Anonymous
09/29/2025 13:36
Subject: Which MCPS MS-HS suit this kid?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks for the suggestions! And yes we are watching the boundary redraw and redo of the “six district” special programs and hoping there’s at least some further planning before the spring when we are hoping to buy. The timelines say so, but we all know how that can go.
BCC is definitely of interest. I need to figure out more about the MS options that feed in. Loiderman sounds lovely but further from the city than we are hoping for. Einstein also looks interesting from the IB and art perspective but I think we’d want to live closer in and have a closer in MS and then potentially choose between BCC and Einstein which, at least now, I think are tentatively part of the same region. Wondering if there are any other options I’m not considering that I should be, although I recognize with boundaries and the DCC going away etc etc it’s so hard to know what the “pyramids” even will be.
If you want IB and not top rigorous academics, Einstein is a good choices as there are a lot of artsy kids. The question is what will happen if they go through with the current plan; then, Northwood may be a better choice. Some of it also comes down to your budget.
OP here - why would Northwood be better? Hasn’t been on my radar but happy to hear more.
Unfortunately I think the current proposal is that Einstein loses IB but keeps visual arts whereas Northwood would have performing arts.
That's interesting re IB. My son did IB at Einstein and we wound up wishing he had just stuck to AP. The Einstein IB was not a good fit for him.
It really is a personal preference. Mine enjoyed their IB classes at Einstein, and hated the format of the AP classes they took. Teachers were mostly solid, with just a few classes where they struggled to get what needed out of it.
They also really enjoyed the arts-focused environment and relatively smaller school.
Anonymous
09/29/2025 13:34
Subject: Which MCPS MS-HS suit this kid?
Anonymous wrote:Thinking about a move from DC to MD next spring - somewhere inside the beltway or close to it. Watching the boundary change plans! In the meantime, trying to figure out what schools would even work well for our kid:
- Sensitive, kind, prefers a chill environment (I realize this is probably a non-starter in MS and HS, but we picked DCPS for elementary for the smaller classes and schools)
- Grade level or slightly above
- Major interests are theatre, art, and music, creative writing
- We’re interested in her having AP or IB options
- very susceptible to positive peer pressure (friends who model positive study habits and are serious about school), but also easily intimidated so not looking for a super competitive environment
What schools would you consider for her? Thanks in advance.
Richard Montgomery
They have a great theater and choral program, offer creative writing classes, more APs than some other schools, and every student is eligible to enroll in/complete the IB diploma starting in junior year. They even offer IB Theatre 1 & 2
More chill than many other area HS
Anonymous
09/29/2025 11:56
Subject: Which MCPS MS-HS suit this kid?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:OP I understand that perhaps you're looking to move for MS to make the transition to HS smoother / have known friends etc.
I just want to say MS is a horrible experience for most kids in the region, wherever they go.
Mine went to Pyle and while there were a few kids they knew when they started at Whitman, it didn't really matter because something like 4 MS fed into it, new kids started there, some went private.
If you focus on HS at the place you need to get right you can take more time, potentially before you move for it. The trouble with moving for a "better" experience at MS is that its unlikely to happen simply because MS is not a great experience for many.
You say this, but I know plenty of kids, including my own, who have had a good middle school experience. We are not a Pyle (or a magnet), but our local middle school has met my kids' needs well, both academic and social.
+1
Anonymous
09/29/2025 10:53
Subject: Which MCPS MS-HS suit this kid?
MCPS has great or not-so-great-but-OK MSs. It education quality used to be stellar but has been declining in the past 15 years, so if you have money and don't like cut-throat experience, look for private schools. Otherwise, either wait (not sure how long to wait, or things could get worse quickly), or choose a MS under the W's as a safer fallback.
Anonymous
09/29/2025 10:53
Subject: Which MCPS MS-HS suit this kid?
Anonymous wrote:OP I understand that perhaps you're looking to move for MS to make the transition to HS smoother / have known friends etc.
I just want to say MS is a horrible experience for most kids in the region, wherever they go.
Mine went to Pyle and while there were a few kids they knew when they started at Whitman, it didn't really matter because something like 4 MS fed into it, new kids started there, some went private.
If you focus on HS at the place you need to get right you can take more time, potentially before you move for it. The trouble with moving for a "better" experience at MS is that its unlikely to happen simply because MS is not a great experience for many.
Pyle is the only middle school that feeds into Whitman. There are elementary schools multiple schools that feed into Pyle.
Anonymous
09/29/2025 10:46
Subject: Which MCPS MS-HS suit this kid?
OP here. The above is a valid point - that MS is for survival and maybe we should send her to the okayish MS here with her elementary friends, get through that, and then try to move. Things would certainly be clearer from school boundary and program perspectives. I wanted her to maybe do the IB middle years program at a school properly implementing it but maybe that’s misguided given all the factors at play.
Anonymous
09/28/2025 09:24
Subject: Which MCPS MS-HS suit this kid?
Anonymous wrote:OP I understand that perhaps you're looking to move for MS to make the transition to HS smoother / have known friends etc.
I just want to say MS is a horrible experience for most kids in the region, wherever they go.
Mine went to Pyle and while there were a few kids they knew when they started at Whitman, it didn't really matter because something like 4 MS fed into it, new kids started there, some went private.
If you focus on HS at the place you need to get right you can take more time, potentially before you move for it. The trouble with moving for a "better" experience at MS is that its unlikely to happen simply because MS is not a great experience for many.
You say this, but I know plenty of kids, including my own, who have had a good middle school experience. We are not a Pyle (or a magnet), but our local middle school has met my kids' needs well, both academic and social.
Anonymous
09/28/2025 02:41
Subject: Which MCPS MS-HS suit this kid?
OP I understand that perhaps you're looking to move for MS to make the transition to HS smoother / have known friends etc.
I just want to say MS is a horrible experience for most kids in the region, wherever they go.
Mine went to Pyle and while there were a few kids they knew when they started at Whitman, it didn't really matter because something like 4 MS fed into it, new kids started there, some went private.
If you focus on HS at the place you need to get right you can take more time, potentially before you move for it. The trouble with moving for a "better" experience at MS is that its unlikely to happen simply because MS is not a great experience for many.
I just want to say MS is a horrible experience for most kids in the region, wherever they go.
Mine went to Pyle and while there were a few kids they knew when they started at Whitman, it didn't really matter because something like 4 MS fed into it, new kids started there, some went private.
If you focus on HS at the place you need to get right you can take more time, potentially before you move for it. The trouble with moving for a "better" experience at MS is that its unlikely to happen simply because MS is not a great experience for many.
Anonymous
09/28/2025 01:55
Subject: Which MCPS MS-HS suit this kid?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks for the suggestions! And yes we are watching the boundary redraw and redo of the “six district” special programs and hoping there’s at least some further planning before the spring when we are hoping to buy. The timelines say so, but we all know how that can go.
BCC is definitely of interest. I need to figure out more about the MS options that feed in. Loiderman sounds lovely but further from the city than we are hoping for. Einstein also looks interesting from the IB and art perspective but I think we’d want to live closer in and have a closer in MS and then potentially choose between BCC and Einstein which, at least now, I think are tentatively part of the same region. Wondering if there are any other options I’m not considering that I should be, although I recognize with boundaries and the DCC going away etc etc it’s so hard to know what the “pyramids” even will be.
If you want IB and not top rigorous academics, Einstein is a good choices as there are a lot of artsy kids. The question is what will happen if they go through with the current plan; then, Northwood may be a better choice. Some of it also comes down to your budget.
OP here - why would Northwood be better? Hasn’t been on my radar but happy to hear more.
Unfortunately I think the current proposal is that Einstein loses IB but keeps visual arts whereas Northwood would have performing arts.
They are supposed to get the arts magnet for the new proposal or changes. I’m not sure if they lose it but they have limited ap classes and will have the school sized reduced resulting in losing teachers and resources. It’s anyone’s guess what will happen. Blair has some good arts teachers but is a huge school.
Right now Northwood is in a holding school till their new school is built so it’s hard to know what will be added.
For the DCC I’d look at Einstein, Northwood, Wheaton and Blair in no specific order.
The DCC will no longer exist.
Correct, but the schools still would. They are specifically moving for a school so they don't need school choice. They choose before they move.
I would wait until the new boundaries are determined in the spring.
Anonymous
09/28/2025 00:36
Subject: Which MCPS MS-HS suit this kid?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks for the suggestions! And yes we are watching the boundary redraw and redo of the “six district” special programs and hoping there’s at least some further planning before the spring when we are hoping to buy. The timelines say so, but we all know how that can go.
BCC is definitely of interest. I need to figure out more about the MS options that feed in. Loiderman sounds lovely but further from the city than we are hoping for. Einstein also looks interesting from the IB and art perspective but I think we’d want to live closer in and have a closer in MS and then potentially choose between BCC and Einstein which, at least now, I think are tentatively part of the same region. Wondering if there are any other options I’m not considering that I should be, although I recognize with boundaries and the DCC going away etc etc it’s so hard to know what the “pyramids” even will be.
If you want IB and not top rigorous academics, Einstein is a good choices as there are a lot of artsy kids. The question is what will happen if they go through with the current plan; then, Northwood may be a better choice. Some of it also comes down to your budget.
OP here - why would Northwood be better? Hasn’t been on my radar but happy to hear more.
Unfortunately I think the current proposal is that Einstein loses IB but keeps visual arts whereas Northwood would have performing arts.
They are supposed to get the arts magnet for the new proposal or changes. I’m not sure if they lose it but they have limited ap classes and will have the school sized reduced resulting in losing teachers and resources. It’s anyone’s guess what will happen. Blair has some good arts teachers but is a huge school.
Right now Northwood is in a holding school till their new school is built so it’s hard to know what will be added.
For the DCC I’d look at Einstein, Northwood, Wheaton and Blair in no specific order.
The DCC will no longer exist.
Correct, but the schools still would. They are specifically moving for a school so they don't need school choice. They choose before they move.
Anonymous
09/27/2025 14:07
Subject: Which MCPS MS-HS suit this kid?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks for the suggestions! And yes we are watching the boundary redraw and redo of the “six district” special programs and hoping there’s at least some further planning before the spring when we are hoping to buy. The timelines say so, but we all know how that can go.
BCC is definitely of interest. I need to figure out more about the MS options that feed in. Loiderman sounds lovely but further from the city than we are hoping for. Einstein also looks interesting from the IB and art perspective but I think we’d want to live closer in and have a closer in MS and then potentially choose between BCC and Einstein which, at least now, I think are tentatively part of the same region. Wondering if there are any other options I’m not considering that I should be, although I recognize with boundaries and the DCC going away etc etc it’s so hard to know what the “pyramids” even will be.
If you want IB and not top rigorous academics, Einstein is a good choices as there are a lot of artsy kids. The question is what will happen if they go through with the current plan; then, Northwood may be a better choice. Some of it also comes down to your budget.
OP here - why would Northwood be better? Hasn’t been on my radar but happy to hear more.
Unfortunately I think the current proposal is that Einstein loses IB but keeps visual arts whereas Northwood would have performing arts.
They are supposed to get the arts magnet for the new proposal or changes. I’m not sure if they lose it but they have limited ap classes and will have the school sized reduced resulting in losing teachers and resources. It’s anyone’s guess what will happen. Blair has some good arts teachers but is a huge school.
Right now Northwood is in a holding school till their new school is built so it’s hard to know what will be added.
For the DCC I’d look at Einstein, Northwood, Wheaton and Blair in no specific order.
The DCC will no longer exist.
Anonymous
09/27/2025 13:43
Subject: Which MCPS MS-HS suit this kid?
Newport Mill-Einstein
Anonymous
09/27/2025 13:09
Subject: Which MCPS MS-HS suit this kid?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks for the suggestions! And yes we are watching the boundary redraw and redo of the “six district” special programs and hoping there’s at least some further planning before the spring when we are hoping to buy. The timelines say so, but we all know how that can go.
BCC is definitely of interest. I need to figure out more about the MS options that feed in. Loiderman sounds lovely but further from the city than we are hoping for. Einstein also looks interesting from the IB and art perspective but I think we’d want to live closer in and have a closer in MS and then potentially choose between BCC and Einstein which, at least now, I think are tentatively part of the same region. Wondering if there are any other options I’m not considering that I should be, although I recognize with boundaries and the DCC going away etc etc it’s so hard to know what the “pyramids” even will be.
If you want IB and not top rigorous academics, Einstein is a good choices as there are a lot of artsy kids. The question is what will happen if they go through with the current plan; then, Northwood may be a better choice. Some of it also comes down to your budget.
OP here - why would Northwood be better? Hasn’t been on my radar but happy to hear more.
Unfortunately I think the current proposal is that Einstein loses IB but keeps visual arts whereas Northwood would have performing arts.
They are supposed to get the arts magnet for the new proposal or changes. I’m not sure if they lose it but they have limited ap classes and will have the school sized reduced resulting in losing teachers and resources. It’s anyone’s guess what will happen. Blair has some good arts teachers but is a huge school.
Right now Northwood is in a holding school till their new school is built so it’s hard to know what will be added.
For the DCC I’d look at Einstein, Northwood, Wheaton and Blair in no specific order.
Anonymous
09/27/2025 13:08
Subject: Which MCPS MS-HS suit this kid?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks for the suggestions! And yes we are watching the boundary redraw and redo of the “six district” special programs and hoping there’s at least some further planning before the spring when we are hoping to buy. The timelines say so, but we all know how that can go.
BCC is definitely of interest. I need to figure out more about the MS options that feed in. Loiderman sounds lovely but further from the city than we are hoping for. Einstein also looks interesting from the IB and art perspective but I think we’d want to live closer in and have a closer in MS and then potentially choose between BCC and Einstein which, at least now, I think are tentatively part of the same region. Wondering if there are any other options I’m not considering that I should be, although I recognize with boundaries and the DCC going away etc etc it’s so hard to know what the “pyramids” even will be.
If you want IB and not top rigorous academics, Einstein is a good choices as there are a lot of artsy kids. The question is what will happen if they go through with the current plan; then, Northwood may be a better choice. Some of it also comes down to your budget.
OP here - why would Northwood be better? Hasn’t been on my radar but happy to hear more.
Unfortunately I think the current proposal is that Einstein loses IB but keeps visual arts whereas Northwood would have performing arts.
They are supposed to get the arts magnet for the new proposal or changes. I’m not sure if they lose it but they have limited ap classes and will have the school sized reduced resulting in losing teachers and resources. It’s anyone’s guess what will happen. Blair has some good arts teachers but is a huge school.
Right now Northwood is in a holding school till their new school is built so it’s hard to know what will be added.
Anonymous
09/27/2025 12:59
Subject: Which MCPS MS-HS suit this kid?
What is IB exactly?
I’m not from the US and have a rising 8th grader in the NEC.
She’s more sporty than academic. I keep hearing about Springbrook and the IB program but what does it mean exactly?
I’m not from the US and have a rising 8th grader in the NEC.
She’s more sporty than academic. I keep hearing about Springbrook and the IB program but what does it mean exactly?