Best "overall" DCC trios?

[Anonymous]

OP, my kids went to TPES and PBES, and both schools were great. My oldest is sensitive. I agree w/ an earlier PP that sometimes the playground can seem overwhelming. We were very happy w/ TPMS and Blair as well (oldest just graduated).
TP house prices have skyrocketed. You might look at homes on 410 or Carroll. It isn't too bad (we lived on one). Or, there is a sliver east of NH Ave that has more affordable homes and is zoned for these schools. There are a few pockets of affordability.
ESS is also a great choice and homes in that catchment seem to be slightly more affordable over all.
We love the community here. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We've been happy with Takoma. It has a metro station a short walk from the ES and MS. Also a walkable downtown. Some features of the schools that attracted us over other areas include:

TPES (accelerated math + STEM)
PBES (local CES w/ 10%+ of school)
TPMS (25 seat local set aside for magnet)
Bliar (CAP + SMCS + access to magnet classes for everyone)

One thing that drew us TKPK were the community and schools. The community is diverse and engaged. As for the schools, they won't have the highest GS rating or anything, but in my opinion, they offer unique opportunities with broad access to enrichment like smaller class sizes in ES, the local CES and magnets. One of my children is currently in the TPMS magnet and the other is in the Blair STEM magnet so it worked out great for us.

[Anonymous]

I grew up in Potomac. I never want to raise my kids there. I think the OP is on the right track. I would go for the dual immersion schools. I am expecting my first in September and we are looking at the school issue right now. We may be priced out of OTES, though. Maybe Flora Singer will go immersion? I want to buy a home and stay there, not move every 3 years.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I grew up in Potomac. I never want to raise my kids there. I think the OP is on the right track. I would go for the dual immersion schools. I am expecting my first in September and we are looking at the school issue right now. We may be priced out of OTES, though. Maybe Flora Singer will go immersion? I want to buy a home and stay there, not move every 3 years.

Gaithersburg ES will be starting the two-way immersion program in the fall. I haven't heard about any other additional sites coming. (The existing schools are Brown Station, Kemp Mill, Oakland Terrace, Rolling Terrace, and Washington Grove.)

[Anonymous]

I love that this discussion is showcasing all these wonderful programs within the county. Many of which aren't especially obvious to an outsider and nobody is citing silly metrics but focusing on actual opportunities.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I love that this discussion is showcasing all these wonderful programs within the county. Many of which aren't especially obvious to an outsider and nobody is citing silly metrics but focusing on actual opportunities.

What this poster is saying is if you look at the academic track records of these schools for the average student, they may not be stellar. There is a big difference between being one of a few students in a special program (ex. magnet) versus the overall student body of the school. I think MCPS has to push the idea that the schools in Silver Spring are better than other parts of the county since they have a lot of political capital invested there and elections are coming up. Not the best endorsement, but it is what it is.

[Anonymous]

My DH grew up in Chevy Chase and went to the immersion program at Rock Creek Forest ES. He is still fluent in Spanish 20 years later. He is adamant our (soon to be born) twins go thru an immersion program, so we will either do the application program or buy a home in a dual immersion area. I appreciate this thread for updates.

Does anyone know offhand if there is PRE-K with immersion?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My DH grew up in Chevy Chase and went to the immersion program at Rock Creek Forest ES. He is still fluent in Spanish 20 years later. He is adamant our (soon to be born) twins go thru an immersion program, so we will either do the application program or buy a home in a dual immersion area. I appreciate this thread for updates.

Does anyone know offhand if there is PRE-K with immersion?

Not public options. But there are some private preschools with immersion like Des Colores in Takoma DC

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I love that this discussion is showcasing all these wonderful programs within the county. Many of which aren't especially obvious to an outsider and nobody is citing silly metrics but focusing on actual opportunities.

What this poster is saying is if you look at the academic track records of these schools for the average student, they may not be stellar. There is a big difference between being one of a few students in a special program (ex. magnet) versus the overall student body of the school. I think MCPS has to push the idea that the schools in Silver Spring are better than other parts of the county since they have a lot of political capital invested there and elections are coming up. Not the best endorsement, but it is what it is.

No that's not what I meant. I feel there is no such thing as the "average" student especially around here. These bulk averages aren't especially meaningful since they are simply a reflection of an area's overall SES, and at least where I live there is significant SES diversity. One poster keeps saying that the same kid will do the same at any school. Well, that rings true. My kids go to these schools and are in magnet programs, but they also always scored the 99% on all these metrics. Being at a school that was a GS 6 or 7 didn't actually matter. In fact, in early ES it helped because the higher FARMS rate just meant small class sizes. Sure, there were a few English language learners that struggled with reading but there was also a group of kids that read a year or two over grade level. My point is they always had a cohort of similar kids and amazing opportunities like the CES or magnets to help them grow and develop.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I love that this discussion is showcasing all these wonderful programs within the county. Many of which aren't especially obvious to an outsider and nobody is citing silly metrics but focusing on actual opportunities.

What this poster is saying is if you look at the academic track records of these schools for the average student, they may not be stellar. There is a big difference between being one of a few students in a special program (ex. magnet) versus the overall student body of the school. I think MCPS has to push the idea that the schools in Silver Spring are better than other parts of the county since they have a lot of political capital invested there and elections are coming up. Not the best endorsement, but it is what it is.

No that's not what I meant. I feel there is no such thing as the "average" student especially around here. These bulk averages aren't especially meaningful since they are simply a reflection of an area's overall SES, and at least where I live there is significant SES diversity. One poster keeps saying that the same kid will do the same at any school. Well, that rings true. My kids go to these schools and are in magnet programs, but they also always scored the 99% on all these metrics. Being at a school that was a GS 6 or 7 didn't actually matter. In fact, in early ES it helped because the higher FARMS rate just meant small class sizes. Sure, there were a few English language learners that struggled with reading but there was also a group of kids that read a year or two over grade level. My point is they always had a cohort of similar kids and amazing opportunities like the CES or magnets to help them grow and develop.

I've been thinking along these lines too. Since admissions to these special programs are also based on local norms, a student has better odds of being selected at these schools than being at a more homogenous school with a larger high-achieving cohort also.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I love that this discussion is showcasing all these wonderful programs within the county. Many of which aren't especially obvious to an outsider and nobody is citing silly metrics but focusing on actual opportunities.

What this poster is saying is if you look at the academic track records of these schools for the average student, they may not be stellar. There is a big difference between being one of a few students in a special program (ex. magnet) versus the overall student body of the school. I think MCPS has to push the idea that the schools in Silver Spring are better than other parts of the county since they have a lot of political capital invested there and elections are coming up. Not the best endorsement, but it is what it is.

No that's not what I meant. I feel there is no such thing as the "average" student especially around here. These bulk averages aren't especially meaningful since they are simply a reflection of an area's overall SES, and at least where I live there is significant SES diversity. One poster keeps saying that the same kid will do the same at any school. Well, that rings true. My kids go to these schools and are in magnet programs, but they also always scored the 99% on all these metrics. Being at a school that was a GS 6 or 7 didn't actually matter. In fact, in early ES it helped because the higher FARMS rate just meant small class sizes. Sure, there were a few English language learners that struggled with reading but there was also a group of kids that read a year or two over grade level. My point is they always had a cohort of similar kids and amazing opportunities like the CES or magnets to help them grow and develop.

I've been thinking along these lines too. Since admissions to these special programs are also based on local norms, a student has better odds of being selected at these schools than being at a more homogenous school with a larger high-achieving cohort also.

Except it's lottery now. Sorry.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I love that this discussion is showcasing all these wonderful programs within the county. Many of which aren't especially obvious to an outsider and nobody is citing silly metrics but focusing on actual opportunities.

What this poster is saying is if you look at the academic track records of these schools for the average student, they may not be stellar. There is a big difference between being one of a few students in a special program (ex. magnet) versus the overall student body of the school. I think MCPS has to push the idea that the schools in Silver Spring are better than other parts of the county since they have a lot of political capital invested there and elections are coming up. Not the best endorsement, but it is what it is.

No that's not what I meant. I feel there is no such thing as the "average" student especially around here. These bulk averages aren't especially meaningful since they are simply a reflection of an area's overall SES, and at least where I live there is significant SES diversity. One poster keeps saying that the same kid will do the same at any school. Well, that rings true. My kids go to these schools and are in magnet programs, but they also always scored the 99% on all these metrics. Being at a school that was a GS 6 or 7 didn't actually matter. In fact, in early ES it helped because the higher FARMS rate just meant small class sizes. Sure, there were a few English language learners that struggled with reading but there was also a group of kids that read a year or two over grade level. My point is they always had a cohort of similar kids and amazing opportunities like the CES or magnets to help them grow and develop.

I've been thinking along these lines too. Since admissions to these special programs are also based on local norms, a student has better odds of being selected at these schools than being at a more homogenous school with a larger high-achieving cohort also.

Except it's lottery now. Sorry.

Even the lottery pool is based on local norms and that is also likely to end this year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I love that this discussion is showcasing all these wonderful programs within the county. Many of which aren't especially obvious to an outsider and nobody is citing silly metrics but focusing on actual opportunities.

What this poster is saying is if you look at the academic track records of these schools for the average student, they may not be stellar. There is a big difference between being one of a few students in a special program (ex. magnet) versus the overall student body of the school. I think MCPS has to push the idea that the schools in Silver Spring are better than other parts of the county since they have a lot of political capital invested there and elections are coming up. Not the best endorsement, but it is what it is.

No that's not what I meant. I feel there is no such thing as the "average" student especially around here. These bulk averages aren't especially meaningful since they are simply a reflection of an area's overall SES, and at least where I live there is significant SES diversity. One poster keeps saying that the same kid will do the same at any school. Well, that rings true. My kids go to these schools and are in magnet programs, but they also always scored the 99% on all these metrics. Being at a school that was a GS 6 or 7 didn't actually matter. In fact, in early ES it helped because the higher FARMS rate just meant small class sizes. Sure, there were a few English language learners that struggled with reading but there was also a group of kids that read a year or two over grade level. My point is they always had a cohort of similar kids and amazing opportunities like the CES or magnets to help them grow and develop.

I've been thinking along these lines too. Since admissions to these special programs are also based on local norms, a student has better odds of being selected at these schools than being at a more homogenous school with a larger high-achieving cohort also.

Except it's lottery now. Sorry.

Even the lottery pool is based on local norms and that is also likely to end this year.

MCPS has publicly stated both of these things on their website. The lottery pilot is ending in 22-23 and they did use local norms to calculate the top X% for pool selection.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I love that this discussion is showcasing all these wonderful programs within the county. Many of which aren't especially obvious to an outsider and nobody is citing silly metrics but focusing on actual opportunities.

What this poster is saying is if you look at the academic track records of these schools for the average student, they may not be stellar. There is a big difference between being one of a few students in a special program (ex. magnet) versus the overall student body of the school. I think MCPS has to push the idea that the schools in Silver Spring are better than other parts of the county since they have a lot of political capital invested there and elections are coming up. Not the best endorsement, but it is what it is.

No that's not what I meant. I feel there is no such thing as the "average" student especially around here. These bulk averages aren't especially meaningful since they are simply a reflection of an area's overall SES, and at least where I live there is significant SES diversity. One poster keeps saying that the same kid will do the same at any school. Well, that rings true. My kids go to these schools and are in magnet programs, but they also always scored the 99% on all these metrics. Being at a school that was a GS 6 or 7 didn't actually matter. In fact, in early ES it helped because the higher FARMS rate just meant small class sizes. Sure, there were a few English language learners that struggled with reading but there was also a group of kids that read a year or two over grade level. My point is they always had a cohort of similar kids and amazing opportunities like the CES or magnets to help them grow and develop.

I've been thinking along these lines too. Since admissions to these special programs are also based on local norms, a student has better odds of being selected at these schools than being at a more homogenous school with a larger high-achieving cohort also.

Why someone would leave a school that is high achieving low FARMs for a DCC school for a slightly harder math class is beyond me. It plays on the already high achieving parents and the want to achieve middle class but the most common outcome for overeducated STEM kids is back in education or research which isn’t really lucrative enough to end up with their kids back at the high achieving area.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I love that this discussion is showcasing all these wonderful programs within the county. Many of which aren't especially obvious to an outsider and nobody is citing silly metrics but focusing on actual opportunities.

What this poster is saying is if you look at the academic track records of these schools for the average student, they may not be stellar. There is a big difference between being one of a few students in a special program (ex. magnet) versus the overall student body of the school. I think MCPS has to push the idea that the schools in Silver Spring are better than other parts of the county since they have a lot of political capital invested there and elections are coming up. Not the best endorsement, but it is what it is.

No that's not what I meant. I feel there is no such thing as the "average" student especially around here. These bulk averages aren't especially meaningful since they are simply a reflection of an area's overall SES, and at least where I live there is significant SES diversity. One poster keeps saying that the same kid will do the same at any school. Well, that rings true. My kids go to these schools and are in magnet programs, but they also always scored the 99% on all these metrics. Being at a school that was a GS 6 or 7 didn't actually matter. In fact, in early ES it helped because the higher FARMS rate just meant small class sizes. Sure, there were a few English language learners that struggled with reading but there was also a group of kids that read a year or two over grade level. My point is they always had a cohort of similar kids and amazing opportunities like the CES or magnets to help them grow and develop.

I've been thinking along these lines too. Since admissions to these special programs are also based on local norms, a student has better odds of being selected at these schools than being at a more homogenous school with a larger high-achieving cohort also.

Why someone would leave a school that is high achieving low FARMs for a DCC school for a slightly harder math class is beyond me. It plays on the already high achieving parents and the want to achieve middle class but the most common outcome for overeducated STEM kids is back in education or research which isn’t really lucrative enough to end up with their kids back at the high achieving area.

The assumption that others share your worldview and values isn't accurate. Further, the schools to which you are referring aren't exactly high achieving but simply have fewer low-income students impacting their test average which is different. I found my kids got far more individual attention early elementary at a focus school and after that were in what is now called CES and magnets all the way to graduation. The homogenous but rather average schools which you call high-achieving lack comparable depth and rigor of these programs. This prepared them well to pursue their dreams...