Anonymous
01/19/2026 17:35
Subject: Einstein or Northwood (For Dance)
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Einstein hands down. The program is AMAZING. I didn't even know Northwood had dance if that tells you anything.
Stop defaming a school. Northwood just held their winter dance concert at Wheaton High School and it was fantastic and a packed crowd.
We are very happy with Northwood’s dance program and one of the teachers left Einstein because the program wasn’t growing.
I suspect they left because of the principal. Both are good schools. I'd look at the academics.
And how do we remedy this? Asking as an Einstein family with no intention of moving, but every intention of reporting the principal’s lack of leadership. He wants to blame everyone under him but doesn’t understand it’s his job to make sure they do their jobs in the first place!
Anonymous
01/19/2026 17:34
Subject: Einstein or Northwood (For Dance)
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:The dance program will move to Northwood under Taylor’s new plan. And depending on your current home address, your kid will have to move buildings in 10th grade. Only 8th, 11th and 12th graders will be grandfathered as well as students in a “regional program”. The Einstein dance program is part of VAPA which is a school based program.
That's not correct. Per the Program Analysis FAQ:
"Current 8th graders (Class of 2030) would not be affected by the proposed changes. They would follow the current system, including application/assignment to existing countywide magnets and consortia schools, and would continue in their program until graduation in 2030."
https://docs.google.com/document/u/0/d/1sYH8G9mVKZI0Bkm_-ZXoSszwRGnrsemE_ksF7DZR4fs/mobilebasic#kix.ra7jpkchekmv
They can’t afford old and new bussing or teaching staffing. Let’s see what the BOE actually approves. That Google doc is not what was originally shared. They talked about 8th graders that would in 8th grade in fall 2027.
Anonymous
01/19/2026 16:38
Subject: Einstein or Northwood (For Dance)
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Einstein hands down. The program is AMAZING. I didn't even know Northwood had dance if that tells you anything.
Stop defaming a school. Northwood just held their winter dance concert at Wheaton High School and it was fantastic and a packed crowd.
We are very happy with Northwood’s dance program and one of the teachers left Einstein because the program wasn’t growing.
I suspect they left because of the principal. Both are good schools. I'd look at the academics.
Anonymous
01/19/2026 14:20
Subject: Einstein or Northwood (For Dance)
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Our 8th grader has been dancing competitively for several years—first at Studio Bleu and now at Bethesda. One of her instructors strongly recommended Einstein for dance, so we ranked Einstein first and Northwood second. We haven’t heard back yet, but if she’s placed at Northwood, I want to reassure her that it would still be a great option. Dance parents, what have your experiences been with the dance programs at each school?
As a parent of three daughters who all danced, I’ve had the opportunity to see both programs up close. My oldest attended Einstein, my middle attended Northwood, and my youngest is also at Einstein. Your daughter’s instructor is correct—Einstein has traditionally been stronger in terms of technique, foundational training, and exposure to a wide range of styles. Their dance teacher, Ms. Gooley, has long been a major force in the MCPS dance community and has had a significant impact on the program’s growth and reputation.
Northwood students have always brought high energy and strong performance quality, but I’ve consistently been drawn to the creativity and polish of Einstein’s work. I know your daughter is involved in competitive dance, and both schools do have dance teams. Einstein and Northwood are set to compete again this year, and based on my past experience, Einstein has historically scored higher than Northwood. That said, both schools have new coaches this year, so anything is possible. Still, if I had to place a bet—based on what I’ve been hearing—I’d expect Einstein to come out on top. The competition is in February, and I’d definitely recommend that you and your daughter check it out.
Thank you! Extremely helpful information! Do you happen to know what dance courses Einstein provides?
Anonymous
01/19/2026 14:19
Subject: Einstein or Northwood (For Dance)
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Einstein hands down. The program is AMAZING. I didn't even know Northwood had dance if that tells you anything.
Stop defaming a school. Northwood just held their winter dance concert at Wheaton High School and it was fantastic and a packed crowd.
We are very happy with Northwood’s dance program and one of the teachers left Einstein because the program wasn’t growing.
What dance courses does Northwood provide? How’s Northwood competition team?
Anonymous
01/19/2026 14:17
Subject: Re:Einstein or Northwood (For Dance)
Anonymous wrote:OP you didn’t get your assignment yet? Everyone we know got theirs in the mail last weekend.
I believe they sent it to the wrong address. We will be finding out soon!
Anonymous
01/19/2026 13:37
Subject: Einstein or Northwood (For Dance)
Anonymous wrote:Our 8th grader has been dancing competitively for several years—first at Studio Bleu and now at Bethesda. One of her instructors strongly recommended Einstein for dance, so we ranked Einstein first and Northwood second. We haven’t heard back yet, but if she’s placed at Northwood, I want to reassure her that it would still be a great option. Dance parents, what have your experiences been with the dance programs at each school?
As a parent of three daughters who all danced, I’ve had the opportunity to see both programs up close. My oldest attended Einstein, my middle attended Northwood, and my youngest is also at Einstein. Your daughter’s instructor is correct—Einstein has traditionally been stronger in terms of technique, foundational training, and exposure to a wide range of styles. Their dance teacher, Ms. Gooley, has long been a major force in the MCPS dance community and has had a significant impact on the program’s growth and reputation.
Northwood students have always brought high energy and strong performance quality, but I’ve consistently been drawn to the creativity and polish of Einstein’s work. I know your daughter is involved in competitive dance, and both schools do have dance teams. Einstein and Northwood are set to compete again this year, and based on my past experience, Einstein has historically scored higher than Northwood. That said, both schools have new coaches this year, so anything is possible. Still, if I had to place a bet—based on what I’ve been hearing—I’d expect Einstein to come out on top. The competition is in February, and I’d definitely recommend that you and your daughter check it out.
Anonymous
01/19/2026 10:15
Subject: Einstein or Northwood (For Dance)
Anonymous wrote:The dance program will move to Northwood under Taylor’s new plan. And depending on your current home address, your kid will have to move buildings in 10th grade. Only 8th, 11th and 12th graders will be grandfathered as well as students in a “regional program”. The Einstein dance program is part of VAPA which is a school based program.
That's not correct. Per the Program Analysis FAQ:
"Current 8th graders (Class of 2030) would not be affected by the proposed changes. They would follow the current system, including application/assignment to existing countywide magnets and consortia schools, and would continue in their program until graduation in 2030."
https://docs.google.com/document/u/0/d/1sYH8G9mVKZI0Bkm_-ZXoSszwRGnrsemE_ksF7DZR4fs/mobilebasic#kix.ra7jpkchekmv
Anonymous
01/19/2026 07:48
Subject: Einstein or Northwood (For Dance)
The dance program will move to Northwood under Taylor’s new plan. And depending on your current home address, your kid will have to move buildings in 10th grade. Only 8th, 11th and 12th graders will be grandfathered as well as students in a “regional program”. The Einstein dance program is part of VAPA which is a school based program.
Anonymous
01/19/2026 07:46
Subject: Einstein or Northwood (For Dance)
Anonymous wrote:Northwood is in Woodward's new building right now. I have no idea of timeline or what studios may or may not be available as construction remains less than 100% complete. I think Einstein is the better school overall, right?
PP should clarify that Northwood at Woodward doesn’t have an auditorium yet
Anonymous
01/19/2026 07:41
Subject: Einstein or Northwood (For Dance)
Anonymous wrote:Einstein hands down. The program is AMAZING. I didn't even know Northwood had dance if that tells you anything.
Stop defaming a school. Northwood just held their winter dance concert at Wheaton High School and it was fantastic and a packed crowd.
We are very happy with Northwood’s dance program and one of the teachers left Einstein because the program wasn’t growing.
Anonymous
01/18/2026 21:10
Subject: Re:Einstein or Northwood (For Dance)
OP you didn’t get your assignment yet? Everyone we know got theirs in the mail last weekend.
Anonymous
01/18/2026 20:55
Subject: Einstein or Northwood (For Dance)
Northwood is in Woodward's new building right now. I have no idea of timeline or what studios may or may not be available as construction remains less than 100% complete. I think Einstein is the better school overall, right?
Anonymous
01/18/2026 20:53
Subject: Einstein or Northwood (For Dance)
Einstein hands down. The program is AMAZING. I didn't even know Northwood had dance if that tells you anything.
Anonymous
01/18/2026 20:22
Subject: Einstein or Northwood (For Dance)
Our 8th grader has been dancing competitively for several years—first at Studio Bleu and now at Bethesda. One of her instructors strongly recommended Einstein for dance, so we ranked Einstein first and Northwood second. We haven’t heard back yet, but if she’s placed at Northwood, I want to reassure her that it would still be a great option. Dance parents, what have your experiences been with the dance programs at each school?