strong middle/high schools

[Anonymous]

We are considering moving to PG County and while I hear a lot of great elem schools, I don't hear as much about middle/high schools (with the exception of Roosevelt.) What other good/challenging middle/high schools are out there? We don't want to go to Southern PG due to commuting - but are open to other locations.

[Anonymous]

My neighbor sends their son to Charles Flowers high school and they said they are very happy with the education he is getting.

[Anonymous]

I have neighbors whose children attend middle school in Bowie, and they haven't had any complaints.

Bowie High is a huge school, which I think brings down the scores. But I'm told they have a really good enrichment program for advanced students. I don't know the details of getting in, but I imagine it has to do with scores.

The key seems to be that if your middle school/high school kid is placed in the upper levels, then there isn't a problem. The problem is in the lower levels. It isn't that all the kids in the lower levels are bad kids or bad students, but because it's a larger pool of kids, there is a greater chance of having disruptive students in the class.

[Anonymous]

If you are in the Hyattsville/ Mt. Ranier/ UP corridor, then private is the only way to go above 6th grade. I love my neighborhood, but wouldn't send a dog that I didn't like to Hyattsville Middle School. It is a total ghetto.

[Anonymous]

I've known some families that have been happy with Hyattsville Middle, but those tend to be the type of families that welcome diversity. I get the impression the PP isn't that comfortable with her child attending school with kids of different backgrounds.

I've also been hearing good things about the College Park Academy.

[Anonymous]

OP, how old are your kids? A lot can change in 10 years. We just moved from DC to the Hyattsville/ Mt. Ranier/ UP corridor with a toddler, so making that bet ourselves.

[Anonymous]

OP here - We are very open to diversity. My kids are in 2nd and 3rd and so we don't have that long before middle school will be upon us!

I agree that the top students aren't going to have any issues regardless of school - but from what it looks like now, my kids are doing average in school and aren't going to be exceptional students (which I am fine with - I just want to make sure they aren't in a school where they are going to fall through the cracks.)