Anonymous wrote:We recently moved to Olney from DC and while we've not had direct exp. w/services, but I have friends that do in MCPS and while no IEP process is easy, they do feel supported.

I will say the pace of life feels slower, more mellow, all in a positive way. And housing is pretty affordable. Lots of nice condos and townhouses around, big green spaces and everything is pretty kid oriented. Some of the elementary schools are smaller, specifically Greenwood and Belmont.

Good luck, OP!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The Magruder and Rockville clusters are also less competitive-seeming than some others.

This

Anonymous wrote:Honestly, I think there's a bit of selection bias at work here, and I don't blame you. You are seeing a small cross-section of kids -- those stressed out enough to seek psychological support.

As a counterpoint, I come into contact with TPMS and Blair kids all the time and they are uniformly happy, well-adjusted, and confident young people. But that's also selection bias.

The point is that you will find stressed out and anxious kids everywhere, particularly in the DMV. Just make sure your own kid doesn't stress themselves out and has healthy outlets, which I'm sure you will do!

Anonymous wrote:The Magruder and Rockville clusters are also less competitive-seeming than some others.

Anonymous wrote:If you're open to staying in Silver Spring, Flora Singer Elementary has a learning center that serves kids with special needs. I have friends and neighbors who have had kids with autism spectrum diagnoses go there and have reported very good experiences. And it's a nice, friendly, down-to-earth diverse neighborhood school.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Thanks for the replies thus far - I should add that I do not work in Arlington, that's where my son's father works so I have to stay within a certain distance from him, legally. I am a psychologist in Silver Spring (I do telehealth so I can move anywhere). I'm less concerned about elementary school (though yes, I have heard many stores through my 7 years working with children and parents here) and more concerned about MS and HS, where I've been hearing about the pressure from my clients and even others I meet outside of my profession when they talk about their children's experiences in high school. I have treated SO many kids anxious about not getting into a magnet program because of the messaging they receive from guidance counselors about having to go to a "state school" (oh no!) if you don't get into a magnet program. I have treated so many teens whose peers are doing college visits their freshman year of high school and scoff at those who even consider applying to state schools or small liberal arts colleges. I hear about all the pressure to pad your application with AP's and all the talk with peers comparing grades and obsessed about being in the top percent so they can get into a "good" college. I'm a midwestern farm girl who went to the college that had a horse on the cover and solely because of that and only applied there so I could join the college rodeo. I didn't spend my high school years stressed about hours of homework and getting into competitive colleges. No one I know went outside of the state college system or even talked about college. We just picked an in-state college that fit with our interests. I just remember having fun with my friends in high school, not doing hours of homework every night. And I have a PhD and have been in prestigious positions. My high school is ranked 1/10 on goodschools.org. I had some excellent teachers and obviously am doing just fine. So this whole world here is just not my jam. I'm not saying I want to move to a rural area, because I don't, I just want a more laid back vibe. I agree that Silver Spring is more laid back than some areas in MCPS and the surrounding counties, but after hundreds of people saying the same thing about the academic pressure they experience in high school especially, but beginning in middle school for sure, I am weary about staying here. People say there are less competitive schools in MCPS and I am specifically asking if anyone knows which ones those are. Working with the teens in this area for the past 7 years has me definitely concerned about the general atmosphere in this area as a whole, and the cost of living is very high. But, I absolutely want input on which particular schools or cities might be more laid back. My budget is 300's or low 400's. So I need a combo of something affordable (rent $2k or below or a house to purchase that a mortgage won't cost me over $2k-ish per month). I don't know how single parents make it around here!

Probably most of those clients were at the “W” schools.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Thanks for the replies thus far - I should add that I do not work in Arlington, that's where my son's father works so I have to stay within a certain distance from him, legally. I am a psychologist in Silver Spring (I do telehealth so I can move anywhere). I'm less concerned about elementary school (though yes, I have heard many stores through my 7 years working with children and parents here) and more concerned about MS and HS, where I've been hearing about the pressure from my clients and even others I meet outside of my profession when they talk about their children's experiences in high school. I have treated SO many kids anxious about not getting into a magnet program because of the messaging they receive from guidance counselors about having to go to a "state school" (oh no!) if you don't get into a magnet program. I have treated so many teens whose peers are doing college visits their freshman year of high school and scoff at those who even consider applying to state schools or small liberal arts colleges. I hear about all the pressure to pad your application with AP's and all the talk with peers comparing grades and obsessed about being in the top percent so they can get into a "good" college. I'm a midwestern farm girl who went to the college that had a horse on the cover and solely because of that and only applied there so I could join the college rodeo. I didn't spend my high school years stressed about hours of homework and getting into competitive colleges. No one I know went outside of the state college system or even talked about college. We just picked an in-state college that fit with our interests. I just remember having fun with my friends in high school, not doing hours of homework every night. And I have a PhD and have been in prestigious positions. My high school is ranked 1/10 on goodschools.org. I had some excellent teachers and obviously am doing just fine. So this whole world here is just not my jam. I'm not saying I want to move to a rural area, because I don't, I just want a more laid back vibe. I agree that Silver Spring is more laid back than some areas in MCPS and the surrounding counties, but after hundreds of people saying the same thing about the academic pressure they experience in high school especially, but beginning in middle school for sure, I am weary about staying here. People say there are less competitive schools in MCPS and I am specifically asking if anyone knows which ones those are. Working with the teens in this area for the past 7 years has me definitely concerned about the general atmosphere in this area as a whole, and the cost of living is very high. But, I absolutely want input on which particular schools or cities might be more laid back. My budget is 300's or low 400's. So I need a combo of something affordable (rent $2k or below or a house to purchase that a mortgage won't cost me over $2k-ish per month). I don't know how single parents make it around here!

Probably most of those clients were at the “W” schools.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Thanks for the replies thus far - I should add that I do not work in Arlington, that's where my son's father works so I have to stay within a certain distance from him, legally. I am a psychologist in Silver Spring (I do telehealth so I can move anywhere). I'm less concerned about elementary school (though yes, I have heard many stores through my 7 years working with children and parents here) and more concerned about MS and HS, where I've been hearing about the pressure from my clients and even others I meet outside of my profession when they talk about their children's experiences in high school. I have treated SO many kids anxious about not getting into a magnet program because of the messaging they receive from guidance counselors about having to go to a "state school" (oh no!) if you don't get into a magnet program. I have treated so many teens whose peers are doing college visits their freshman year of high school and scoff at those who even consider applying to state schools or small liberal arts colleges. I hear about all the pressure to pad your application with AP's and all the talk with peers comparing grades and obsessed about being in the top percent so they can get into a "good" college. I'm a midwestern farm girl who went to the college that had a horse on the cover and solely because of that and only applied there so I could join the college rodeo. I didn't spend my high school years stressed about hours of homework and getting into competitive colleges. No one I know went outside of the state college system or even talked about college. We just picked an in-state college that fit with our interests. I just remember having fun with my friends in high school, not doing hours of homework every night. And I have a PhD and have been in prestigious positions. My high school is ranked 1/10 on goodschools.org. I had some excellent teachers and obviously am doing just fine. So this whole world here is just not my jam. I'm not saying I want to move to a rural area, because I don't, I just want a more laid back vibe. I agree that Silver Spring is more laid back than some areas in MCPS and the surrounding counties, but after hundreds of people saying the same thing about the academic pressure they experience in high school especially, but beginning in middle school for sure, I am weary about staying here. People say there are less competitive schools in MCPS and I am specifically asking if anyone knows which ones those are. Working with the teens in this area for the past 7 years has me definitely concerned about the general atmosphere in this area as a whole, and the cost of living is very high. But, I absolutely want input on which particular schools or cities might be more laid back. My budget is 300's or low 400's. So I need a combo of something affordable (rent $2k or below or a house to purchase that a mortgage won't cost me over $2k-ish per month). I don't know how single parents make it around here!

Actually, none of them were.

Probably most of those clients were at the “W” schools.

Anonymous wrote:Thanks for the replies thus far - I should add that I do not work in Arlington, that's where my son's father works so I have to stay within a certain distance from him, legally. I am a psychologist in Silver Spring (I do telehealth so I can move anywhere). I'm less concerned about elementary school (though yes, I have heard many stores through my 7 years working with children and parents here) and more concerned about MS and HS, where I've been hearing about the pressure from my clients and even others I meet outside of my profession when they talk about their children's experiences in high school. I have treated SO many kids anxious about not getting into a magnet program because of the messaging they receive from guidance counselors about having to go to a "state school" (oh no!) if you don't get into a magnet program. I have treated so many teens whose peers are doing college visits their freshman year of high school and scoff at those who even consider applying to state schools or small liberal arts colleges. I hear about all the pressure to pad your application with AP's and all the talk with peers comparing grades and obsessed about being in the top percent so they can get into a "good" college. I'm a midwestern farm girl who went to the college that had a horse on the cover and solely because of that and only applied there so I could join the college rodeo. I didn't spend my high school years stressed about hours of homework and getting into competitive colleges. No one I know went outside of the state college system or even talked about college. We just picked an in-state college that fit with our interests. I just remember having fun with my friends in high school, not doing hours of homework every night. And I have a PhD and have been in prestigious positions. My high school is ranked 1/10 on goodschools.org. I had some excellent teachers and obviously am doing just fine. So this whole world here is just not my jam. I'm not saying I want to move to a rural area, because I don't, I just want a more laid back vibe. I agree that Silver Spring is more laid back than some areas in MCPS and the surrounding counties, but after hundreds of people saying the same thing about the academic pressure they experience in high school especially, but beginning in middle school for sure, I am weary about staying here. People say there are less competitive schools in MCPS and I am specifically asking if anyone knows which ones those are. Working with the teens in this area for the past 7 years has me definitely concerned about the general atmosphere in this area as a whole, and the cost of living is very high. But, I absolutely want input on which particular schools or cities might be more laid back. My budget is 300's or low 400's. So I need a combo of something affordable (rent $2k or below or a house to purchase that a mortgage won't cost me over $2k-ish per month). I don't know how single parents make it around here!

Anonymous wrote:Hmm. MoCo for all its faults actually has a lot of resources comparatively for autism. Are you sure about leaving? Also while I get what you say about test scores, you may feel differently for MS and HS. Especially with your kid neurodiverse, it’s better not to have to move again. Have you considered Rockville? Not all of the MoCo schools are high pressure. Another option to consider is Glover Park in DC which has more affordable apartments, or Capitol Hill. My DS with mild ASD is finishing up elementary in DCPS and we have been very happy. There are also charters like Two Rivers that are very sweet and nurturing, no pressure. Typically you can get a spot there in 5th now easily.

Anonymous wrote:Thanks for the replies thus far - I should add that I do not work in Arlington, that's where my son's father works so I have to stay within a certain distance from him, legally. I am a psychologist in Silver Spring (I do telehealth so I can move anywhere). I'm less concerned about elementary school (though yes, I have heard many stores through my 7 years working with children and parents here) and more concerned about MS and HS, where I've been hearing about the pressure from my clients and even others I meet outside of my profession when they talk about their children's experiences in high school. I have treated SO many kids anxious about not getting into a magnet program because of the messaging they receive from guidance counselors about having to go to a "state school" (oh no!) if you don't get into a magnet program. I have treated so many teens whose peers are doing college visits their freshman year of high school and scoff at those who even consider applying to state schools or small liberal arts colleges. I hear about all the pressure to pad your application with AP's and all the talk with peers comparing grades and obsessed about being in the top percent so they can get into a "good" college. I'm a midwestern farm girl who went to the college that had a horse on the cover and solely because of that and only applied there so I could join the college rodeo. I didn't spend my high school years stressed about hours of homework and getting into competitive colleges. No one I know went outside of the state college system or even talked about college. We just picked an in-state college that fit with our interests. I just remember having fun with my friends in high school, not doing hours of homework every night. And I have a PhD and have been in prestigious positions. My high school is ranked 1/10 on goodschools.org. I had some excellent teachers and obviously am doing just fine. So this whole world here is just not my jam. I'm not saying I want to move to a rural area, because I don't, I just want a more laid back vibe. I agree that Silver Spring is more laid back than some areas in MCPS and the surrounding counties, but after hundreds of people saying the same thing about the academic pressure they experience in high school especially, but beginning in middle school for sure, I am weary about staying here. People say there are less competitive schools in MCPS and I am specifically asking if anyone knows which ones those are. Working with the teens in this area for the past 7 years has me definitely concerned about the general atmosphere in this area as a whole, and the cost of living is very high. But, I absolutely want input on which particular schools or cities might be more laid back. My budget is 300's or low 400's. So I need a combo of something affordable (rent $2k or below or a house to purchase that a mortgage won't cost me over $2k-ish per month). I don't know how single parents make it around here!