OP, we moved from CA to MD also a few years ago, though not Frederick. We don't live in one of the coveted mostly white/asian clusters either. And my kids are doing well - now upper ES/MS. They consistenly score high on their MAP tests, which is taken nationally.

You will find that people on the east coast tend to generally be more obssessed with the "right" schools and such than people in CA, who tend to be a bit more laid back about it. I'm generalizing here because obviously there are those on either coasts who are the other way around.

There is a thread somewhere about moving to the Bay Area. The thread goes heavily into the difference in schools between the Bay Area in CA and the DC area. If you read the thread, you will get a sense of the difference in attitudes.

I don't think the east coast attitude about education is terrible, but there are those who go overboard. At times, I do find myself getting sucked into this game, and then I have to catch myself.

In general, I think your kids should be fine because it sounds like they have parents who are involved and provide a stable home life, which as you stated, is one of the most important aspect of how well a child will do in school. Plus, know that MD as a state seems to care more about public education than CA does. And CA public schools have lots of issues, too, if not more so than MD.

I'm sort of in your position, and I've sort of been a cheerleader for our schools, but things just become much more complicated after elementary. It's easy to appreciate socioeconomic and racial diversity when they're 7 years old and all playing together happily. It's harder when they get to high school and you are informed of stabbings, thefts, gangs, and teenage pregnancies. I know my child is not likely to become involved in those things, but I would rather he go to a school where none of that exists.

Pp again - saw the comment about Frederick. I don't know much about the school system there! Sounds promising!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You are not alone. DCUM is a very warped view of MCPS. Glad you are happy here. Welcome!

OP - not in MCPS

Which district are you in OP?

I think a lot of the complaints on this forum come from parents in MCPS. I hear more positive things about Howard County, even from parents that I know IRL who have kids there.

MCPS has some real issues (overcrowding, poor leadership in recent years, an inept BOE and County Council) that have led to some unresolved issues.

Also, if your kid is only in 1st grade, you might find that your experience changes as your kid goes through school. Hopefully it stays positive!

Anonymous wrote:
Well, bully for you, OP.

Some of us have had other experiences with which to compare MD schools systems, and thus have academic as well as logistical concerns.

Just remember that your perspective as a parent of a young child will certainly evolve with time.

OP - I wasn't aiming to be smug. Perhaps I was too subtle. I am anxious about my lack of anxiety because I don't get why people would pick up their whole lives and move in order to escape a school like I described.

Anonymous wrote:
Well, bully for you, OP.

Some of us have had other experiences with which to compare MD schools systems, and thus have academic as well as logistical concerns.

Just remember that your perspective as a parent of a young child will certainly evolve with time.

OP - what I meant to post was to ask people to share stories if I am missing something. Like, I actually don't understand what the anxiety is about.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You're not in mcps? Then why did you post in md school forum?

OP - Frederick County Public School's which is also in Maryland

Stupid autocorrect keeps adding an apostrophe

Anonymous wrote:You're not in mcps? Then why did you post in md school forum?

OP - Frederick County Public School's which is also in Maryland

Well, bully for you, OP.

Some of us have had other experiences with which to compare MD schools systems, and thus have academic as well as logistical concerns.

Just remember that your perspective as a parent of a young child will certainly evolve with time.

Anonymous wrote:You're not in mcps? Then why did you post in md school forum?

NP here. This is hilarious. There are other schools/counties/districts in MD, you know. The center of the universe is not Montgomery County (Thank God).

You're not in mcps? Then why did you post in md school forum?

The message is the same

Anonymous wrote:You are not alone. DCUM is a very warped view of MCPS. Glad you are happy here. Welcome!

OP - not in MCPS

You are not alone. DCUM is a very warped view of MCPS. Glad you are happy here. Welcome!

We moved from CA to MD. The schools to me look pretty awesome and so far we are having a great experience at my DC's elementary school (only up to first grade so far). The high school we are zoned for has AP classes, is a performing arts magnet, has 92% graduation rate, 60% non-white student population. Other friends I know are talking about moving to other school districts for "better schools." There apparently is a bit of a rough "inner city" element to the school but a very small part of it and the kids from the families I'm talking about are in upper middle class, educated families unlikely to end up in gangs.

In all the reading I've done, success in school comes from being in a strong intact family, a supportive community (we attend a church), having educated parents, and a good income. From my own life, exposure to diversity in race, religion, income are good to keep people grounded in reality. I would not want my biracial kids to be in an area where the school was 80-90% white and they grow up thinking that's what the world looks like.

So I guess what I am looking for is reassurance from people whose kids went to schools like this one and felt it was good for them. Sometimes I wonder if since we could afford more if I am being a bad parent for thinking this school is just fine for my kids.