We are thinking of moving to Bethesda...which schools should I look at?

[Anonymous]

I am feeling a little overwhelmed...neighborhood AND schools are equally important and I feeling like there are a million choices. We are moving out of DC.

Anybody out there have any thoughts?

If it helps, we are not going to spend more than 800K on a house.

THANKS!

[Anonymous]

What are you looking for in terms of commute? What sort of neighborhood feel? Any special school concerns? Favored proximity to nature or shopping?

[Anonymous]

OP here. I am figuring 800K does not get me much near anything shopping-wise, I mean walking-wise, but I don't know. In an ideal world, the community would be vibrant and outgoing, lots of kids running around. No special school needs. And my DH works in Bethesda, so the commute is no biggie!

[Anonymous]

You might want to start with the high schools and then move down. Whitman, BCC or WJ. They each have a different feel, student population, etc. if there is one you like more than another then you can look at the feeder schools/neighborhoods for that school. A realtor can help with neighborhoods in your price range - might look at some of the older houses in Glen Echo/Glen Echo Heights, or East Bethesda.

[Anonymous]

Not the OP, but I'd love to hear thoughts on the "feel" of each. We're looking at places in BCC, so I'd particularly like to know the feel of that school. Elementary isn't an issue for us, but I'd love to hear what people think of Westland vs. Pyle and Tilden too.

[Anonymous]

Pyle is the Whitman feeder so if you are looking at BCC that won't be an option.

[Anonymous]

I know that, I'm just wondering how Westland compares to the other schools before we commit to that neighborhood.

[Anonymous]

Oh, sorry. Westland doesn't have the greatest reputation. Not really sure why but I hear it all the time. Hopefully someone with kids there will answer. I know lots of people at Pyle who generally seem to like it - most with kids who seem to be in accelerated classes. My kids go to private school but one is likely to go to Whitman for high school.

[Anonymous]

OP here. I am thinking Whitman or BCC, but there is a good chance the kids would go to private HS. Who knows...it seems SO far away right now.

[Anonymous]

Pyle is so much better than Westland. Go see it.

[Anonymous]

We're not there (yet) but I've talked to several parents in the last year or two who are happy with Westland. (I think it has a relatively new IB program and principal). The common stereotype of Pyle and Whitman is that they tend to be more of a high pressure/high achievement environment, although BCC now has an IB program which seems to be very challenging. There are some interesting posts in the archives if you look.

Personally, I think between BCC and Whitman the differences aren't so great that I would feel the need to be in one over the other-- I would be happy with either, and they might change further in another 10-15 years.

I think for 800k you could find houses in E. Bethesda that are walking distance to shopping, metro, bike trail etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Pyle is so much better than Westland. Go see it.

Why?

[Anonymous]

I'm the PP who asked Why, and I thought I'd come back and clarify.

I often hear statements like "so and so is better than such and such" without any kind of data or even anecdata to back it up. It's frustrating because I have no idea if the person posting it is coming from the same value system I am or looking for the same things I'm looking for in a school.

Here's what I hear/know about Westland that is making me think it might be a better choice for my kid and my family -- I'd be curious if people have information/opinions on Westland vs. other schools that either contradicts my info, or that brings to lights other strengths and weaknesses that might outweigh these:

1) Diversity -- This is very important to our family and at least according to the MCPS website and area where Westland is well ahead of Pyle.

2) Pressure -- I hear over and over again that the kids at Pyle/Whitman are under incredible pressure. I have a bright self motivated kid, he doesn't need that kind of pressure, and in my experience pressuring a kid to do something they're already doing well/frequently usually backfires and creates a child who doesn't listen to their own internal cues.

3) Affordability/Neighborhood -- it seems like I'm more likely to find what I want in a home/neighborhood in Westland vs. Pyle.

[Anonymous]

We're in the WJ cluster and love the neighborhood and our elementary (Kensington Parkwood). There are many families and a great community feeling. We also love being right near Rock Creek Park yet still having access (by car) to shopping north on Rockville Pike or south in downtown Bethesda.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thanks for all of replies. I have NO idea where some of these neighborhoods are....I have my work cut out for me.