Einstein vs. Northwood, and how does school choice in the DCC work?

[Anonymous]

We are in bounds for one of those two, but really live pretty equidistant between them. My kid is a 7th grader in a K-8 private, so most of what I hear chatter about is private, but I think public will work better.

He's very musical kid. He likes singing, and playing a brass instrument, and doing musical theater. Any thoughts on how to choose which one to rank first?

Also, I know that if he ranks the one that is in bounds for us first, he's guaranteed a slot. If he ranks it second, and doesn't get his first choice, is he also guaranteed a slot?

Are there other schools we should be considering?

[Anonymous]

I'm pretty sure that you get your home school if you rank it number 2 and don't get your first choice. For musical theater, singing, and brass instruments, I would pick Einstein all the way. The jazz band at Einstein has a very good reputation and an excellent director. The musical theater director at Einstein has been there for decades and has a true gift. Norwood is supposed to have a musical theater "Academy," but I have not heard from talented musical theatre students that they have been disappointed in it over the past three years or so. I'm pretty sure that there has been a lot of turnover in staff in the performing arts department. Einstein was very well represented at the Montgomery County Youth Chorus last year (an auditioned honors chorus for the county). It was the best-represented school in the DCC because the director prepared the students well. Several students from the Einstein chorus have made the All-State Chorus as well each year. You can ask the Northwood Performing Arts program about their participation in these two programs and if they tell you that they are in a "rebuilding" phase, there you go.

Additionally, Einstein has a dedicated performing arts "Boosters Club" for parents called PACE, which has been very successful over the last few years in raising needed funds. The arts are strongly represented at Einstein.

[Anonymous]

I have heard from talented MT students that they have been disappointed...at Northwood

[Anonymous]

Blair has an excellent orchestra. The musicals are okay, but usually double-cast for roles, which results in weaker overall performances, even though twice as many kids get to say that they have leads.

[Anonymous]

Einstein has great arts. I would list it as his first choice.

And yes, if he lists his homeschool second and doesn't get his first choice, he will automatically get his in bound school.

[Anonymous]

Per MCPS website:

Students are guaranteed assignment to their base area high school if (1) the base area school is indicated as the first choice on the Choice form or (2) indicated as second choice and the first choice school is not available.

[Anonymous]

OP here, thanks! Einstein is our homeschool so it sounds like we might just want to put it first and be done. Do we even have to put anything else on the list?

DS would love a marching band, is that a thing at Einstein?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here, thanks! Einstein is our homeschool so it sounds like we might just want to put it first and be done. Do we even have to put anything else on the list?

DS would love a marching band, is that a thing at Einstein?

Yes, the marching band is great! Mr. Kelly, an incredibly energetic educator and an official MCPS "Rising Star," is the director. https://news.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/staff-bulletin/two-being-honored-as-rising-star-teachers-of-the-year-3/
http://www.brendanwkelly.com/about.html

One of the highlights of the year is a well-attended swing dance in which the music is provided by Einstein's band and the Olney Big Band. We have even had musical theater actors play in the pit in between their scenes or play on stage during their scenes! Some students just have many talents!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here, thanks! Einstein is our homeschool so it sounds like we might just want to put it first and be done. Do we even have to put anything else on the list?

DS would love a marching band, is that a thing at Einstein?

Yes, you rank each school 1 through 5.

And yes, Einstein has the Titan Marching Band.

[Anonymous]

In my past few years at Einstein, I have seen at least a couple of students each year go on to major in music in college with the goal of becoming music educators. They're inspired.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here, thanks! Einstein is our homeschool so it sounds like we might just want to put it first and be done. Do we even have to put anything else on the list?

DS would love a marching band, is that a thing at Einstein?

Yes, you rank each school 1 through 5.

And yes, Einstein has the Titan Marching Band.

Is the marching band hard to get onto?

But if his first choice is our homeschool, it makes zero difference what I put in 2-5 right? I could just roll a dice and assign numbers that way because he would be sure to go to Einstein?

[Anonymous]

Op here just bumping this up to see if anyone knew whether marching band at Einstein was hard or easy and to get into.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Op here just bumping this up to see if anyone knew whether marching band at Einstein was hard or easy and to get into.

All students are welcome.

https://aehsmusic.weebly.com/titan-marching-band.html

[Anonymous]

Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Marching band is open to all kids in band, I believe. Director Brendan Kelly is amazing- send him an email and ask for more info!