Anonymous
09/26/2025 21:31
Subject: McDonogh vs. Howard County public
worth it
Anonymous
09/26/2025 21:28
Subject: McDonogh vs. Howard County public
Anonymous wrote:I know this is an old thread, but our family is strongly considering McDonogh. Is the commute worth it for middle school? We live in southern HoCo and both DH and I work in HoCo as well. Glenelg Country and Trinity are second and third on our list.
Go with your second or third choice, OP. This commute isn't work it.
Anonymous
09/24/2025 13:40
Subject: McDonogh vs. Howard County public
Anonymous wrote:We are a current McD family and there are lots of Hoco kids in my kids' classes. If you are considering a switch, MS seems to be an easier place to transition than HS. It's an easier admit and helps smooth the transition HS- you already know the campus, have friends, understand academic demands, etc.
Re. the commute, don't forget the buses! There are LOTS of routes (probably one close to your house), it's free, reliable, and there is even a late bus for HS sports/clubs.
The diversity is a beautiful thing. I can't speak for everyone, but my kids just naturally absorb all kinds of people/cultures/religions into their lives and it's never a big deal, it's just accepted.
Your kids sound like my kids (personality/academic/interest wise) and I can say that they found excellence in teaching and with peers in their respective interest areas. It's big enough, and well resourced enough, to be good at a lot of different things.
Thanks! This very informative đź‘Ś
Anonymous
09/24/2025 09:56
Subject: McDonogh vs. Howard County public
We are a current McD family and there are lots of Hoco kids in my kids' classes. If you are considering a switch, MS seems to be an easier place to transition than HS. It's an easier admit and helps smooth the transition HS- you already know the campus, have friends, understand academic demands, etc.
Re. the commute, don't forget the buses! There are LOTS of routes (probably one close to your house), it's free, reliable, and there is even a late bus for HS sports/clubs.
The diversity is a beautiful thing. I can't speak for everyone, but my kids just naturally absorb all kinds of people/cultures/religions into their lives and it's never a big deal, it's just accepted.
Your kids sound like my kids (personality/academic/interest wise) and I can say that they found excellence in teaching and with peers in their respective interest areas. It's big enough, and well resourced enough, to be good at a lot of different things.
Re. the commute, don't forget the buses! There are LOTS of routes (probably one close to your house), it's free, reliable, and there is even a late bus for HS sports/clubs.
The diversity is a beautiful thing. I can't speak for everyone, but my kids just naturally absorb all kinds of people/cultures/religions into their lives and it's never a big deal, it's just accepted.
Your kids sound like my kids (personality/academic/interest wise) and I can say that they found excellence in teaching and with peers in their respective interest areas. It's big enough, and well resourced enough, to be good at a lot of different things.
Anonymous
09/24/2025 09:41
Subject: McDonogh vs. Howard County public
Anonymous wrote:My two attended GCS middle school and it was one of the best decisions we've ever made. We looked at McDonogh and just preferred the vibe of GCS better, but boy, does McDonogh have money!
Thanks! We have 2 and I think that they both are a fit for our kids. We like the diversity of McDonogh, but the biggest factor is the commute and also that our jobs aren't near the school either.
What's the vibe of GCS? One kid is sporty and well liked, more of an ambivert. Also, does well in school, but our younger kid is more of the intellectual type and very introverted(STEM/slightly artsy). She's not really sporty, but we are requiring her to do an athletic activity. We are concerned about possible mean girls in middle school(Lime Kiln). Middle School hasn't been that bad for DS, but we would prefer a bit of a challenge for him. We are definitely doing private for HS for both kids either way.
Anonymous
09/24/2025 08:41
Subject: McDonogh vs. Howard County public
My two attended GCS middle school and it was one of the best decisions we've ever made. We looked at McDonogh and just preferred the vibe of GCS better, but boy, does McDonogh have money!
Anonymous
09/24/2025 08:08
Subject: McDonogh vs. Howard County public
I know this is an old thread, but our family is strongly considering McDonogh. Is the commute worth it for middle school? We live in southern HoCo and both DH and I work in HoCo as well. Glenelg Country and Trinity are second and third on our list.
Anonymous
11/17/2024 18:44
Subject: McDonogh vs. Howard County public
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Honestly, you just can't compare public to McDonogh or any of the top schools. If you can afford it, go for it. You won't regret it.
We moved to private post-middle school and post-covid. Curriculum is not keeping up with students who are high achievers due to the large gap from covid. There is only so much room to move faster than the slowest person in the room.
Aren’t all the high achievers in honors classes together in public middle schools? The low achievers should be in completely separate classes and going at a slower pace.
Those public honors classes include plenty of low achievers.
That’s true in Montgomery County, not in Howard.
Yes in Howard County.
Anonymous
11/17/2024 18:18
Subject: McDonogh vs. Howard County public
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Honestly, you just can't compare public to McDonogh or any of the top schools. If you can afford it, go for it. You won't regret it.
We moved to private post-middle school and post-covid. Curriculum is not keeping up with students who are high achievers due to the large gap from covid. There is only so much room to move faster than the slowest person in the room.
Aren’t all the high achievers in honors classes together in public middle schools? The low achievers should be in completely separate classes and going at a slower pace.
Those public honors classes include plenty of low achievers.
That’s true in Montgomery County, not in Howard.
Anonymous
11/17/2024 18:07
Subject: McDonogh vs. Howard County public
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Honestly, you just can't compare public to McDonogh or any of the top schools. If you can afford it, go for it. You won't regret it.
We moved to private post-middle school and post-covid. Curriculum is not keeping up with students who are high achievers due to the large gap from covid. There is only so much room to move faster than the slowest person in the room.
Aren’t all the high achievers in honors classes together in public middle schools? The low achievers should be in completely separate classes and going at a slower pace.
Those public honors classes include plenty of low achievers.
Anonymous
11/17/2024 11:57
Subject: McDonogh vs. Howard County public
Anonymous wrote:Honestly, you just can't compare public to McDonogh or any of the top schools. If you can afford it, go for it. You won't regret it.
We moved to private post-middle school and post-covid. Curriculum is not keeping up with students who are high achievers due to the large gap from covid. There is only so much room to move faster than the slowest person in the room.
Aren’t all the high achievers in honors classes together in public middle schools? The low achievers should be in completely separate classes and going at a slower pace.
Anonymous
11/17/2024 11:17
Subject: McDonogh vs. Howard County public
Honestly, you just can't compare public to McDonogh or any of the top schools. If you can afford it, go for it. You won't regret it.
We moved to private post-middle school and post-covid. Curriculum is not keeping up with students who are high achievers due to the large gap from covid. There is only so much room to move faster than the slowest person in the room.
We moved to private post-middle school and post-covid. Curriculum is not keeping up with students who are high achievers due to the large gap from covid. There is only so much room to move faster than the slowest person in the room.
Anonymous
11/14/2024 15:45
Subject: McDonogh vs. Howard County public
Anonymous wrote:I would strongly consider McDonogh. Howard County Schools are changing.
NP. How are they changing? Even the top hoco schools?
Anonymous
11/14/2024 15:31
Subject: McDonogh vs. Howard County public
I would strongly consider McDonogh. Howard County Schools are changing.
Anonymous
11/13/2024 10:12
Subject: McDonogh vs. Howard County public
Hi all, we are currently enrolled in Howard County public middle school and are thinking of making the switch to Baltimore-area private school. We would like a co-ed school with some rigor, so McDonogh is at the top of our list right now. Was wondering if anyone has any experience going from HCPSS middle school to McDonogh middle school, especially any thoughts on how they compare academically or otherwise. Thanks in advance for any advice!