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Schools and Education General Discussion
Where to move in MoCo for good schools?
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Anonymous
| When DS is old enough to attend public school, what are considered the best school districts in MoCo? DH and I both work in DC and we'd prefer to stay in the public school system, if possible. What is the conventional wisdom about where to live in order to take advantage of good public school education in MoCo - assuming we could afford to buy a house within the school district, which isn't a given. I'm thinking elementary through high school, although elementary school is more on the brain at the moment. I would appreciate any advice or guidance. |
Anonymous
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We're still a few years away from schools, but here's what we've heard:
Somerset Elementary is the best. Buy in Somerset of parts of Chevy Chase West (off Wisconsin between Friendship Hts and Bradley Blvd). SOmerset feeds into Westland Middle (fine, not great) and BCC - very good. Whitman is also supposed to be a great high school (in Bethesda). I think the middle and elementary are probably top notch as well, but Somerset is repeatedly mentioned as the best. The glitzier parts of Chevy Chase do not go to the greatest elementary schools (people I know go to private or look into immersion programs). |
Anonymous
| Moved to Somerset school district from DC and love the school! |
Anonymous
| Somerset, Burning Tree, Carderock Springs. |
Anonymous
| If you can't afford Potomac, Chevy Chase, or Bethesda and prefer not to live in the affordable part of Kensington (where homes are like tiny little shoeboxes) then I suggest checking out Olney and Brookeville. For elementary schools there: look at Belmont and Greenwood (both feed into Rosa Parks and then Sherwood). Yes, it is further out --- but big homes, with nice yards, walking trails, neighborhood pools, etc. are still affordable out there (with the exception of the million dollar + developments in Brookeville (which may become the next Potomac (ie: huge houses on huge lots that are very costly). |
Anonymous
I agree. Bethesda-Chevy Chase area is a no-brainer for good schools, but not necessarily affordable for many. Most of the County is great. You have to do more research in the Silver Spring/Takoma Park/Wheaton areas to find the gems. And you have to do some research in Germantown/Gaithersburg as well. I personally prefer the culture of upcounty. I love Olney. Could live and retire in Damascus. Or Poolesville. Or Darnestown. But the commute is too far for me. |
Anonymous
| Not all of Kensington houses are tiny, so I wouldn't abandon that whole area without looking. There are a range of sizes and prices. Kensington Parkwood Elementary School is fantastic and schools in that cluster are also zoned for Walter Johnson High School. |
Anonymous
| Check out the Walter Johnson clusters, as well as Wooton. Walter Johnson includes parts of Kensington, Garrett Park, Bethesda, and Rockville. Wooton is mostly Rockville, but the part west of 270, closer to Potomac. |
Anonymous
| There are also affordable nice places to live in north Rockville/Gaithersburg that feed into Quince Orchard HS or Richard Montgomery which are both considered good schools. To be honest the ONLY HS in MoCo that I have heard negative things about is Gaithersburg HS. |
Anonymous
Einstein has some issues. Springbrook too. |
Anonymous
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RE high schools with issues: add Wheaton and Kennedy. And perhaps Springbrook and Paint Branch.
RM has a better rep than Quince Orchard. RE Kensington: It all depends on how much $ you can afford for a home. If you are in the $400 to mid-500 range, then you will be limited to a very small home (3 bedrooms, 1.5 baths) in Kensington --- or a home that needs a ton of work. Take that money to Olney or Brookeville and you can find a 4/5 bedroom, 2.5/3 bath home with a big yard. Take that money to Bethesda, Chevy Chase or Potomac and maybe you can buy a condo 
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