Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is OP. No commute. But this is sounding a little like Texas from the descriptions (in a bad way).

Look at Olney - schools are great - communities are great (I was the PP that lives in Damascus). It's quiet and not as busy as some of the other communities in MoCo. Poolesville is good too - like Damascus in the fact it's spread out, but the Magnet brings a lot of diversity into the high school.

I second the Olney recommendation. Gives you the small town feel you might get in Damascus but definitely more on the liberal end of the spectrum and better diversity than Damascus.

Better diversity? Do you mean better in that its more diverse, or better people from that racial pool?

Bc Damascus is pretty diverse. In fact, double the percent of black kids and MORE than double Hispanic, compared to Poolesville.

Its just not the kind of diversity you want, right?

Oops, meant to reply to the one recommending Poolesville, not Olney.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is OP. No commute. But this is sounding a little like Texas from the descriptions (in a bad way).

Look at Olney - schools are great - communities are great (I was the PP that lives in Damascus). It's quiet and not as busy as some of the other communities in MoCo. Poolesville is good too - like Damascus in the fact it's spread out, but the Magnet brings a lot of diversity into the high school.

I second the Olney recommendation. Gives you the small town feel you might get in Damascus but definitely more on the liberal end of the spectrum and better diversity than Damascus.

Better diversity? Do you mean better in that its more diverse, or better people from that racial pool?

Bc Damascus is pretty diverse. In fact, double the percent of black kids and MORE than double Hispanic, compared to Poolesville.

Its just not the kind of diversity you want, right?

I live in Damascus. I second everything said here. It’s not only MAGA but also just redneck-y. Definitely sports worship and lots of cheating in youth sports. We played sports through a neighboring town organization, and we hated playing the Damascus teams. I like my neighborhood, but I would not choose this town if moving here now. I do like that it’s a middle ground between super redneck areas like Carroll Co or Frederick Co vs more liberal downcounty MOCO. If I did it again, I’d probably consider Urbana or Howard Co. Also, I chose not to send my kids to public schools and by they time they reached high school, neither wanted to go to DHS.

I’d imagine it’d be a shock to move from diverse DC to Damascus. You shouldn’t only look at test scores—cultural fit is also important. So maybe think what your kid needs the most first socially and then figure out which school is the best fit given your budget from there.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is OP. No commute. But this is sounding a little like Texas from the descriptions (in a bad way).

Look at Olney - schools are great - communities are great (I was the PP that lives in Damascus). It's quiet and not as busy as some of the other communities in MoCo. Poolesville is good too - like Damascus in the fact it's spread out, but the Magnet brings a lot of diversity into the high school.

I second the Olney recommendation. Gives you the small town feel you might get in Damascus but definitely more on the liberal end of the spectrum and better diversity than Damascus.

My kid does a sport at a different moco school. They went to DHS to play a game and racial slurs were made towards our team. This was right before Covid so 2019. Not sure it’s changed much.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is OP. No commute. But this is sounding a little like Texas from the descriptions (in a bad way).

I am thinking about the idea that Damascus is the Texas part of Montgomery County.

I know me too - with the new gun store in town you know it's not that far off.......interesting new way of looking at it now

Anonymous wrote:This is OP. No commute. But this is sounding a little like Texas from the descriptions (in a bad way).

I am thinking about the idea that Damascus is the Texas part of Montgomery County.

Anonymous wrote:This is OP. No commute. But this is sounding a little like Texas from the descriptions (in a bad way).

Yes, you could transplant Damascus into Texas and there would be no change or issue. Funny insight.

Anonymous wrote:This is OP. No commute. But this is sounding a little like Texas from the descriptions (in a bad way).

Look at Olney - schools are great - communities are great (I was the PP that lives in Damascus). It's quiet and not as busy as some of the other communities in MoCo. Poolesville is good too - like Damascus in the fact it's spread out, but the Magnet brings a lot of diversity into the high school.

This is OP. No commute. But this is sounding a little like Texas from the descriptions (in a bad way).

Anonymous wrote:Are Damascus public schools any good? We live in DC and are considering a move.

Are you commuting back to DC? If so, it's HORRIFIC. 10/10 do not advise.

If you plan on moving here....The schools here are fine academically, but culturally not. Lots of bullying (my DC was hospitalized a few years ago due to the negligence of DES - two other students bullied him and there were only 2 adults outside for recess). He was bullied again by a different crowd at Baker. I can't afford private - I looked - I would never send one of my kids to another Damascus school again IMO - I don't know but there are just a lot of mean kids here it seems. My DC is introverted and that made him a target of these kids. Kids of some of my friends have all said the same (the schools don't do much about the bullying here)

Baker has apathetic teachers - you will pull your hair out getting what you need for your child. DHS - again - fine academically, but it's a small high school. Not many choices for electives or programs. it's a Football town - so the focus is on sports.

The high school is having lots of trouble as of late with kids and drug use. They skip school and steal from local businesses a lot more often this year. Also do lots and lots and lots of drugs and leave the evidence as trash. I'm not sending my DS to DHS - thankfully he got into another high school. I was getting ready to homeschool otherwise. Take what you will with this - but as someone who lived here for 10 years - the community is nice and quiet - but the schools have a lot to be desired. (Politically it's def less liberal here but nothing in your face - I'm pretty liberal and I feel perfectly fine living here in that aspect - just don't visit the local Facebook groups! OMG)

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:MAGA country. Damascus has the only precinct to vote Trump in MoCo.

Sounds great.

For a certain crowd, sure!

Anonymous wrote:MAGA country. Damascus has the only precinct to vote Trump in MoCo.

Sounds great.

MAGA country. Damascus has the only precinct to vote Trump in MoCo.