Parent of a 5th grader in PG County school -- what are the entrance requirements for Eleanor Roosevelt?

I just saw this thread--I'm so glad your daughter decided on Roosevelt! My kids turned down scholarships to other schools (including St. John's) to go to the science/tech program, and they love/d it at ERHS. My son is a recent graduate who earned a full ride to College Park with a ton of transfer credits. He thrived in the music program (Mrs. Wagner is an institution...seriously, no one like her--she's been there over 30 years and won't retire until 2016!) and a ton of extra activities. He's not sporty, but it didn't matter. The school is so large, with so much to offer, that there's not a sense of cliquishness.

My daughter is thriving there now and loves everything about it. They both came from a private K-8 school, by the way. If you have any questions about ERHS, I'd be happy to answer them.

Anonymous wrote:OP here again. Thank you for all of your replies. They were all very helpful. To 13:30, my DD plays an instrument and she is really into music. I have heard that ERHS has a great music program. We have decided on Roosevelt!

SJC has a great muzik program, infact they came back from Disney two weeks ago.

Anonymous wrote:
I attended Roosevelt many years ago, graduating in 1994 and still live in the community. It was a great school then and is a great school now academically. However, it's a HUGE school, with all types of students. There are metal detectors, and with good reason. When I went there, I was in class all day with really bright, interesting kids, who continue to be really wonderful friends, however, I definitely saw some rough stuff. I loved attending Roosevelt and to this day am proud of the independence it offered, the creative opportunities, and the awesome collection of kids that were there. But clearly there is a difference from private school, which (and this is good and bad) would offer a more sheltered experience.

My SIL graduated with you.

OP here again. Thank you for all of your replies. They were all very helpful. To 13:30, my DD plays an instrument and she is really into music. I have heard that ERHS has a great music program. We have decided on Roosevelt!

Another Roosevelt grad here (and NASA employee!)... I agree with 10:29. The science tech kids didn't have much drama, but the other side of the school - I remember occasional fights and whatnot. It didn't affect me in any way, but sure, it's there.

I knew a bunch of kids who had done private through grade 8 and joined us for HS. They all seemed well prepared, and are all successful now. I'd definitely go for it.

Is your daughter into music? Theater? ERHS has great programs for both, in addition the the ST stuff!

I attended Roosevelt many years ago, graduating in 1994 and still live in the community. It was a great school then and is a great school now academically. However, it's a HUGE school, with all types of students. There are metal detectors, and with good reason. When I went there, I was in class all day with really bright, interesting kids, who continue to be really wonderful friends, however, I definitely saw some rough stuff. I loved attending Roosevelt and to this day am proud of the independence it offered, the creative opportunities, and the awesome collection of kids that were there. But clearly there is a difference from private school, which (and this is good and bad) would offer a more sheltered experience.

11:18 again (NASA contractor). Personally I would send her to ERHS and put the $75K into either a 529 or savings for her college. If she/you don't need it for college, sock it away and she can use it for grad school, car fund or home deposit. Since there is a good public option to which she's been accepted, I think it worthwhile to save the money for another use.

OP here. Thanks for your replies!

My DD says she will go to either school and does not appear to have a preference. My DD is not a student who knows the career path she would like to pursue, but she is not opposed to attending Science & Tech. I have looked at the college placements of the schools and I do not see a significant difference. I believe the Ivies are within reach for the top few students at both schools. While my DD is a good student, I do not expect her to be in that number at either school. I guess the main question for me is what will the $75,000 education at St. John's buy that Roosevelt is not able to provide?

I know kids from Hyattsville Hills and Mt Rainier who go to the program at Roosevelt. I've heard only good things.

12:53 again. We plan to do k-8 private as well. I would love for my son to get in a magnet program of some sort for high school. And would definitely consider Roosevelt if we lived in PG.

I don't know any kids who go there but I know a teacher in the STEM program there. She loves it. Says the kids are actively engaged in a way most kids in regular classes are not. I know that's not as helpful as a student's perspective.

What does your daughter want? Does she have a preference? Do you have any idea how college placements between the two schools compare?

I generally think public schools have more robust STEM programs than most private schools (and my kid is in private).

I work near Eleanor Roosevelt at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center. The Science and Tech program is a good one. I've known several kids who have done well coming from that program. In addition, there are some limited opportunities that ERHS has being near Goddard that have helped the Science and Tech kids that are not available to the full general public. We've had special tours for some of the students of NASA facilities, a number of the NASA engineers have judged and volunteered at Science Fairs, sometimes it's easier for kids in ERHS to get the right info for special high school summer internships at GSFC, etc. Not a lot, but definitely a significant amount of extra opportunities are available.

I would definitely seriously consider ERHS and since I also live in PG County, I would be very happy if my kids got accepted into ERHS (that's a bit away as they are not yet in preschool).

Does your DD know anyone who was older than her who ended up at ERHS in the Science and Tech program? Our K-8 sends several kids a year into that program, so if yours is similar, maybe let her talk directly to someone who just made the transition? The kids we know there say the Science and Tech program is kind of its own school within the school, so even though the school is huge, the smaller program mitigates some of that. SJC is a great school too though and your DD can get a fine education there.

My DD has been accepted to both. DD has attended private school from K-8, but we are now considering Roosevelt Science and Tech program because Science and Tech seems to be where the jobs will be in the future, it's closer to home...and it's free. St. John's is a fine private school, but Roosevelt has the better curriculum with regard to science and technology. We are a little concerned about the transition from private to public school. Any advice?