The College Park Academy is opening in the fall. That's middle school and up. They have a website but it isn't great.

There aren't many "crappy" houses in University Park. That's part of the problem. You pay for the elementary in the cost of the houses there as they are much higher than the surrounding areas. The rentals in UP are also low-inventory and high in price compared to CP or Hyattsville or Berwyn Heights or Greenbelt. We looked at a "crappy" house in UP a couple of years ago and it quickly got bid up into the same price range as the other houses in UP.

Me, again. To answer your question, my neighbor has her kid in the Excel Charter School. There is St. Jerome's, Community Friends, and some folks at UMD are talking about opening up a partial online-based charter middle school. There is a little talk about it on the forum here. I haven't found any contact information.

Instead of buying, why don't you try renting for a year. There are plenty of house rentals in Mt. Rainier.

And yea, the pool is great but most people that belong to the pool don't live in the Queenstown neighborhood. Norwood Granite is the best granite place in the area, Glut is great, Kaywood is a little problematic sometimes, Avondale Overlook is about to be turned into Section 8 Housing. The old Giant just closed and Hamilton Pool is one the most well-kept secrets in MD.

Yea, University Park is more expensive but the schools are much better. I would seriously get a crappy house in the University Park neighborhood and go to UPES and then try for the TAG programs.

The Hyattsville schools elementary schools (Chavez and Rosa Parks) are not good schools. Other than a few religious schools, there are no affordable private schools. Community Friends School is 22K with aftercare. Hyattsville might be popular, but the movement has not reached the schools yet.

Anonymous wrote:I live across the street, 13 years and counting, from Mt. Rainier and yes it is a little rough. There is no need to sugar coat a situation.

You really need to prioritize what is important for you and decide from there. Is house size, type, cost, and close commute important? If so, then you will have to deal with less than ideal schools.

I am in the same situation as you now. I am preparing to move because close commute, house type, and close commute are not as important as the schools my child attends. I have decided that I can live in less space, am willing to pay more per square foot, and close commute are not as important.

Yes, I would love to stay and continue to work on my house but I realize that it is very hard being an army of one and trying to change things. If I had another 5 to eight years, there might be enough young familes moving in the neighborhood but I don't want to hedge my child's education for that.

PP, look at university park. the school is better and the neighborhood has a similiar vibe.

University Park is MUCH more expensive. Hyattsville might be more doable, but inventory is low, as it is a very popular area.

I live across the street, 13 years and counting, from Mt. Rainier and yes it is a little rough. There is no need to sugar coat a situation.

You really need to prioritize what is important for you and decide from there. Is house size, type, cost, and close commute important? If so, then you will have to deal with less than ideal schools.

I am in the same situation as you now. I am preparing to move because close commute, house type, and close commute are not as important as the schools my child attends. I have decided that I can live in less space, am willing to pay more per square foot, and close commute are not as important.

Yes, I would love to stay and continue to work on my house but I realize that it is very hard being an army of one and trying to change things. If I had another 5 to eight years, there might be enough young familes moving in the neighborhood but I don't want to hedge my child's education for that.

PP, look at university park. the school is better and the neighborhood has a similiar vibe.

New news? We are considering moving to mount rainier and have 2 kids. What do you do once they are out of elementary?

I also live in Mount Rainier and would challenge the poster who called it a rough area--obviously has not spent much time here. Mount Rainier is the best place I have ever lived, and I've lived all over the country. It is a creative, progressive, diverse place where you're neighbors look out for you. And I have good friends who will be sending their kids to Mount Rainier elementary. And if I had kids, I would too.

I live in Brookland and have friends in Mt Rainier. Plus, we go to PG Pool in Mt Rainier all the time! There are two parts: one part has nice (cheap) SFHs. The other part is multifamily apartments. Obviously the part with SFHs is nicer.

Very funky vibe there (witness the 30+ year old Glut), the vegan restaurant, the community acupuncture, art place for kids...

Anonymous wrote:

bktodd3 wrote:Is this a good school?
PG public schools don't have a good reputation, does this apply to the small towns close to DC such as Mount Rainier and Brentwood?

That is a rough area. Many non-English speaking families, kids whose siblings are hardcore gang members, some Blood/Crips activity there.

Yeah, not really. It's actually a lovely area. I live here. This is my neighborhood. I am typing in it as we speak completely unmolested by ruffians. There are lots of families with kids, great neighbors of all backgrounds, and houses with actual yards. Kids play outside with each other. There are several public play lots. We are right on the NE border. It's urban, therefore there's urban crime. But I would not characterize it as the above poster has.

bktodd3 wrote:Is this a good school?
PG public schools don't have a good reputation, does this apply to the small towns close to DC such as Mount Rainier and Brentwood?

That is a rough area. Many non-English speaking families, kids whose siblings are hardcore gang members, some Blood/Crips activity there.

My child was at Mt. Rainier for several years before attending a magnet. Tests do not an entire story tell. I have mostly very positive things to say about the school, and it is where my child would continue to go if he does not continue at the magnet. Ms Reed is a wonderful principal who can squeeze blood from a stone in terms of working with a paltry budget. The teachers are dedicated and terrific. The PTO is very engaged.

There is a great deal of need among the student population.

Anonymous wrote:the quality of the school & the teachers is great...they won several award, most of them on non-conflict negotiation via peaceful means....there long time principal was outstanding & after soo many years institutioning his philosophy (which is why it's a very good school!) he moved up to an admin job w/in PG School district and more challenges to address....
...by all means do not seek out Thomas Stone...a lot of issues...
...if you want to go the private route, there's St. Jeromes...the Montassari in Mt. Rainier moved, i think to the Petworth area...there's a good school (pre K and i think element) affiliated with University of Maryland, and then Friends Communty School a little furhter out (College Park)....good luck!

the school associated with UMD ends at K

the quality of the school & the teachers is great...they won several award, most of them on non-conflict negotiation via peaceful means....there long time principal was outstanding & after soo many years institutioning his philosophy (which is why it's a very good school!) he moved up to an admin job w/in PG School district and more challenges to address....
...by all means do not seek out Thomas Stone...a lot of issues...
...if you want to go the private route, there's St. Jeromes...the Montassari in Mt. Rainier moved, i think to the Petworth area...there's a good school (pre K and i think element) affiliated with University of Maryland, and then Friends Communty School a little furhter out (College Park)....good luck!

Most of the children at Mt Rainier Elem School are truly struggling - poverty, ESL issues. The teachers on the whole are really nice people but they are stressed out. The recession has made it even tougher because more and more parents of students are unemployed. It's sad that CFMS left Mt Rainier because it was an excellent alternative. Can you afford St Jerome's just 1.5 miles up Rt 1 in Hyattsville? That's what I would do.

Is this a good school?
PG public schools don't have a good reputation, does this apply to the small towns close to DC such as Mount Rainier and Brentwood?