BCC/WJ Joint New ES Study

[Anonymous]

Here's the latest on the potential locations for the new BCCWJ ES:

https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/facilities/construction/project/bccwjesclusterstudy.aspx?fbclid=IwAR0uAvgsJdfcguK1cQjG5MnjIY2biO9RPaJ6X8nwUysRVkUo_cnxtnG-uxY

[Anonymous]

Why is Rocking Horse Road Center included in a BCC/WJ study, when it is located in the Wheaton cluster?

And if this study is to choose a site for a school to be jointly used by BCC and WJ, shouldn't the sites be located near the boundary between the two clusters?

[Anonymous]

Some are closer than others. Maybe if they build at Rocking Horse it would not actually bw a WJ/BCC school, but they would shift students from WJ over, and then shift some BCC students into a less crowded WJ school. Who knows? Kensignton, Alta Vista, Ayrlawn, and Lynbrook are closest to the boundaries, I think,

[Anonymous]

WJ already did a site selection and picked Grosvenor. Why are they doing another one?

[Anonymous]

Looking at these maps, I realize that the problem is really that somehow, at some point in the past, a big part of Kennsington became deluded to think that they were "North Chevy Chase" or "Chevy Chase View" and probably with some political will forced themselves into the BCC cluster. If those kids just got moved to the WJ cluster like they should be, then East Bethesda can get moved back to Rosemary Hills/North Chevy Chase ES and Bethesda ES is no longer crowded.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:WJ already did a site selection and picked Grosvenor. Why are they doing another one?

Because they decided WJ didn't merit another ES just for that cluster, but combining with BCC they could justify building a new school. So this study was to look for a site that could work for both clusters. I still think Grosvenor is the best site.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:WJ already did a site selection and picked Grosvenor. Why are they doing another one?

Because that site selection was only for WJ cluster. There aren't enough students in WJ cluster to support a new ES. So the new site selection is for a school to relieve WJ and BCC clusters.

[Anonymous]

I don't think any of the families of the almost 1000 kids at Ashburton or Farmland agree with you, but apparently MCPS does, so there's that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't think any of the families of the almost 1000 kids at Ashburton or Farmland agree with you, but apparently MCPS does, so there's that.

If you're suggesting that those two schools are so overcapacity that they themselves would justify building a new school, that's not the case. Ashburton is currently 134 over and Farmland is 142 over. The projections show Ashburton getting as high as 193 and Farmland decreasing each year. Also, you have to factor in that K-P is currently 114 undercapacity.

[Anonymous]

Grosvenor is still an option and close to the boundary with BCC.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Grosvenor is still an option and close to the boundary with BCC.

I think they should select Grosvenor for the new ES, and also use Rocking Horse as the site for a replacement holding school. There are no holding schools in that area.

[Anonymous]

Why the discussion of current boundaries when the WJ boundary will definitely change in a couple of years, anyway. It seems like they are looking for the best location, period. And that will then be figured into any new HS boundary drawings.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why the discussion of current boundaries when the WJ boundary will definitely change in a couple of years, anyway. It seems like they are looking for the best location, period. And that will then be figured into any new HS boundary drawings.

That's a good point. The Grosvenor location still seems the smartest. The Ayrlawn location is just ridiculous. There's zero decent access -- its at the confluence of two dead-end streets and the existing YMCA summer camps result in traffic backed up around the block. Plus it's smack-dab between Wyngate and Bradley Hills, which are already very close together. We don't really need three elementary schools within what is about one square mile. Add in the fact that the YMCA is currently providing after-care to half the kids at Wyngate (who won't fit in the onsite aftercare provider), and is one of the few summer camps that runs through the whole MCPS summer, its removal would really jam up a lot of families....I can't believe that MCPS is even considering this one.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why the discussion of current boundaries when the WJ boundary will definitely change in a couple of years, anyway. It seems like they are looking for the best location, period. And that will then be figured into any new HS boundary drawings.

That's a good point. The Grosvenor location still seems the smartest. The Ayrlawn location is just ridiculous. There's zero decent access -- its at the confluence of two dead-end streets and the existing YMCA summer camps result in traffic backed up around the block. Plus it's smack-dab between Wyngate and Bradley Hills, which are already very close together. We don't really need three elementary schools within what is about one square mile. Add in the fact that the YMCA is currently providing after-care to half the kids at Wyngate (who won't fit in the onsite aftercare provider), and is one of the few summer camps that runs through the whole MCPS summer, its removal would really jam up a lot of families....I can't believe that MCPS is even considering this one.

Nearby family with older teen now, but in the younger years that Y center was a true family neighborhood walkable gem! Aftercare. Summer camps, both as a camper and CIT. All of the non-swimming programming for youth held there--there's no where at the "remodeled" Y for that to go. A loss IMO.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't think any of the families of the almost 1000 kids at Ashburton or Farmland agree with you, but apparently MCPS does, so there's that.

If you're suggesting that those two schools are so overcapacity that they themselves would justify building a new school, that's not the case. Ashburton is currently 134 over and Farmland is 142 over. The projections show Ashburton getting as high as 193 and Farmland decreasing each year. Also, you have to factor in that K-P is currently 114 undercapacity.

I think the overage of Farmland kids are destined for Lux Manor when the Rexex is done.