Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What schools could this possibly apply to? For example, isn't Woodward hosting Northwood students in 26-27 and, thus, not available for jump start.

The Wootton cluster schools got this message for sure - both current and future. Not clear what happens if they run into lopsided uptake that creates capacity issues in specific schools.

Best I can tell this is being offered to all schools affected by the boundary study. The 5th and 8th graders are being offered the choice to move to their new school in fall 2026, rather than waiting for 2027 when the boundaries officially go into effect. So, for example, Fields Road Elementary school 5th graders can choose to go to Ridgeview as part of the current boundaries or to Frost, where they will be assigned once the new boundaries are in place. The 8th graders can choose Quince Orchard or Wootton. The choice is basically between assigned 2026 school or new 2027 school. If your school assignment isn’t changing, you won’t face a choice.

We are currently zoned for Odessa Shannon, and have the opportunity to attend Sligo Middle. We were offered a spot at Takoma Park but otherwise we would definitely take advantage of this. We value continuity anywhere we can get it.

Darnestown also received the letter. Haven’t heard about Brown Station or Diamond. Did the Damascus cluster or Gaithersburg receive anything?

Can posters please say which specific school you're currently at and which you've been offered to move to? Otherwise this conversation isn't very useful.

Anonymous wrote:What schools could this possibly apply to? For example, isn't Woodward hosting Northwood students in 26-27 and, thus, not available for jump start.

The Wootton cluster schools got this message for sure - both current and future. Not clear what happens if they run into lopsided uptake that creates capacity issues in specific schools.

Anonymous wrote:Sucks for kids zoned for Woodward. I know several DCC 8th graders heading to Wheaton or Blair this fall that have to move to Woodward in 10th grade.

Yeah, what a horrible scenario. To move to a brand new school that will have similar class offerings as WJ, and almost certainly be better academically than either Wheaton or Blair (not counting their magnet).

What schools could this possibly apply to? For example, isn't Woodward hosting Northwood students in 26-27 and, thus, not available for jump start.

Anonymous wrote:I appreciate the thought and effort of this proposal and it makes me think that they (someone?) understood just how difficult these next few years will be for our current 5th graders (aka our Zoom K babies), but also worry that it sets up so many fractures in the grade.

If they really understood, they’d also fix solo articulation where they can.

It’s like they’re trying to throw us a bone…meanwhile it complicates things further because it’s spitting the kids again and completely not an equitable practice by not providing transportation (meanwhile transportation is provided for the “lottery-based” magnets where students will be able to attend for all three years of middle school).

Mcps is just constant changes…really shows that they don’t know what they’re doing…

I would like to see the MCPS letter offer. Regional programs haven’t been developed in many cases.

I appreciate the thought and effort of this proposal and it makes me think that they (someone?) understood just how difficult these next few years will be for our current 5th graders (aka our Zoom K babies), but also worry that it sets up so many fractures in the grade.

And why not offer the option for 11th graders to move in 2027? My kid would love a new building with working HVAC.

Sucks for kids zoned for Woodward. I know several DCC 8th graders heading to Wheaton or Blair this fall that have to move to Woodward in 10th grade.

Whoa. Can you post the letter? I didn't think they would be accelerating the boundary shifts while also grandfathering the old ones to finish their current progression. That seems unnecessarily complicated.

Does anyone know if the letters that went out offering kids the opportunity to start at their new school assignment for 26-27 instead of waiting until 27-28 went to all students changing boundaries or just certain schools? Also how can we advocate for transportation? They should be able to offer buses for interested kids. I think this is a great opportunity for those of us with rising freshman or 6th graders.