Is MCPS that much different than DCPS?

[Anonymous]

Various PPs, thank you for the feedback: the data on RM, and the comparison bt JR and BCC and GDS.

For the poster noting that the students who excel are taking AOPS and CTY, sigh, I agree, .. such a shame to then have to use free time outside of school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Various PPs, thank you for the feedback: the data on RM, and the comparison bt JR and BCC and GDS.

For the poster noting that the students who excel are taking AOPS and CTY, sigh, I agree, .. such a shame to then have to use free time outside of school.

Most aren’t doing these programs for MS/HS because by that point kids are involved in extracurriculars or especially in HS taking classes on their level.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have a child in 7th grade in DCPS and considering moving to MCPS. But, I'm wondering if it's worth making the move. In other words, I've noticed in DCPS low standards / expectations, and I'm wondering if public schools in the greater DC area in general are about equally watered down bc of demographic, political, policy forces that have swept across US public education over the past 30 years. ... therefore the only real difference between schools is the socio-economic / demographic make-up of each school, which is driven basically by the housing stock / prices.

MCPS is an excellent school system but you need to put in some effort for it to work. If you're one of those parents who expect the county to raise your kid and parent, it's probably not for you.

[Anonymous]

Thank you. Understood. It is no magic bullet. But at least, as a public system, it seems better structured, systematized, administered and transparent. Understood, it is not like private school where you can do a bit more of "standing back" trusting that your child is not getting lost.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thank you. Understood. It is no magic bullet. But at least, as a public system, it seems better structured, systematized, administered and transparent. Understood, it is not like private school where you can do a bit more of "standing back" trusting that your child is not getting lost.

One of the PPs here who left DCPS for MCPS but still recommended private school if you can swing it. I agree with your analysis. Overall, MCPS is better run than DCPS. I also think that secondary schools are better overall in MCPS than in SCOS, even JR and Walls.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Various PPs, thank you for the feedback: the data on RM, and the comparison bt JR and BCC and GDS.

For the poster noting that the students who excel are taking AOPS and CTY, sigh, I agree, .. such a shame to then have to use free time outside of school.

Most aren’t doing these programs for MS/HS because by that point kids are involved in extracurriculars or especially in HS taking classes on their level.

We stuck with AoPS through MS/HS because the MCPs Math curriculum is just so bad. Especially during Covid, it was sorely lacking. (At least, at our school - the Algebra MCAP results were abysmal.)

Our MS also puts all the kids in Advanced English, so that is a useless class. Definitely a waste of time, and my kid took writing classes over the summers to develop her writing skills in MS/HS.

I agree it sucks and I wish they would actually learn these skills IN school. But, AoPS and writing classes were still cheaper for us than private school. Kept my fingers crossed that my kid would stay away from drugs (prevalent in pretty much every MCPS school, IME) and stuck it out with MCPS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Various PPs, thank you for the feedback: the data on RM, and the comparison bt JR and BCC and GDS.

For the poster noting that the students who excel are taking AOPS and CTY, sigh, I agree, .. such a shame to then have to use free time outside of school.

Most aren’t doing these programs for MS/HS because by that point kids are involved in extracurriculars or especially in HS taking classes on their level.

We stuck with AoPS through MS/HS because the MCPs Math curriculum is just so bad. Especially during Covid, it was sorely lacking. (At least, at our school - the Algebra MCAP results were abysmal.)

Our MS also puts all the kids in Advanced English, so that is a useless class. Definitely a waste of time, and my kid took writing classes over the summers to develop her writing skills in MS/HS.

I agree it sucks and I wish they would actually learn these skills IN school. But, AoPS and writing classes were still cheaper for us than private school. Kept my fingers crossed that my kid would stay away from drugs (prevalent in pretty much every MCPS school, IME) and stuck it out with MCPS.

drugs are also prevalent in private schools. They are just more expensive drugs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have a child in 7th grade in DCPS and considering moving to MCPS. But, I'm wondering if it's worth making the move. In other words, I've noticed in DCPS low standards / expectations, and I'm wondering if public schools in the greater DC area in general are about equally watered down bc of demographic, political, policy forces that have swept across US public education over the past 30 years. ... therefore the only real difference between schools is the socio-economic / demographic make-up of each school, which is driven basically by the housing stock / prices.

MCPS is an excellent school system but you need to put in some effort for it to work. If you're one of those parents who expect the county to raise your kid and parent, it's probably not for you.

We are extremely involved parents, proud helicopter parents and your statement is not true and because we are so involved we can see what mcps is lacking to make up for but mcps can do a lot better.