Pyle vs Westland MS - Bethesda

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here - thank you PP. That is the other thing: from what I hear, Whitman is academically stronger than BCC....would not want my kid to switch schools for HS.

Are you planning to move? You don’t get to pick schools.

Yes, can move to either school zone.

Stay put. Nothing special about either.

Thank you PP. I thought I read that Pyle was really strong. Also Whitman. I have been reading that BCC has been having problems with drugs etc.

It doesn't get much better than Pyle /Whitman. Just a fact. Everyone knows whether they admit it or not.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here - thank you PP. That is the other thing: from what I hear, Whitman is academically stronger than BCC....would not want my kid to switch schools for HS.

It’s not. Same curriculum, both have a mix of teacher quality, still tons of high achieving rich kids at BCC. Higher test scores don’t mean a thing in this context and if you think so such that it will impact your kid, you need to open your mind.

It just sounds like PP and OP want a whiter, wealthier school. Won’t change their own kids’ outcomes, but it does come with higher average test scores.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:hello,
Those of you with first-hand info; do you have feedback on these two MS? Either stronger academically/ enrichment/ electives than the other?

Thanks!

Are you joking? Of course Pyle.

OP here - why do you think I am joking? I came here for advice and feedback, not to be judged or mocked.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here - thank you PP. That is the other thing: from what I hear, Whitman is academically stronger than BCC....would not want my kid to switch schools for HS.

It’s not. Same curriculum, both have a mix of teacher quality, still tons of high achieving rich kids at BCC. Higher test scores don’t mean a thing in this context and if you think so such that it will impact your kid, you need to open your mind.

It just sounds like PP and OP want a whiter, wealthier school. Won’t change their own kids’ outcomes, but it does come with higher average test scores.

OP here: PP, I do not care what you think about me. I posted a question and am hoping for some honest, constructive feedback, not like the one you are offering. You do not know me, so cannot know why I am asking about these two school zones.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here - thank you PP. That is the other thing: from what I hear, Whitman is academically stronger than BCC....would not want my kid to switch schools for HS.

Maybe its overall test score average is higher, but that doesn't equate to better, just fewer low-income kids. The same opportunities, curriculum, and even pool of teachers are at all these schools, so there is not a lot of difference. Outcomes have more to do with home life and parental education level.

Thank you PP. I thought I read that Pyle might have more electives, clubs and afterschool activities than Westland?

If pyle has more, then Westland must have close to zero. I don't think either has much. Sports teams and plays are competitive and limited to small numbers of students, and there are hundreds of kids per grade competing for the spots. Not many other activities at all. Whitman is a different story.

Thank you PP. Does Whitman (and BCC) have a lot?

Yes, both high schools have a lot. I'm not sure why the PP asked if you were joking. Plenty of people choose Westland over Pyle. They're more similar than dissimilar.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here - thank you PP. That is the other thing: from what I hear, Whitman is academically stronger than BCC....would not want my kid to switch schools for HS.

It’s not. Same curriculum, both have a mix of teacher quality, still tons of high achieving rich kids at BCC. Higher test scores don’t mean a thing in this context and if you think so such that it will impact your kid, you need to open your mind.

It just sounds like PP and OP want a whiter, wealthier school. Won’t change their own kids’ outcomes, but it does come with higher average test scores.

OP here: PP, I do not care what you think about me. I posted a question and am hoping for some honest, constructive feedback, not like the one you are offering. You do not know me, so cannot know why I am asking about these two school zones.

Boy do you have a chip on your shoulder. Please go with Pyle!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here - thank you PP. That is the other thing: from what I hear, Whitman is academically stronger than BCC....would not want my kid to switch schools for HS.

It’s not. Same curriculum, both have a mix of teacher quality, still tons of high achieving rich kids at BCC. Higher test scores don’t mean a thing in this context and if you think so such that it will impact your kid, you need to open your mind.

It just sounds like PP and OP want a whiter, wealthier school. Won’t change their own kids’ outcomes, but it does come with higher average test scores.

OP here: PP, I do not care what you think about me. I posted a question and am hoping for some honest, constructive feedback, not like the one you are offering. You do not know me, so cannot know why I am asking about these two school zones.

Boy do you have a chip on your shoulder. Please go with Pyle!

OP - actually, the one with the chip is not me but you. Go back and review the thread and your comment and you will see.

[Anonymous]

Worry more about the high school vs middle school. Far more important

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Worry more about the high school vs middle school. Far more important

OP - yes, I know that, but ideally, I want my kid to go to same school pyramid and not have to e.g. go to Westland for MS and then Whitman for HS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Worry more about the high school vs middle school. Far more important

OP - yes, I know that, but ideally, I want my kid to go to same school pyramid and not have to e.g. go to Westland for MS and then Whitman for HS.

Okay, but why do you think that would be one of your choices? Westland doesn't feed to Whitman. We don't have school choice among the W Schools in MCPS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Worry more about the high school vs middle school. Far more important

OP - yes, I know that, but ideally, I want my kid to go to same school pyramid and not have to e.g. go to Westland for MS and then Whitman for HS.

Okay, but why do you think that would be one of your choices? Westland doesn't feed to Whitman. We don't have school choice among the W Schools in MCPS.

That's my point - I want to pick wisely, so kid goes to the MS that will feed to the HS.

[Anonymous]

Very happy at Pyle with my 6th grader.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Very happy at Pyle with my 6th grader.

OP here - thank you

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here - thank you PP. That is the other thing: from what I hear, Whitman is academically stronger than BCC....would not want my kid to switch schools for HS.

Maybe its overall test score average is higher, but that doesn't equate to better, just fewer low-income kids. The same opportunities, curriculum, and even pool of teachers are at all these schools, so there is not a lot of difference. Outcomes have more to do with home life and parental education level.

Thank you PP. I thought I read that Pyle might have more electives, clubs and afterschool activities than Westland?

If pyle has more, then Westland must have close to zero. I don't think either has much. Sports teams and plays are competitive and limited to small numbers of students, and there are hundreds of kids per grade competing for the spots. Not many other activities at all. Whitman is a different story.

Thank you PP. Does Whitman (and BCC) have a lot?

Yes, both high schools have a lot. I'm not sure why the PP asked if you were joking. Plenty of people choose Westland over Pyle. They're more similar than dissimilar.

Yes, it's just hair-splitting. The same kid would do fine at either.

[Anonymous]

Very happy with my 8th grader at Westland. The group of friends seems to make a big difference. The principal at Westland is wonderful. So far, teachers are a mix - yes, there are a couple in three years that have not been amazing, but there have also been several that are really excellent. And honestly, middle school is a tough age, no matter the school. I hear about vaping in the bathrooms etc at Westland but that seems to be MCPS-wide.