Moving for middle school?

[Anonymous]

We have little kids, not yet in school, but are trying to decide between staying in D.C. for ES and then moving to Mont. Co. or just moving to Mont. Co. now. However, we're really sad to leave DC and actually think some of the school facilities in DC are better than in Mont. Co. The one thing I'm really worried about though is doing ES in D.C. and then uprooting my son for middle school - esp. when I could have prevented it by just moving to Mont. Co. now (even if I don't really want to...).

Any thoughts? I know many other D.C. parents face this, with many choosing private starting at middle. How tough is that for kids to go into middle school (arguably the hardest part of school) w/o friends from elementary school? Thanks

[Anonymous]

I have thought about this very subject a lot. My current plan is to start at a good DC ES (fall 2010) and pay attention to how Deal is doing. It just got renovated, is about to get IB certification, is getting a lot of good press, etc. If I am not comfortable that Deal is a good fit for my oldest DD, we will move to Montgomery County or North Arlington by the beginning of 3rd or 4th grade (at the latest) so that she can have an opportunity to assimilate socially into the community well before middle school.

I changed schools in 6th grade in my youth. It was one of the most difficult transitions I have ever done and I will not be putting my children through that.

[Anonymous]

OP No need to move now! I'd wait and see where things are when your oldest is in third grade. The problem with moving when a child is starting Fourth is it would be two years at one school, then a switch to another at Sixth. Tons of kids switch schools at Sixth and is goes well, kids seem hardier socially with all the summer camps, soccer teams, etc.

[Anonymous]

Deal is amazing! The teachers are smart and the principal is just dynamic and wonderful. I just emailed her about a relatively minor issue and she got back to me right away.

Many of us have been where you are and I am so happy that we decided to stay. I love living in the city and my daughter is happier than many of her MoCo peers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP No need to move now! I'd wait and see where things are when your oldest is in third grade. The problem with moving when a child is starting Fourth is it would be two years at one school, then a switch to another at Sixth. Tons of kids switch schools at Sixth and is goes well, kids seem hardier socially with all the summer camps, soccer teams, etc.

Agree with this pp. When dd moved from ES to MS, it was a big change overall. Some of her ES friends went there and some went elsewhere and there were lots of new kids from other ESs.

[Anonymous]

When we first bought our house in DC, we thought we would move to the burbs when we had kids, then we would move when the first started school. We now have three kids in school, a bigger house in DC, and the oldest just started in middle school at Latin. The facilities are not great, but he loves the school, loves his teachers, and most important is very enthuastic about what he is learning.

It hasn't been perfect every year, but I do feel that my kids are getting good educations without having to move.

[Anonymous]

Deal is terrific, it is large but they divide the grades up into teams of 100 so it's like a bunch of mini-schools in one. The approach is brilliant. All my child's friends parents -- at least 15 families who have children there are happier than happy. I personally know several students who've transferred from the city's finest privates and love it!

[Anonymous]

Hi Latin Parent--am with you! Hope you can come to the Upper School Beautification on Saturday, 9-2 so we can keep improving those facilities? (I have to say the Upper School always makes me smile; I love that porch and gracious lines on that building though we do need to slap some paint on some spots...)
See you then!n

[Anonymous]

Sigh.

I think it is a pretty knee jerk reaction to think that Mo. Co. is always a better option for schools. There are sucky schools in Mo. Co., random bad teachers, some not so great facilities, curriculum problems, violence, etc. It is a mixed bag, just like D.C., and moving there is no guarantee that your kids are going to get a good education or have a good experience.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Deal is amazing! The teachers are smart and the principal is just dynamic and wonderful. I just emailed her about a relatively minor issue and she got back to me right away.

Many of us have been where you are and I am so happy that we decided to stay. I love living in the city and my daughter is happier than many of her MoCo peers.

I agree- we were sure we were going to move, but did not, and am so glad we stayed in DC. DS is so happy at Deal and we are very impressed. We are both native Dcers so, we were veeerrrry wary of Deal but have been amazed.
Take a good look at the MoCo middle schools before assuming they are superior.