Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sorry I thought a pp said that it was anonymous like DCUM.

Maybe this is what OP is referring to???

http://www.greatschools.org/modperl/achievement/md/1027#from..HeaderLink

The "reviews" are anon posts by parents and for the MS and HS they are obviously by students.

No, this is what I'm referring to:

http://www.greatschools.org/school/rating.page?id=1027&state=MD

Test Score ratings

Anonymous wrote:Sorry I thought a pp said that it was anonymous like DCUM.

Maybe this is what OP is referring to???

http://www.greatschools.org/modperl/achievement/md/1027#from..HeaderLink

The "reviews" are anon posts by parents and for the MS and HS they are obviously by students.

Sorry I thought a pp said that it was anonymous like DCUM.

Anonymous wrote:I can't believe you are making a decision based on a website's anonymous ratings.

The ratings are based on test scores, not reputation.

I can't believe you are making a decision based on a website's anonymous ratings.

OP back again. Thanks for the feedback. DH is adamant that we only purchase in Great School districts that have a rating of 8 or higher. Looks like this one is out for sure.

We are a leaving a top private for a much larger house with yard, but the school district has to have a great deal to offer.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. The home we are looking at is in Avery Village. I'm curious as to why everyone loves it, based on the Great Schools ratings, which rates Sequoia (I think) at a 5 out of 10.

My BIL lives in Avery Village. His kids go to public school and they are very, very happy. My SIL is very picky and she has nothing but praise for the school. They almost went private but decided to give publics a chance and are glad they did. Don't put too much faith in greatschools.com. It's about as reliable as DCUM in that anyone can post stuff there. Avery Village is a really nice area. Congratulations

OP here-WOW! What a small world! Ok, that makes me feel better. So my next question is, where does everyone swim? This house doesn't have a pool. Country club? Swim club? Is this the kind of neighborhood where kids can or could play together on the weekends or do people stick to themselves?

Thanks!

I know on my BIL street, the kids play together. He has a pool so they swim there. Same with me, we have a pool. We live on the other side of Derwood in Granby Woods area, there's lots of kids here and they do play together. Many homes have backyard pools. Otherwise, the Olney swim center is very close and open year around. Great place for swim lessons, etc. I've heard of some buying memberships at Mill Creek Towne pool, but my neighbor did that for a while and she said it just OK and olney swim center is way, way better. One thing that is really cool, is my house is grand central for DS and his friends (early teenagers) because we have a lot of property for them to longboard, bike ride, play baseball, football, swim, etc.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. The home we are looking at is in Avery Village. I'm curious as to why everyone loves it, based on the Great Schools ratings, which rates Sequoia (I think) at a 5 out of 10.

My BIL lives in Avery Village. His kids go to public school and they are very, very happy. My SIL is very picky and she has nothing but praise for the school. They almost went private but decided to give publics a chance and are glad they did. Don't put too much faith in greatschools.com. It's about as reliable as DCUM in that anyone can post stuff there. Avery Village is a really nice area. Congratulations

OP here-WOW! What a small world! Ok, that makes me feel better. So my next question is, where does everyone swim? This house doesn't have a pool. Country club? Swim club? Is this the kind of neighborhood where kids can or could play together on the weekends or do people stick to themselves?

Thanks!

Anonymous wrote:OP here. The home we are looking at is in Avery Village. I'm curious as to why everyone loves it, based on the Great Schools ratings, which rates Sequoia (I think) at a 5 out of 10.

My BIL lives in Avery Village. His kids go to public school and they are very, very happy. My SIL is very picky and she has nothing but praise for the school. They almost went private but decided to give publics a chance and are glad they did. Don't put too much faith in greatschools.com. It's about as reliable as DCUM in that anyone can post stuff there. Avery Village is a really nice area. Congratulations

OP here. The home we are looking at is in Avery Village. I'm curious as to why everyone loves it, based on the Great Schools ratings, which rates Sequoia (I think) at a 5 out of 10.

How is Magruder compared to Sherwood?

good, good and good. Derwood is a very pleasant area.

My friend lives in Derwood - in McMansionville (!) - and LOVES Sequoia!

All three of her kids attend and she couldn't be happier.

I live in that area as well. My kids are in private but we are in the minority. All of my neighbors do like the schools and several of the kids have gone on to decent colleges and seem to do fine. The area has some really nice homes, are you looking in Fraley Farm or that new neighborhood being built on Bowie Mill? We love the privacy, peace and quiet of this area.

Hi!

We are looking at buying a house in the Sequoia - Redland - Magruder school district. According to Great Schools.com this isn't a great school district, yet the neighborhood is exclusive and the neighbors all swear by these schools.

Anyone have thoughts?

Thanks!