What middle schools/high schools are best from introverted Black boys?

[Anonymous]

Why has this post devolved into a debate about Takoma Park? Takoma Park is a nice place. The schools are fine. Schools east of the county have more diverse demo and SES. Higher rate of FARMs and the schools are larger than west of the county. It’s not the wealthy enclave Bethesda is. If that’s what OP is looking for, that’s fine too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Black MCPS parent here. A lot of good comments said so far. One consideration is that even in diverse or majority minority schools, your child may experience racism and bullying on the basis of their skin color or ethnicity, especially if your child is Black American (non-immigrant).

Long story short, I don’t believe you will find a school in MCPS that will go above and beyond to protect your boy, without a fair amount of pushing and engagement on your part. You will need to be an advocate, actively engaged with school leadership and PTA, and with each teacher individually to foster that level of support and to establish accountability channels. We do it and it’s a lot of work, but it works.

This right here is why previous pps mentioned private. I would again suggest private.

I would also ask if your son is magnet caliber intelligent because that is the only way I'd suggest Blair. Einstein could be a good option. Otherwise, despite naysayers, the W schools are the only ones left with quality education for anyone - black, white, brown or purple. Wooton has some "race" incidents recently. Look up those threads or news for details.

Good luck OP!

Black boys in Silver spring have better outcomes on average.

Only if they're poor to start...

[Anonymous]

Black parent here, DCC schools would be a good option, I honestly suggest Wheaton, Northwood or Blair.

My DS graduated from Wheaton in 2022 and he was a bit introverted after he moved to another cluster (before moving to Wheaton, our home was zoned for him to go to Blake). He enjoyed it though!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Black MCPS parent here. A lot of good comments said so far. One consideration is that even in diverse or majority minority schools, your child may experience racism and bullying on the basis of their skin color or ethnicity, especially if your child is Black American (non-immigrant).

Long story short, I don’t believe you will find a school in MCPS that will go above and beyond to protect your boy, without a fair amount of pushing and engagement on your part. You will need to be an advocate, actively engaged with school leadership and PTA, and with each teacher individually to foster that level of support and to establish accountability channels. We do it and it’s a lot of work, but it works.

This right here is why previous pps mentioned private. I would again suggest private.

I would also ask if your son is magnet caliber intelligent because that is the only way I'd suggest Blair. Einstein could be a good option. Otherwise, despite naysayers, the W schools are the only ones left with quality education for anyone - black, white, brown or purple. Wooton has some "race" incidents recently. Look up those threads or news for details.

Good luck OP!

Going to private school alone doesn't ensure that kid will be well supported and not require parental engagement and school advocacy. I saw that from experience at an expensive DC school. Additionally, I'm sure there are lots of kids and parents at MCPS schools other that W schools who would say they are getting a quality education. There are magnet programs at other schools and AP/IB and DE course options that allow students to tailor their education.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:why does race matter

Because some people “don’t see race” and therefore, they are blind to policies and practices that single out Black and Brown boys for punishment while white and Asian boys engage in the same or worse behavior. And even though they allegedly “don’t see race”, they somehow consistently fail to offer highly capable and interested Black boys opportunities to take engaging courses or participate in “nerdy” extracurriculars.

As an MCPS teacher, I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had to intervene on behalf of a Black boy whom my “race blind” colleagues are either unfairly harassing or unfairly failing to encourage.

I'm sure you stand up for those Asian and white boys too- right? Right????

I’ve never seen an Asian or White boy be denied an opportunity to take a course or participate in a nerdy extracurricular. MCPS knows their parents wouldn’t tolerate it.

You have never seen a black boy denied the opportunity to participate in an extra curricular or take a course in mcps either.

[Anonymous]

He sounds like a sweet, academic boy. I think putting him in a place with FARMS and low expectations is the wrong thing, if only to see more diversity in the classrooms.

Putting him in a well funded and successful school with better college outcomes is more in tune with the sound of this kid. He will thrive and not face gangs or daily hassles, because those better funded schools have really strict policies that stop bad behaviors.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Black MCPS parent here. A lot of good comments said so far. One consideration is that even in diverse or majority minority schools, your child may experience racism and bullying on the basis of their skin color or ethnicity, especially if your child is Black American (non-immigrant).

Long story short, I don’t believe you will find a school in MCPS that will go above and beyond to protect your boy, without a fair amount of pushing and engagement on your part. You will need to be an advocate, actively engaged with school leadership and PTA, and with each teacher individually to foster that level of support and to establish accountability channels. We do it and it’s a lot of work, but it works.

This right here is why previous pps mentioned private. I would again suggest private.

I would also ask if your son is magnet caliber intelligent because that is the only way I'd suggest Blair. Einstein could be a good option. Otherwise, despite naysayers, the W schools are the only ones left with quality education for anyone - black, white, brown or purple. Wooton has some "race" incidents recently. Look up those threads or news for details.

Good luck OP!

PP I agree in part. Privates could help due to smaller class sizes. If $ is no object go for it, but in our experience the cost was worth it.

I agree, Blair, Einstein and Wheaton are all good schools. My oldest went to TPMS, Blair, nonmagnet/cap and has done well for himself (HBCU, Penn law). Parent engagement is the driver.

[Anonymous]

I'm would say it would be the same as the introverted white school and the introverted female Chinese nonbinary school

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Black MCPS parent here. A lot of good comments said so far. One consideration is that even in diverse or majority minority schools, your child may experience racism and bullying on the basis of their skin color or ethnicity, especially if your child is Black American (non-immigrant).

Long story short, I don’t believe you will find a school in MCPS that will go above and beyond to protect your boy, without a fair amount of pushing and engagement on your part. You will need to be an advocate, actively engaged with school leadership and PTA, and with each teacher individually to foster that level of support and to establish accountability channels. We do it and it’s a lot of work, but it works.

Also consider engaging your child in activities that acknowledges and celebrates Blackness. We often are engaged in activities in DC and PG, especially sports like swimming and tennis. There are also groups like Jack and Jill and Mocha Moms. If you are D9 or HBCU you can plug into those connections.

Thanks for this perspective. This is the OP. I was in Jack and Jill growing up so I’m definitely considering that for out here. Not sure which chapter is best given we aren’t from the area.

[Anonymous]

MCPS does not have a school that fits the bill. OP, if you're a member of a black professional organization, alumni group, greek organization, etc., ask a fellow member or colleague where they send their boys to school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why has this post devolved into a debate about Takoma Park? Takoma Park is a nice place. The schools are fine. Schools east of the county have more diverse demo and SES. Higher rate of FARMs and the schools are larger than west of the county. It’s not the wealthy enclave Bethesda is. If that’s what OP is looking for, that’s fine too.

Because any time somebody suggests that TP schools are good, someone has to come and disagree. And TP parents (of which I’m one) are super defensive. It’s a vicious cycle on DCUM.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:He sounds like a sweet, academic boy. I think putting him in a place with FARMS and low expectations is the wrong thing, if only to see more diversity in the classrooms.

Putting him in a well funded and successful school with better college outcomes is more in tune with the sound of this kid. He will thrive and not face gangs or daily hassles, because those better funded schools have really strict policies that stop bad behaviors.

This is hilariously untrue. To the extent that MCPS is struggling to deal with student behaviors post-Covid, it is true of every school in the county and particularly every high school. Here's a tip - every school in MCPS is a "place with FARMS." Some schools have higher poverty than others, but I would honestly rather have my child at Einstein with a bunch of hard-working Ethiopian kids than at Whitman with kids who know there can never be a consequence for their actions due to their race/wealth. That's actually a much more dangerous environment for a Black boy because white kids are often not aware of how their own behavior is excused while exposing their Black friends to tremendous danger.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:He sounds like a sweet, academic boy. I think putting him in a place with FARMS and low expectations is the wrong thing, if only to see more diversity in the classrooms.

Putting him in a well funded and successful school with better college outcomes is more in tune with the sound of this kid. He will thrive and not face gangs or daily hassles, because those better funded schools have really strict policies that stop bad behaviors.

This is hilariously untrue. To the extent that MCPS is struggling to deal with student behaviors post-Covid, it is true of every school in the county and particularly every high school. Here's a tip - every school in MCPS is a "place with FARMS." Some schools have higher poverty than others, but I would honestly rather have my child at Einstein with a bunch of hard-working Ethiopian kids than at Whitman with kids who know there can never be a consequence for their actions due to their race/wealth. That's actually a much more dangerous environment for a Black boy because white kids are often not aware of how their own behavior is excused while exposing their Black friends to tremendous danger.

I think you're confused. Whitman is not a private school that caters to rich people and their badly behaved kids. It kicks kids out who need kicking out. There is a zero tolerance policy that is enforced to do with hate behaviors and bullying. Both my kids at Whitman benefit from this hugely. As a parent I know this first hand.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:He sounds like a sweet, academic boy. I think putting him in a place with FARMS and low expectations is the wrong thing, if only to see more diversity in the classrooms.

Putting him in a well funded and successful school with better college outcomes is more in tune with the sound of this kid. He will thrive and not face gangs or daily hassles, because those better funded schools have really strict policies that stop bad behaviors.

This is hilariously untrue. To the extent that MCPS is struggling to deal with student behaviors post-Covid, it is true of every school in the county and particularly every high school. Here's a tip - every school in MCPS is a "place with FARMS." Some schools have higher poverty than others, but I would honestly rather have my child at Einstein with a bunch of hard-working Ethiopian kids than at Whitman with kids who know there can never be a consequence for their actions due to their race/wealth. That's actually a much more dangerous environment for a Black boy because white kids are often not aware of how their own behavior is excused while exposing their Black friends to tremendous danger.

I think you're confused. Whitman is not a private school that caters to rich people and their badly behaved kids. It kicks kids out who need kicking out. There is a zero tolerance policy that is enforced to do with hate behaviors and bullying. Both my kids at Whitman benefit from this hugely. As a parent I know this first hand.

Are you a parent of a black child?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:He sounds like a sweet, academic boy. I think putting him in a place with FARMS and low expectations is the wrong thing, if only to see more diversity in the classrooms.

Putting him in a well funded and successful school with better college outcomes is more in tune with the sound of this kid. He will thrive and not face gangs or daily hassles, because those better funded schools have really strict policies that stop bad behaviors.

This is hilariously untrue. To the extent that MCPS is struggling to deal with student behaviors post-Covid, it is true of every school in the county and particularly every high school. Here's a tip - every school in MCPS is a "place with FARMS." Some schools have higher poverty than others, but I would honestly rather have my child at Einstein with a bunch of hard-working Ethiopian kids than at Whitman with kids who know there can never be a consequence for their actions due to their race/wealth. That's actually a much more dangerous environment for a Black boy because white kids are often not aware of how their own behavior is excused while exposing their Black friends to tremendous danger.

I think you're confused. Whitman is not a private school that caters to rich people and their badly behaved kids. It kicks kids out who need kicking out. There is a zero tolerance policy that is enforced to do with hate behaviors and bullying. Both my kids at Whitman benefit from this hugely. As a parent I know this first hand.

Are you a parent of a black child?

I am a parent of more than one immigrant / foreign child with noticeable language and cultural differences.

Is that good enough for you?