Is MCPS that much different than DCPS?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here.

Poster from 1/20 11:28 and 18:58 – could you recommend a MCPS cluster?
I know the ones always touted are the Ws + BCC. In terms of housing stock, I can probably financial swing WJ, and parts of BCC, and parts of Wooten. I am Asian American, and am a little worried about the singular academic intensity that a large AsAm population will bring to a school, and I know Wooten has a large AsAm population. My son does travel soccer, and some other stuff, so I am trying to find “balance,” although I know all parent’s have their own definition of balance.

I’d appreciate if trollers don’t turn this into accusations of racism and “it’s all about SES” discussion.

Poster from 1/20 12:19 – how did you find AOPS ELA?
My son did the one for middle schoolers last fall. He liked it, but I couldn’t figure out what he’s getting out of it. From DC, AOPS is a track. So I didn’t continue. I think one of the upsides of moving to MCPS is just being closer to services like AOPS which seem to be more plentiful in MoCo.

Bottom line is, if my kid was self motivated and said, hey mom, the AP Geography class/teacher isn't good, could you get me some self study books, I'll study on my own -- well then, we could be in any school system. But my son is not, and needs external standards, expectations and motivations (eg: mandatory HW, clear grading, etc.) -- when these exists, he does respond, because he does care and is decently compliant. Without these external standards, it becomes me setting them, and creating more conflict between him and me, ... and too hard.

If you don't want a pressure cooker, don't do Wootton or Churchill.

Maybe look at BCC or RM. They both have IB programs. RM has more Asian American population. JW MS has about 20% Asian Am. population. RM has about 26% or so(?), where the extra comes from the IB magnet program.

-Asian American parent

[Anonymous]

OP here. I've looked into RM non-IB program a bit, bc I think my kid would be better in the non-IB program and take IB classes, than in the magnet IB program. I've heard that at times they feel like the 2nd child in terms of resources, attention, etc. Is there structure, systems, real HW, not overly focused on equity? Or is that reserved for the magnet IB program, and the non IB "suffers" the watering down / equity issues?

[Anonymous]

We had the same issues you do. Sent our kid to a private for middle school and a large co-ed Catholic HS.

[Anonymous]

I re-read your posts. BCC sounds ideal if you are averse to sending him to a Catholic HS, which normally are under $25k. Remember the benefits of DC Tag - it may be better to stay in DC for college.

[Anonymous]

DC Tag is only $10,000 for another state school, and most tuitions for out of state students is beyond that.

Thank you for the reccomm on BCC.

I would love to do Catholic, but with two kids, too hard. Although the younger may be more academically inclined and may do fine in a large public.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I've looked into RM non-IB program a bit, bc I think my kid would be better in the non-IB program and take IB classes, than in the magnet IB program. I've heard that at times they feel like the 2nd child in terms of resources, attention, etc. Is there structure, systems, real HW, not overly focused on equity? Or is that reserved for the magnet IB program, and the non IB "suffers" the watering down / equity issues?

I'm the PP.

I have one kid in each - IB and non IB.

There are some AP courses a student can take starting 9th grade. The "honors" classes are basically on level classes. "Honors" designation in MCPS is a joke. The classes are hit and miss like most HS. I don't get the sense that non IB students are second class since the vast majority of the school is non IB. As for the "equity", watered down curriculum, that is a problem across MCPS since the curriculum is pretty much the same across all of MCPS. My non IB kid hasn't complained much about bad teachers, yet.

IMO, RM is pretty well rounded.

-Their athletics is pretty good from what I understand.
-Black Maskers is the oldest theater program in MCPS (I believe). Their shows are really well done. There are also other arts programs.
-RM is also pretty close to Montgomery Community College, and there is a dual enrollment program where a student can take college credit courses at MCC rather than AP test (and AP courses). The program is open to all MCPS students but I call it out because it's really close to RM.
-RM also has open lunch because the school is huge. It is located right next to Rockville Town Center and the Pike so a lot of kids do go out to lunch. That can be good or bad, depending on how you look at it, but I know my older DC loves it.
-"Main Street" in the RM building is really cool. I really like that area. It's the main area in front of the cafeteria, and they made it like "main street" where they have cafe tables/chairs where kids can hang out.
-RM is one of the most diverse HS in MCPS, both racially and SES. The neighborhoods are all over the place, from UMC to MC/LC on the east side of Rockville.

My kids seem to really like RMHS. Obviously, they haven't experienced other HS so they can't compare, but they seem to like it just fine.

Do be aware that there is a new HS opening around 2027 which will impact RMHS boundary.

[Anonymous]

Thank you. May I ask.... if you had to take a guess, what is the AsianAm population for the non-magnet IB population? Thank you.

[Anonymous]

We've done DCPS, MCPS and private. If you have the $$$ to move to Montgomery County, use it to send your kids to private instead.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thank you. May I ask.... if you had to take a guess, what is the AsianAm population for the non-magnet IB population? Thank you.

DP. Julius West is the only feeder middle school to RM, and their Asian population is 17.1%.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Thank you. May I ask.... if you had to take a guess, what is the AsianAm population for the non-magnet IB population? Thank you.

DP. Julius West is the only feeder middle school to RM, and their Asian population is 17.1%.

and you can check out the demographics of each school/cluster here:

Last year's data:
https://ww2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/sharedaccountability/glance/index.aspx

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We've done DCPS, MCPS and private. If you have the $$$ to move to Montgomery County, use it to send your kids to private instead.

Why waste money on an inferior product when you can have a better product for free?

[Anonymous]

We moved from DC to BCC. We were at JR and are very happy with the move. Trust me, there is more consistency in teachers, more advanced opportunities, not as much mayhem in the hallways, and less stress. Downside? JR starts almost an hour later which is the best they have going for them. My daughter made great friends and now has friends in both schools. Also no chaos after school, less fighting and more learning. DCPS has a lot on it's plate to deal with and are doing a good job but they are not able to compete with the W's or BCC. My neighbor left BCC for GDS and the workload is similar, clubs are similar but a smaller more sheltered feel which they like. Same amount of drugs/mischief in all the schools according to my daughter.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It used to be night and day but nowadays not so much. MCPS decline has been very sad to watch.

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We've done DCPS, MCPS and private. If you have the $$$ to move to Montgomery County, use it to send your kids to private instead.

Why waste money on an inferior product when you can have a better product for free?

Just get into your DeLorean and head on back to 1985 and sign up for MCPS.

[Anonymous]

Wow OP. I could have written your post because we faced EXACTLY the same issues for middle school. We are neither DCPS or MCPS but another burb that used to have good schools and high standards. I didn’t realize the same policies, such as optional homework, were being implemented across so many school districts. We are moving to private school for HS. My child’s peers who are staying in public are very bright and no doubt will be very successful when it comes to college apps. But the ones who are actually learning rigorous college prep content are doing aops and cty outside of school. I can’t stomach sending my kid to school to waste time, and then have to use up precious free time outside of school to make up for what is not being taught at school.