In-boundary schools worth considering?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you are black, send your kids to a private school with a well-curated black population so that they can experience a critical mass of same race academic peers sometime before college, which is almost impossible anywhere w/in DCPS.

New poster here, what private school is this? Sounds like a fit for my family.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP - inner Montgomery County is also "inside the beltway." You might look at some Silver Spring neighborhoods that are walking distance to the metro and downtown. The area is diverse, has decent public schools comparable to Wilson, and is more walkable than areas of upper NW. Just something to consider depending on your reasons for wanting to be in DC proper.

Bumping because this is a very good tip. Bigger range of prices out there too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wilson has by far the highest test scores. I think a motivated kid can do fine at other schools so long as they aren't distracted by a majority of kids working below grade level. For example, Eastern has an International Baccalaureate program. A smart and focused kid who will do well anywhere might do well there and would stand out.

But Wilson is certainly the safest bet for having a larger group of kids working at grade level. It's also bigger than the other high schools so there are more electives and extracurriculars offered. There are charters and magnet schools too but you'd need to see how the lottery goes.

Are charters and magnet schools different from selective schools? I'm obviously still very early on in my planning, so Google is my friend, but can't hurt to ask!

People use different words to describe them, but magnet schools are test-in schools like School Without Walls, Banneker and Duke Ellington. Anyone can apply but there is selective admission criteria. Charters are city-wide schools. There are no selective admission criteria, but you need to lottery for a spot, as there are often more applicants than available slots.

McKinley Tech could b a good fit for OP.

Watch out. We know a couple white families at McKinley Tech. The school's teachers, college counselors and admins cheer when kids score 3s on AP math and sciences, all but useless scores for white kids applying to competitive colleges. Those kids need 4s and 5s on AP. The program serves low SES minorities who are welcome at elite colleges with 3s on AP tests.

Textbook example of Brookings findings.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Longtime DC resident and DCPS parent. Do yourself a favor and move to Northern Virginia.

Longtime DC resident, DCPS parent, and person who grew up in northern Virginia—move to upper NW.

I mean, this advice boils down to "Be Rich" and that's not particularly helpful advice for anyone.

Well, all the OP said he couldn't afford is Georgetown, so renting in NW should work.

[Anonymous]

U.S. News Best High Schools in District of Columbia

https://www.usnews.com/education/best-high-schools/district-of-columbia

[Anonymous]

What's the meaning of the rankings?

BASIS not top of the list although they got 2 into MIT this year, and last year.

I'm no BASIS booster--we turned down our 5th grade spot--but how many to MIT from Walls and Banneker (neither of which is a neighborhood school, OP).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you are black, send your kids to a private school with a well-curated black population so that they can experience a critical mass of same race academic peers sometime before college, which is almost impossible anywhere w/in DCPS.

New poster here, what private school is this? Sounds like a fit for my family.

NP. SJC, GDS and sometimes Maret.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you are black, send your kids to a private school with a well-curated black population so that they can experience a critical mass of same race academic peers sometime before college, which is almost impossible anywhere w/in DCPS.

New poster here, what private school is this? Sounds like a fit for my family.

NP. SJC, GDS and sometimes Maret.

Also DeMatha for boys

[Anonymous]

Still reading & taking notes, still grateful for all input!

[Anonymous]

Another thing to factor in when looking at a move for HS is if you care about public universities in a few years. DC TAG doesn't really compensate for the savings of going in-state to either VA or MD colleges. Generally, I'd say in the area VA has the edge for the variety of public universities.