Upper NW DC or Takoma Park schools?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As an independent adult I would prefer Takoma park over every other area in the DMV but as a parent with school aged kids, no, absolutely not, not in a million years.

Strange. On what basis are you making that statement? Are you actually familiar with the schools in Takoma park? If you “absolutely would not in a million years” send your kids to school in TKPK, then where would you send them that if so superior????

yes the schools are shite and the schools in Bethesda are 100 % better performing I have neighbors who moved from TP to Bethesda exactly for this reason.

So you actually have no clue of what you're talking about. You're just talking out of your a$$.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We are looking to move from NE dc, in part to get a bit more space, but largely to get a more established school and feeder for my elementary age kids. We haven’t found a part of Bethesda that really gets us going, but we like parts of upper NW and Takoma park MD, but I’m finding it hard to really dig in to compare the schools meaningfully. Does anyone have a sense of how the schools match if we are zoned for Murch (or nearby)/Deal/Jackson Reed vs Takoma Park Elementary, Piney Branch, TPMS, and Blair. FWIW, my kids smart and slightly above grade average, but odds are they are just average smart kids, not like, geniuses. One kid is a bit sensitive/anxious so I’m hoping to avoid a pressure cooker situation. We value places where there will be diversity, and the opportunity to challenge themselves academically, with a cohort of smart kids who care about schools and families who will make sure the school and administrators don’t drop the ball when issues arise.

So, what do you think, which would you choose???

My kids went to the ES STEM magnet at TPES. Later went through the GT program now called the CES. I think there's a local one now even at PBES. Later they went to the Blair STEM magnet. Overall couldn't be more pleased with Takoma school options.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Takoma Park schools are recognized for their diverse student body and racial and socioeconomic diversity. While this may result in lower test averages compared to more segregated areas, these schools still provide the best educational opportunities available in Montgomery County.

TPES stands out for hosting the county's only elementary school magnet program, which includes enriched and accelerated math courses. Additionally, TPES is a focus school with smaller class sizes than other schools. For instance, their kindergarten class previously had only 16 students during DC's tenure.

PBES, on the other hand, offers an exceptional local CES program that provides an outstanding learning experience for students. With only 1-2 classes per grade and around 200 students in each grade, there is ample space for 15%-25% of the students to participate. However, the program remains competitive, and even students who score highly on the CogAT can be waitlisted due to the lottery system.

TPMS is the home of the highly-regarded MS STEM magnet program, providing selected students with enriched math, science, and computer science courses. With only 100 seats available, it's a highly competitive program. However, an additional 25 seats are set aside for in-boundary students. About a third of the TPMS magnet students end up at Blair SMSC STEM magnet. The TPMS math team is also a highly regarded EC. Students compete at the highest levels often in high-school contests. Many of these opportunities aren't available at other schools.

Blair High School, which serves the Takoma Park area. The TPMS magnet does a fantastic job preparing students for the Blair STEM magnet. Nevertheless, (any) students who meet the prerequisites can take advanced magnet classes in 11th and 12th grades, such as Cell Biology, Complex Analysis, Linear Algebra, or AI Programming. Interestingly, white students at Blair had the highest average SAT score of any MCPS school, averaging 1326. Some claim this was due to the magnet, which seems unlikely since it's primarily Asian. Blair remains a fine school with numerous opportunities for academic enrichment. People often remark that it's very well organized and run.

This is similar to our experiences with the Takoma schools. If you value education, you will be pressed to do better.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Takoma Park schools are recognized for their diverse student body and racial and socioeconomic diversity. While this may result in lower test averages compared to more segregated areas, these schools still provide the best educational opportunities available in Montgomery County.

TPES stands out for hosting the county's only elementary school magnet program, which includes enriched and accelerated math courses. Additionally, TPES is a focus school with smaller class sizes than other schools. For instance, their kindergarten class previously had only 16 students during DC's tenure.

PBES, on the other hand, offers an exceptional local CES program that provides an outstanding learning experience for students. With only 1-2 classes per grade and around 200 students in each grade, there is ample space for 15%-25% of the students to participate. However, the program remains competitive, and even students who score highly on the CogAT can be waitlisted due to the lottery system.

TPMS is the home of the highly-regarded MS STEM magnet program, providing selected students with enriched math, science, and computer science courses. With only 100 seats available, it's a highly competitive program. However, an additional 25 seats are set aside for in-boundary students. About a third of the TPMS magnet students end up at Blair SMSC STEM magnet. The TPMS math team is also a highly regarded EC. Students compete at the highest levels often in high-school contests. Many of these opportunities aren't available at other schools.

Blair High School, which serves the Takoma Park area. The TPMS magnet does a fantastic job preparing students for the Blair STEM magnet. Nevertheless, (any) students who meet the prerequisites can take advanced magnet classes in 11th and 12th grades, such as Cell Biology, Complex Analysis, Linear Algebra, or AI Programming. Interestingly, white students at Blair had the highest average SAT score of any MCPS school, averaging 1326. Some claim this was due to the magnet, which seems unlikely since it's primarily Asian. Blair remains a fine school with numerous opportunities for academic enrichment. People often remark that it's very well organized and run.

This is similar to our experiences with the Takoma schools. If you value education, you will be pressed to do better.

As has previously been pointed out a lot of the info in that long post is wrong out of date

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why are these responses so wildly divergent? Are most people in the neighborhood happy?

Yes, most people in the neighborhood are happy.

Divergent because people with no personal experience post (negative) as well as people with direct personal experience (positive).

[Anonymous]

What is the culture around Piney Branch and TPES? In our DCPS we have cute events like fun fairs, movie nights, plays, etc. do they do the same things or does the size prevent that?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What is the culture around Piney Branch and TPES? In our DCPS we have cute events like fun fairs, movie nights, plays, etc. do they do the same things or does the size prevent that?

Some but not a lot and not very welcoming unless you already know a ton of families and/or have been there since kindergarten. Unfortunately families don’t really connect through the schools instead doing so through cubs, soccer, after school programs and neighborhood connections. Meaning if you aren’t in the right activities your social connections are limited. Don’t rely on the schools to welcome you (they don’t even have any PTA efforts to welcome new families).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What is the culture around Piney Branch and TPES? In our DCPS we have cute events like fun fairs, movie nights, plays, etc. do they do the same things or does the size prevent that?

Some but not a lot and not very welcoming unless you already know a ton of families and/or have been there since kindergarten. Unfortunately families don’t really connect through the schools instead doing so through cubs, soccer, after school programs and neighborhood connections. Meaning if you aren’t in the right activities your social connections are limited. Don’t rely on the schools to welcome you (they don’t even have any PTA efforts to welcome new families).

We found it an incredibly welcoming and close-knit community but sure there are always a few weirdos.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What is the culture around Piney Branch and TPES? In our DCPS we have cute events like fun fairs, movie nights, plays, etc. do they do the same things or does the size prevent that?

Some but not a lot and not very welcoming unless you already know a ton of families and/or have been there since kindergarten. Unfortunately families don’t really connect through the schools instead doing so through cubs, soccer, after school programs and neighborhood connections. Meaning if you aren’t in the right activities your social connections are limited. Don’t rely on the schools to welcome you (they don’t even have any PTA efforts to welcome new families).

We found it an incredibly welcoming and close-knit community but sure there are always a few weirdos.

I see, not very welcoming.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What is the culture around Piney Branch and TPES? In our DCPS we have cute events like fun fairs, movie nights, plays, etc. do they do the same things or does the size prevent that?

Some but not a lot and not very welcoming unless you already know a ton of families and/or have been there since kindergarten. Unfortunately families don’t really connect through the schools instead doing so through cubs, soccer, after school programs and neighborhood connections. Meaning if you aren’t in the right activities your social connections are limited. Don’t rely on the schools to welcome you (they don’t even have any PTA efforts to welcome new families).

We found it an incredibly welcoming and close-knit community but sure there are always a few weirdos.

We moved here last year and have a child at Piney Branch. We also found the community welcoming. Couldn't imagine a better place.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What is the culture around Piney Branch and TPES? In our DCPS we have cute events like fun fairs, movie nights, plays, etc. do they do the same things or does the size prevent that?

Some but not a lot and not very welcoming unless you already know a ton of families and/or have been there since kindergarten. Unfortunately families don’t really connect through the schools instead doing so through cubs, soccer, after school programs and neighborhood connections. Meaning if you aren’t in the right activities your social connections are limited. Don’t rely on the schools to welcome you (they don’t even have any PTA efforts to welcome new families).

We found it an incredibly welcoming and close-knit community but sure there are always a few weirdos.

I see, not very welcoming.

Unfortunately, yes. PP who almost certainly found community outside the school through the paths discussed above basically prove the point made.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What is the culture around Piney Branch and TPES? In our DCPS we have cute events like fun fairs, movie nights, plays, etc. do they do the same things or does the size prevent that?

Some but not a lot and not very welcoming unless you already know a ton of families and/or have been there since kindergarten. Unfortunately families don’t really connect through the schools instead doing so through cubs, soccer, after school programs and neighborhood connections. Meaning if you aren’t in the right activities your social connections are limited. Don’t rely on the schools to welcome you (they don’t even have any PTA efforts to welcome new families).

We found it an incredibly welcoming and close-knit community but sure there are always a few weirdos.

We moved here last year and have a child at Piney Branch. We also found the community welcoming. Couldn't imagine a better place.

Really? How did the school welcome you or help you connect with others? Did the staff even know you were new? What did the PTA do to welcome you? Do they have a new families welcome committee now like many DCPS schools?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As an independent adult I would prefer Takoma park over every other area in the DMV but as a parent with school aged kids, no, absolutely not, not in a million years.

Strange. On what basis are you making that statement? Are you actually familiar with the schools in Takoma park? If you “absolutely would not in a million years” send your kids to school in TKPK, then where would you send them that if so superior????

yes the schools are shite and the schools in Bethesda are 100 % better performing I have neighbors who moved from TP to Bethesda exactly for this reason.

lol knew it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What is the culture around Piney Branch and TPES? In our DCPS we have cute events like fun fairs, movie nights, plays, etc. do they do the same things or does the size prevent that?

Some but not a lot and not very welcoming unless you already know a ton of families and/or have been there since kindergarten. Unfortunately families don’t really connect through the schools instead doing so through cubs, soccer, after school programs and neighborhood connections. Meaning if you aren’t in the right activities your social connections are limited. Don’t rely on the schools to welcome you (they don’t even have any PTA efforts to welcome new families).

Okay, but those activities are open to everyone who is interested? I know what you mean, but the institutions you talk about (Pack 33, Takoma Soccer, Kids After Hours, after school activities at the rec center) all make real efforts to be welcoming and not to gatekeep participation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What is the culture around Piney Branch and TPES? In our DCPS we have cute events like fun fairs, movie nights, plays, etc. do they do the same things or does the size prevent that?

Some but not a lot and not very welcoming unless you already know a ton of families and/or have been there since kindergarten. Unfortunately families don’t really connect through the schools instead doing so through cubs, soccer, after school programs and neighborhood connections. Meaning if you aren’t in the right activities your social connections are limited. Don’t rely on the schools to welcome you (they don’t even have any PTA efforts to welcome new families).

Okay, but those activities are open to everyone who is interested? I know what you mean, but the institutions you talk about (Pack 33, Takoma Soccer, Kids After Hours, after school activities at the rec center) all make real efforts to be welcoming and not to gatekeep participation.

That’s true, but they are not school and the question was about whether the SCHOOL was welcoming. Kids who don’t or can’t participate in those activities are at a disadvantage socially.