Those that have moved from DC to Baltimore...

[Anonymous]

No one said the Baltimore City system was great. What was stated was that two schools in particular were good Roland Park and Mt. Washington. As far as I can see no one claimed these schools were better than county or private schools. What was claimed is that academically inclined students from these schools with good parents would go on to be similarly as successful as students from county and privates. For whatever reason everyone wants to skirt around this issue. Does anyone know an example of a kid or kids who went to either of the two schools and did not get accepted into a good college? No one has spoken to this yet.

"it isn't accurate to claim most higher SES families who live in Baltimore city are willing to do so" PLEASE POINT OUT WHO SAID THIS? NO ONE MADE THAT CLAIM. This thread is not even about the system, it's about the two schools being referenced.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No one said the Baltimore City system was great. What was stated was that two schools in particular were good Roland Park and Mt. Washington. As far as I can see no one claimed these schools were better than county or private schools. What was claimed is that academically inclined students from these schools with good parents would go on to be similarly as successful as students from county and privates. For whatever reason everyone wants to skirt around this issue. Does anyone know an example of a kid or kids who went to either of the two schools and did not get accepted into a good college? No one has spoken to this yet.

"it isn't accurate to claim most higher SES families who live in Baltimore city are willing to do so" PLEASE POINT OUT WHO SAID THIS? NO ONE MADE THAT CLAIM. This thread is not even about the system, it's about the two schools being referenced.

Most families who live in RP and Mt. Washington who have a high SES don't bother with the public schools, or only use them for elementary. I thought that was clear from my original post. As I'm sure your are aware, there is no RP or Mt. Washington high school, so not sure where you are going with that. And the number of students from this communities who go all the way through the city public school system is ridiculously small, so your question about whether they wind up the same college can't really be answered.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: Similarly, my friends who have moved outside the city public system have found their kids behind initially, particularly in writing and math. Telling people that the Baltimore City school system is great, IMO, is inconsistent with the truth, and not what most people here believe. The curriculum and facilities really are behind both the privates and county publics. Your claim that these factors don't matter isn't really credible to me.

Were your friend's children in Roland Park elementary or one of the other "good" public schools? I know of several students who have gone from Roland Park elementary into Gilman, Bryn Mawr, and Friends and not been behind in their writing and math.

Those children were considered gifted in the public school, however, and are average in their private. Perhaps a non-gifted child would struggle more?

[Anonymous]

"Most families who live in RP and Mt. Washington who have a high SES don't bother with the public schools, or only use them for elementary. I thought that was clear from my original post. As I'm sure your are aware, there is no RP or Mt. Washington high school, so not sure where you are going with that. And the number of students from this communities who go all the way through the city public school system is ridiculously small, so your question about whether they wind up the same college can't really be answered."

Not sure why small numbers would make the question unanswerable? Are the "small" number of "high SES" students who attend RP and MW suddenly abducted never to be seen again after completing elementary/middle school and therefore we are unable to find out about their outcomes?

Though I do not believe she attended RP or MW at least one high profile person who went through city schools and seems to be doing just fine in life is the city's own mayor. I don't know what elementary schools all the Poly High kids went to but they seem to be getting accepted into reputable colleges http://www.bpi.edu/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=205771&type=d

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:"Most families who live in RP and Mt. Washington who have a high SES don't bother with the public schools, or only use them for elementary. I thought that was clear from my original post. As I'm sure your are aware, there is no RP or Mt. Washington high school, so not sure where you are going with that. And the number of students from this communities who go all the way through the city public school system is ridiculously small, so your question about whether they wind up the same college can't really be answered."

Not sure why small numbers would make the question unanswerable? Are the "small" number of "high SES" students who attend RP and MW suddenly abducted never to be seen again after completing elementary/middle school and therefore we are unable to find out about their outcomes?

Though I do not believe she attended RP or MW at least one high profile person who went through city schools and seems to be doing just fine in life is the city's own mayor. I don't know what elementary schools all the Poly High kids went to but they seem to be getting accepted into reputable colleges http://www.bpi.edu/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=205771&type=d

Baltimore is currently woefully badly managed, so if the mayor is the poster child for the education system, I think you've confirmed my point that the city public school system is worth avoiding.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:"Most families who live in RP and Mt. Washington who have a high SES don't bother with the public schools, or only use them for elementary. I thought that was clear from my original post. As I'm sure your are aware, there is no RP or Mt. Washington high school, so not sure where you are going with that. And the number of students from this communities who go all the way through the city public school system is ridiculously small, so your question about whether they wind up the same college can't really be answered."

Not sure why small numbers would make the question unanswerable? Are the "small" number of "high SES" students who attend RP and MW suddenly abducted never to be seen again after completing elementary/middle school and therefore we are unable to find out about their outcomes?

Though I do not believe she attended RP or MW at least one high profile person who went through city schools and seems to be doing just fine in life is the city's own mayor. I don't know what elementary schools all the Poly High kids went to but they seem to be getting accepted into reputable colleges http://www.bpi.edu/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=205771&type=d

I know a few families who started out in RP or Mt. Washington public schools, none of whom made it beyond fifth grade and most of whom left earlier so, yes, it is impossible as I know of no such families.

[Anonymous]

"I know a few families who started out in RP or Mt. Washington public schools, none of whom made it beyond fifth grade and most of whom left earlier so, yes, it is impossible as I know of no such families."

There is a difference between impossible and impossible for you. So it is n fact possible to answer the question, just not with your limited experience.

[Anonymous]

"Baltimore is currently woefully badly managed, so if the mayor is the poster child for the education system, I think you've confirmed my point that the city public school system is worth avoiding."

I was not suggesting she be a poster child, just making the point that her city education enabled her to attend and graduate from reputable higher ed institutions.

[Anonymous]

"Baltimore is currently woefully badly managed, so if the mayor is the poster child for the education system, I think you've confirmed my point that the city public school system is worth avoiding."

"I was not suggesting she be a poster child, just making the point that her city education enabled her to attend and graduate from reputable higher ed institutions."


Just wanted to chime in and say he city has been poorly managed for many years. O'malley went to a fancy private growing up and ended up at the same law school as Rawlings-Blake.

[Anonymous]

Ok, you win, if you believe that your child will wind up the same place regardless of the quality of the school they attend, send them to Baltimore public schools. If you think the quality of schools is relevant, send them to private or live in the county.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:"Baltimore is currently woefully badly managed, so if the mayor is the poster child for the education system, I think you've confirmed my point that the city public school system is worth avoiding."

"I was not suggesting she be a poster child, just making the point that her city education enabled her to attend and graduate from reputable higher ed institutions."


Just wanted to chime in and say he city has been poorly managed for many years. O'malley went to a fancy private growing up and ended up at the same law school as Rawlings-Blake.

I disagree with this -- city was much better managed under O'Malley and Pratt Dixon. Rawling Black is only mayor because of her father's political coattails and the indictment of Pratt Dixon. Her police chief has been a disaster, crime has been on the rise every since she took office and every week there is some new story of the incompetent handling of city funds.

[Anonymous]

"I disagree with this -- city was much better managed under O'Malley and Pratt Dixon. Rawling Black is only mayor because of her father's political coattails and the indictment of Pratt Dixon. Her police chief has been a disaster, crime has been on the rise every since she took office and every week there is some new story of the incompetent handling of city funds."

Ha ha ha "Rawling Black"......looks like someone left their white hood on.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Baltimore City crime is horrific and astonishing. I dread this summer with its hot days and nights.

OP, please pick the safest area possible. You can get some idea from looking at the Baltimore Sun crime map while working with your realtor. Baltimore County has lower crime states in general, as others have said.

Link to the Baltimore Sun crime map? A Google search didn't turn one up.

I've been following crime in Roland Park since I moved here 2 years ago using a Baltimore city police service map that comes out weekly, and while it does happen, its results are comparable to the crime in my similar DC suburb, so I'm curious if I'm missing something.

Here is the Baltimore Sun crime blog: http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/crime/blog/
If you scroll down the page on the right you will see: a) Baltimore Homicide map and b) Baltimore Crime map. Just press on them to enter.

You might also wish to follow one of the Sun's crime reporter who regularly tweets and is a knowledgable great guy: @ https://twitter.com/justin_fenton

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Baltimore City crime is horrific and astonishing. I dread this summer with it's hot days and nights.

OP, please pick the safest area possible. You can get some idea from looking at the Baltimore Sun crime map while working with your realtor. Baltimore County has lower crime states in general, as others have said.

Baltimore County is HUGE. There are parts that are lovely, parts that are practically exurban, and parts that are quite unpleasant. And everything in-between. Saying "move to Baltimore County" is not useful.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Baltimore City crime is horrific and astonishing. I dread this summer with it's hot days and nights.

OP, please pick the safest area possible. You can get some idea from looking at the Baltimore Sun crime map while working with your realtor. Baltimore County has lower crime states in general, as others have said.

Baltimore County is HUGE. There are parts that are lovely, parts that are practically exurban, and parts that are quite unpleasant. And everything in-between. Saying "move to Baltimore County" is not useful.

For 2013, Baltimore City had a murder rate of 38 per 100,000 and Baltimore County of 2.3 per 100,000.

Sources:
https://www.baltimorebrew.com/2014/01/02/baltimores-jump-in-homicides-in-2013-defies-national-trends/ (Baltimore Brew is well known for following crime stats)
http://www.baltimorecountymd.gov/News/releases/0103homiciderate.html (Baltimore County Homicide Rate Hits Historic Low)