Seven locks is ranked the fifth best Es in the county. Have no idea what that entails, but on a personal level, the teachers have been outstanding, the community feels warm and welcoming, and it's very diverse. It feels like a private school, to be honest - my kids both transitioned from private to SLES and it has a lot of the same flavors - involved parents, dedicated staff, responsive principal. The building is also very new, so is bright and sunny.

No experience with Seven Locks and Churchill but we've been very happy at Cabin John. My daughter is in 8th and has had very good teachers for the most part. Her guidance counselor has been incredibly helpful. The only complaints I have about the school would be the same for any school in MCPS.

Anonymous wrote:It depends on what you are looking for.

Seven Locks is a good school with relatively small student population. Very active and engaging PTA. There are good teachers. New principal was a music teacher.

Cabin John is a school stirring mixed sentiments. It has the best music program in the county. Their performance wet my eyes. However, parents are not satisfied with some aspects of the teaching practice.

Churchill is highly diversified.

Well, if academic is your passion, I would recommend Wayside/Hoover/Churchill.

I heard a music teacher state that JW MS had the best band in mcps. I think it just depends on who you talk to.

Anonymous wrote:It depends on what you are looking for.

Seven Locks is a good school with relatively small student population. Very active and engaging PTA. There are good teachers. New principal was a music teacher.

Cabin John is a school stirring mixed sentiments. It has the best music program in the county. Their performance wet my eyes. However, parents are not satisfied with some aspects of the teaching practice.

Churchill is highly diversified.

Well, if academic is your passion, I would recommend Wayside/Hoover/Churchill.

Just curious, have you ever heard performance of TPMS kids?
They just performed section from Phantom of the Opera together advanced band and advanced orchestra. They did wet my eyes too.
I do not doubt that Cabin John has great music program. I would just not go as far as the best in the county, unless you've heard every MS advanced bands and orchestras in the county.
I am not claiming TPMS is the best in music, but I believe they've just got 4 perfect scores from judges at a recent State competition...
I suspect that there are quite a few really good music programs across county.
I am very happy to see very gifted and dedicated music teachers in MCPS.
This is one of very few things I really like about MCPS and happy that my kids can experience.

Anonymous wrote:Churchill is highly diversified.

I assume you mean in terms of class offererings..as opposed to the student body?

23:15 here. I mean both including that student interests are widely spread.

Anonymous wrote:OT-I have never heard heard the term "pyramid" before to describe a cluster of schools. Is this a term often used.

Yes. There is one high school at the top of the pyramid, usually 1-2 middle schools, and 5+ elementary schools at the base.

Cluster is also used. Churchill Cluster

Anonymous wrote:OT-I have never heard heard the term "pyramid" before to describe a cluster of schools. Is this a term often used.

Yes it is. Common phrase.

OT-I have never heard heard the term "pyramid" before to describe a cluster of schools. Is this a term often used.

Anonymous wrote:Churchill is highly diversified.

I assume you mean in terms of class offererings..as opposed to the student body?

I assumed it meant in terms of opinion of the school.

Churchill is highly diversified.

I assume you mean in terms of class offererings..as opposed to the student body?

Yes, we were specifically looking for excellent academics without the overcrowding issues present in so many pyramids. We're happy, especially love the little neighborhood school feel of SLES. There are one or two teachers parents would love to see go, but most are excellent.

Thank you- very helpful!

It depends on what you are looking for.

Seven Locks is a good school with relatively small student population. Very active and engaging PTA. There are good teachers. New principal was a music teacher.

Cabin John is a school stirring mixed sentiments. It has the best music program in the county. Their performance wet my eyes. However, parents are not satisfied with some aspects of the teaching practice.

Churchill is highly diversified.

Well, if academic is your passion, I would recommend Wayside/Hoover/Churchill.

Is this a pyramid worth buying into? Currently own townhouse in Silver Spring zoned for elementary schools that receive poor ratings, even for ES, and are looking to trade up into a better school pyramid through a new home purchase. Our child starts school kindergarten in two years, and her education is the most important factor in our search. As I research, it's apparent that all MoCo schools aren't created equal, and overcrowding is a big issue, along with potential rezoning down the line. However, I was told by a realtor that this is likely one of the best/safest bets as far as really strong, not over-crowded schools go within the county. Does that sounds accurate? Are there other pyramids that would be a safer bet (without having a crystal ball handy to look a decade into the future) or come more highly recommended?