Moving to Howard County from NYC

[Anonymous]

Moving to Howard County from NYC - could someone help narrow down schools? Have two elementary age children - one in G&T, the other is special needs. Can't start looking at real estate until schooling is sorted out (but did see some nice houses in the western part of HC). All suggestions are most welcome!

[Anonymous]

IMO, the best Columbia high school is Atholton.

Other historically good high schools include Centennial, Glenelg (silent G on the end of that), Mt. Hebron, and River Hill.

There are more good ones, of course, but those are the ones that get consistently high ratings.

[Anonymous]

Look at elementary schools that feed into Atholton, River Hill, and Centennial High Schools. Just be careful about future school boundary changes. They have information about that on the district's website. The district's website is very informative. http://www.hcpss.org Also, go to individual school's website for more detail information about each particular school.

The good thing about Howard County Public Schools is that every elementary school has a GT specialist teacher and some even have more than one. So, no matter what elementary school that you select there will be GT services at that school. Even some of the grade teachers have additional GT training or a Master's in gifted education.

Also, there is a special education center called Cedar Lane School which is located in Fulton, MD. It provides all types of services.

Pointer's Run, Clarksville, Clemens Crossing, Centennial Lane, and Veterans are all great elementary schools.

[Anonymous]

There are no magnets school or school choice in Howard which I think is an over miss in the county.

[Anonymous]

Manor Woods.

[Anonymous]

OP here - thanks for replying. Someone mentioned to me the River Hill high school (supposedly one of the best in the country?). What would be the elementary and middle schools that feed into that high school? Are all elementary schools in Clarksville in the same zone?

[Anonymous]

To the OP,

Pointer's Run and Clarkesville Elementary both feed into River Hill High School. However, some Pointer Run's neighborhoods feed into Atholton High School. You can't go wrong with either of these two high schools.

Go to the county's website and click on "School Boundary Maps". Afterwards click on the elementary boundary zones and then the high school boundary zones. It will show you the areas and neighborhoods that feed into River Hill.

Also, check this out in case you choose to live in the River Hill Community http://www.villageofriverhill.org There is a community website on Facebook as well. I want to point out that there are other neighborhoods (which your reatlor can show you) zoned to River Hill High School that are equally nice, but are not a part of the "River Hill Community".

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There are no magnets school or school choice in Howard which I think is an over miss in the county.

Howard County doesn't have magnets because every school (from elementary- high) provides GT services. GT services are provided for all who need it. Any child who is tested into GT is guranteed those services if they make the mark. There is no need of struggling to obtain a spot at a particular school because every school will provide a GT child with the enrichment that they need. There is a GT resource teacher at every elementary school. Some even have three within each elementary school. In addition to the GT resource teachers, some of the grade teachers even have degrees in GT education. Every high school offers advanced placement and GT courses, not just for a selected few. GT students can attend schools within their communities near their homes instead of being shift across the county to a particular school.

[Anonymous]

I grew up in Glenelg, went to Glenwood Middle School and Glenelg High School. Rural, but excellent schools.

[Anonymous]

Just know that the GT program extends just to math in elementary school

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just know that the GT program extends just to math in elementary school

i didn't know that - what do they do say with a child who reads on a 3rd grade level in 1st grade?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just know that the GT program extends just to math in elementary school

i didn't know that - what do they do say with a child who reads on a 3rd grade level in 1st grade?

There are different reading groups within the classroom. Students are giving reading lessons according to their reading level. They don't cap or prevent students from accelerating in reading. They can excel as far as they want to go. For instance, an advance 1st grade reader will be giving material according to his or her reading ability. HCPS have paraprofessionals (basically another name for teacher's aides) and reading specialists to assist within the classrooms as well.

It's best to set up a tour and contact the individual schools to verify information and to address any concerns that you may have. Contact a school's counselor or administrator to get a better understanding of the school's academics.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just know that the GT program extends just to math in elementary school

i didn't know that - what do they do say with a child who reads on a 3rd grade level in 1st grade?

There are different reading groups within the classroom. Students are giving reading lessons according to their reading level. They don't cap or prevent students from accelerating in reading. They can excel as far as they want to go. For instance, an advance 1st grade reader will be giving material according to his or her reading ability. HCPS have paraprofessionals (basically another name for teacher's aides) and reading specialists to assist within the classrooms as well.

It's best to set up a tour and contact the individual schools to verify information and to address any concerns that you may have. Contact a school's counselor or administrator to get a better understanding of the school's academics.

Thank you. I am going through all posts now and doing my homework. My husband and I are driving down to the area on Monday to look at schools, community, etc. Granted, it won't allow us to see more than two schools, but we need to start somewhere. Just wanted to let you know how much I appreciate your (and others') suggestions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just know that the GT program extends just to math in elementary school

i didn't know that - what do they do say with a child who reads on a 3rd grade level in 1st grade?

There are different reading groups within the classroom. Students are giving reading lessons according to their reading level. They don't cap or prevent students from accelerating in reading. They can excel as far as they want to go. For instance, an advance 1st grade reader will be giving material according to his or her reading ability. HCPS have paraprofessionals (basically another name for teacher's aides) and reading specialists to assist within the classrooms as well.

It's best to set up a tour and contact the individual schools to verify information and to address any concerns that you may have. Contact a school's counselor or administrator to get a better understanding of the school's academics.

Just spoke with receptionists at both schools - Clarksville Elementary is done with tours, and Pointer's Run has one coming up on May 14th. Looks like I won't be able to accomplish much this Monday except drive around and get a feel of the area.