Northwest vs QO

[Anonymous]

So the answers will all be "buy in a 'W' cluster" but that's not in the $$ cards for us. Looking at houses in the QO & Northwest Clusters (near Kentlands). Pros of one over the other?

I work in Gaithersburg so looking to stay in that area.

[Anonymous]

We bought in that area and I wanted to buy a home zoned for QO but that didn't happen for us. I feel like QO has a better reputation but I think Northwest may be improving. DD is going into third and we are going to keep an eye on things and maybe we will end up sending her to Northwest after all. Otherwise we may move into the QO boundary.

Be aware that part of Rachel Carson may be rezoned to Dufief Elem (and presumably Wootton HS). And I understand that some of Northwest may eventually be rezoned for Seneca Valley. (the info about NW is under Clarksburg cluster in the below link to the planning document).

http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/planning/cipmaster.aspx

[Anonymous]

I live in the Northwest neighborhood but many friends send their kids to QO.

It depends.

Either school is good if your child will be in all honors/APs/signature programs.

NW has Ulysees program and (though I can't find it listed anywhere) an Engineering program. I also think there is a BIO tech program.

NW is getting a new principal this year, if that matters to you.

NW and QO have a great football rivalry, but I would give QO a little higher score for student spirit. NW lost the football coach 2 years ago, not sure how the new coach is doing.

QO has a little more wealth (which comes with problems) and NW has a reputation as having more FARM, but they have 27% FARM...QO 22% FARM. (For comparison, Seneca Valley has 38%, Wootton has 6%).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We bought in that area and I wanted to buy a home zoned for QO but that didn't happen for us. I feel like QO has a better reputation but I think Northwest may be improving. DD is going into third and we are going to keep an eye on things and maybe we will end up sending her to Northwest after all. Otherwise we may move into the QO boundary.

Be aware that part of Rachel Carson may be rezoned to Dufief Elem (and presumably Wootton HS). And I understand that some of Northwest may eventually be rezoned for Seneca Valley. (the info about NW is under Clarksburg cluster in the below link to the planning document).

http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/planning/cipmaster.aspx

Yes, they are going to expand Seneca and pull students from both Clarksburg and Northwest. Any idea which part of Northwest would go to Seneca?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We bought in that area and I wanted to buy a home zoned for QO but that didn't happen for us. I feel like QO has a better reputation but I think Northwest may be improving. DD is going into third and we are going to keep an eye on things and maybe we will end up sending her to Northwest after all. Otherwise we may move into the QO boundary.

Be aware that part of Rachel Carson may be rezoned to Dufief Elem (and presumably Wootton HS). And I understand that some of Northwest may eventually be rezoned for Seneca Valley. (the info about NW is under Clarksburg cluster in the below link to the planning document).

http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/planning/cipmaster.aspx

Yes, they are going to expand Seneca and pull students from both Clarksburg and Northwest. Any idea which part of Northwest would go to Seneca?

I have no idea. But I would guess it is areas closer to Seneca Valley. Does anyone know how these things have been done in the past? Is proximity a priority?

[Anonymous]

No diversity is the priority,

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No diversity is the priority,

well that can get that pretty much any way you cut it in the NW boundary - so beyond that do they consider proximity?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No diversity is the priority,

well that can get that pretty much any way you cut it in the NW boundary - so beyond that do they consider proximity?

they

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No diversity is the priority,

Both are taken into account but if the BCC MS#2 zoning is any indication, diversity trumps proximity.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No diversity is the priority,

Both are taken into account but if the BCC MS#2 zoning is any indication, diversity trumps proximity.

I can imagine its harder to find diversity in the BCC cluster than it will be in the Northwest cluster.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No diversity is the priority,

well that can get that pretty much any way you cut it in the NW boundary - so beyond that do they consider proximity?

Well, its easy to find "diversity" but is it easy to find the opposite...? It would seem to me that Seneca would be need to bring in wealthier families if diversity is to be balanced. The more wealthy areas zoned for Northwest are not close to Seneca Valley at all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No diversity is the priority,

well that can get that pretty much any way you cut it in the NW boundary - so beyond that do they consider proximity?

Well, its easy to find "diversity" but is it easy to find the opposite...? It would seem to me that Seneca would be need to bring in wealthier families if diversity is to be balanced. The more wealthy areas zoned for Northwest are not close to Seneca Valley at all.

Maybe wealthier families would be pulled in from Clarksburg HS?

Although in Germantown McNair ES and Matsunaga ES seem to have wealthier families.

It would be interesting to be a fly on the way when this is decided.....

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No diversity is the priority,

well that can get that pretty much any way you cut it in the NW boundary - so beyond that do they consider proximity?

Well, its easy to find "diversity" but is it easy to find the opposite...? It would seem to me that Seneca would be need to bring in wealthier families if diversity is to be balanced. The more wealthy areas zoned for Northwest are not close to Seneca Valley at all.

Maybe wealthier families would be pulled in from Clarksburg HS?

Although in Germantown McNair ES and Matsunaga ES seem to have wealthier families.

It would be interesting to be a fly on the way when this is decided.....

I live in Clarksburg and there's talk and speculation about this, but no one knows what will happen. If I had to guess, my guess would be that Gibbs will be rezoned to Seneca Valley. It would make the most sense proximity-wise to rezone Fox Chapel to Seneca Valley instead of Clarksburg HS, but that doesn't balance the diversity so I don't think that will happen.

[Anonymous]

Does anyone know when the redistricting of Northwest, CLarksburg, and Seneca Valley is going to happen and which neighborhoods will end up in Seneca Valley?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Does anyone know when the redistricting of Northwest, CLarksburg, and Seneca Valley is going to happen and which neighborhoods will end up in Seneca Valley?

No, nobody knows that -- except that it won't happen before the new Seneca Valley HS building is complete.