So let's say your middle school choices were . . .

[Anonymous]

For an academically sold, but not stellar, African American boy, who makes friends easily and likes both sports and arts,

Capital City Lower School
E. L. Haynes
Deal (MCPS)
Westland (MCPS)
Takoma Park Middle School (MCPS)

We're moving this summer, regardless of where he goes to school, so could choose to be in bounds for either Westland or Takoma. I'm not sure there's anything I'd want and could afford in the Deal district, but we drew high enough in that lottery that I'm pretty sure he'll eventually get in.

[Anonymous]

So by "academically solid, but not stellar," do you mean that he didn't test into the magnet program at Takoma?

Westland has MPY - http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/westlandms/ibmyp/ibmyp.htm - and feeds into BCC's IB program.

The MYP prepares students for IB, and although the IB program is not test-inn (like Richard Montgomery), it is rigorous and fully accreditated by IBO. So it may be a good option for your "academically solid" son!

Signed,
MCPS teacher who is "IB connected"

[Anonymous]

Thanks!

We're in DC now so he couldn't have tested into Takoma if I'd wanted him to, but no by academically solid I mean he does everything the standards say a 5th grader should do, but is definitely not "gifted" or a magnet candidate, and we would not have applied if it had been an option. He would be taking 6th grade math in (gasp!) 6th grade. In the long term, he might be an IB candidate, or he might not -- I'm fine either way, and it's hard to tell with an 11 year old.

I like a lot of things about Westland, but I worry about the pressure. Do you have thoughts on the level of pressure there? Takoma and Deal seem like they might be more forgiving?

[Anonymous]

Given the inclusion of Haynes and Cap City on your list, I'm assuming you are already enrolled at one. I've known 6th graders who have moved on to Deal to have a "bigger pond." Sports might be really slim at the DC Charters, better at the others. People have been really happy with Deal in the last 2 years. The issue becomes high school, where I'd prefer Mont Co options to Wilson or other DC options. I'd probably move to Mont Co, and base the selection on the high school more than middle.

[Anonymous]

Haynes's middle school lottery is today, so it's possible the OP already knows they have a spot there, and if you got in to Deal and Haynes you might feel optimistic about a 3rd choice.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thanks!

We're in DC now so he couldn't have tested into Takoma if I'd wanted him to, but no by academically solid I mean he does everything the standards say a 5th grader should do, but is definitely not "gifted" or a magnet candidate, and we would not have applied if it had been an option. He would be taking 6th grade math in (gasp!) 6th grade. In the long term, he might be an IB candidate, or he might not -- I'm fine either way, and it's hard to tell with an 11 year old.

I like a lot of things about Westland, but I worry about the pressure. Do you have thoughts on the level of pressure there? Takoma and Deal seem like they might be more forgiving?

I just looked at the staff list and saw the name of an assistant principal I knew way back in the day (before she hit the administrative track). Based upon what I remember, if she represents the school, I'd say that your son would do well there!

Furthermore, the MYP philosophy is very broad - very global - and critical thinking skills are infused throughout each content area. So it's a good way to hit all learning modalities and to make students aware of how they learn so they're equipped to deal with more challenging course work.

Ask for a tour if you're uncertain. It would nice to see some MYP in action.

Good luck with your decision!

[Anonymous]

You may also want to think about HS, even now. If you're in Westland going to BCC, then you have a solid option whether or not your kid does IB. If your kid goes to TPMS, then the HS would be Blair, which is a large place. If your kid goes to Blair through one of the test-in programs (science magnet or communication arts program), then it instantly becomes a smaller place. There are plenty of great kids at Blair who don't do either program, but as I say, it can be a large place.

[Anonymous]

look at the DC Public forum about possible relocation of Cap City....just an FYI

[Anonymous]

I think Deal is going to be really difficult academically. Many parents who otherwise might have sent their kids off to private school are now enrolling (80% of the potential kids in-boundary), and it's IB, so the work load will be a lot. Maybe your son could thrive there-- high expectations, etc., but don't be surprised at a huge homework load. I'm a bit afraid of it for my DC... I am thinking she might do better at a slightly less ambitious school. I think 6th grade used to be fun-- the top of elementary school and all that, but now it's pre-high school. Lots of classes, moving around, many teachers to keep track of. I'm worried.

[Anonymous]

I don't think the IB designation at Deal has added to the homework -- more a philosophy of teaching at the middle school level from what I've seen (which has led to a more integrated team approach to teaching/projects). Deal is challenging, but not over the top on academics and there are kids at all different skill levels. Right now, it seems about 1/3 or fewer of the kids are in the "advanced" math classes (pre-algebra in 6th, algebra in 7th and geometry in 8th). Almost all of the rest are in "grade level" classes with a few who get remedial support. There is currently no tracking for other classes from what I've seen.

[Anonymous]

OP here again,

I'm interested in the homework comments about Deal. That's definitely a concern of mine -- I want my child to have the opportunity to play a sport, and be in the school play, and still eat dinner with the family.

Are you feeling as though Deal might have more homework relative to the two MCPS schools, or only relative to CCPCS and Haynes?

[Anonymous]

My friend's kid is at Hardy and it has been hellish this year regarding homework. It's not only her kid, it's other parents who are saying it too. The kids have multiple assignments, daily, short-term, medium-term, long-term for every class. Even health, computer, art... plus math, language arts, science. This child spent a Sat. morning with me and her list of assignments was absurd. This child's parents are academics and have poured all they have intellectually into keeping their kid motivated through this slog. They are trying to move to another school to escape the homework. The kid cannot participate in any afterschool activities, has no time to practice an instrument. Think 5 hours a night. My friend wonders what on earth the kids do who don't have two motivated parents who are keeping on top of literally hundreds of assignments over the year.

I do not have firsthand experience with Deal, but with an IB program, and so many multiple offerings of classes, etc., I would be worried that it would be the same as Hardy.

[Anonymous]

From talking with friends, I think the homework level at Deal, Westland and TPMS are similar. I have one kid who could make 30 minutes of homework last 2 hours in middle school and one who does much of it at school (other than long term projects), so it can be hard to compare.

Many kids at Deal participate in extracurricular activities. Also, most music practices are before school (band and choir), which frees up the after school time. Most kids do have a transition period going to a program where they switch teachers and classes at middle school, regardless of which one. There are certainly times at Deal when there is a lot of homework, especially when science fair and history day projects are due (required for all students). Overall, it has been ok, though.

Deal has a 7 period day with 6 classes plus lunch/recess -- 4 core classes plus foreign language, music or art for one semester and PE/health for the other. The same schedule every day. Hardy has a very complicated schedule that varies from day to day over a 10 day cycle -- though the kids do seem to get the hang of it, it can complicate coordination of assignments among the teachers. That may change next year with a new principal.

[Anonymous]

More on my friend's kid's Hardy experience -- she went to Hardy for the arts but because of the homework load, has barely participated in arts activities. And to be honest, my band teacher in 5th grade in ordinary public school in a small town in the midwest was better than the teacher she has at Hardy. At least I got to play my instrument before February... just now she's started to be instructed on her instrument... if you consider a downloaded fingering chart "instruction." Very disappointing.

The cycling of schedules at Hardy has also been extremely difficult for this child-- she struggles with organization and attention, so knowing what class and what day and what assignment has been crazy. It's all color-coded and whatnot, very confusing. Even the mom has difficulty in keeping it straight.

Anyway, not that Hardy is not a good school for the right kid. But for this kid, between the homework, the schedule and lack of arts, it hasn't been a very good year. And because she's a young 6th grader, she's doing all this at a time when, ten years ago, she would have been relaxing as a 6th grader at the top of her elementary school. Instead, at age 10, she's been plunged into "pre-high school." Very difficult.