Downcounty schools
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Anonymous
Forgot Viers Mill. It has been known as kind of a model Title I school (one of the first to win a blue ribbon, high scores for everyone on MSA, etc). As a result, more and more of the non-FARMs families are sending their kids there instead of moving or trying to afford private. The FARMs rate has been dropping steadily over the years, and I heard from a parent that they might not be Title I next year. But it might not be down county enough for OP, as part of the assignment area is technically in Rockville. |
Anonymous
| I've heard great things about Viers Mill. A friend of mine has one child there and another in a well regarded DC private...and is always talking about how the one at VM is learning more sooner than the one at the DC private. |
Anonymous
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Viers Mill is amazing. My son has really thrived there. It's a combination of a great principal, caring staff, and a very involved PTA. On back to school night it's standing room only. The parents in that school support the teachers and the teachers do not feel they are alone.
I think VMES is the model of when people in DCUM attribute the success of the W schools to parental involvement. The demographics of VMES qualified it for FARMS status yet people do not feel they are getting a subpar education or are surrounded by less academically inclined peers. The outcome of this success is that test scores have gone up and people in the neighborhod took notice. More and more neighbors send their kids here and not to private. The result of that is increased economic status. Next year VMES moves from a Title 1 school to a focus school. |
Anonymous
| I have kids who have progressed through elementary, middle, and high schools in the DCC, and I'm seeing much less of the "run for the hills" mentality once the kids hit middle school than in the past. I'm not sure if it's for economic reasons, that the schools in the area are on an upswing (and many are), that Silver Spring is becoming more "hip", or people are becoming less fearful of those who are different than them, or another reason entirely. Whatever the reason, I'm glad I see people staying as their children get older and go on to high school. I love my house, my neighborhood, my friends and neighbors, and my kids' Silver Spring schools. They are getting a great education and have tons of opportunities. I don't see myself as sacrificing their education one bit. I would advise OP to pick the house you like in the neighborhood you like, and send your kids to the local school. |
Anonymous
| Pp - I can believe that but which HS cluster are you in? The ending points are not of equal acceptability in the DCC and I want to avoid moving DC at HS level to start fresh. |
Anonymous
Different PP here (the SS ES "expert")--Blair is the one that everyone wants/thinks is best, but the others have different strengths. Einstein has a strong IB program as well. Parents of current and recently graduated Northwood students have had positive things to say on DCUM, while people who are not parents of current or recently graduated Northwood students generally have negative things to say. Wheaton is usually labeled as the "bad" school, and jokingly referred to as a "W" school (get it? 'Cuz it's AWFUL and nothing like those desirable Bethesda schools!) Yet I know a newly appointed administrator who specifically sought out a position there, due to the "pro-student" work being done and the great community reputation. I will admit that I have no idea about Kennedy, as the it's rarely mentioned on DCUM, and the only graduate I know from there is a little turd. You will have to decide for yourself what counts as "acceptable" in terms of high school. Here is the cluster list, but it does not provide home schools for HS (it's all DCC): http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/uploadedFiles/schools/090613-2014_SchoolClusterList.pdf Eastern MS defaults to Blair, Newport Mill MS to Einstein, Sligo to Northwood (or possibly Einstein), and Parkland/Loiederman/Argyle to Wheaton (I'm fairly certain). Not 100% sure about the others, but off the top of my head location-wise, Takoma Park MS to Blair? Lee and and Silver Spring International, I'm not sure. Somebody has to be zoned for Kennedy. But it's somewhat moot because your DC will have options and can have a decent shot at going to a school that's not the "home" school in the DCC. Blair is most difficult to get into because of its popularity, but that doesn't mean you're stuck with only one option. |
Anonymous
| Sligo goes to Einstein, not Northwood. |
Anonymous
Yes, much less "run for the hills". It is funny - was talking to a neighbor and we commented on the number of kitchen remodels and additions going on - which tends to be a sign that the family is making it their "forever home." Zoned for Einstein, have a child in HGC and while we may explore the MS magnets, not feeling like we have to start staging the house if our kids go to the local MS. No worries about HS - very excited for the IB. |
Anonymous
OP here, on the market, and I can tell you that many of the homes I've looked at have had completely renovations, and the asking price is much higher than the highest estimates on reputable sites, but families are moving, so those many be flips. Still a good sign that the neighborhoods are becoming more desirable or sought- after. |
Anonymous
Thanks for the correction! So, OP, looked at any houses yet? |
Anonymous
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PP again. Yes, you are definitely seeing a few flips on the market. The renovations I was referring to were just among friends and neighbors that I know aren't moving.
Our neighborhood is probably behind any of the neighborhoods in the W districts that had their small and old houses grabbed up, updated and sold. There are houses that are being sold by the original owners (with lovely 1950s bathrooms and kitchens) and some of them are selling for a lower price or people are grabbing them and flipping. There are even a few that are foreclosures and are getting gutted and then there are just some who are moving for other reasons. I agree with some of the prior posters - the DCC is big and there are some good schools, some up and coming, and some not so up and coming. You can certainly find good ESs. Middle schools are harder so you will want to pay closer attention. For HSs, Blair is supposed to be the best but it is also huge. I have heard great things about Einstein and the IB so that is our plan. Don't know enough about Kennedy and Northwood to have an opinion other than heard that some kids selected these schools for a smaller field and don't know anything about Wheaton other than a friend with a kid in the biotech program which sounds absolutely amazing (but not a home school program - it is application based). |
Anonymous
PP here. We're in the Northwood cluster. Elementary was fantastic, middle school was fine (but it's still middle school), and Northwood has been great for my DS. Smaller than most schools, challenging classes - maybe even too challenging in some cases, sports, band, good friends. His teachers and coaches go above and beyond for their students. I am always struck by how genuinely nice most of the kids there seem (say hello, hold the door for me, say thank you when I hold the door). And the new principal, who came from Takoma Park Middle School, seems to have the students' and teachers' respect and get things done. It not perfect, but it works for us. No plans to move when my other two start high school. |
Anonymous
No, it goes to both. We are assigned to Sligo and to Northwood. Live off Dennis and Inwood. |
Anonymous
| High school assignment in DCC is based on elementary school, not middle school. So some middle schools are split between two high schools |
Anonymous
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"Anonymous
High school assignment in DCC is based on elementary school, not middle school. So some middle schools are split between two high schools" Crappy idea. What if all your kids' friends end up at a different HS? |