Best Area for Public Schools
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Anonymous
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Hi All,
I may be moving to the DC area with 7-year old ds. Am thinking about Chevy Chase, Potomac, or Bethesda. Any thoughts on which would be best in terms of public schools? Thanks in advance for any insights! |
Anonymous
| In those areas, don't worry about the school and focus on the neighborhood YOU like. |
Anonymous
In your opinion, what makes the "best" public school? Test scores, PTO involvement, % of FARMS, diversity, etc. What are you looking for? |
Anonymous
| Look at greatschools.com |
Anonymous
Education, love of learning, safe/happy environment, prep to get into a good college. |
Anonymous
| It's the same curriculum throughout MoCo. Only the demographics vary. |
Anonymous
How about quality of teachers, after-school options, or (less important) facilities? |
Anonymous
| In Bethesda, CC and Potomac, I don't think you'll find wild differences in teacher quality or facilities. At an elementary level, some schools have hyper-engaged PTAs that organize a bevy of after-school activities, some schools probably have fewer. Churchill and Whitman HS have highest test scores (and the lowest proportion of lower-income students and students of any racial/ethnic background other than white or Asian.) But the annual stats in Bethesda magazine seem to suggest that all the area schools do exceptionally well in college placement. Lots of people seem to love their particular elementaries, judging by these boards - I don't know if I've ever seen one in the Bethesda/Potomac/CC area that is routinely criticized or considered a less strong. |
Anonymous
Yes but if you have a lot of non-english speaking or a bunch of FARMS, the teachers are reaching out to those who need more help than the core class. It does make a difference in how a child learns. |
Anonymous
Therefore the OP is very safe in the areas she is looking at. Just pick the richest neighborhood than she is fine. |
Anonymous
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Test score wise the schools will be comparable. You can see is there are special programs that are only offered at the school like there is one elementary school in Potomac that offers Chinese immersion only offer to in-boundary or the IB program BCC is only open to in-boundary. Bethesda Elementary is known for inclusive classrooms and families with certain special needs have been happier there than at other of the "best" schools. Now I don't know if DH will be able to get into the Chinese immersion (may be too old or not interested) or IB program at BCC or end up having ADD diagnosis etc, so you go in not knowing if you will ever use what is only available to kids in that school boundary.
Other drivers are commute to job, neighborhood you like, price/space/condition of home. Potomac will generally be more space for the money but can be further out from some commuting spots (say if you end up needing 270 as part of a commute that also uses the Beltway). Certain parts of Bethesda and Chevy Chase can be walkable to stores etc versus Potomac but it isn't every neighborhood in Bethesda or Chevy Chase and you pay for that walkability in housing prices. |
Anonymous
Not true; schools with high FARMS and ESOL kids have additional support staff and smaller class sizes to help the children who need the extra help. But I'm sure the PP didn't know this, because she wouldn't dare send her child to such a school. |
Anonymous
They have more resources, but is it enough to make up for the extra work needed? |