When is the right time to move if you are moving for schools?

[Anonymous]

I understand there are boundary redistricting in Montgomery County and we plan to move next year before my daughter starts kindergarten in 2021. Someone told me to wait due to the redistricting. When exactly will all this be done? Sorry I’m not from this country and I’m unfamiliar with all the public school jargons. I do know I’m in a bad school cluster and need to move. Thanks!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I understand there are boundary redistricting in Montgomery County and we plan to move next year before my daughter starts kindergarten in 2021. Someone told me to wait due to the redistricting. When exactly will all this be done? Sorry I’m not from this country and I’m unfamiliar with all the public school jargons. I do know I’m in a bad school cluster and need to move. Thanks!!

There is no countywide redistricting. They are analyzing the boundaries to inform future decisions which may be authorized, any of which will be several years away. There are three boundary studies beginning soon: in Bethesda, for Westbrook and Somerset ESs; in Gaithersburg/North Potomac, for Rachel Carson and DuFief ESs; and in Gaithersburg for all the ESs in the Gaithersburg cluster to determine the boundaries for a new school. If you're looking to move to those areas, attend the public meetings in 2020. Otherwise there is nothing imminent.

[Anonymous]

And boundary changes are usually decided in November to take effect the following fall. So you will have at least 10 months' notice.

[Anonymous]

These are the planned timelines for the upcoming boundary studies.

Expanding Westbrook ES to relieve Somerset ES overcrowding:
Boundary study in spring 2020, with Board action in November 2020. Expansion opens Fall 2021.

Expanding DuFief ES to relieve Rachel Carson ES overcrowding:
Boundary study to begin spring 2020 with Board action scheduled for March 2021. Expansion opens Fall 2022.

New ES in Gaithersburg (Kelley Park):
Boundary study to begin spring 2020 with Board action scheduled for March 2021. New school opens Fall 2022.

New ES in Clarksburg (Cabin Branch):
Boundary study to begin fall 2020 with Board action scheduled for November 2021. New school opens Fall 2022.

[Anonymous]

No need to move if you are in a "bad" school cluster. Just make sure you are eligible to FARMS and your kid will be assigned to the better school cluster.

When one applies for the free and reduced meal, they don't even ask for a tax form.

MCPS wants as many "ever-FARM" students to balance out the FARM rate at the "good" cluster.

OP, you are set and everything will be great. Don't worry

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I understand there are boundary redistricting in Montgomery County and we plan to move next year before my daughter starts kindergarten in 2021. Someone told me to wait due to the redistricting. When exactly will all this be done? Sorry I’m not from this country and I’m unfamiliar with all the public school jargons. I do know I’m in a bad school cluster and need to move. Thanks!!

OP, are you moving from or to Montgomery County?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No need to move if you are in a "bad" school cluster. Just make sure you are eligible to FARMS and your kid will be assigned to the better school cluster.

When one applies for the free and reduced meal, they don't even ask for a tax form.

MCPS wants as many "ever-FARM" students to balance out the FARM rate at the "good" cluster.

OP, you are set and everything will be great. Don't worry

Please stop spreading misinformation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No need to move if you are in a "bad" school cluster. Just make sure you are eligible to FARMS and your kid will be assigned to the better school cluster.

When one applies for the free and reduced meal, they don't even ask for a tax form.

MCPS wants as many "ever-FARM" students to balance out the FARM rate at the "good" cluster.

OP, you are set and everything will be great. Don't worry

Please stop spreading misinformation.

OP...there is tons of misinformation on DCUM! Be skeptical..

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I understand there are boundary redistricting in Montgomery County and we plan to move next year before my daughter starts kindergarten in 2021. Someone told me to wait due to the redistricting. When exactly will all this be done? Sorry I’m not from this country and I’m unfamiliar with all the public school jargons. I do know I’m in a bad school cluster and need to move. Thanks!!

There is no countywide redistricting. They are analyzing the boundaries to inform future decisions which may be authorized, any of which will be several years away. There are three boundary studies beginning soon: in Bethesda, for Westbrook and Somerset ESs; in Gaithersburg/North Potomac, for Rachel Carson and DuFief ESs; and in Gaithersburg for all the ESs in the Gaithersburg cluster to determine the boundaries for a new school. If you're looking to move to those areas, attend the public meetings in 2020. Otherwise there is nothing imminent.

Do you happen to know when Woodward HS boundaries would be determined? My understanding is that, originally, Woodward was supposed to open in 2022 but it looks like it's not going to happen until, at least, 2023 or even later.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No need to move if you are in a "bad" school cluster. Just make sure you are eligible to FARMS and your kid will be assigned to the better school cluster.

When one applies for the free and reduced meal, they don't even ask for a tax form.

MCPS wants as many "ever-FARM" students to balance out the FARM rate at the "good" cluster.

OP, you are set and everything will be great. Don't worry

Since MCPS doesn’t decide whether you qualify, they don’t need to. The agency that decides already has access to the info it will need.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No need to move if you are in a "bad" school cluster. Just make sure you are eligible to FARMS and your kid will be assigned to the better school cluster.

When one applies for the free and reduced meal, they don't even ask for a tax form.

MCPS wants as many "ever-FARM" students to balance out the FARM rate at the "good" cluster.

OP, you are set and everything will be great. Don't worry

Please stop spreading misinformation.

True. MCPS does not verify FARMS status so go for it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No need to move if you are in a "bad" school cluster. Just make sure you are eligible to FARMS and your kid will be assigned to the better school cluster.

When one applies for the free and reduced meal, they don't even ask for a tax form.

MCPS wants as many "ever-FARM" students to balance out the FARM rate at the "good" cluster.

OP, you are set and everything will be great. Don't worry

Since MCPS doesn’t decide whether you qualify, they don’t need to. The agency that decides already has access to the info it will need.

Nice magical thinking but not accurate. Hence the need for audits.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I understand there are boundary redistricting in Montgomery County and we plan to move next year before my daughter starts kindergarten in 2021. Someone told me to wait due to the redistricting. When exactly will all this be done? Sorry I’m not from this country and I’m unfamiliar with all the public school jargons. I do know I’m in a bad school cluster and need to move. Thanks!!

There is no countywide redistricting. They are analyzing the boundaries to inform future decisions which may be authorized, any of which will be several years away. There are three boundary studies beginning soon: in Bethesda, for Westbrook and Somerset ESs; in Gaithersburg/North Potomac, for Rachel Carson and DuFief ESs; and in Gaithersburg for all the ESs in the Gaithersburg cluster to determine the boundaries for a new school. If you're looking to move to those areas, attend the public meetings in 2020. Otherwise there is nothing imminent.

Do you happen to know when Woodward HS boundaries would be determined? My understanding is that, originally, Woodward was supposed to open in 2022 but it looks like it's not going to happen until, at least, 2023 or even later.

Woodward will reopen as a HS in Fall 2025. It can't open until then because the new building will first serve as the holding school for Northwood. A boundary study for Woodward will likely happen in 2024.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No need to move if you are in a "bad" school cluster. Just make sure you are eligible to FARMS and your kid will be assigned to the better school cluster.

When one applies for the free and reduced meal, they don't even ask for a tax form.

MCPS wants as many "ever-FARM" students to balance out the FARM rate at the "good" cluster.

OP, you are set and everything will be great. Don't worry

That’s because it’s a federal application and the feds don’t require a “tax form.” Don’t blame it on MCPS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I understand there are boundary redistricting in Montgomery County and we plan to move next year before my daughter starts kindergarten in 2021. Someone told me to wait due to the redistricting. When exactly will all this be done? Sorry I’m not from this country and I’m unfamiliar with all the public school jargons. I do know I’m in a bad school cluster and need to move. Thanks!!

If you are dead set on moving, you should do it before your child starts school. Moving after Kindergarten isn't the end of the world, but all things being equal, best to start school and make some friends that will be together for a few years.

Of course, you don't HAVE to move. You might be in a "bad" cluster by test scores, but a "good" cluster by actual student experience. It's worth talking to your neighbors about their own experiences, and the outcomes for their kids. If you read DCUM, you will see a lot of complaints from folks who thought they were getting a "good" school by test scores, but the actual experience (bad administration, overcrowding, poor facilities) of some schools makes it a worse place to be a kid and/or a parent.