MCPS Elementary or NW DCPS?

[Anonymous]

We need to move this summer and are looking at either Chevy Chase/Bethesda or NW DC. We have two kids, the youngest will start K in the fall. We have lived in DC for many years and would like to stay in the District but are nervous about the large class sizes at the most accomplished DC schools (JLKMM or whatever). However, I have heard and read that the MCPS ES' in the areas close to DC are also overcrowded (we don't want to move out of the Beltway for commuting purposes). Anyone out there have experience in both systems? Pros/cons? Our oldest is in private now but we are sick of it (status, cost, social dynamics, etc). We want to make the move so our youngest won't have to switch schools until middle school. TIA.

[Anonymous]

MCPS - Bethesda or Chevy Chase

[Anonymous]

How big are the classes at your local elementary?

[Anonymous]

We made the move after DS finished K in DC. We moved for the house, not the elementary schools, but MoCo's high school options were a definite plus. We still have many friends in the JKLMM schools and are in MoCo elementaries. Here are a few comments:

-- Elementary class sizes seem similar across the two jurisdictions. DCPS K often has a dedicated aide in K. MoCo aides seem to float more, but I think that the time they spend in the classroom seems similar.

-- If you don't want your child to switch physical schools until middle school, cross the Rosemary Hills/Chevy Chase/North Chevy Chase Elementary area off your list. RHPS is k-2, then kids go to either Chevy Chase or North Chevy Chase for 3-6.

-- Programming and PTA involvement seems similar at the elementary level. The one MoCo item that frustrates me is that the PTA cannot pay for school personnel. In NWDC, PTAs pay for the art/music/peace teacher etc. In MoCo, the county pays those salaries but we all get emails begging us to help supervise lunch and recess.

Some of the items that bothered us in our old DCPS school either have been or are being fixed through construction and/or personnel changes. It wasn't anything that made us want to change schools immediately, just some annoyances that made me wonder how long the DC system would work for us and whether our younger kids would be as happy there as DS was. We've had a great experience in MoCo schools and are quite happy with them.

You should really go look at the schools in the area that you're considering. They do periodic tours. It will give you an idea of the facilities, administration and student community that you will join.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thanks to the above poster. My youngest attends pre-K at a "rising" DCPS school so the class sizes for K and up are small (high teens, low 20s). From my visits to NW schools, the classes are slightly larger than that.

[Anonymous]

Rhps and cces are great schools. There is something nice about not having bigger kids in the primary school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

-- Programming and PTA involvement seems similar at the elementary level. The one MoCo item that frustrates me is that the PTA cannot pay for school personnel. In NWDC, PTAs pay for the art/music/peace teacher etc. In MoCo, the county pays those salaries but we all get emails begging us to help supervise lunch and recess.

I completely, totally support this MCPS policy.

Also, where do you live? I have experience with two elementary schools in MCPS, and I have never received a single e-mail asking for help supervising lunch or recess.