Thanks again for more great information and useful links!

I looked at the website for the international admissions part of MCPS but wonder if anyone has any first hand experience with international admissions. Our case is different in that my kids are US Citizens but have been out of the US for 4 years. We are not coming in on visas but as citizens so I can't tell from the website which rules apply to us. Has anyone done an mid-year admission to MCPS from overseas?

Thanks so much, I really appreciate your time in replying.

Thank you all so much for your replies! Very helpful information and opinions.

One technical question:

What do we need to prove residency in a certain school boundary area?
What happens if we arrive in USA (DC or MD) and want to enroll kids in school before we rent or puchase a home? Will a lease from a corporate apartment/long stay hotel work (am assuming not...)? Thanks for any info.

Background: Moving to DC, job in Bethesda, kids in grades 3 & 6, international family (parents from 2 different places), coming from 4 years in Asia. 3-5 years in DC projected.

We are not Suburbanites by nature so are trying to figure out if we should move to Bethesda to be close to work (near Bethesda Metro) or move into DC proper to have the experience of urban living in a great city. Rental budget up to $3500, no budget for private school, 1 car, 1 commuting bike.

Taking into account commuting times, public schools at Elementary AND Jr High level (in same boundary area), where should we live?

I would like kids to walk/bike to school but don't want to have to drive everywhere else if we are in the suburbs.

How far will our rental budget go in DC metro area?

People who live in Bethesda, how often do you go into DC for museums and events?

Thanks for any input!

Moving to DC area for a job in Bethesda (near Bethesda Metro) so we are considering living in the same general area and will have children entering grade 3 and grade 6 fall 2013. We want to be a 1 car family and do as much walking/biking/metro as possible.

1. What neighborhood near Bethesda has the best Elementary AND Middle school?
2. Is there a neighborhood near Bethesda where the Elementary and Middle school are near to each other (ie kids in the same family could walk to school in the same direction)?

Other general questions:

I. Provided we have either a deed or a lease to establish residency in a given neighborhood, will our children be GUARANTEED a spot in that school or can a school fill up?

II. Can students join a school mid-year or do classses fill in September and close for the year?

Thanks for your input!