Your experiences with the DCC

[Anonymous]

We're looking at real estate in the DCC. Our kids are young, but we'd like to not have to uproot again. We've heard a lot of negative rumors about Einstein which make me hesitate. So, for parents who have kids in the DCC, how is it? Are you well served by other magnet/IB options? If we opt for, and get into, a different high school than the one we're zoned for, are there busing options, or will DCs have to use Metro Bus to get to school? Lastly, if you were unhappy with the DCC schools, were there good private alternatives that don't break the bank?

We can't afford Bethesda and don't want to lengthen our commute by moving further out. Housing budget is around $600K.

[Anonymous]

You're not going to hear too many negatives about Einstein on here - unless it's from people that don't have actual experience with the school. I've seen numerous posts from parents happy with Einstein - I think it's reputation just hasn't caught up with those that aren't actually in the communities it serves. When we bought nearly 7 years ago, I had the same hesitancy re: Einstein, based on nothing more than it's fact sheet and "rumors". But now I probably would buy a house zoned to Einstein. That said, I think it's folly to count on getting into a different high school than the one you're zoned for - try looking for a recent thread on the DCC high school lottery for more info. For now, there are buses that serve the DCC high schools, although, many students do take the Metro bus to get to/from school because it is simply quicker and more convenient than the school bus routes.

[Anonymous]

We are just getting into the high school years and are waiting to hear about HS magnet acceptances. This is not because we don't like the local schools, though.

We had a very good experience in elementary and middle schools and would not hesitate to do the same again. (Forest Knolls and SSIMS.)

If your child applies to a school within DCC, there will be busses provided.

Honestly, I wouldn't worry too much about it. Silver Spring is great, neighbors are great, and you have to take a lot of the concern about schools with a grain of salt. Some people freak out if there are poor kids or kids of other races representing too high a percentage for their comfort level.
Certainly, Silver Spring schools are a different experience than Bethesda but in my opinion, there are a lot of advantages to being in a richer and more diverse environment.

I also know several people who have sent or send their kids to Einstein and are extremely happy with it. It's an IB school and has some interesting programs that focus on the arts and literature. One friend of mine had one kid go to Einstein and the second to BCC and said she thought Einstein was the better experience.

[Anonymous]

Niece and nephew (now 19 and 20 years old) graduated from Northwood and were happy and safe. They were both in honors classes, but not magnet material. They rode the school bus, even though they were zoned for Einstein (they wanted to go with their friends, it wasn't a slight at Einstein). A lot of people like Einstein too, although Blair is the gold star. Any of the DCC schools are going to have "bad kids." Your good kids just stay in their little good kid bubble and are fine.

Wheaton--based solely on reputation--is supposedly the one to avoid, but they are getting a new building and the area itself is turning around a bit, so who knows what the future holds. We live near WHS, but our kids are still preschool age and will likely move before this becomes a discussion.

I love living in Silver Spring (DH grew up here) and would take it over Bethesda any day. $600k will buy you plenty.

[Anonymous]

"the area itself is turning around a bit"

that's funny. Yes, they have built new apartnments downtown along GA Ave. But we live near Wheaton and don't see all that much evidence of a "turn-around" to date.

OP - depends on which school in the DCC. Some of the schools most people would view as unacceptable options based on student population - peer groups do matter. (I'm not snobby about the DCC, btw - this is where I am zoned.) Others like blair & sometimes Einstein are talked about as decent options with enough critical mass of "good kids" to feel safe sendng your kid.

[Anonymous]

"the area itself is turning around a bit"

that's funny. Yes, they have built new apartnments downtown along GA Ave. But we live near Wheaton and don't see all that much evidence of a "turn-around" to date.

Yes, as I said, a bit. Not completely, not even a lot. You can call it whatever you like, but there are a ton of nicer new homes being built in Wheaton, and Wheaton Plaza has become a very shoppable mall (compared to the past). Turning around means it's moving in an upward direction, not that it has arrived, so to speak.

If you live here and don't like it, then... move.

[Anonymous]

There are also neighborhoods that feed into Blair High School, including Takoma Park. $600k can get you a nice home in many parts of 20910, 20912 and 20901.

I know of a great house coming on the market in Takoma Park in June for $619k.

[Anonymous]

Bump

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:"the area itself is turning around a bit"

that's funny. Yes, they have built new apartnments downtown along GA Ave. But we live near Wheaton and don't see all that much evidence of a "turn-around" to date.

OP - depends on which school in the DCC. Some of the schools most people would view as unacceptable options based on student population - peer groups do matter. (I'm not snobby about the DCC, btw - this is where I am zoned.) Others like blair & sometimes Einstein are talked about as decent options with enough critical mass of "good kids" to feel safe sendng your kid.

I dunno -- I live in a really nice neighborhood in Silver Spring in the DCC. Really nice redone houses, lots of professionals ...

[Anonymous]

We moved to the Rockville cluster and are happy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There are also neighborhoods that feed into Blair High School, including Takoma Park. $600k can get you a nice home in many parts of 20910, 20912 and 20901.

I know of a great house coming on the market in Takoma Park in June for $619k.

Just for clarification, not all houses in 20901 zone to Blair.

[Anonymous]

we are in dcc and have no plans on moving. we are in 20910. we loooove it here.

[Anonymous]

12:46 mentioned programs at Einstein that focus on the arts and literature. I know there is a visual arts program that sounds great but is there something focused on literature or humanities?

[Anonymous]

I like the USNews list for some objective comparisons: http://www.usnews.com/education/best-high-schools/maryland/districts/montgomery-county-public-schools/sort%2Bcollege_readiness_index/sortdir%2Bdesc

Sort by "College Readiness" to get the list to sort descending. You might also look in the Richard Montgomery district, you can get a nice house there for your price range although the inventory right now is nonexistent.