right. They are racist as **** in the W schools. I guess it's "good" that it's so blatant? At least you know what you are dealing with.

But there is so much money, and so little supervision, many kids are doing drugs -- lots of them and hard core.

Ok. That’s not what I need in my life now or later. Are the Potomac area private high schools the same?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here- let me put it this way- does anyone here deeply regret the MCPS high school they have sent their child to? Technically, except for the magnets, isn't the curriculum the same? If you could redo it, would you send to a different high school within MCPS? Or maybe move out of the area altogether?

I don't. Two different kids, two different high schools (not magnet). DCUM thinks one is ok and the other is terrible. No regrets. What is prompting this thread, OP?

Pandemic, spouse with terminal cancer, dashed expectations at private school for other child. Etc.

OP- sorry to hear about your family challenges. I hope things improve. Of the three schools listed, I would choose Poolesville- mostly for the reasons others have stated against Wootton and Whitman, and for Poolesville as an area. I’ve had two kids at Poolesville in different magnets. As a school it’s okay - the teachers are just as average as teachers everywhere, scores are high because they’ve pulled the top students to the school (and honestly, so if the magnet teachers are weak as instructors- they coast on the strength of the kids.) The school is small though, and the way classes are structured, it feels like 4 smaller schools- somewhat clique-ish, and limited club/activities (although if you are living in town you would have better access to after school stuff than kids commuting 50-60 minutes.)

Given open choice of where to live, I’d buy in to RM cluster (had a kid there too). It’s a bigger school with much more diversity- tons of activities and many many groups of students so your kid can find their place and their people. Rockville town center and access to metro is also a plus.

Good luck.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here- let me put it this way- does anyone here deeply regret the MCPS high school they have sent their child to? Technically, except for the magnets, isn't the curriculum the same? If you could redo it, would you send to a different high school within MCPS? Or maybe move out of the area altogether?

I don't. Two different kids, two different high schools (not magnet). DCUM thinks one is ok and the other is terrible. No regrets. What is prompting this thread, OP?

Pandemic, spouse with terminal cancer, dashed expectations at private school for other child. Etc.

OP- sorry to hear about your family challenges. I hope things improve. Of the three schools listed, I would choose Poolesville- mostly for the reasons others have stated against Wootton and Whitman, and for Poolesville as an area. I’ve had two kids at Poolesville in different magnets. As a school it’s okay - the teachers are just as average as teachers everywhere, scores are high because they’ve pulled the top students to the school (and honestly, so if the magnet teachers are weak as instructors- they coast on the strength of the kids.) The school is small though, and the way classes are structured, it feels like 4 smaller schools- somewhat clique-ish, and limited club/activities (although if you are living in town you would have better access to after school stuff than kids commuting 50-60 minutes.)

Given open choice of where to live, I’d buy in to RM cluster (had a kid there too). It’s a bigger school with much more diversity- tons of activities and many many groups of students so your kid can find their place and their people. Rockville town center and access to metro is also a plus.

Good luck.

+1 Yes, RM has IB, but the non IB part of the school is good, too. They have a lot of AP classes, just like other MCPS HSs. Plus, if your kid does want IB, they can join in 11th grade.

Great drama club; athletics; music; and open lunch. As PP stated, it's large and diverse enough that you can find your "peeps". Lots of different clubs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here- let me put it this way- does anyone here deeply regret the MCPS high school they have sent their child to? Technically, except for the magnets, isn't the curriculum the same? If you could redo it, would you send to a different high school within MCPS? Or maybe move out of the area altogether?

Whitman, hands down better than Churchill. I don’t know much about Poolsville other than far away.
They don’t all offer the same classes. Look at course catalogs for different schools. The right fit might depend in part on what your kid is interested in and which school offers widest range of classes related to his or her interests.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If your family was at a crossroads and housing costs were not an issue, would you choose Churchill, Poolesville, or Whitman?

I'd get far away from the money in Churchill and Whitman. I'm not a huge fan of Poolesville, either, but that's where I would go.

AA PP is right. They are racist as **** in the W schools. I guess it's "good" that it's so blatant? At least you know what you are dealing with.

But there is so much money, and so little supervision, many kids are doing drugs -- lots of them and hard core.

Ok. That’s not what I need in my life now or later. Are the Potomac area private high schools the same?

Incorrect stereotype. People love to bash Whitman on DCUM. Mostly because they are jealous. The racist incidents last year were done by a biracial kid to get attention. My DC has a large group of friends at Whitman, none of whom are racist or do drugs. I’m sure there are some, but it is by no means widespread.