"Neighborhood-y" elementary schools ultimately feeding Whitman and/or BCC?

[Anonymous]

Over on the DCPS board, there's an interesting chain about the "neighborhoodiness" of the areas served by various elementary schools. The OP there asked "how 'neighborhood-y' the various neighborhoods are -- where do the parents all know each others' kids, and where can kids easily get themselves to school, their friends' houses, playgrounds, and other social centers?" I think that's a great question and would love to learn that kind of information about the neighborhoods that ultimately serve Whitman and/or BCC. (Some of the posters on the DC board talk about "Sesame Street neighborhoods" -- walkable, lots of kids, parks or other social centers, maybe a few interesting shops or restaurants -- which I also think is a great way of putting it.) Many thanks in advance for any insights!

[Anonymous]

Why the fixation with Whitman and BCC? You should look at the college exmissions with these schools. You can go to another solid MCPS high school, receive the same education, more diversity AND have less "competition" when applying to colleges.

[Anonymous]

Some of the neighborhoods that feed into Walter Johnson fit the bill I think. Neighborhoods like Old Farm, Luxmanor, the areas off Democracy by Davis Library, parts of Kensington and Garrett Park.

[Anonymous]

I'd guess that a lot of neighborhoods fit the bill, but generally I don't see as much traffic on this board regarding MoCo schools, unfortunately. We're in the BCC district but sadly I wouldn't describe our immediate neighborhood as terribly "neighborhoody" simply because we're on a busy street. But my sense is that just about everywhere else in this area does have a close-knit community feel.

[Anonymous]

What about neighborhoods like Glen Echo and Bannockburn?

[Anonymous]

Check out Wood Acres and the neighborhood where Westbrook Elementary is located (maybe it's called Westbrook). Both are close in, off Mass Ave. Wood Acres is in the Whitman cluster. Westbrook is in the BCC cluster.

[Anonymous]

I have heard that Wood Acres. Westbrook and Somerset all have lots of walkers which makes for a neighborhood feel. Wood Acres hasa great park right next to the school (not school property) and I believe Somerset does too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why the fixation with Whitman and BCC? You should look at the college exmissions with these schools. You can go to another solid MCPS high school, receive the same education, more diversity AND have less "competition" when applying to colleges.

You're so right, PP. But apparently, diversity - on many of these boards - is a dirty word.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have heard that Wood Acres. Westbrook and Somerset all have lots of walkers which makes for a neighborhood feel. Wood Acres has a great park right next to the school (not school property) and I believe Somerset does too.

Any restaurants/retail within an easy stroll of these areas? Libraries?

[Anonymous]

You could look at Bethesda elementary too. If you can afford to be within walking distance you will find a library, parks, and tons of restaurants/retail. Bethesda elementary feeds to both Whitman and BCC, depending on where you live.

By the way, BCC is pretty diverse.