Moving to Howard County

[Anonymous]

What are the top three elementary schools?
I look for diversity, strong arts curriculum, involved parents, small class size and strong academics.
Thanks

[Anonymous]

http://www.baltimoremommies.com/

[Anonymous]

Clemons crossing elementary is nice. No clue about any arts programs.

[Anonymous]

What's your budget?

The good schools (like Clarksville ES and MS and River Hill HS) are in very expensive areas.

similar to Mo Co in that sense

[Anonymous]

Thunder Hill ES is a fantastic school in a great neighborhood full of your families with an arts integration program. When we were looking, I had narrowed it down to either Thunder Hill or Clemens Crossing, and I liked the location and prices of homes in Thunder Hill more.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Clemons crossing elementary is nice. No clue about any arts programs.

I agree about Clemens Crossing. It's a great school. Clemens Crossing also feeds into Atholton High School which is also great. Pointer's Run and Clarksville Elementary Schools are also great schools that I recommend. There are other great schools in the northern part of the county in Ellicott City, but I'm assuming that you will be commuting to DC for work If you're not commuting to DC for work, then research the elementary schools in Ellicott City as well.

OP, look at the school's profiles on the Howard County School website. http://www.hcpss.org All the information that you need is posted on the school's profiles and their websites. You will find diversity/racial make-up at each school and other helpful information. Each school has a detail website about all the extra-curricular activities that they offer at the school. However, all the elementary schools in Howard County offer music and visual arts.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Clemons crossing elementary is nice. No clue about any arts programs.

+1 on Clemens. Feeds into Atholton which is also sought after.

[Anonymous]

Atholton is eh at best.

River Hill and Centennial have the best reputations.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thunder Hill ES is a fantastic school in a great neighborhood full of your families with an arts integration program. When we were looking, I had narrowed it down to either Thunder Hill or Clemens Crossing, and I liked the location and prices of homes in Thunder Hill more.

But doesn't Thunder Hill feed into Oakland Mills Middle and High Schools? What's the buzz there?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Thunder Hill ES is a fantastic school in a great neighborhood full of your families with an arts integration program. When we were looking, I had narrowed it down to either Thunder Hill or Clemens Crossing, and I liked the location and prices of homes in Thunder Hill more.

But doesn't Thunder Hill feed into Oakland Mills Middle and High Schools? What's the buzz there?

You want to avoid Oakland Mills and Long Reach HS. I would look into schools that feed into River Hill and Centennial. Next choices would be Mt Hebron and Howard.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Atholton is eh at best.

River Hill and Centennial have the best reputations.

Only if you want an extra long commute- you will hit a 2nd rush hour going north. Centennial is Ellicott City - would not commute if DC were involved in the equation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Thunder Hill ES is a fantastic school in a great neighborhood full of your families with an arts integration program. When we were looking, I had narrowed it down to either Thunder Hill or Clemens Crossing, and I liked the location and prices of homes in Thunder Hill more.

But doesn't Thunder Hill feed into Oakland Mills Middle and High Schools? What's the buzz there?

You want to avoid Oakland Mills and Long Reach HS. I would look into schools that feed into River Hill and Centennial. Next choices would be Mt Hebron and Howard.

Concur on OM and LR - Re: Mt. Hebron, I think its way too far north to be a practical suggestion.

[Anonymous]

Here you go OP:

http://www.hcpss.org/schools/profiles/prof_hs_all.pdf

I'm not sure why PP is recommending Howard...

[Anonymous]

What is great about Clemens crossing?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Atholton is eh at best.

River Hill and Centennial have the best reputations.

Only if you want an extra long commute- you will hit a 2nd rush hour going north. Centennial is Ellicott City - would not commute if DC were involved in the equation.

I was the first PP.

very true about Centennial area

A commute to Baltimore is fine.
even parts of Gaithersburg - that end of Mo Co

to DC? nope!