Schools in Gaithersburg

[Anonymous]

We are happy with the Diamond ES/Lakelands Park MS/Northwest schools area. Check it out

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:Unfortunately I am househunting in this market. I am orginally from the area but not familiar with the current schools situation in Gaithersburg. I have elementary schools kids but would like to stay in an area until Highschool. What is the school situation in Gaithersburg? I looked at a house zoned for Magruder and Gaithersburg High.

Any insights are appreciated.

All MCPS schools are pretty much the same. They have the same pool of teachers and even the same curriculum. Yes, there are minor demographic differences that affect bulk test score averages but this isn't as important as some people might have you believe. In the end the same kid will get the same education at any MCPS school.

This lie gets repeated over and over on DCUM (not sure why) but it is not true at all. I’ve had kids at various schools and it’s not been our experience. Some schools seem to hold the kids more accountable for their work, teachers offer better feedback. And some schools take a much more lax approach.

Also, ‘minor demographic differences’? That is obviously a lie, otherwise people wouldn’t have been pushing for diversity busing and boundary changes in the name of equity. There are some schools that are vastly different from others when you looks at demographics.

Actually it's the truth but sure real estate agents hate it when this gets out.

Saying all MCPS is the same might be true from the MCPS administration standpoint, but not as a parent. I'm glad you're taking the time to find the right fit for your kids. You can google old newspaper articles and make your own family decisions.

Here are two profiles you can compare.

https://ww2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/regulatoryaccountability/glance/currentyear/schools/04510.pdf
https://ww2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/regulatoryaccountability/glance/currentyear/schools/04551.pdf

Since QO was mentioned, here is that profile as well:

https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/regulatoryaccountability/glance/currentyear/schools/04125.pdf

Good luck on your house hunt!

An interesting Data point:
Graduation Rate: 80%, 88%, 91%



Thanks about it, out of these 3 numbers, which % of graduation rate is acceptable to you?

Interesting that Magruder has higher SAT scores than Quince Orchard. I would not have expected that.

Magruder parent here. It only did this year, I think. During COVID, I think only the kids who really wanted (and could) go to college took it. Other than encouraging as much participation as possible.

[Anonymous]

We were in Gaithersburg and then we moved out of state into a high performing school district. My kids are adapting. But, despite being in compacted math in MCPS, and scoring 4s on the PARCC (sp?) test, they are behind now that we've moved. Their work habits are also not up to snuff since the MCPS focus schools have very loose rules about due dates, and kids can retake tests or redo homework as many times as they want. Although the curriculum may be the same, the expectations for the students is lower, and it may cause some issues later when they enter a less permissive environment. The neighborhoods are good, though, agree with the East Mont Village poster.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Unfortunately I am househunting in this market. I am orginally from the area but not familiar with the current schools situation in Gaithersburg. I have elementary schools kids but would like to stay in an area until Highschool. What is the school situation in Gaithersburg? I looked at a house zoned for Magruder and Gaithersburg High.

Any insights are appreciated.

All MCPS schools are pretty much the same. They have the same pool of teachers and even the same curriculum. Yes, there are minor demographic differences that affect bulk test score averages but this isn't as important as some people might have you believe. In the end the same kid will get the same education at any MCPS school.

This lie gets repeated over and over on DCUM (not sure why) but it is not true at all. I’ve had kids at various schools and it’s not been our experience. Some schools seem to hold the kids more accountable for their work, teachers offer better feedback. And some schools take a much more lax approach.

Also, ‘minor demographic differences’? That is obviously a lie, otherwise people wouldn’t have been pushing for diversity busing and boundary changes in the name of equity. There are some schools that are vastly different from others when you looks at demographics.

Actually it's the truth but sure real estate agents hate it when this gets out.

Saying all MCPS is the same might be true from the MCPS administration standpoint, but not as a parent. I'm glad you're taking the time to find the right fit for your kids. You can google old newspaper articles and make your own family decisions.

Here are two profiles you can compare.

https://ww2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/regulatoryaccountability/glance/currentyear/schools/04510.pdf
https://ww2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/regulatoryaccountability/glance/currentyear/schools/04551.pdf

Since QO was mentioned, here is that profile as well:

https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/regulatoryaccountability/glance/currentyear/schools/04125.pdf

Good luck on your house hunt!

An interesting Data point:
Graduation Rate: 80%, 88%, 91%



Thanks about it, out of these 3 numbers, which % of graduation rate is acceptable to you?

Interesting that Magruder has higher SAT scores than Quince Orchard. I would not have expected that.

Magruder parent here. It only did this year, I think. During COVID, I think only the kids who really wanted (and could) go to college took it. Other than encouraging as much participation as possible.

I assume that would apply to every HS that year. I curious how the scores compare to regular years. Magruder has a National merit scholar this year, so there are certainly decent academic options that don’t hold back high achievers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Unfortunately I am househunting in this market. I am orginally from the area but not familiar with the current schools situation in Gaithersburg. I have elementary schools kids but would like to stay in an area until Highschool. What is the school situation in Gaithersburg? I looked at a house zoned for Magruder and Gaithersburg High.

Any insights are appreciated.

All MCPS schools are pretty much the same. They have the same pool of teachers and even the same curriculum. Yes, there are minor demographic differences that affect bulk test score averages but this isn't as important as some people might have you believe. In the end the same kid will get the same education at any MCPS school.

This lie gets repeated over and over on DCUM (not sure why) but it is not true at all. I’ve had kids at various schools and it’s not been our experience. Some schools seem to hold the kids more accountable for their work, teachers offer better feedback. And some schools take a much more lax approach.

Also, ‘minor demographic differences’? That is obviously a lie, otherwise people wouldn’t have been pushing for diversity busing and boundary changes in the name of equity. There are some schools that are vastly different from others when you looks at demographics.

Actually it's the truth but sure real estate agents hate it when this gets out.

Saying all MCPS is the same might be true from the MCPS administration standpoint, but not as a parent. I'm glad you're taking the time to find the right fit for your kids. You can google old newspaper articles and make your own family decisions.

Here are two profiles you can compare.

https://ww2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/regulatoryaccountability/glance/currentyear/schools/04510.pdf
https://ww2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/regulatoryaccountability/glance/currentyear/schools/04551.pdf

Since QO was mentioned, here is that profile as well:

https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/regulatoryaccountability/glance/currentyear/schools/04125.pdf

Good luck on your house hunt!

An interesting Data point:
Graduation Rate: 80%, 88%, 91%



Thanks about it, out of these 3 numbers, which % of graduation rate is acceptable to you?

Interesting that Magruder has higher SAT scores than Quince Orchard. I would not have expected that.

Magruder parent here. It only did this year, I think. During COVID, I think only the kids who really wanted (and could) go to college took it. Other than encouraging as much participation as possible.

I assume that would apply to every HS that year. I curious how the scores compare to regular years. Magruder has a National merit scholar this year, so there are certainly decent academic options that don’t hold back high achievers.

Magruder average SAT scores and percent tested, per Schools at a Glance:

2021: 1144, 26%
2020: 1049, 73%
2019: 1067, 75%
2018: 1127, 54%
2017: 1093, 56%

[Anonymous]

OP I truly understand you delima
However you get one chance to educate your kids

Gaithersburg is full stop a no.

The other is doable but I would not.

I would do North West or QO over the other two.

[Anonymous]

Gaithersburg as a mailing address covers a very large area. It includes well-off neighborhoods like the Kentlands and Lakelands as well as a number of poor housing complexes. So there's not much generalization to be made.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Gaithersburg as a mailing address covers a very large area. It includes well-off neighborhoods like the Kentlands and Lakelands as well as a number of poor housing complexes. So there's not much generalization to be made.

Depending on how old your kids are, Crown HS is scheduled open in Aug '27. I think the hottest place to be will be Downtown Crown when Crown opens.

There is a lot of speculation where Crown will pull their students from, since it involves QO, NW, Wootton, Gaithersburg HS, and the board will be put under a lot of pressure on that decision. The majority of FARMS kids are good kids who don't cause issues, but there are a few nearby communities with significant gang and drug dealing problems. Crown is also physically close to a number of "DC commuter" communities, medical / research facilities, Downtown Crown and Rio Washingtonian Center, which all would not be welcoming to drug/gang subcultures since it hurts their financial bottom line.

I know there is a strong push by certain individuals to accept a good percentage of FARMS students at Crown to make it like Blair, but I think that strategy would backfire. If a brand-new school gets trashed or the kids get arrested for serious incidents, it would be newsworthy. The more negative articles are published, I'm also guessing that Rio and the surrounding neighborhoods (who already have a lot of surveillance cameras set up because of the nighttime activities) won't be friendly towards HS kids hanging out after school if they cause issues (vandalism, package theft, etc.). That will generate a lot of complaints (heck, these folks complain about dogs pooping on their yard in social media, post photos of kids taking halloween candy bowls, etc.), and if Downtown Crown / Rio gets tarnished, the Council members will start jumping in. That's the kind of attention MCPS doesn't want or need, since their pursestrings are tied to the Council.

I also think that Crown would be the perfect location for a mid-county Magnet program. As it stands, putting magnets at Blair and Poolesville alienates the mid-county area and increases the logistical transportation burden. MCPS has always fought opening up a midcounty Magnet program and I never understood why? Makes no sense.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Gaithersburg as a mailing address covers a very large area. It includes well-off neighborhoods like the Kentlands and Lakelands as well as a number of poor housing complexes. So there's not much generalization to be made.

Depending on how old your kids are, Crown HS is scheduled open in Aug '27. I think the hottest place to be will be Downtown Crown when Crown opens.

There is a lot of speculation where Crown will pull their students from, since it involves QO, NW, Wootton, Gaithersburg HS, and the board will be put under a lot of pressure on that decision. The majority of FARMS kids are good kids who don't cause issues, but there are a few nearby communities with significant gang and drug dealing problems. Crown is also physically close to a number of "DC commuter" communities, medical / research facilities, Downtown Crown and Rio Washingtonian Center, which all would not be welcoming to drug/gang subcultures since it hurts their financial bottom line.

I know there is a strong push by certain individuals to accept a good percentage of FARMS students at Crown to make it like Blair, but I think that strategy would backfire. If a brand-new school gets trashed or the kids get arrested for serious incidents, it would be newsworthy. The more negative articles are published, I'm also guessing that Rio and the surrounding neighborhoods (who already have a lot of surveillance cameras set up because of the nighttime activities) won't be friendly towards HS kids hanging out after school if they cause issues (vandalism, package theft, etc.). That will generate a lot of complaints (heck, these folks complain about dogs pooping on their yard in social media, post photos of kids taking halloween candy bowls, etc.), and if Downtown Crown / Rio gets tarnished, the Council members will start jumping in. That's the kind of attention MCPS doesn't want or need, since their pursestrings are tied to the Council.

I also think that Crown would be the perfect location for a mid-county Magnet program. As it stands, putting magnets at Blair and Poolesville alienates the mid-county area and increases the logistical transportation burden. MCPS has always fought opening up a midcounty Magnet program and I never understood why? Makes no sense.

LOL.. no, BOE will want to make things more equitable, and that means making sure Crown HS has its share of FARMs students, pulling in from GHS and QO. Most of the FARMs students in RM cluster (also impacted by Crown) live too close to RMHS to be zoned for Crown. And Wootton almost has no FARMs students. Not sure about NW neighborhoods.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Unfortunately I am househunting in this market. I am orginally from the area but not familiar with the current schools situation in Gaithersburg. I have elementary schools kids but would like to stay in an area until Highschool. What is the school situation in Gaithersburg? I looked at a house zoned for Magruder and Gaithersburg High.

Any insights are appreciated.

All MCPS schools are pretty much the same. They have the same pool of teachers and even the same curriculum. Yes, there are minor demographic differences that affect bulk test score averages but this isn't as important as some people might have you believe. In the end the same kid will get the same education at any MCPS school.

This lie gets repeated over and over on DCUM (not sure why) but it is not true at all. I’ve had kids at various schools and it’s not been our experience. Some schools seem to hold the kids more accountable for their work, teachers offer better feedback. And some schools take a much more lax approach.

Also, ‘minor demographic differences’? That is obviously a lie, otherwise people wouldn’t have been pushing for diversity busing and boundary changes in the name of equity. There are some schools that are vastly different from others when you looks at demographics.

Actually it's the truth but sure real estate agents hate it when this gets out.

Saying all MCPS is the same might be true from the MCPS administration standpoint, but not as a parent. I'm glad you're taking the time to find the right fit for your kids. You can google old newspaper articles and make your own family decisions.

Here are two profiles you can compare.

https://ww2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/regulatoryaccountability/glance/currentyear/schools/04510.pdf
https://ww2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/regulatoryaccountability/glance/currentyear/schools/04551.pdf

Since QO was mentioned, here is that profile as well:

https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/regulatoryaccountability/glance/currentyear/schools/04125.pdf

Good luck on your house hunt!

An interesting Data point:
Graduation Rate: 80%, 88%, 91%



Thanks about it, out of these 3 numbers, which % of graduation rate is acceptable to you?

Interesting that Magruder has higher SAT scores than Quince Orchard. I would not have expected that.

Magruder parent here. It only did this year, I think. During COVID, I think only the kids who really wanted (and could) go to college took it. Other than encouraging as much participation as possible.

I assume that would apply to every HS that year. I curious how the scores compare to regular years. Magruder has a National merit scholar this year, so there are certainly decent academic options that don’t hold back high achievers.

Magruder average SAT scores and percent tested, per Schools at a Glance:

2021: 1144, 26%
2020: 1049, 73%
2019: 1067, 75%
2018: 1127, 54%
2017: 1093, 56%

Interesting but given the SES differences at these schools and varied demography I'd look more that the average by cohort to get a real sense

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Unfortunately I am househunting in this market. I am orginally from the area but not familiar with the current schools situation in Gaithersburg. I have elementary schools kids but would like to stay in an area until Highschool. What is the school situation in Gaithersburg? I looked at a house zoned for Magruder and Gaithersburg High.

Any insights are appreciated.

All MCPS schools are pretty much the same. They have the same pool of teachers and even the same curriculum. Yes, there are minor demographic differences that affect bulk test score averages but this isn't as important as some people might have you believe. In the end the same kid will get the same education at any MCPS school.

This lie gets repeated over and over on DCUM (not sure why) but it is not true at all. I’ve had kids at various schools and it’s not been our experience. Some schools seem to hold the kids more accountable for their work, teachers offer better feedback. And some schools take a much more lax approach.

Also, ‘minor demographic differences’? That is obviously a lie, otherwise people wouldn’t have been pushing for diversity busing and boundary changes in the name of equity. There are some schools that are vastly different from others when you looks at demographics.

Actually it's the truth but sure real estate agents hate it when this gets out.

Saying all MCPS is the same might be true from the MCPS administration standpoint, but not as a parent. I'm glad you're taking the time to find the right fit for your kids. You can google old newspaper articles and make your own family decisions.

Here are two profiles you can compare.

https://ww2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/regulatoryaccountability/glance/currentyear/schools/04510.pdf
https://ww2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/regulatoryaccountability/glance/currentyear/schools/04551.pdf

Since QO was mentioned, here is that profile as well:

https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/regulatoryaccountability/glance/currentyear/schools/04125.pdf

Good luck on your house hunt!

An interesting Data point:
Graduation Rate: 80%, 88%, 91%



Thanks about it, out of these 3 numbers, which % of graduation rate is acceptable to you?

Interesting that Magruder has higher SAT scores than Quince Orchard. I would not have expected that.

Magruder parent here. It only did this year, I think. During COVID, I think only the kids who really wanted (and could) go to college took it. Other than encouraging as much participation as possible.

I assume that would apply to every HS that year. I curious how the scores compare to regular years. Magruder has a National merit scholar this year, so there are certainly decent academic options that don’t hold back high achievers.

Magruder average SAT scores and percent tested, per Schools at a Glance:

2021: 1144, 26%
2020: 1049, 73%
2019: 1067, 75%
2018: 1127, 54%
2017: 1093, 56%

Interesting but given the SES differences at these schools and varied demography I'd look more that the average by cohort to get a real sense

My DC graduated from Magruder fairly recently and had 1500 SAT. Most of friends were over 1300. I think it just goes to show that there is a high cohort at any school. More in the lower end than a W school but if your kid is smart and motivated they can be challenged and successful anywhere in MCPS.

[Anonymous]

Is Gaithersburg HS really that bad? My BIL’s family lives in a multi-million dollar home neighborhood in Laytonsville where the vast majority of the high school aged kids go to GHS. I’d find it hard to believe that these parents who live in $1.5M homes & are very educated would ever send their kid to a school that’s as bad as being what’s described here.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is Gaithersburg HS really that bad? My BIL’s family lives in a multi-million dollar home neighborhood in Laytonsville where the vast majority of the high school aged kids go to GHS. I’d find it hard to believe that these parents who live in $1.5M homes & are very educated would ever send their kid to a school that’s as bad as being what’s described here.

No, it's not. Gaithersburg HS is our home high school. I live in a neighborhood of $800k+ homes. My neighbors and I have all been very happy with GHS. When we moved here 20 years ago and asked about the HS, my neighbor said to ignore the averages. "Your kids will be in advanced classes along with many other academically strong kids and won't be interacting with students learning English or in remedial classes. It won't be a problem." And that was true.

This board is full of very opinionated folks who need to justify their own choices by dismissing the choices of others. In reality, a lot of people living downcounty have no idea of what upcounty neighborhoods and schools are like (and how much it has changed in the past 20 years.) As usual, your own SES status is the best predictor of your own children's academic success.