Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Agree with PP - it inaccurate to say that most older kids in TP go private. The vast majority of TP kids go to TP Middle School or Eastern for the Humanities Magnet and then go on to Blair or Einstein (if they are doing the magnet there).

On paper, Bethesda schools are better but as a 10 year TP resident with kids in ES and MS, I wouldn't trade our community (or schools) for anything that Bethesda offers.

It's not just "on paper." A lot depends on where you are socioeconomically, ethnically and racially. We have family in the Eastern/Blair path and there have been social issues for the kids (both white geeks).

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Agree with PP - it inaccurate to say that most older kids in TP go private. The vast majority of TP kids go to TP Middle School or Eastern for the Humanities Magnet and then go on to Blair or Einstein (if they are doing the magnet there).

On paper, Bethesda schools are better but as a 10 year TP resident with kids in ES and MS, I wouldn't trade our community (or schools) for anything that Bethesda offers.

It's not just "on paper." A lot depends on where you are socioeconomically, ethnically and racially. We have family in the Eastern/Blair path and there have been social issues for the kids (both white geeks).

Anonymous wrote:Agree with PP - it inaccurate to say that most older kids in TP go private. The vast majority of TP kids go to TP Middle School or Eastern for the Humanities Magnet and then go on to Blair or Einstein (if they are doing the magnet there).

On paper, Bethesda schools are better but as a 10 year TP resident with kids in ES and MS, I wouldn't trade our community (or schools) for anything that Bethesda offers.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It really depends where you think you'll be more comfortable. Spend some time in local parks and try to figure out if it's your vibe. We looked at both places and ended up in Silver Spring. IMO, I find Bethesda-types to be very snobby and classist. I do have a lot of friends who live there, but as a whole -- some of the people who live there look down on people that don't come from money. My HHI is $300k -- but you still get a lot of snobby looks if you are not a SAHM with a nanny. That is a gross generalization, but I have encountered this attitude at PTA events, "Why would you need after-care?" [You work ... oh, the horror.] Similarly, Takoma Park types tend to be very open to diversity and environmental/left-leaning issues. If activism isn't your thing, you might feel a bit out of place. I also wouldn't move out of DC for the MCPS schools; they are suffering under Starr's leadership and being de facto racially and economically divided. I suppose that was historically true, but it has become increasingly pronounced as Bethesda fights to make their schools richer and whiter (look at the Beth Elem fight ... they successfully kicked out kids of color and brought down an already low FARMS rate). Very sad that in a county as relatively affluent as MoCo we can't extend equal opportunities to those most in need.

I disagree with about 90% of this post.

Anonymous wrote:It really depends where you think you'll be more comfortable. Spend some time in local parks and try to figure out if it's your vibe. We looked at both places and ended up in Silver Spring. IMO, I find Bethesda-types to be very snobby and classist. I do have a lot of friends who live there, but as a whole -- some of the people who live there look down on people that don't come from money. My HHI is $300k -- but you still get a lot of snobby looks if you are not a SAHM with a nanny. That is a gross generalization, but I have encountered this attitude at PTA events, "Why would you need after-care?" [You work ... oh, the horror.] Similarly, Takoma Park types tend to be very open to diversity and environmental/left-leaning issues. If activism isn't your thing, you might feel a bit out of place. I also wouldn't move out of DC for the MCPS schools; they are suffering under Starr's leadership and being de facto racially and economically divided. I suppose that was historically true, but it has become increasingly pronounced as Bethesda fights to make their schools richer and whiter (look at the Beth Elem fight ... they successfully kicked out kids of color and brought down an already low FARMS rate). Very sad that in a county as relatively affluent as MoCo we can't extend equal opportunities to those most in need.

scotcitz wrote:First of all, if you're considering a move to MoCo for schools, it will be tough to get into the really selective special programs from afar. So if your kids are at transitional times -- eg 7th or 5th grades-- you should check carefully if they really will be considered for magnet programs. All of the program applications deadline around early November for the following year. I faced the same choice 2 years ago and chose the Takoma Park/Blair thing -- I like the diversity on this side of the county and I think both those schools have a lot of heart. But basically what I learned is that public education in MoCo is about a lot of navigation and you're going to wind up with great teachers/poor teachers all over the place. It's a little more homogeneous at BCC, but I think the more capable kids are a little more cherished at Blair. Here's an issue though -- your move will resonate for years. In trying for high school magnets, it turns out that that they pull a lot from middle school magnets (apparently) which essentially means that your chances of getting into a high school magnet can relate as far back as to where you were in 4th grade and applying for middle school magnets ... like everywhere, parents are very aware of the systems and looking out for opportunities for their kids for years, which can make it harder for newcomers to compete for spots. This is impressionistic, I haven't seen hard numbers, but I do know a lot of the high school magnet slots are filled by MS middle school kids. And that's understandable, just a bit frustrating for newcomers with very capable kids. And I can't complain because I was in the same position in a very wacky school district in which the waiting list started at birth ... if you moved in even when the kid was one you were essentially shut out of the local (very good) public school and had to go elsewhere.

Anonymous wrote:Pricewise TP is going to be more expensive than Rosemary Hills, so it doesn't sounds like a budget thing for you. The difference is mainly about lifestyle, and you're either a takoma person or a bethesda person. Obviously the higher level schools are better rated in Bethesda, although for ES it's probably a wash. Most of the people I know who have older kids living in TP go private, so read into that whatever you like.

Both are wonderful areas to raise a kid, so figure out which scene is more you and go from there.[/quote]

Agree! People enjoy both. Select your fit.

Much of Bethesda is very expensive.
The communities are very different.

http://www.bethesda.org/
http://bethesdarow.com/

http://www.mainstreettakoma.org/
http://www.takomaparkmd.gov/main