Elementary Schools in Tacoma Park

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here once more. Thank you again for all helpful replies. The MCPS website is helpful in zoning etc, but I was hoping to come here for some real life experiences. I don't need my kids to be in the best magnet programs or the top rated whatever fancy bullsh*t. I just want them to grow up in a friendly, ,open, and caring community, and have the opportunity to receive a decent public education with programs available for whatever their interests may be.

Maybe this is a pipe dream and doesn't exist in this country anymore, but it is difficult to decipher responses when people are like "It's great we love it!" and then others are like "you will fear for your life walking home and your child will be traumatized".

Fairfax county was not for us, as our budget put us too far in the suburbs to enjoy ourselves and again, it seemed like an all or nothing situation with the schools and the communities.

We gave AA County a try, and we have loved our local ES but the teachers are fleeing at an alarming rate, our BOE is a hot mess, and I have no faith in the secondary schools. Plus I am so sick of the racism here.

I just want my kids and my husband to be safe, happy, and have opportunities to grow in the ways they want to. If Takoma Park isn't it, then fine. I just don't get why I can't just get honest answers about people's experiences without this bickering nonsense. Like would a humble white family of 5 with a scientific background and bright, friendly kids be happy in Takoma Park? I don't see why this question sparks such debate.

Tons of families here who's parents have scientific backgrounds. It's a nice, vibrant community. We really love it. We do local things like Takoma soccer, we did the Brewfest yesterday, biking on Sligo trail, kids run around the neighborhood with their friends, great restaurants, etc. Parents are happy with the schools (even the non magnet programs).

Although we didn't need daycare either, we signed our kids up for TPCDC aftercare 2 days a week. They got to know many other kids in their grades there and got insanely good at foosball! Also, they made friends at group music classes at Richardson and Capoeira camp at Roda. Takoma soccer and also tennis lessons in the park with Skip were also great. Daleview pool also does a winter swim club at on weekends at the PBES pool. You don't have to belong or anything to signup and it's not expensive. There's even a non-profit Aikido school just across the DC line which a lot of kids seem to enjoy, and there are also programs at the Dance Exchange. Nature Lab in downtown Takoma also has many kid friendly camps and activities. I'm sure there are countless other activities that I'm leaving out but some of these might help.

The PBES pool has been closed for more than two years. Most of these things have not been available. And they are all outside of school. The question was about school and if you don’t have connections made outside of school it’s almost impossible to make them through school, especially during a pandemic. This makes it closed and cliquey.

That's too bad. All three of my kids learned to swim there, but it's just one of many wonderful resources available to families in the area.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I know families who moved away from Tacoma park to Bethesda because the schools in TP were bad.

I call BS on this post.

DP. I call BS on this BS. The other poster bragged how the 97th percentile didn't get into the program, so that should tell you something. I'm familiar with the PBES program. I don't think it's any different than the W feeders. The main difference is TPMS, but now that it's a lottery, the program is not what it was. There's also an issue with the RLA program at PBES that was never fixed, imho. Both the P and teachers involved are still there. Not saying it's a bad program by any means, but the combination of lottery and a few bad apples dragged down the stature of the program overall.

This is very different than my experience. Both my kids loved TPES and PBES. They had no trouble making friends despite 10 classes. Both were consistently in the 96%-99% on both MAPs and so were many of their friends. Excellent schools. I could imagine better.

Well my kids hated them and found them very unfriendly. There is no “community” at the schools either among the kids or the families. We joined in 2nd and 4th grade and there is absolutely no welcome to new families, no effort from the PTA and no attempt to be inclusive. No efforts to involve anyone other than white upper class families as volunteers.

I'm sorry you had such a bad experience but the dozens of families I know who live within walking distance all disagree. In fact, it's a really tight knit community where everyone knows each other. Sure, kids may not all be in the same class each year but there are so many opportunities to interact with others that it hardly matters. Also, many great organizations like Takoma Soccer, D&D at the community center, or scouts that I can't help but think you weren't trying that hard.

They were mostly closed for a year due to the pandemic. The year that my kids aged out. And some longer, like D and D which still hasn’t started again in person. But thanks for being so welcoming and understanding. You pretty much proved my point.

My kids did it with Dave from the library and their regular group over zoom during the height of covid.

My kids had no interest in more Zoom time. I’d also challenged the suggestion that zoom dungeons and dragons would actually easily lead to friendships.

My kids also loved it. Thought it was great to play D&D and enjoyed seeing their many neighborhood friends which otherwise rarely happened during the pandemic.

Ugh. You’re missing the whole point here. If you join the TKPK schools after kindergarten and don’t do after care or apparently go to scouts, and then a freaking pandemic hits YOU DON’T HAVE neighborhood friends to see in Zoom dungeons and dragons. It’s been incredibly difficult to make friends here ( and I’m speaking for myself as a well as my kids) and to be frank there are some mean kids at PBES. But that said, I haven’t seen anything like what PP claims happened to her kid. There’s just a lack of community feel and limited kindness going on at PBES which I think of mostly due to the large size and the lack of younger kids at the school.

I don't do anything about that but my kids also thought it was wonderful. I guess it is difficult to make friends especially when you don't try and are angry at everyone.

Youre proving the point here. An insular community where certain white upper middle class families insist everyone knows everyone without actually trying to reach out to newcomers. It’sa shame it’s not a more inclusive community. If the schools were smaller (and if fewer people had the attitude you do, PP) I’m sure it would be easier.

I also moved to Takoma during this time and have found the community warm and welcoming. The size of the schools weren't a problem for us especially since with class sizees of 16-18 kids, but I suppose people's experiences can vary.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I know families who moved away from Tacoma park to Bethesda because the schools in TP were bad.

I call BS on this post.

DP. I call BS on this BS. The other poster bragged how the 97th percentile didn't get into the program, so that should tell you something. I'm familiar with the PBES program. I don't think it's any different than the W feeders. The main difference is TPMS, but now that it's a lottery, the program is not what it was. There's also an issue with the RLA program at PBES that was never fixed, imho. Both the P and teachers involved are still there. Not saying it's a bad program by any means, but the combination of lottery and a few bad apples dragged down the stature of the program overall.

This is very different than my experience. Both my kids loved TPES and PBES. They had no trouble making friends despite 10 classes. Both were consistently in the 96%-99% on both MAPs and so were many of their friends. Excellent schools. I could imagine better.

Well my kids hated them and found them very unfriendly. There is no “community” at the schools either among the kids or the families. We joined in 2nd and 4th grade and there is absolutely no welcome to new families, no effort from the PTA and no attempt to be inclusive. No efforts to involve anyone other than white upper class families as volunteers.

I'm sorry you had such a bad experience but the dozens of families I know who live within walking distance all disagree. In fact, it's a really tight knit community where everyone knows each other. Sure, kids may not all be in the same class each year but there are so many opportunities to interact with others that it hardly matters. Also, many great organizations like Takoma Soccer, D&D at the community center, or scouts that I can't help but think you weren't trying that hard.

They were mostly closed for a year due to the pandemic. The year that my kids aged out. And some longer, like D and D which still hasn’t started again in person. But thanks for being so welcoming and understanding. You pretty much proved my point.

My kids did it with Dave from the library and their regular group over zoom during the height of covid.

My kids had no interest in more Zoom time. I’d also challenged the suggestion that zoom dungeons and dragons would actually easily lead to friendships.

My kids also loved it. Thought it was great to play D&D and enjoyed seeing their many neighborhood friends which otherwise rarely happened during the pandemic.

Ugh. You’re missing the whole point here. If you join the TKPK schools after kindergarten and don’t do after care or apparently go to scouts, and then a freaking pandemic hits YOU DON’T HAVE neighborhood friends to see in Zoom dungeons and dragons. It’s been incredibly difficult to make friends here ( and I’m speaking for myself as a well as my kids) and to be frank there are some mean kids at PBES. But that said, I haven’t seen anything like what PP claims happened to her kid. There’s just a lack of community feel and limited kindness going on at PBES which I think of mostly due to the large size and the lack of younger kids at the school.

I don't do anything about that but my kids also thought it was wonderful. I guess it is difficult to make friends especially when you don't try and are angry at everyone.

Youre proving the point here. An insular community where certain white upper middle class families insist everyone knows everyone without actually trying to reach out to newcomers. It’sa shame it’s not a more inclusive community. If the schools were smaller (and if fewer people had the attitude you do, PP) I’m sure it would be easier.

I also moved to Takoma during this time and have found the community warm and welcoming. The size of the schools weren't a problem for us especially since with class sizees of 16-18 kids, but I suppose people's experiences can vary.

You must be talking about TPES. At PBES there are about 28 kids per class and about 10 classes per grade.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I know families who moved away from Tacoma park to Bethesda because the schools in TP were bad.

I call BS on this post.

DP. I call BS on this BS. The other poster bragged how the 97th percentile didn't get into the program, so that should tell you something. I'm familiar with the PBES program. I don't think it's any different than the W feeders. The main difference is TPMS, but now that it's a lottery, the program is not what it was. There's also an issue with the RLA program at PBES that was never fixed, imho. Both the P and teachers involved are still there. Not saying it's a bad program by any means, but the combination of lottery and a few bad apples dragged down the stature of the program overall.

This is very different than my experience. Both my kids loved TPES and PBES. They had no trouble making friends despite 10 classes. Both were consistently in the 96%-99% on both MAPs and so were many of their friends. Excellent schools. I could imagine better.

Well my kids hated them and found them very unfriendly. There is no “community” at the schools either among the kids or the families. We joined in 2nd and 4th grade and there is absolutely no welcome to new families, no effort from the PTA and no attempt to be inclusive. No efforts to involve anyone other than white upper class families as volunteers.

I'm sorry you had such a bad experience but the dozens of families I know who live within walking distance all disagree. In fact, it's a really tight knit community where everyone knows each other. Sure, kids may not all be in the same class each year but there are so many opportunities to interact with others that it hardly matters. Also, many great organizations like Takoma Soccer, D&D at the community center, or scouts that I can't help but think you weren't trying that hard.

They were mostly closed for a year due to the pandemic. The year that my kids aged out. And some longer, like D and D which still hasn’t started again in person. But thanks for being so welcoming and understanding. You pretty much proved my point.

My kids did it with Dave from the library and their regular group over zoom during the height of covid.

My kids had no interest in more Zoom time. I’d also challenged the suggestion that zoom dungeons and dragons would actually easily lead to friendships.

My kids also loved it. Thought it was great to play D&D and enjoyed seeing their many neighborhood friends which otherwise rarely happened during the pandemic.

Ugh. You’re missing the whole point here. If you join the TKPK schools after kindergarten and don’t do after care or apparently go to scouts, and then a freaking pandemic hits YOU DON’T HAVE neighborhood friends to see in Zoom dungeons and dragons. It’s been incredibly difficult to make friends here ( and I’m speaking for myself as a well as my kids) and to be frank there are some mean kids at PBES. But that said, I haven’t seen anything like what PP claims happened to her kid. There’s just a lack of community feel and limited kindness going on at PBES which I think of mostly due to the large size and the lack of younger kids at the school.

I don't do anything about that but my kids also thought it was wonderful. I guess it is difficult to make friends especially when you don't try and are angry at everyone.

Youre proving the point here. An insular community where certain white upper middle class families insist everyone knows everyone without actually trying to reach out to newcomers. It’sa shame it’s not a more inclusive community. If the schools were smaller (and if fewer people had the attitude you do, PP) I’m sure it would be easier.

I also moved to Takoma during this time and have found the community warm and welcoming. The size of the schools weren't a problem for us especially since with class sizees of 16-18 kids, but I suppose people's experiences can vary.

You must be talking about TPES. At PBES there are about 28 kids per class and about 10 classes per grade.

DC's CES class had 28, but their 3rd grade class only had 22.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I know families who moved away from Tacoma park to Bethesda because the schools in TP were bad.

I call BS on this post.

DP. I call BS on this BS. The other poster bragged how the 97th percentile didn't get into the program, so that should tell you something. I'm familiar with the PBES program. I don't think it's any different than the W feeders. The main difference is TPMS, but now that it's a lottery, the program is not what it was. There's also an issue with the RLA program at PBES that was never fixed, imho. Both the P and teachers involved are still there. Not saying it's a bad program by any means, but the combination of lottery and a few bad apples dragged down the stature of the program overall.

This is very different than my experience. Both my kids loved TPES and PBES. They had no trouble making friends despite 10 classes. Both were consistently in the 96%-99% on both MAPs and so were many of their friends. Excellent schools. I could imagine better.

Well my kids hated them and found them very unfriendly. There is no “community” at the schools either among the kids or the families. We joined in 2nd and 4th grade and there is absolutely no welcome to new families, no effort from the PTA and no attempt to be inclusive. No efforts to involve anyone other than white upper class families as volunteers.

I'm sorry you had such a bad experience but the dozens of families I know who live within walking distance all disagree. In fact, it's a really tight knit community where everyone knows each other. Sure, kids may not all be in the same class each year but there are so many opportunities to interact with others that it hardly matters. Also, many great organizations like Takoma Soccer, D&D at the community center, or scouts that I can't help but think you weren't trying that hard.

They were mostly closed for a year due to the pandemic. The year that my kids aged out. And some longer, like D and D which still hasn’t started again in person. But thanks for being so welcoming and understanding. You pretty much proved my point.

My kids did it with Dave from the library and their regular group over zoom during the height of covid.

My kids had no interest in more Zoom time. I’d also challenged the suggestion that zoom dungeons and dragons would actually easily lead to friendships.

My kids also loved it. Thought it was great to play D&D and enjoyed seeing their many neighborhood friends which otherwise rarely happened during the pandemic.

Ugh. You’re missing the whole point here. If you join the TKPK schools after kindergarten and don’t do after care or apparently go to scouts, and then a freaking pandemic hits YOU DON’T HAVE neighborhood friends to see in Zoom dungeons and dragons. It’s been incredibly difficult to make friends here ( and I’m speaking for myself as a well as my kids) and to be frank there are some mean kids at PBES. But that said, I haven’t seen anything like what PP claims happened to her kid. There’s just a lack of community feel and limited kindness going on at PBES which I think of mostly due to the large size and the lack of younger kids at the school.

I don't do anything about that but my kids also thought it was wonderful. I guess it is difficult to make friends especially when you don't try and are angry at everyone.

Youre proving the point here. An insular community where certain white upper middle class families insist everyone knows everyone without actually trying to reach out to newcomers. It’sa shame it’s not a more inclusive community. If the schools were smaller (and if fewer people had the attitude you do, PP) I’m sure it would be easier.

I also moved to Takoma during this time and have found the community warm and welcoming. The size of the schools weren't a problem for us especially since with class sizees of 16-18 kids, but I suppose people's experiences can vary.

You must be talking about TPES. At PBES there are about 28 kids per class and about 10 classes per grade.

That's not exactly accurate. Yes, there are about 10 classes and roughly 210 kids per grade. As a PP noted, with the exception of the CES class, most classes are in the low 20s. At TPES classes are much smaller.

https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/regulatoryaccountability/glance/currentyear/schools/02749.pdf

[Anonymous]

I believe there are either 8 or 9 classes per grade, with most being in the low-mid twenties

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I know families who moved away from Tacoma park to Bethesda because the schools in TP were bad.

I call BS on this post.

DP. I call BS on this BS. The other poster bragged how the 97th percentile didn't get into the program, so that should tell you something. I'm familiar with the PBES program. I don't think it's any different than the W feeders. The main difference is TPMS, but now that it's a lottery, the program is not what it was. There's also an issue with the RLA program at PBES that was never fixed, imho. Both the P and teachers involved are still there. Not saying it's a bad program by any means, but the combination of lottery and a few bad apples dragged down the stature of the program overall.

This is very different than my experience. Both my kids loved TPES and PBES. They had no trouble making friends despite 10 classes. Both were consistently in the 96%-99% on both MAPs and so were many of their friends. Excellent schools. I could imagine better.

Well my kids hated them and found them very unfriendly. There is no “community” at the schools either among the kids or the families. We joined in 2nd and 4th grade and there is absolutely no welcome to new families, no effort from the PTA and no attempt to be inclusive. No efforts to involve anyone other than white upper class families as volunteers.

I'm sorry you had such a bad experience but the dozens of families I know who live within walking distance all disagree. In fact, it's a really tight knit community where everyone knows each other. Sure, kids may not all be in the same class each year but there are so many opportunities to interact with others that it hardly matters. Also, many great organizations like Takoma Soccer, D&D at the community center, or scouts that I can't help but think you weren't trying that hard.

They were mostly closed for a year due to the pandemic. The year that my kids aged out. And some longer, like D and D which still hasn’t started again in person. But thanks for being so welcoming and understanding. You pretty much proved my point.

My kids did it with Dave from the library and their regular group over zoom during the height of covid.

My kids had no interest in more Zoom time. I’d also challenged the suggestion that zoom dungeons and dragons would actually easily lead to friendships.

My kids also loved it. Thought it was great to play D&D and enjoyed seeing their many neighborhood friends which otherwise rarely happened during the pandemic.

Ugh. You’re missing the whole point here. If you join the TKPK schools after kindergarten and don’t do after care or apparently go to scouts, and then a freaking pandemic hits YOU DON’T HAVE neighborhood friends to see in Zoom dungeons and dragons. It’s been incredibly difficult to make friends here ( and I’m speaking for myself as a well as my kids) and to be frank there are some mean kids at PBES. But that said, I haven’t seen anything like what PP claims happened to her kid. There’s just a lack of community feel and limited kindness going on at PBES which I think of mostly due to the large size and the lack of younger kids at the school.

I don't do anything about that but my kids also thought it was wonderful. I guess it is difficult to make friends especially when you don't try and are angry at everyone.

Youre proving the point here. An insular community where certain white upper middle class families insist everyone knows everyone without actually trying to reach out to newcomers. It’sa shame it’s not a more inclusive community. If the schools were smaller (and if fewer people had the attitude you do, PP) I’m sure it would be easier.

I think this is right. Even the PP above talked about paying for aftercare she didn't actually need in order to help her child meet friends. The other suggestions were tennis lessons and Brazilian martial arts, not exactly accessible to every family in the city.

I think that both things can be true - Takoma Park can be a family-oriented place if you have the money to spend on extracurriculars with the other UMC white families. But the schools themselves are too large to facilitate those friendships or sense of community.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I know families who moved away from Tacoma park to Bethesda because the schools in TP were bad.

I call BS on this post.

DP. I call BS on this BS. The other poster bragged how the 97th percentile didn't get into the program, so that should tell you something. I'm familiar with the PBES program. I don't think it's any different than the W feeders. The main difference is TPMS, but now that it's a lottery, the program is not what it was. There's also an issue with the RLA program at PBES that was never fixed, imho. Both the P and teachers involved are still there. Not saying it's a bad program by any means, but the combination of lottery and a few bad apples dragged down the stature of the program overall.

This is very different than my experience. Both my kids loved TPES and PBES. They had no trouble making friends despite 10 classes. Both were consistently in the 96%-99% on both MAPs and so were many of their friends. Excellent schools. I could imagine better.

Well my kids hated them and found them very unfriendly. There is no “community” at the schools either among the kids or the families. We joined in 2nd and 4th grade and there is absolutely no welcome to new families, no effort from the PTA and no attempt to be inclusive. No efforts to involve anyone other than white upper class families as volunteers.

I'm sorry you had such a bad experience but the dozens of families I know who live within walking distance all disagree. In fact, it's a really tight knit community where everyone knows each other. Sure, kids may not all be in the same class each year but there are so many opportunities to interact with others that it hardly matters. Also, many great organizations like Takoma Soccer, D&D at the community center, or scouts that I can't help but think you weren't trying that hard.

They were mostly closed for a year due to the pandemic. The year that my kids aged out. And some longer, like D and D which still hasn’t started again in person. But thanks for being so welcoming and understanding. You pretty much proved my point.

My kids did it with Dave from the library and their regular group over zoom during the height of covid.

My kids had no interest in more Zoom time. I’d also challenged the suggestion that zoom dungeons and dragons would actually easily lead to friendships.

My kids also loved it. Thought it was great to play D&D and enjoyed seeing their many neighborhood friends which otherwise rarely happened during the pandemic.

Ugh. You’re missing the whole point here. If you join the TKPK schools after kindergarten and don’t do after care or apparently go to scouts, and then a freaking pandemic hits YOU DON’T HAVE neighborhood friends to see in Zoom dungeons and dragons. It’s been incredibly difficult to make friends here ( and I’m speaking for myself as a well as my kids) and to be frank there are some mean kids at PBES. But that said, I haven’t seen anything like what PP claims happened to her kid. There’s just a lack of community feel and limited kindness going on at PBES which I think of mostly due to the large size and the lack of younger kids at the school.

I don't do anything about that but my kids also thought it was wonderful. I guess it is difficult to make friends especially when you don't try and are angry at everyone.

Youre proving the point here. An insular community where certain white upper middle class families insist everyone knows everyone without actually trying to reach out to newcomers. It’sa shame it’s not a more inclusive community. If the schools were smaller (and if fewer people had the attitude you do, PP) I’m sure it would be easier.

I think this is right. Even the PP above talked about paying for aftercare she didn't actually need in order to help her child meet friends. The other suggestions were tennis lessons and Brazilian martial arts, not exactly accessible to every family in the city.

I think that both things can be true - Takoma Park can be a family-oriented place if you have the money to spend on extracurriculars with the other UMC white families. But the schools themselves are too large to facilitate those friendships or sense of community.

My kids had no problem making friends at TPES. They were 15-16 other kids in their class. They made 2-3 good friends each year. I'm really sorry your kids are having such a tough time. We didn't really find the size of the school mattered.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I believe there are either 8 or 9 classes per grade, with most being in the low-mid twenties

My kids had 22-24 kids in their classes there up until CES which was 26-28.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I know families who moved away from Tacoma park to Bethesda because the schools in TP were bad.

I call BS on this post.

DP. I call BS on this BS. The other poster bragged how the 97th percentile didn't get into the program, so that should tell you something. I'm familiar with the PBES program. I don't think it's any different than the W feeders. The main difference is TPMS, but now that it's a lottery, the program is not what it was. There's also an issue with the RLA program at PBES that was never fixed, imho. Both the P and teachers involved are still there. Not saying it's a bad program by any means, but the combination of lottery and a few bad apples dragged down the stature of the program overall.

This is very different than my experience. Both my kids loved TPES and PBES. They had no trouble making friends despite 10 classes. Both were consistently in the 96%-99% on both MAPs and so were many of their friends. Excellent schools. I could imagine better.

Well my kids hated them and found them very unfriendly. There is no “community” at the schools either among the kids or the families. We joined in 2nd and 4th grade and there is absolutely no welcome to new families, no effort from the PTA and no attempt to be inclusive. No efforts to involve anyone other than white upper class families as volunteers.

I'm sorry you had such a bad experience but the dozens of families I know who live within walking distance all disagree. In fact, it's a really tight knit community where everyone knows each other. Sure, kids may not all be in the same class each year but there are so many opportunities to interact with others that it hardly matters. Also, many great organizations like Takoma Soccer, D&D at the community center, or scouts that I can't help but think you weren't trying that hard.

They were mostly closed for a year due to the pandemic. The year that my kids aged out. And some longer, like D and D which still hasn’t started again in person. But thanks for being so welcoming and understanding. You pretty much proved my point.

My kids did it with Dave from the library and their regular group over zoom during the height of covid.

My kids had no interest in more Zoom time. I’d also challenged the suggestion that zoom dungeons and dragons would actually easily lead to friendships.

My kids also loved it. Thought it was great to play D&D and enjoyed seeing their many neighborhood friends which otherwise rarely happened during the pandemic.

Ugh. You’re missing the whole point here. If you join the TKPK schools after kindergarten and don’t do after care or apparently go to scouts, and then a freaking pandemic hits YOU DON’T HAVE neighborhood friends to see in Zoom dungeons and dragons. It’s been incredibly difficult to make friends here ( and I’m speaking for myself as a well as my kids) and to be frank there are some mean kids at PBES. But that said, I haven’t seen anything like what PP claims happened to her kid. There’s just a lack of community feel and limited kindness going on at PBES which I think of mostly due to the large size and the lack of younger kids at the school.

I don't do anything about that but my kids also thought it was wonderful. I guess it is difficult to make friends especially when you don't try and are angry at everyone.

Youre proving the point here. An insular community where certain white upper middle class families insist everyone knows everyone without actually trying to reach out to newcomers. It’sa shame it’s not a more inclusive community. If the schools were smaller (and if fewer people had the attitude you do, PP) I’m sure it would be easier.

I think this is right. Even the PP above talked about paying for aftercare she didn't actually need in order to help her child meet friends. The other suggestions were tennis lessons and Brazilian martial arts, not exactly accessible to every family in the city.

I think that both things can be true - Takoma Park can be a family-oriented place if you have the money to spend on extracurriculars with the other UMC white families. But the schools themselves are too large to facilitate those friendships or sense of community.

My kids had no problem making friends at TPES. They were 15-16 other kids in their class. They made 2-3 good friends each year. I'm really sorry your kids are having such a tough time. We didn't really find the size of the school mattered.

I have a first-grader there who has never done any extra-curricular. They claim to have a couple of good friends in their class and have been invited to several birthday parties and playdates. They're also close to some neighbor kids we met shortly after moving in by posting on the neighborhood listserve.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I know families who moved away from Tacoma park to Bethesda because the schools in TP were bad.

I call BS on this post.

DP. I call BS on this BS. The other poster bragged how the 97th percentile didn't get into the program, so that should tell you something. I'm familiar with the PBES program. I don't think it's any different than the W feeders. The main difference is TPMS, but now that it's a lottery, the program is not what it was. There's also an issue with the RLA program at PBES that was never fixed, imho. Both the P and teachers involved are still there. Not saying it's a bad program by any means, but the combination of lottery and a few bad apples dragged down the stature of the program overall.

This is very different than my experience. Both my kids loved TPES and PBES. They had no trouble making friends despite 10 classes. Both were consistently in the 96%-99% on both MAPs and so were many of their friends. Excellent schools. I could imagine better.

Well my kids hated them and found them very unfriendly. There is no “community” at the schools either among the kids or the families. We joined in 2nd and 4th grade and there is absolutely no welcome to new families, no effort from the PTA and no attempt to be inclusive. No efforts to involve anyone other than white upper class families as volunteers.

I'm sorry you had such a bad experience but the dozens of families I know who live within walking distance all disagree. In fact, it's a really tight knit community where everyone knows each other. Sure, kids may not all be in the same class each year but there are so many opportunities to interact with others that it hardly matters. Also, many great organizations like Takoma Soccer, D&D at the community center, or scouts that I can't help but think you weren't trying that hard.

They were mostly closed for a year due to the pandemic. The year that my kids aged out. And some longer, like D and D which still hasn’t started again in person. But thanks for being so welcoming and understanding. You pretty much proved my point.

My kids did it with Dave from the library and their regular group over zoom during the height of covid.

My kids had no interest in more Zoom time. I’d also challenged the suggestion that zoom dungeons and dragons would actually easily lead to friendships.

My kids also loved it. Thought it was great to play D&D and enjoyed seeing their many neighborhood friends which otherwise rarely happened during the pandemic.

Ugh. You’re missing the whole point here. If you join the TKPK schools after kindergarten and don’t do after care or apparently go to scouts, and then a freaking pandemic hits YOU DON’T HAVE neighborhood friends to see in Zoom dungeons and dragons. It’s been incredibly difficult to make friends here ( and I’m speaking for myself as a well as my kids) and to be frank there are some mean kids at PBES. But that said, I haven’t seen anything like what PP claims happened to her kid. There’s just a lack of community feel and limited kindness going on at PBES which I think of mostly due to the large size and the lack of younger kids at the school.

I don't do anything about that but my kids also thought it was wonderful. I guess it is difficult to make friends especially when you don't try and are angry at everyone.

Youre proving the point here. An insular community where certain white upper middle class families insist everyone knows everyone without actually trying to reach out to newcomers. It’sa shame it’s not a more inclusive community. If the schools were smaller (and if fewer people had the attitude you do, PP) I’m sure it would be easier.

I think this is right. Even the PP above talked about paying for aftercare she didn't actually need in order to help her child meet friends. The other suggestions were tennis lessons and Brazilian martial arts, not exactly accessible to every family in the city.

I think that both things can be true - Takoma Park can be a family-oriented place if you have the money to spend on extracurriculars with the other UMC white families. But the schools themselves are too large to facilitate those friendships or sense of community.

There are SO many low or no cost activities as well for kids and adults to meet people! A well used community center, basketball court by the library where there are always kids, Takoma soccer ($50 or free with scholarship), low cost city classes for kids and adults, touch football, organized street hockey and on and on.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I know families who moved away from Tacoma park to Bethesda because the schools in TP were bad.

I call BS on this post.

DP. I call BS on this BS. The other poster bragged how the 97th percentile didn't get into the program, so that should tell you something. I'm familiar with the PBES program. I don't think it's any different than the W feeders. The main difference is TPMS, but now that it's a lottery, the program is not what it was. There's also an issue with the RLA program at PBES that was never fixed, imho. Both the P and teachers involved are still there. Not saying it's a bad program by any means, but the combination of lottery and a few bad apples dragged down the stature of the program overall.

This is very different than my experience. Both my kids loved TPES and PBES. They had no trouble making friends despite 10 classes. Both were consistently in the 96%-99% on both MAPs and so were many of their friends. Excellent schools. I could imagine better.

Well my kids hated them and found them very unfriendly. There is no “community” at the schools either among the kids or the families. We joined in 2nd and 4th grade and there is absolutely no welcome to new families, no effort from the PTA and no attempt to be inclusive. No efforts to involve anyone other than white upper class families as volunteers.

I'm sorry you had such a bad experience but the dozens of families I know who live within walking distance all disagree. In fact, it's a really tight knit community where everyone knows each other. Sure, kids may not all be in the same class each year but there are so many opportunities to interact with others that it hardly matters. Also, many great organizations like Takoma Soccer, D&D at the community center, or scouts that I can't help but think you weren't trying that hard.

They were mostly closed for a year due to the pandemic. The year that my kids aged out. And some longer, like D and D which still hasn’t started again in person. But thanks for being so welcoming and understanding. You pretty much proved my point.

My kids did it with Dave from the library and their regular group over zoom during the height of covid.

My kids had no interest in more Zoom time. I’d also challenged the suggestion that zoom dungeons and dragons would actually easily lead to friendships.

My kids also loved it. Thought it was great to play D&D and enjoyed seeing their many neighborhood friends which otherwise rarely happened during the pandemic.

Ugh. You’re missing the whole point here. If you join the TKPK schools after kindergarten and don’t do after care or apparently go to scouts, and then a freaking pandemic hits YOU DON’T HAVE neighborhood friends to see in Zoom dungeons and dragons. It’s been incredibly difficult to make friends here ( and I’m speaking for myself as a well as my kids) and to be frank there are some mean kids at PBES. But that said, I haven’t seen anything like what PP claims happened to her kid. There’s just a lack of community feel and limited kindness going on at PBES which I think of mostly due to the large size and the lack of younger kids at the school.

I don't do anything about that but my kids also thought it was wonderful. I guess it is difficult to make friends especially when you don't try and are angry at everyone.

Youre proving the point here. An insular community where certain white upper middle class families insist everyone knows everyone without actually trying to reach out to newcomers. It’sa shame it’s not a more inclusive community. If the schools were smaller (and if fewer people had the attitude you do, PP) I’m sure it would be easier.

I think this is right. Even the PP above talked about paying for aftercare she didn't actually need in order to help her child meet friends. The other suggestions were tennis lessons and Brazilian martial arts, not exactly accessible to every family in the city.

I think that both things can be true - Takoma Park can be a family-oriented place if you have the money to spend on extracurriculars with the other UMC white families. But the schools themselves are too large to facilitate those friendships or sense of community.

There are SO many low or no cost activities as well for kids and adults to meet people! A well used community center, basketball court by the library where there are always kids, Takoma soccer ($50 or free with scholarship), low cost city classes for kids and adults, touch football, organized street hockey and on and on.

Can you please just stop. This thread is about Takoma park schools, not Takoma Park extra curriculars activities. The fact is that the schools are too big to easily facilitate friendships, especially for those in PBES. You might make friends with one or two kids but then you start again the next year when your friends are all in a different pod. This isn’t a thread about all the cliquey extra curricular activities you can join if you’re the right demographic. If you don’t have friends from soccer or if you haven’t got neighborhood friends you aren’t going to easily make friends at PBES because it’s too big. No one has disagreed with this, but many of you repeatedly say what about soccer and dungeons and dragons (still not in person) and the pool (which has been closed for more than two years).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I know families who moved away from Tacoma park to Bethesda because the schools in TP were bad.

I call BS on this post.

DP. I call BS on this BS. The other poster bragged how the 97th percentile didn't get into the program, so that should tell you something. I'm familiar with the PBES program. I don't think it's any different than the W feeders. The main difference is TPMS, but now that it's a lottery, the program is not what it was. There's also an issue with the RLA program at PBES that was never fixed, imho. Both the P and teachers involved are still there. Not saying it's a bad program by any means, but the combination of lottery and a few bad apples dragged down the stature of the program overall.

This is very different than my experience. Both my kids loved TPES and PBES. They had no trouble making friends despite 10 classes. Both were consistently in the 96%-99% on both MAPs and so were many of their friends. Excellent schools. I could imagine better.

Well my kids hated them and found them very unfriendly. There is no “community” at the schools either among the kids or the families. We joined in 2nd and 4th grade and there is absolutely no welcome to new families, no effort from the PTA and no attempt to be inclusive. No efforts to involve anyone other than white upper class families as volunteers.

I'm sorry you had such a bad experience but the dozens of families I know who live within walking distance all disagree. In fact, it's a really tight knit community where everyone knows each other. Sure, kids may not all be in the same class each year but there are so many opportunities to interact with others that it hardly matters. Also, many great organizations like Takoma Soccer, D&D at the community center, or scouts that I can't help but think you weren't trying that hard.

They were mostly closed for a year due to the pandemic. The year that my kids aged out. And some longer, like D and D which still hasn’t started again in person. But thanks for being so welcoming and understanding. You pretty much proved my point.

My kids did it with Dave from the library and their regular group over zoom during the height of covid.

My kids had no interest in more Zoom time. I’d also challenged the suggestion that zoom dungeons and dragons would actually easily lead to friendships.

My kids also loved it. Thought it was great to play D&D and enjoyed seeing their many neighborhood friends which otherwise rarely happened during the pandemic.

Ugh. You’re missing the whole point here. If you join the TKPK schools after kindergarten and don’t do after care or apparently go to scouts, and then a freaking pandemic hits YOU DON’T HAVE neighborhood friends to see in Zoom dungeons and dragons. It’s been incredibly difficult to make friends here ( and I’m speaking for myself as a well as my kids) and to be frank there are some mean kids at PBES. But that said, I haven’t seen anything like what PP claims happened to her kid. There’s just a lack of community feel and limited kindness going on at PBES which I think of mostly due to the large size and the lack of younger kids at the school.

How would younger kids make the upper grades nicer?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I know families who moved away from Tacoma park to Bethesda because the schools in TP were bad.

I call BS on this post.

DP. I call BS on this BS. The other poster bragged how the 97th percentile didn't get into the program, so that should tell you something. I'm familiar with the PBES program. I don't think it's any different than the W feeders. The main difference is TPMS, but now that it's a lottery, the program is not what it was. There's also an issue with the RLA program at PBES that was never fixed, imho. Both the P and teachers involved are still there. Not saying it's a bad program by any means, but the combination of lottery and a few bad apples dragged down the stature of the program overall.

This is very different than my experience. Both my kids loved TPES and PBES. They had no trouble making friends despite 10 classes. Both were consistently in the 96%-99% on both MAPs and so were many of their friends. Excellent schools. I could imagine better.

Well my kids hated them and found them very unfriendly. There is no “community” at the schools either among the kids or the families. We joined in 2nd and 4th grade and there is absolutely no welcome to new families, no effort from the PTA and no attempt to be inclusive. No efforts to involve anyone other than white upper class families as volunteers.

I'm sorry you had such a bad experience but the dozens of families I know who live within walking distance all disagree. In fact, it's a really tight knit community where everyone knows each other. Sure, kids may not all be in the same class each year but there are so many opportunities to interact with others that it hardly matters. Also, many great organizations like Takoma Soccer, D&D at the community center, or scouts that I can't help but think you weren't trying that hard.

They were mostly closed for a year due to the pandemic. The year that my kids aged out. And some longer, like D and D which still hasn’t started again in person. But thanks for being so welcoming and understanding. You pretty much proved my point.

My kids did it with Dave from the library and their regular group over zoom during the height of covid.

My kids had no interest in more Zoom time. I’d also challenged the suggestion that zoom dungeons and dragons would actually easily lead to friendships.

My kids also loved it. Thought it was great to play D&D and enjoyed seeing their many neighborhood friends which otherwise rarely happened during the pandemic.

Ugh. You’re missing the whole point here. If you join the TKPK schools after kindergarten and don’t do after care or apparently go to scouts, and then a freaking pandemic hits YOU DON’T HAVE neighborhood friends to see in Zoom dungeons and dragons. It’s been incredibly difficult to make friends here ( and I’m speaking for myself as a well as my kids) and to be frank there are some mean kids at PBES. But that said, I haven’t seen anything like what PP claims happened to her kid. There’s just a lack of community feel and limited kindness going on at PBES which I think of mostly due to the large size and the lack of younger kids at the school.

I don't do anything about that but my kids also thought it was wonderful. I guess it is difficult to make friends especially when you don't try and are angry at everyone.

Youre proving the point here. An insular community where certain white upper middle class families insist everyone knows everyone without actually trying to reach out to newcomers. It’sa shame it’s not a more inclusive community. If the schools were smaller (and if fewer people had the attitude you do, PP) I’m sure it would be easier.

I think this is right. Even the PP above talked about paying for aftercare she didn't actually need in order to help her child meet friends. The other suggestions were tennis lessons and Brazilian martial arts, not exactly accessible to every family in the city.

I think that both things can be true - Takoma Park can be a family-oriented place if you have the money to spend on extracurriculars with the other UMC white families. But the schools themselves are too large to facilitate those friendships or sense of community.

There are SO many low or no cost activities as well for kids and adults to meet people! A well used community center, basketball court by the library where there are always kids, Takoma soccer ($50 or free with scholarship), low cost city classes for kids and adults, touch football, organized street hockey and on and on.

Can you please just stop. This thread is about Takoma park schools, not Takoma Park extra curriculars activities. The fact is that the schools are too big to easily facilitate friendships, especially for those in PBES. You might make friends with one or two kids but then you start again the next year when your friends are all in a different pod. This isn’t a thread about all the cliquey extra curricular activities you can join if you’re the right demographic. If you don’t have friends from soccer or if you haven’t got neighborhood friends you aren’t going to easily make friends at PBES because it’s too big. No one has disagreed with this, but many of you repeatedly say what about soccer and dungeons and dragons (still not in person) and the pool (which has been closed for more than two years).

Well, you're missing my point, which is that there are a ton of activities, which kids in the schools do (and are the main participants), that aren't at all cliquish and are beyond D and D (LOL), and that can lead to friendships at school and beyond. My child wasn't in the same class as his best friend now, but met him at a bus stop. I also have close friends moved Takoma and their kids started at Piney Branch; they made friends, through school, just fine. Some friends were through class, and others were through the neighborhood (but kids still go to the school) and waiting at the bus stop. By comparison, my kids go to a much smaller school, and have similar friendship experiences. This was also my experience growing up - kids tend to adapt and find their people. Not everyone of course, and that can occur even at smaller schools, but i don't think it's as big of an issue for most kids as this thread would suggest.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I know families who moved away from Tacoma park to Bethesda because the schools in TP were bad.

I call BS on this post.

DP. I call BS on this BS. The other poster bragged how the 97th percentile didn't get into the program, so that should tell you something. I'm familiar with the PBES program. I don't think it's any different than the W feeders. The main difference is TPMS, but now that it's a lottery, the program is not what it was. There's also an issue with the RLA program at PBES that was never fixed, imho. Both the P and teachers involved are still there. Not saying it's a bad program by any means, but the combination of lottery and a few bad apples dragged down the stature of the program overall.

This is very different than my experience. Both my kids loved TPES and PBES. They had no trouble making friends despite 10 classes. Both were consistently in the 96%-99% on both MAPs and so were many of their friends. Excellent schools. I could imagine better.

Well my kids hated them and found them very unfriendly. There is no “community” at the schools either among the kids or the families. We joined in 2nd and 4th grade and there is absolutely no welcome to new families, no effort from the PTA and no attempt to be inclusive. No efforts to involve anyone other than white upper class families as volunteers.

I'm sorry you had such a bad experience but the dozens of families I know who live within walking distance all disagree. In fact, it's a really tight knit community where everyone knows each other. Sure, kids may not all be in the same class each year but there are so many opportunities to interact with others that it hardly matters. Also, many great organizations like Takoma Soccer, D&D at the community center, or scouts that I can't help but think you weren't trying that hard.

They were mostly closed for a year due to the pandemic. The year that my kids aged out. And some longer, like D and D which still hasn’t started again in person. But thanks for being so welcoming and understanding. You pretty much proved my point.

My kids did it with Dave from the library and their regular group over zoom during the height of covid.

My kids had no interest in more Zoom time. I’d also challenged the suggestion that zoom dungeons and dragons would actually easily lead to friendships.

My kids also loved it. Thought it was great to play D&D and enjoyed seeing their many neighborhood friends which otherwise rarely happened during the pandemic.

Ugh. You’re missing the whole point here. If you join the TKPK schools after kindergarten and don’t do after care or apparently go to scouts, and then a freaking pandemic hits YOU DON’T HAVE neighborhood friends to see in Zoom dungeons and dragons. It’s been incredibly difficult to make friends here ( and I’m speaking for myself as a well as my kids) and to be frank there are some mean kids at PBES. But that said, I haven’t seen anything like what PP claims happened to her kid. There’s just a lack of community feel and limited kindness going on at PBES which I think of mostly due to the large size and the lack of younger kids at the school.

I don't do anything about that but my kids also thought it was wonderful. I guess it is difficult to make friends especially when you don't try and are angry at everyone.

Youre proving the point here. An insular community where certain white upper middle class families insist everyone knows everyone without actually trying to reach out to newcomers. It’sa shame it’s not a more inclusive community. If the schools were smaller (and if fewer people had the attitude you do, PP) I’m sure it would be easier.

I think this is right. Even the PP above talked about paying for aftercare she didn't actually need in order to help her child meet friends. The other suggestions were tennis lessons and Brazilian martial arts, not exactly accessible to every family in the city.

I think that both things can be true - Takoma Park can be a family-oriented place if you have the money to spend on extracurriculars with the other UMC white families. But the schools themselves are too large to facilitate those friendships or sense of community.

There are SO many low or no cost activities as well for kids and adults to meet people! A well used community center, basketball court by the library where there are always kids, Takoma soccer ($50 or free with scholarship), low cost city classes for kids and adults, touch football, organized street hockey and on and on.

Can you please just stop. This thread is about Takoma park schools, not Takoma Park extra curriculars activities. The fact is that the schools are too big to easily facilitate friendships, especially for those in PBES. You might make friends with one or two kids but then you start again the next year when your friends are all in a different pod. This isn’t a thread about all the cliquey extra curricular activities you can join if you’re the right demographic. If you don’t have friends from soccer or if you haven’t got neighborhood friends you aren’t going to easily make friends at PBES because it’s too big. No one has disagreed with this, but many of you repeatedly say what about soccer and dungeons and dragons (still not in person) and the pool (which has been closed for more than two years).

Well, you're missing my point, which is that there are a ton of activities, which kids in the schools do (and are the main participants), that aren't at all cliquish and are beyond D and D (LOL), and that can lead to friendships at school and beyond. My child wasn't in the same class as his best friend now, but met him at a bus stop. I also have close friends moved Takoma and their kids started at Piney Branch; they made friends, through school, just fine. Some friends were through class, and others were through the neighborhood (but kids still go to the school) and waiting at the bus stop. By comparison, my kids go to a much smaller school, and have similar friendship experiences. This was also my experience growing up - kids tend to adapt and find their people. Not everyone of course, and that can occur even at smaller schools, but i don't think it's as big of an issue for most kids as this thread would suggest.

The schools are roughly 35% FARMS and close to evenly split between AA, Hispanic and White. It's a diverse place both economically and racially and is known for being an accepting and tight-knit community. Their posts make it sound like Potomac or Bethesda. Also, people figure out ways to make new friends. It isn't that complicated.