Anonymous wrote:In MoCo, your kids will have other options besides their home school in the form of HGC, magnet programs, IB, etc. So, if Blair isn't the best fit, one of the other DCC schools may well be. In DC, you're really only limited to Wilson. So, while the two paths you're considering may seem comparable, MD offers you the option not to stick to it if you don't want to, and still get your kids a great education.

I'm biased, as a product of MoCo schools and current resident, but having some flexibility is, IMO, a really good thing. The in-state tuition for college is a big plus, too.

Wilson or Walls or Ellington for arts or Banneker if you want IB, etc.

In MoCo, your kids will have other options besides their home school in the form of HGC, magnet programs, IB, etc. So, if Blair isn't the best fit, one of the other DCC schools may well be. In DC, you're really only limited to Wilson. So, while the two paths you're considering may seem comparable, MD offers you the option not to stick to it if you don't want to, and still get your kids a great education.

I'm biased, as a product of MoCo schools and current resident, but having some flexibility is, IMO, a really good thing. The in-state tuition for college is a big plus, too.

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Anonymous wrote:In state tuition hands down. (as a parent of a 4th grader who can not believe the cost of State Schools)

We may move to MD/VA if we wind up going the private HS route.

Don't forget the tuition rebate available to DC residents though.

Only $10,000 and isn't guaranteed to be there for more than the next 2 years (up to Congress to fund each year).

Yes, but at the end of the day, for upper NW families are any of the public universities in Maryland a strong draw?

Yes they are and the other beauty of the 10k is you can use it at ANY public university. If you live in DC and have a bright student you can get in-state tuition AND the 10k credit. It is a beautiful thing.

You don't get in state tuition *and* the 10k. The 10k is in lieu of in-state status, and applies to the difference between in-state and out-of-state tuition. If out-of-state tuition is more than $10k more expensive than in-state (as is the case in VA), you're stuck making up the difference. Our kids are little now and doing great in DCPS, but if they grow up to be smart enough for UVA, we'll definitely consider moving across the river.

You aren't following. If you have a bright student then the school may offer (or in our case DID offer) in state tuition as an incentive to go there. So we "pay" in state tuition rate and then also get the 10k credit. Basically our college bill is less than 10k a year at a top state university.

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In state tuition hands down. (as a parent of a 4th grader who can not believe the cost of State Schools)

We may move to MD/VA if we wind up going the private HS route.

Don't forget the tuition rebate available to DC residents though.

Only $10,000 and isn't guaranteed to be there for more than the next 2 years (up to Congress to fund each year).

Yes, but at the end of the day, for upper NW families are any of the public universities in Maryland a strong draw?

Yes they are and the other beauty of the 10k is you can use it at ANY public university. If you live in DC and have a bright student you can get in-state tuition AND the 10k credit. It is a beautiful thing.

You don't get in state tuition *and* the 10k. The 10k is in lieu of in-state status, and applies to the difference between in-state and out-of-state tuition. If out-of-state tuition is more than $10k more expensive than in-state (as is the case in VA), you're stuck making up the difference. Our kids are little now and doing great in DCPS, but if they grow up to be smart enough for UVA, we'll definitely consider moving across the river.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In state tuition hands down. (as a parent of a 4th grader who can not believe the cost of State Schools)

We may move to MD/VA if we wind up going the private HS route.

Don't forget the tuition rebate available to DC residents though.

Only $10,000 and isn't guaranteed to be there for more than the next 2 years (up to Congress to fund each year).

Yes, but at the end of the day, for upper NW families are any of the public universities in Maryland a strong draw?

Yes they are and the other beauty of the 10k is you can use it at ANY public university. If you live in DC and have a bright student you can get in-state tuition AND the 10k credit. It is a beautiful thing.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In state tuition hands down. (as a parent of a 4th grader who can not believe the cost of State Schools)

We may move to MD/VA if we wind up going the private HS route.

Don't forget the tuition rebate available to DC residents though.

Only $10,000 and isn't guaranteed to be there for more than the next 2 years (up to Congress to fund each year).

Yes, but at the end of the day, for upper NW families are any of the public universities in Maryland a strong draw?

Happy TP resident here. I have two children at Takoma Park Elementary that are thriving and happy (they are bright but not "gifted") They love their teachers, are engaged and happy to go to school. Neighbors with kids at TPMS and Blair (regular tracks at both schools) are also happy. I don't know the DC schools or neighborhoods but it's tough to beat the awesome sense of community in TP if that's important to you (jazz fest, folk fest, takoma porch music fest, old fashioned 4th of July parade, massive trick or treating party on Maple Ave, tons of kids walking to school, farmers' market, etc, etc.)

Personally, I'd prefer a house.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In state tuition hands down. (as a parent of a 4th grader who can not believe the cost of State Schools)

We may move to MD/VA if we wind up going the private HS route.

Don't forget the tuition rebate available to DC residents though.

Only $10,000 and isn't guaranteed to be there for more than the next 2 years (up to Congress to fund each year).

MD. Blair has ceased stabbings and guns in school.

Anonymous wrote:In state tuition hands down. (as a parent of a 4th grader who can not believe the cost of State Schools)

We may move to MD/VA if we wind up going the private HS route.

Don't forget the tuition rebate available to DC residents though.

In state tuition hands down. (as a parent of a 4th grader who can not believe the cost of State Schools)

We may move to MD/VA if we wind up going the private HS route.

I'd say Takoma --> Blair because of the options for enrichment. The gifted program at Takoma, the Highly Gifted Centers, the various magnet and lottery middle schools, and the magnet high schools.

For a bright kid, I think MCPS offers a lot more options for acceleration before high school.

I am IB for Deal but still say id choose Takoma path for the reasons you state (always house over condo) and colleges. Schools aren't that different quality wise.

Didn't know whether to post this on DC or MD schools!

If you had to chose between these two paths, which would you chose? A combination of our budget and sensibilities make these the most likely choices: condo in NW; or house in Takoma. Although we prefer a house to a condo, the advantages of living in NW balance that factor out. Another factor in favor of MD is access to public colleges. But otherwise, these two paths seem pretty similar. Any thoughts?