If you could live anywhere in MOCO, where would you send your kids?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DT Silver Spring or Takoma Pk seem like good matches for the OP. The rest is probably too "suburban" by her standards. Maybe also Kensington would work...

Me, I like Rockville. Then again, I'm from the suburbs of NJ so what do I know anyway?

PP must like the "grittier" feel of Takoma Park and downtown Silver Spring opposed to the calmer, more suburban feel of Rockville. As someone who drives thru Langley Park every day you can have it...

TP and downtown SS are a lot more walkable than Rockville, and have much more of a town feeling (esp TP). Besides the town square, where exactly can one walk in Rockville without hitting a strip mall? Plus, the commute to downtown is longer. We have lived in the TP/SS area for about 5 years, and nearly every time we walk through TP or downtown SS, we see someone we know. There is a strong sense of community that develops from being able to just run into people and chat.
And why do people always throw in Langley Park? Most people are not strolling through Langley Park the way they are TP and downtown SS. It is the opposite direction. I am in Langley Park less than once a month, and always as I am driving through to someplace else. It has no relevance to my life as a SS resident. And no, those kids won;t go to school with our kids because Langley Park is in PG county, not Montgomery county.

Langley Park is just the PG side of Takoma Park. From a functional perspective, they are basically the same. People are strolling ALL OVER Langley Park, that's what makes it such a challenge to drive thru. The sheer volume of pedestrian traffic is crazy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
Langley Park is just the PG side of Takoma Park. From a functional perspective, they are basically the same. People are strolling ALL OVER Langley Park, that's what makes it such a challenge to drive thru. The sheer volume of pedestrian traffic is crazy.

What does that mean? I live in Silver Spring, and I am in Takoma Park a few times a week. I can go weeks at a time without ever driving through Langley Park. Yes, the New Hampshire Ave/University Blvd intersection is very busy, but it has no impact on my quality of life in general as a resident of this TP/downtown SS area.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You should look at lower Kensington/North Chevy chase. Zips 20895 and 20815 north of east-west. Zones to BCC.

I agree- you could probably get something in 20815 north of East West for about $600,000 right now. Zoned to good public schools. Close to DC.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Well, not anywhere, but anywhere close-in to DC where $600K gets you a house vs. an apartment.

After more than a decade of DC living, I'm looking at MD schools, DC schools, and my two kids and calling it. Its time to move to MoCo. I'm tired of hoping, pushing, wishing just to get into a "good" DC charter school that still would not even rank in MoCo. My preference is for Takoma Park - relatively affordable, relaxed, close-in and with amazing trees. But am I missing something? Potomac seems waaaay too expensive and Bethesda seems too white. Rockville is... well, if I'm gonna live that far out, I might as well move to Seattle.

Anyway, love some options on which school clusters are attractive and worthy of house-hunting nearby. The girls will be in K & 2nd when we move & I would expect us to stay through the full 18 years of their schooling (or at least have that option).

PS: No, VA is not an option.

I'd suggest looking in the Sligo Creek Elementary area - right around downtown Silver Spring. We were also DC people, but as the kids got older, needed more space and wanted public schools through high school that we would send our kids to. DTSS is right by the SS Metro, great public transit, lots of restaurants/theaters/shops, diverse, good schools, tons of parks and right next to Sligo Creek which has a great trail, lots of people like us who are more city people, etc. We really like it and our kids love Sligo Creek Elem.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Well, not anywhere, but anywhere close-in to DC where $600K gets you a house vs. an apartment.

After more than a decade of DC living, I'm looking at MD schools, DC schools, and my two kids and calling it. Its time to move to MoCo. I'm tired of hoping, pushing, wishing just to get into a "good" DC charter school that still would not even rank in MoCo. My preference is for Takoma Park - relatively affordable, relaxed, close-in and with amazing trees. But am I missing something? Potomac seems waaaay too expensive and Bethesda seems too white. Rockville is... well, if I'm gonna live that far out, I might as well move to Seattle.

Anyway, love some options on which school clusters are attractive and worthy of house-hunting nearby. The girls will be in K & 2nd when we move & I would expect us to stay through the full 18 years of their schooling (or at least have that option).

PS: No, VA is not an option.

I'd suggest looking in the Sligo Creek Elementary area - right around downtown Silver Spring. We were also DC people, but as the kids got older, needed more space and wanted public schools through high school that we would send our kids to. DTSS is right by the SS Metro, great public transit, lots of restaurants/theaters/shops, diverse, good schools, tons of parks and right next to Sligo Creek which has a great trail, lots of people like us who are more city people, etc. We really like it and our kids love Sligo Creek Elem.

Wouldn't move to MoCo ..... it it was an option. MoCo and other urban districts are moving towards a curriculum geared towards the lower socioeconomic student. Most students from middle class homes tend to be bored in these classes. Think about the future and move to a non-urban district. Just my 2 cents!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Langley Park is just the PG side of Takoma Park. From a functional perspective, they are basically the same. People are strolling ALL OVER Langley Park, that's what makes it such a challenge to drive thru. The sheer volume of pedestrian traffic is crazy.

What does that mean? I live in Silver Spring, and I am in Takoma Park a few times a week. I can go weeks at a time without ever driving through Langley Park. Yes, the New Hampshire Ave/University Blvd intersection is very busy, but it has no impact on my quality of life in general as a resident of this TP/downtown SS area.

Langley Park is the PG side of Takoma Park, or Takoma Park is the MoCo side of Langley Park... whichever way you want to describe it. As a lifelong resident TP and LP were always linked, it's just funny to see TP linked with Silver Spring.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Well, not anywhere, but anywhere close-in to DC where $600K gets you a house vs. an apartment.

After more than a decade of DC living, I'm looking at MD schools, DC schools, and my two kids and calling it. Its time to move to MoCo. I'm tired of hoping, pushing, wishing just to get into a "good" DC charter school that still would not even rank in MoCo. My preference is for Takoma Park - relatively affordable, relaxed, close-in and with amazing trees. But am I missing something? Potomac seems waaaay too expensive and Bethesda seems too white. Rockville is... well, if I'm gonna live that far out, I might as well move to Seattle.

Anyway, love some options on which school clusters are attractive and worthy of house-hunting nearby. The girls will be in K & 2nd when we move & I would expect us to stay through the full 18 years of their schooling (or at least have that option).

PS: No, VA is not an option.

I'd suggest looking in the Sligo Creek Elementary area - right around downtown Silver Spring. We were also DC people, but as the kids got older, needed more space and wanted public schools through high school that we would send our kids to. DTSS is right by the SS Metro, great public transit, lots of restaurants/theaters/shops, diverse, good schools, tons of parks and right next to Sligo Creek which has a great trail, lots of people like us who are more city people, etc. We really like it and our kids love Sligo Creek Elem.

Wouldn't move to MoCo ..... it it was an option. MoCo and other urban districts are moving towards a curriculum geared towards the lower socioeconomic student. Most students from middle class homes tend to be bored in these classes. Think about the future and move to a non-urban district. Just my 2 cents!

OP said close-in, so I presume she values the benefits of being close to DC enough that your post won't make her move out past Montgomery County. Where are you suggesting she move anyway if in Md but not in moco?

[Anonymous]

Another TP resident who doesn't get the link with Langley Park. Langley Park is in a whole 'nother school district, PG. I suppose you might think they're linked if you live way up Carroll, but in that case you're in a small minority because the rest of us TPers don't live there. Like others, I drive through Langley Park maybe once every 3 months on my way to drop off stiff at Value Village. But for OP, the takeaway is:

TP = MoCo school system
LP = PG school system

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Well, not anywhere, but anywhere close-in to DC where $600K gets you a house vs. an apartment.

After more than a decade of DC living, I'm looking at MD schools, DC schools, and my two kids and calling it. Its time to move to MoCo. I'm tired of hoping, pushing, wishing just to get into a "good" DC charter school that still would not even rank in MoCo. My preference is for Takoma Park - relatively affordable, relaxed, close-in and with amazing trees. But am I missing something? Potomac seems waaaay too expensive and Bethesda seems too white. Rockville is... well, if I'm gonna live that far out, I might as well move to Seattle.

Anyway, love some options on which school clusters are attractive and worthy of house-hunting nearby. The girls will be in K & 2nd when we move & I would expect us to stay through the full 18 years of their schooling (or at least have that option).

PS: No, VA is not an option.

I'd suggest looking in the Sligo Creek Elementary area - right around downtown Silver Spring. We were also DC people, but as the kids got older, needed more space and wanted public schools through high school that we would send our kids to. DTSS is right by the SS Metro, great public transit, lots of restaurants/theaters/shops, diverse, good schools, tons of parks and right next to Sligo Creek which has a great trail, lots of people like us who are more city people, etc. We really like it and our kids love Sligo Creek Elem.

Wouldn't move to MoCo ..... it it was an option. MoCo and other urban districts are moving towards a curriculum geared towards the lower socioeconomic student. Most students from middle class homes tend to be bored in these classes. Think about the future and move to a non-urban district. Just my 2 cents!

OP said close-in, so I presume she values the benefits of being close to DC enough that your post won't make her move out past Montgomery County. Where are you suggesting she move anyway if in Md but not in moco?

My suggestion is that OP carefully think if the education of her children or closeness to DC matters most. The focus of urban schools is not the child from a middle class family. Even the "W" schools in MoCo are moving in that direction. I love the Takoma Park area but the declining schools made me rethink. Unions controlling real estate taxes seems to be the beginning of out of control spending on schools with little to show for the middle class taxpayer's child.

HoCo is much friendlier, teachers are less full of themselves, and education is good.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
I'd suggest looking in the Sligo Creek Elementary area - right around downtown Silver Spring. We were also DC people, but as the kids got older, needed more space and wanted public schools through high school that we would send our kids to. DTSS is right by the SS Metro, great public transit, lots of restaurants/theaters/shops, diverse, good schools, tons of parks and right next to Sligo Creek which has a great trail, lots of people like us who are more city people, etc. We really like it and our kids love Sligo Creek Elem.

Wouldn't move to MoCo ..... it it was an option. MoCo and other urban districts are moving towards a curriculum geared towards the lower socioeconomic student. Most students from middle class homes tend to be bored in these classes. Think about the future and move to a non-urban district. Just my 2 cents!

OP said close-in, so I presume she values the benefits of being close to DC enough that your post won't make her move out past Montgomery County. Where are you suggesting she move anyway if in Md but not in moco?

My suggestion is that OP carefully think if the education of her children or closeness to DC matters most. The focus of urban schools is not the child from a middle class family. Even the "W" schools in MoCo are moving in that direction. I love the Takoma Park area but the declining schools made me rethink. Unions controlling real estate taxes seems to be the beginning of out of control spending on schools with little to show for the middle class taxpayer's child.

HoCo is much friendlier, teachers are less full of themselves, and education is good.

Well it's not like your choice is "move to Howard County and have fantastic schools but a two-hour commute each way" or "move to MOCO and have shitty schools and a reasonable commute". MOCO schools are among the best in the country. I don't know a thing about Howard County schools, but they would have to be absolutely spectacular beyond reason to make me want to spend an additional hour on commuting each way (so two fewer hours actually spent with my children each day) and to sacrifice what I think are the benefits of living in a less suburban area.

I'm not sure what you mean by Howard County being much "friendlier" and I doubt you have any evidence to prove that other than your own assumptions. I've found my neighbors in DTSS to be very friendly. And same with teachers being "less full of themselves" - what a bizarre argument for your point.

My kids are both at Sligo Creek and really like it. I know about what people dislike about curiculum 2.0, and fortunately, most middle-class people are going to have the time and money to make sure their kids are happy and learning whereever they are. I'll take my kid's pretty good education and live in downtown Silver Spring. I'm sure there are people who want different things out of life that are very happy in Howard County, and that's great. But if OP wants close-in, Howard County isn't going to do it. And it doesn't mean she doesn't value a quality education for her children.

[Anonymous]

The complaints about the new MCPS curriculum seem to be that it teaches to the middle. Well, I spend a lot of time volunteering at our SS elementary school, which is very diverse. Well, most of "the middle" consists of middle class white kids. In a very diverse school like ours, you find diversity at the top levels of performance too. If you assume all the middle class white kids are high achievers, and all the lower income and minority kids are at the bottom, you are kidding yourself.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Another TP resident who doesn't get the link with Langley Park. Langley Park is in a whole 'nother school district, PG. I suppose you might think they're linked if you live way up Carroll, but in that case you're in a small minority because the rest of us TPers don't live there. Like others, I drive through Langley Park maybe once every 3 months on my way to drop off stiff at Value Village. But for OP, the takeaway is:

TP = MoCo school system
LP = PG school system

The only difference between LP and TP is the school district.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
I'd suggest looking in the Sligo Creek Elementary area - right around downtown Silver Spring. We were also DC people, but as the kids got older, needed more space and wanted public schools through high school that we would send our kids to. DTSS is right by the SS Metro, great public transit, lots of restaurants/theaters/shops, diverse, good schools, tons of parks and right next to Sligo Creek which has a great trail, lots of people like us who are more city people, etc. We really like it and our kids love Sligo Creek Elem.

Wouldn't move to MoCo ..... it it was an option. MoCo and other urban districts are moving towards a curriculum geared towards the lower socioeconomic student. Most students from middle class homes tend to be bored in these classes. Think about the future and move to a non-urban district. Just my 2 cents!

OP said close-in, so I presume she values the benefits of being close to DC enough that your post won't make her move out past Montgomery County. Where are you suggesting she move anyway if in Md but not in moco?

My suggestion is that OP carefully think if the education of her children or closeness to DC matters most. The focus of urban schools is not the child from a middle class family. Even the "W" schools in MoCo are moving in that direction. I love the Takoma Park area but the declining schools made me rethink. Unions controlling real estate taxes seems to be the beginning of out of control spending on schools with little to show for the middle class taxpayer's child.

HoCo is much friendlier, teachers are less full of themselves, and education is good.

Well it's not like your choice is "move to Howard County and have fantastic schools but a two-hour commute each way" or "move to MOCO and have shitty schools and a reasonable commute". MOCO schools are among the best in the country. I don't know a thing about Howard County schools, but they would have to be absolutely spectacular beyond reason to make me want to spend an additional hour on commuting each way (so two fewer hours actually spent with my children each day) and to sacrifice what I think are the benefits of living in a less suburban area.

I'm not sure what you mean by Howard County being much "friendlier" and I doubt you have any evidence to prove that other than your own assumptions. I've found my neighbors in DTSS to be very friendly. And same with teachers being "less full of themselves" - what a bizarre argument for your point.

My kids are both at Sligo Creek and really like it. I know about what people dislike about curiculum 2.0, and fortunately, most middle-class people are going to have the time and money to make sure their kids are happy and learning whereever they are. I'll take my kid's pretty good education and live in downtown Silver Spring. I'm sure there are people who want different things out of life that are very happy in Howard County, and that's great. But if OP wants close-in, Howard County isn't going to do it. And it doesn't mean she doesn't value a quality education for her children.

OP: If you are one of those "most middle-class people are going to have the time and money to make sure their kids are happy and learning whereever they are," then by all means move to MoCo. On the other hand if you want a solid education from a school system that doesn't spend on promoting itself look at HoCo. Look at the school systems and compare them.

which one spends millions on PR?
which one has options for gifted students?
which one has a solid curriculum?
which one has differentiated instruction?
do you believe differentiated instruction can serve your children?
look at the superintendents--see if their philosophy is acceptable to you.

Then make a choice. Don't take my word for the quality of education--make your own decision. MoCo schools are not among the best in the country. They were once. Not anymore. Look at the Maryland Education department report and you will see they are not even the best in Maryland.

[Anonymous]

Ok, HOCO person. Glad you're happy up there. Perhaps you don't work in DC or don't mind being away from your home and family for the significant commute? I'm choosing my 30-min commute and the education my children are getting that I'm very pleased with over a two-hour drive every morning and afternoon. Glad it's working out for both of us!

[Anonymous]

For the record... although takoma park and langley park border eachother, there is absoluetly no comparison between the two...