FCPS parent here just to commiserate. Vandalism in the bathrooms, fights, and drug use is also an issue in non-title 1 MS/HS. I can't speak to the programs either, but I would focus on the teachers who are staffing the programs they do have. They can make a world of difference and many Title-1 teachers are there because that's what they want to do.

MoCo parent here. I can’t speak to the autism programs, but MoCo middle and high schools also have drugs, crime, anti-semitism, etc.

DS went to Title 1 MS and is now a junior at a Title 1 HS. He has a 504 for ADHD and some learning disabilities. Are there things could be better? Yes, but other non-Title 1 schools in our district are dealing with the same thing (vandalism in the bathrooms, fights, and drug use (some overt/some covert.) But the teachers and admin are great and committed. We are super involved (team parents, on the PTA board, etc.) and so people know us/know our kid.

Yes, there are times I wish we could have done a private, but financially, we couldn't so I try not to waste time thinking 'what if...' DS will graduate with 6 AP/IB classes and will take classes at community college his senior year so I think he will be fine in the long run.

Good luck!

Anonymous wrote:DC with ADHD did great at their regular high poverty school. Just because a school is Title 1 does not mean the teachers and staff aren't great. DC has friends in wealthy schools in MCPS and FCPS and they are struggling. The grass isn't always greener.

Yeah I am actually feeling fairly good about the school staff and admins based on their reputations. I don’t like the proximity to crime. Also concerned about how DCPS does not have the same range of autism programs as MCPS, so it’s not just the Title 1 status. A bigger school could also give a bigger pool of friend candidates.

DC with ADHD did great at their regular high poverty school. Just because a school is Title 1 does not mean the teachers and staff aren't great. DC has friends in wealthy schools in MCPS and FCPS and they are struggling. The grass isn't always greener.

We decided to send our DS to the small Title 1 neighborhood MS instead of moving … I’m totally second guessing myself now. The MS has a growing reputation and is small, and has a ton of SEL supports. But one by one DS’s friends are peeling off for charters and privates and I’m starting to feel like it will be a mess. Should I have moved to MoCo? He has behavioral issues and autism and at least MoCo has a broader array of programs. He’s fine 90% of the time and on target/advanced academically. Ughgh