HGC: Pine Crest/Oak View vs. Drew?

[Anonymous]

We are thinking of moving from SS to Olney in Spring/Summer and our DD has applied to the HGC. Assuming she gets in, and assuming it's possible to switch the designated HGC, what are the differences between Pine Crest, Oak View, and Drew? I'm actually not sure whether if admitted she would go to Pine Crest or Oak View, I just know our school feeds into both but I'm not sure how that works. I realize that we are not gauranteed a choice between the feeder school and Drew if we do move. But, if we do have a choice, it may factor into our decision to move or to wait until MS. I'm interested in finding out more about the comparisons of the programs and whether one is more well regarded than another.

[Anonymous]

You don't have a choice- your child will be assigned either Oak View or Pine. Crest.

[Anonymous]

If you stay in SS and your child is invited to go to the Center, you will be assigned either Pine Crest or Oakview. They are the same Center - just different locations (Pine Crest didn't have enough space for the third classroom back when the Center was expanded.)

If you are invited and then move, I do not believe you will be able to send your child to Drew unless there is space (not something you can depend on).

Why do you care whether your child can choose between Pine Crest and Oakview?

[Anonymous]

OP here: my question is not about Pine Crest v. Oak View (although I did not understand what would determine where, it doesn't matter). My question is whether there are differences between the Oak View/Pine Crest HGC's and the Drew HCG and what they are. I realize we may not have a choice, but I have received varying information about this. I have heard of kids being accepted to the school feeding into the new location after moving if there is space. I'm not interested in that debate, but if anyone has info on how and if Drew is different in any way, any information would be great!

[Anonymous]

I've heard that the after care at Drew is not good, uf that is relevant to your decision.

[Anonymous]

OP again: more interested in the quality of the programs, but that info about after care is also relevant. Can kids go to KAH after Pine Crest or Oak View. We ADORE KAH!

[Anonymous]

FYI - there is almost never space so don't count on that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP again: more interested in the quality of the programs, but that info about after care is also relevant. Can kids go to KAH after Pine Crest or Oak View. We ADORE KAH!

They can bus to Highland View and go to KAH there.

[Anonymous]

I don't see how you are going to get any feedback on this because few if any people have any experience with both programs (Pine Crest/Oak View v. Drew).

There probably are differences though. There are differences even between Pine Crest and Oak View. I know this because I have a child at one of those schools and he rides the bus with children who go to the other so I have spoken to many parents who have children at the other. If your child gets in to the HGC, it seems risky to move to another HGC area. Your child might get a spot but I don't know how likely that would be. I know that MCPS encourages calling if you are moving and have applied to the HGC. I'm sure that they could answer that question but would not be able to tell you if the Pine Crest/Oak View HGC or the Drew HGC would be better for your family.

If you don't feel strongly that your child attends an HGC then you should go ahead and move to the area where you intend to settle.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't see how you are going to get any feedback on this because few if any people have any experience with both programs (Pine Crest/Oak View v. Drew).

There probably are differences though. There are differences even between Pine Crest and Oak View. I know this because I have a child at one of those schools and he rides the bus with children who go to the other so I have spoken to many parents who have children at the other. If your child gets in to the HGC, it seems risky to move to another HGC area. Your child might get a spot but I don't know how likely that would be. I know that MCPS encourages calling if you are moving and have applied to the HGC. I'm sure that they could answer that question but would not be able to tell you if the Pine Crest/Oak View HGC or the Drew HGC would be better for your family.

If you don't feel strongly that your child attends an HGC then you should go ahead and move to the area where you intend to settle.

What are the differences between Pine Crest and Oak View?

[Anonymous]

Oak View has only one section for each grade so it has a more intimate feel. The FARMS rate is higher at Oak View. There is less parental involvement. They don't celebrate Halloween.

[Anonymous]

Substantively, differences between Pine Crest and Oak View:

Pine Crest = heavy homework load; one 4th grade teacher who is known for being quite strict.
Oak View = school proactively does not believe in too much homework and does believe in the kids having other life interests.

Child will tell you that he thinks math is stronger at Pine Crest and reading/writing is stronger at Oak View. But that's just because he wishes MCPS math would go faster. Both Oak View HGC teachers are fantastic.

Oak View has an intimate feel. It is perfect for a child who doesn't particularly like large and overwhelming environments. It does not have onsite before/after care.

The classroom projects do seem to vary by teacher. I've heard of different projects between teachers at Pine Crest and between Pine Crest and Oak View.

Can't speak at all to differences between these two schools and Drew, but I can say that my child is happy at Oak View and many of his friends and his brothers' friends have loved Pine Crest.

[Anonymous]

Pine Crest is excellent - the homework load was fine in 4th and has been quite large in 5th. Having said that the 5th grade teachers (and the 4th for that matter) are great. The 4th grade teachers are rigid, but good. They are not mean.

Have a friend in Olney who told me a friend pulled her daughter out of Drew because it wasn't different from home school. No one would say that about Pine Crest. The pace and the amount of work is that of a middle schooler.

[Anonymous]

I'm sure the math is the same, though of course teaching varies.

I've also heard that there is more homework at Pine Crest than at Oak View.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Pine Crest is excellent - the homework load was fine in 4th and has been quite large in 5th. Having said that the 5th grade teachers (and the 4th for that matter) are great. The 4th grade teachers are rigid, but good. They are not mean.

Have a friend in Olney who told me a friend pulled her daughter out of Drew because it wasn't different from home school. No one would say that about Pine Crest. The pace and the amount of work is that of a middle schooler.

In my opinion, the homework at Oak View is also greater in 5th than in 4th.