Overwhelmed with moving to MCPS

[Anonymous]

I would concur with those recommending renting. Even aside from the special needs issues, the DC area has a million small neighborhoods and enclaves and it will be really tough for you to know what you want. Rent in a location where you could afford to buy (and not switch schools) if you like the area. But it gives you an option. Plus, interest/mortgage rates will be lower a year from now.


Also, i think it was made clear above. But the magnet programs at the HS level are not lottery, but they're very hard to get into (and really tough when you get there). It's not a matter of qualifiying; it's a matter of being in the top 100 (or so) applicants.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are considering a move to MCPS from a small school district in the PNW. I am incredibly overwhelmed with all the schools and options.

I have one kid in middle school and one in elementary. Both are neurodivergent. Older kid is a high performer in all areas; was in the gifted program in her previous district. Younger kid is strong in math, not reading, and has other special needs.

It seems we are too late to get into magnet programs, and it’s difficult to find out about the honors and elective offerings for middle school.

I’m trying to decide what areas to focus on and I’m overwhelmed. We don’t have the budget for the top-performing areas. I keep finding articles about fights and drugs and weapons, and I’m nervous about safety.

Which schools or areas should I look into?

Some areas we are considering based on current research are:
-Takoma Park
-Four Corners
-Olney
-Damascus
-Clarksburg
-Urbana (not in MCPS and would be a longer than ideal commute, but seems to have a strong school system with less red-tape to navigate)

You must be kidding!

No to Damascus and olney and Clarksburg. All are too maga morons.

Look you want good schools W clusters or possibly Quince Orchid.

Otherwise move to Howard county. Better schools at this moment in time.

+1

[Anonymous]

OP here: Thank you, thank you, thank you to everyone who took the time to reply! I got so much great info out of the comments, and really do feel better about the move. We may go the rental route, but either way, I feel way more prepared and less nervous about this overall.

Oh, and for those who posted about the political leanings in certain areas, that was also helpful. We live in a part of the PNW that has some strong Proud Boys ties and part of our reason for moving is to get away from that, so it’s good to know that we might encounter that as we head further out of the city. Others had told us that was not really the case. I guess just another reason to be on the ground before we choose a more permanent home!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP I would strongly recommend you go for the best schools you can find and live in rented accommodation if necessary.

We lived in Bethesda for about 10 yrs and knew plenty of people who had moved there from places like Takoma Park which are great places to live, with beautiful old houses, but without adequate schooling.

The poster who said you need schools where rich parents wield influence, is correct. That is where you will find the most resources for your children.

As a teacher, I would have to agree with the influence factor of parents in Bethesda. School administrators are more responsive to parents there and if you don't yet have IEPs for your students, and believe you need not only the IEPs, but the actual services that go along with IEPs, then move to Bethesda if you can. I teach in a Title I school. It takes a really long time for students to obtain IEPs. And then, nothing changes. They remain in the same classrooms with no interventions except reporting from classroom teachers on "progress."

But there are many more choices than just "Bethesda" or "Title I schools."

Bethesda (and other wealthy areas) parents, as a group, carry more social and political capital than that of parents from other schools, especially Title I schools. That critical mass of capital sways their school administrators to being reflexively more responsive to special needs students.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are considering a move to MCPS from a small school district in the PNW. I am incredibly overwhelmed with all the schools and options.

I have one kid in middle school and one in elementary. Both are neurodivergent. Older kid is a high performer in all areas; was in the gifted program in her previous district. Younger kid is strong in math, not reading, and has other special needs.

It seems we are too late to get into magnet programs, and it’s difficult to find out about the honors and elective offerings for middle school.

I’m trying to decide what areas to focus on and I’m overwhelmed. We don’t have the budget for the top-performing areas. I keep finding articles about fights and drugs and weapons, and I’m nervous about safety.

Which schools or areas should I look into?

Some areas we are considering based on current research are:
-Takoma Park
-Four Corners
-Olney
-Damascus
-Clarksburg
-Urbana (not in MCPS and would be a longer than ideal commute, but seems to have a strong school system with less red-tape to navigate)

You must be kidding!

No to Damascus and olney and Clarksburg. All are too maga morons.

Look you want good schools W clusters or possibly Quince Orchid.

Otherwise move to Howard county. Better schools at this moment in time.

+1

Clarksburg too maga???? Clearly you don’t know anything about the Clarksburg area. Clarksburg is so diverse.

[Anonymous]

NP - I understand the idea of renting; however, the prices in this area are going up every year so, if you wait too long, you might miss the boat. We bought a townhome last year and identical townhomes in the same neighborhood are now selling for 100k more. Just something to keep in mind.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are considering a move to MCPS from a small school district in the PNW. I am incredibly overwhelmed with all the schools and options.

I have one kid in middle school and one in elementary. Both are neurodivergent. Older kid is a high performer in all areas; was in the gifted program in her previous district. Younger kid is strong in math, not reading, and has other special needs.

It seems we are too late to get into magnet programs, and it’s difficult to find out about the honors and elective offerings for middle school.

I’m trying to decide what areas to focus on and I’m overwhelmed. We don’t have the budget for the top-performing areas. I keep finding articles about fights and drugs and weapons, and I’m nervous about safety.

Which schools or areas should I look into?

Some areas we are considering based on current research are:
-Takoma Park
-Four Corners
-Olney
-Damascus
-Clarksburg
-Urbana (not in MCPS and would be a longer than ideal commute, but seems to have a strong school system with less red-tape to navigate)

You must be kidding!

No to Damascus and olney and Clarksburg. All are too maga morons.

Look you want good schools W clusters or possibly Quince Orchid.

Otherwise move to Howard county. Better schools at this moment in time.

+1

Clearly both of you have no idea of what you're talking about.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What is your budget and do you want a SFH? Urbana to Woodley F*** Park. Crazy. Nobody here knows anything about Urbana, Clarksburg, or even Damascus. You might as well be asking about the moon.

Actually some of us do know stuff about Clarksburg and even Damascus. Not Urbana, though, because that's not MCPS.

If someone in your family will be traveling regularly between home and D.C., I do not recommend Clarksburg or Damascus.

OP: thanks, that’s fair. There are people in the office who commute in daily from Columbia and Harper’s Ferry, so it seemed doable. I’ve seen other people complaining about traffic, but they (people in office) don’t seem to mind the commute.

I live in Four Corners and wouldn't count on getting to the zoo in less than 40 minutes. Wouldn't recommend going any further away.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We are considering a move to MCPS from a small school district in the PNW. I am incredibly overwhelmed with all the schools and options.

I have one kid in middle school and one in elementary. Both are neurodivergent. Older kid is a high performer in all areas; was in the gifted program in her previous district. Younger kid is strong in math, not reading, and has other special needs.

It seems we are too late to get into magnet programs, and it’s difficult to find out about the honors and elective offerings for middle school.

I’m trying to decide what areas to focus on and I’m overwhelmed. We don’t have the budget for the top-performing areas. I keep finding articles about fights and drugs and weapons, and I’m nervous about safety.

Which schools or areas should I look into?

Some areas we are considering based on current research are:
-Takoma Park
-Four Corners
-Olney
-Damascus
-Clarksburg
-Urbana (not in MCPS and would be a longer than ideal commute, but seems to have a strong school system with less red-tape to navigate)

Pick based on where you want to live. TP and Four Corners are closer to DC and more urban. The rest are further out. Damascus and Olney have a small hometown feel. Clarksburg and Urbana have newer homes in communities with pools and HOAs. As I get older I prefer further out but that's just me and I rarely go to DC.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here: Thank you, thank you, thank you to everyone who took the time to reply! I got so much great info out of the comments, and really do feel better about the move. We may go the rental route, but either way, I feel way more prepared and less nervous about this overall.

Oh, and for those who posted about the political leanings in certain areas, that was also helpful. We live in a part of the PNW that has some strong Proud Boys ties and part of our reason for moving is to get away from that, so it’s good to know that we might encounter that as we head further out of the city. Others had told us that was not really the case. I guess just another reason to be on the ground before we choose a more permanent home!

Honestly, you're not going to get much of that in any of those options, although Damascus is going to be the most conservative out of all those areas. I would say, if you are intentionally looking for places with liberal leanings, then stay away from Damascus. All the other areas are diverse and liberal with Takoma Park/Piney Branch in Silver Spring being in the opposite end of the spectrum - super liberal.

[Anonymous]

OP, stick to Kensington, Wheaton and Silver Spring. Every school is very hit or miss. It depends on the principal, vp and the actual teacher you get. You can be at the worst school and get a great teacher or be at the best school and get the worst teacher. All schools are having issues with behavior, violence and more. Its anyone's guess if things will improve with the new superintendent (we've been through 4 in a few years) as the BOE is a huge part of the problem. The commute with traffic is sole sucking.

Then nice thing about down county is you get to lottery into any DCC high school and are guaranteed your home school.

If you think your child needs an IEP get a private evaluation to document the need while asking for an IEP. Its very hit or miss depending on the principal. Regardless of the school, supplement outside of school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP I would strongly recommend you go for the best schools you can find and live in rented accommodation if necessary.

We lived in Bethesda for about 10 yrs and knew plenty of people who had moved there from places like Takoma Park which are great places to live, with beautiful old houses, but without adequate schooling.

The poster who said you need schools where rich parents wield influence, is correct. That is where you will find the most resources for your children.

As a teacher, I would have to agree with the influence factor of parents in Bethesda. School administrators are more responsive to parents there and if you don't yet have IEPs for your students, and believe you need not only the IEPs, but the actual services that go along with IEPs, then move to Bethesda if you can. I teach in a Title I school. It takes a really long time for students to obtain IEPs. And then, nothing changes. They remain in the same classrooms with no interventions except reporting from classroom teachers on "progress."

But there are many more choices than just "Bethesda" or "Title I schools."

Bethesda (and other wealthy areas) parents, as a group, carry more social and political capital than that of parents from other schools, especially Title I schools. That critical mass of capital sways their school administrators to being reflexively more responsive to special needs students.

DP - not really. Wealthy parents usually get their services outside the school, so while they may readily push for accommodations, they're also not relying on the school to remediate dyslexia or whatever. Public school administrators don't want to be sued and they don't want to spend too much time dealing with jerks. They don't pay much attention to "social and political capital." That's private schools.

[Anonymous]

OP I just read you commute to near the zoo. If I were you I would move to Kensington or North Bethesda. Next option would be Silver Spring. Maybe Rockville. Forget the other options which are too far out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, stick to Kensington, Wheaton and Silver Spring. Every school is very hit or miss. It depends on the principal, vp and the actual teacher you get. You can be at the worst school and get a great teacher or be at the best school and get the worst teacher. All schools are having issues with behavior, violence and more. Its anyone's guess if things will improve with the new superintendent (we've been through 4 in a few years) as the BOE is a huge part of the problem. The commute with traffic is sole sucking.

Then nice thing about down county is you get to lottery into any DCC high school and are guaranteed your home school.

If you think your child needs an IEP get a private evaluation to document the need while asking for an IEP. Its very hit or miss depending on the principal. Regardless of the school, supplement outside of school.

Kensington only has good ES. Wheaton and Silver Spring have nothing to offer, absolutely zero.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, stick to Kensington, Wheaton and Silver Spring. Every school is very hit or miss. It depends on the principal, vp and the actual teacher you get. You can be at the worst school and get a great teacher or be at the best school and get the worst teacher. All schools are having issues with behavior, violence and more. Its anyone's guess if things will improve with the new superintendent (we've been through 4 in a few years) as the BOE is a huge part of the problem. The commute with traffic is sole sucking.

Then nice thing about down county is you get to lottery into any DCC high school and are guaranteed your home school.

If you think your child needs an IEP get a private evaluation to document the need while asking for an IEP. Its very hit or miss depending on the principal. Regardless of the school, supplement outside of school.

Kensington only has good ES. Wheaton and Silver Spring have nothing to offer, absolutely zero.

Incorrect.