Reply to Downcounty MS Options for Advanced Learners/GT, Please Advise

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[quote=Anonymous]We live in NE DC but are seriously considering relocating to Eastern/Southern MoCo.  We may make the move due to both a changing commute for one of us, and out of concern that our two bright, math and science-oriented children, in the middle elementary grades at a DCPS school, will not pushed or challenged in our weak neighborhood MS.  Moreover, they may lack lottery luck to attend one of the better MS charters.

One of our children is a wildlife biology and gardening nut, the other is very attached to her telescope.  They speak Chinese at home to one parent and are tutored in characters.  Private school would be a stretch financially and we don't like the cocoon atmosphere.  Also, since our children are of Asian descent, and we disliked being about the only Asians in our schools as teens, we'd like them to have a good many Asian classmates.

We know of the Takoma Park MS math-science magnet, and how 5th graders are admitted, so we know parents can't plan for their children to attend this highly competitive program.

Can anybody tell us what the story is with challenging middle school academics in the Downcounty Consortium?  When we called a couple of the middle schools recently to ask about challenge for advanced learners, administrators we spoke to were vague about what sort of honors/advanced classes were offered outside the magnets (Takoma Park and Eastern).

What sort of ms tracking/ability grouping is done in the DCC at the middle school level?  Are there in fact honors/advanced classes outside the magnets?  If yes, can kids just sign up for such classes, or are placement tests given to determine eligibility?  Both of our kids have participated in MathTree and Johns Hopkins CTY camps for math, and did well.  They also love to read but I'm not sure if they would qualify as reading "gifted" in MoCo parlance.

We're leaning toward Takoma Park, so any information about advanced courses at that MS would be greatly appreciated.  Silver Spring would also be an option - Red Line access is key.  We can afford a home in the 600-700 K range.

Thanks for the info.

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