ISO Educational Consultant with Strong Experience with Montgomery County Public School

[Anonymous]

Does anyone have a reference for an educational consultant who understands Montgomery County public schools and their environments? We need help with school selection.

We have a great resource in DC, but unfortunately she does not specialize in Montgomery County. But it made me wonder if someone is out there in Montgomery County. If there is not, there should be!

[Anonymous]

For special needs/IEP or something else? School choice isn't really a thing in Montgomery County, not like DC.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For special needs/IEP or something else? School choice isn't really a thing in Montgomery County, not like DC.

Hi-- not for special needs. With regard to "choices," I meant to inform our housing selection--which neighborhood. Agree that once we are settled, the boundaries dictate everything. Thanks in advance for any leads.

[Anonymous]

I have never heard of this. The thing to know is that MCPS has a single curriculum, with the exception of a handful of language immersion programs for which you've likely already missed the deadline.

Because there is a single curriculum, any differences are going to be at the margins, so most folks pick the house they like, with a commute they can tolerate, in a neighborhood that meets their needs.

[Anonymous]

Wow.. there's a market for this? Maybe I'll do this as a PT job.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For special needs/IEP or something else? School choice isn't really a thing in Montgomery County, not like DC.

Hi-- not for special needs. With regard to "choices," I meant to inform our housing selection--which neighborhood. Agree that once we are settled, the boundaries dictate everything. Thanks in advance for any leads.

Pick a residence you like and can afford, in a neighborhood you like, that works for your transportation needs. Then send your child to the school your residence is zoned for.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have never heard of this. The thing to know is that MCPS has a single curriculum, with the exception of a handful of language immersion programs for which you've likely already missed the deadline.

Because there is a single curriculum, any differences are going to be at the margins, so most folks pick the house they like, with a commute they can tolerate, in a neighborhood that meets their needs.

Would agree with this having sent my kid to schools in silver Spring and in the western part of the county.
What is your housing budget OP?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For special needs/IEP or something else? School choice isn't really a thing in Montgomery County, not like DC.

Hi-- not for special needs. With regard to "choices," I meant to inform our housing selection--which neighborhood. Agree that once we are settled, the boundaries dictate everything. Thanks in advance for any leads.

lol!

[Anonymous]

At the elementary level, literally every school studies the exact same things at the exact same times of the year. They all have the same allotment of staff, same weekly schedule, same Chromebooks, gyms, instrumental music programs, and media centers. The only differences you could be asking a consultant about are characteristics of the children who attend, and I’d like to think no educational professional would steer you toward particular schools based on demographic information.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:At the elementary level, literally every school studies the exact same things at the exact same times of the year. They all have the same allotment of staff, same weekly schedule, same Chromebooks, gyms, instrumental music programs, and media centers. The only differences you could be asking a consultant about are characteristics of the children who attend, and I’d like to think no educational professional would steer you toward particular schools based on demographic information.

The differences are title 1 and focus schools have smaller class sizes. There are some also exceptions like TPES that provides additional STEM and differentiated math.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:At the elementary level, literally every school studies the exact same things at the exact same times of the year. They all have the same allotment of staff, same weekly schedule, same Chromebooks, gyms, instrumental music programs, and media centers. The only differences you could be asking a consultant about are characteristics of the children who attend, and I’d like to think no educational professional would steer you toward particular schools based on demographic information.

demographic information, probably not. Student performance, why not? Is it unreasonable for people to think about the performance of students in a school that their kids are going to attend?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:At the elementary level, literally every school studies the exact same things at the exact same times of the year. They all have the same allotment of staff, same weekly schedule, same Chromebooks, gyms, instrumental music programs, and media centers. The only differences you could be asking a consultant about are characteristics of the children who attend, and I’d like to think no educational professional would steer you toward particular schools based on demographic information.

demographic information, probably not. Student performance, why not? Is it unreasonable for people to think about the performance of students in a school that their kids are going to attend?

But do you need a consultant for any of that? There's lots of public data available online.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:At the elementary level, literally every school studies the exact same things at the exact same times of the year. They all have the same allotment of staff, same weekly schedule, same Chromebooks, gyms, instrumental music programs, and media centers. The only differences you could be asking a consultant about are characteristics of the children who attend, and I’d like to think no educational professional would steer you toward particular schools based on demographic information.

demographic information, probably not. Student performance, why not? Is it unreasonable for people to think about the performance of students in a school that their kids are going to attend?

But do you need a consultant for any of that? There's lots of public data available online.

I certainly agree with that. However some people may just consider information from a consultant more "valuable"....

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:At the elementary level, literally every school studies the exact same things at the exact same times of the year. They all have the same allotment of staff, same weekly schedule, same Chromebooks, gyms, instrumental music programs, and media centers. The only differences you could be asking a consultant about are characteristics of the children who attend, and I’d like to think no educational professional would steer you toward particular schools based on demographic information.

demographic information, probably not. Student performance, why not? Is it unreasonable for people to think about the performance of students in a school that their kids are going to attend?

People can think about whatever they want. But student test score performance, by and large, doesn't tell you anything about whether the teachers are good or whether the school is well-run.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:At the elementary level, literally every school studies the exact same things at the exact same times of the year. They all have the same allotment of staff, same weekly schedule, same Chromebooks, gyms, instrumental music programs, and media centers. The only differences you could be asking a consultant about are characteristics of the children who attend, and I’d like to think no educational professional would steer you toward particular schools based on demographic information.

demographic information, probably not. Student performance, why not? Is it unreasonable for people to think about the performance of students in a school that their kids are going to attend?

People can think about whatever they want. But student test score performance, by and large, doesn't tell you anything about whether the teachers are good or whether the school is well-run.

It is common sense to look at student test scores when choosing a school. It certain does not tell you EVERYTHING about "whether the teachers are good or whether the school is well-run". ANYTHING? hard to say.

And also remember people can be interested in knowing how good their kids' schoolmates perform before choosing a school as well.