Did you try DCPS/charter before moving to MoCo for better schools? Was moving worth it?

[Anonymous]

We're trying to decide which DCPS/charter schools we would settle for (we're on waitlists) and what would prompt us to move to MoCo. Our in-bound school is not an option, so we are waiting to see how the waitlists for other schools pan out. In your experience, have MoCo schools been good enough (compared to DCPS/charter) to justify an increase in housing costs and longer commutes? Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We're trying to decide which DCPS/charter schools we would settle for (we're on waitlists) and what would prompt us to move to MoCo. Our in-bound school is not an option, so we are waiting to see how the waitlists for other schools pan out. In your experience, have MoCo schools been good enough (compared to DCPS/charter) to justify an increase in housing costs and longer commutes? Thanks!

Bump!

[Anonymous]

Maybe it depends on which DCPS/charter schools and which MCPS schools?

[Anonymous]

We left one of the "best" DCPS elementary schools for MCPS and have been very happy and haven't looked back! There is such relief to know that you don't have to worry about wait lists, charter schools and/or moving later. Come on in, the water's fine.

[Anonymous]

We were at a JKLM and then at a hghly regarded charter before MCPS. I will always regret not moving earlier.

[Anonymous]

We tried DCPS for one year before moving to Maryland. Absolutely no regrets.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We're trying to decide which DCPS/charter schools we would settle for (we're on waitlists) and what would prompt us to move to MoCo. Our in-bound school is not an option, so we are waiting to see how the waitlists for other schools pan out. In your experience, have MoCo schools been good enough (compared to DCPS/charter) to justify an increase in housing costs and longer commutes? Thanks!

I'm 14:27, and I want to say that housing costs went down for us, and when you figure in the extra time to drive my kids to school, vs putting them on the bus or letting them walk, my commute is much easier as well.

[Anonymous]

If your kid is gifted and you can't afford privates for MS and HS, move no later than 6th grade. Anybody who raves about Deal, Wilson, SWW, Latin and now BASIS as a path to the Ivy League doesn't work in college admissions, like I have. The odd affirmative action kid scrapes through to an elite college, and a handful of white kids, but not many at all. Really a shame because far more DCPS and DC Charter kids would make the grade with the right inputs from early elementary.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If your kid is gifted and you can't afford privates for MS and HS, move no later than 6th grade. Anybody who raves about Deal, Wilson, SWW, Latin and now BASIS as a path to the Ivy League doesn't work in college admissions, like I have. The odd affirmative action kid scrapes through to an elite college, and a handful of white kids, but not many at all. Really a shame because far more DCPS and DC Charter kids would make the grade with the right inputs from early elementary.

Can you expand? What is making them poor candidates for Ivy league colleges?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We were at a JKLM and then at a hghly regarded charter before MCPS. I will always regret not moving earlier.

I had started another similar thread on this topic of when/ if to move from dcps. I would really appreciate if you were able to elaborate here? In that did you feel like your kids were behind once you made the move? what grade did you move?

TIA!

[Anonymous]

We looked at staying in DC before kids, moved to MoCo and have been happy since. Of our cohort one family stayed but they always intended to go private.

[Anonymous]

I guess this is the typical bash DCPS thread

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I guess this is the typical bash DCPS thread

Then give us some favorable comments about the DCPS jungle.

[Anonymous]

Funny, the similar thread "did you leave DCPS for MOCO"? has a number of people saying they regretted leaving DC. Of course MoCo has some objective test scores to back up their schools, but Wilson and Deal and WOTP elementaries are really improving fast.

[Anonymous]

I don't think it is surprising that different people would have different opinions. For some people, staying in DC is a good choice for others it is not. In our family's case, we left DC for MoCo and don't regret it at all. My children have gotten a great education and our family is very happy. Nothing about that bashed DC, but it is our experience.