Anonymous
Post 01/20/2026 13:00     Subject: Einstein or Northwood (For Dance)

Competitive dance in MCPS is kind of lackluster in general. I wouldn't choose a school based only on poms if your kid is getting professional training outside of school.
Anonymous
Post 01/20/2026 12:55     Subject: Einstein or Northwood (For Dance)

Anonymous wrote:Is this a thing? Parent of a 5th grader who loves to dance and dances outside of school- I had no idea dance is taught in ANY MCPS schools.


It's taught in many MCPS schools starting in MS. My DD spent half her day in dance classes by senior year. If you want to see examples, see if MCPS is doing a dance showcase this year. Usually it's in February at Blake HS. MS and HS are invited to participate. Not all choose to do so, but a lot do.
Anonymous
Post 01/20/2026 12:53     Subject: Einstein or Northwood (For Dance)

Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Einstein hands down. The program is AMAZING. I didn't even know Northwood had dance if that tells you anything.


Stop defaming a school. Northwood just held their winter dance concert at Wheaton High School and it was fantastic and a packed crowd.

We are very happy with Northwood’s dance program and one of the teachers left Einstein because the program wasn’t growing.


What dance courses does Northwood provide? How’s Northwood competition team?


1st place last competition but to be fair they haven’t competed against Einstein yet.


What competition teams are you talking about? MCPS offers competitive dance? I've only seen Poms and Latin Dance.


Poms is the competitive dance team they’re referring too.


Oh, well then isn't Einstein Division 2 and Northwood Division 3? So, that would seem to indicate that Einstein has a better team historically.
Anonymous
Post 01/20/2026 12:37     Subject: Einstein or Northwood (For Dance)

Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:The dance program will move to Northwood under Taylor’s new plan. And depending on your current home address, your kid will have to move buildings in 10th grade. Only 8th, 11th and 12th graders will be grandfathered as well as students in a “regional program”. The Einstein dance program is part of VAPA which is a school based program.


That's not correct. Per the Program Analysis FAQ:

"Current 8th graders (Class of 2030) would not be affected by the proposed changes. They would follow the current system, including application/assignment to existing countywide magnets and consortia schools, and would continue in their program until graduation in 2030."

https://docs.google.com/document/u/0/d/1sYH8G9mVKZI0Bkm_-ZXoSszwRGnrsemE_ksF7DZR4fs/mobilebasic#kix.ra7jpkchekmv



They can’t afford old and new bussing or teaching staffing. Let’s see what the BOE actually approves. That Google doc is not what was originally shared. They talked about 8th graders that would in 8th grade in fall 2027.


That and their “Dance Pathway” is a joke. The classes are more dance theory than performance based. Einstein VAPA will still be the standard.


Stop disparaging Northwood. It comes down to the strength of the teacher and kids taking outside classes. I’d pick academics.


You’re confusing factual comparison with disparagement. Northwood has never been regarded as an arts hub in the way Einstein has. The OP is asking which school will best support her daughter’s training, and the answer is Einstein. One of their instructors helped develop the MCPS dance curriculum, and both Einstein’s dance and competitive dance programs are widely known. Get off your high horse.


You are on your high horse. Einstein is not necessarily the best choice.
Anonymous
Post 01/20/2026 11:59     Subject: Einstein or Northwood (For Dance)

Is this a thing? Parent of a 5th grader who loves to dance and dances outside of school- I had no idea dance is taught in ANY MCPS schools.
Anonymous
Post 01/20/2026 11:41     Subject: Einstein or Northwood (For Dance)

Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Einstein hands down. The program is AMAZING. I didn't even know Northwood had dance if that tells you anything.


Stop defaming a school. Northwood just held their winter dance concert at Wheaton High School and it was fantastic and a packed crowd.

We are very happy with Northwood’s dance program and one of the teachers left Einstein because the program wasn’t growing.


What dance courses does Northwood provide? How’s Northwood competition team?


1st place last competition but to be fair they haven’t competed against Einstein yet.


What competition teams are you talking about? MCPS offers competitive dance? I've only seen Poms and Latin Dance.


It’s up to the teachers. It’s offered, but Einstein teachers rarely partake in it.
Anonymous
Post 01/20/2026 11:37     Subject: Einstein or Northwood (For Dance)

Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Einstein hands down. The program is AMAZING. I didn't even know Northwood had dance if that tells you anything.


Stop defaming a school. Northwood just held their winter dance concert at Wheaton High School and it was fantastic and a packed crowd.

We are very happy with Northwood’s dance program and one of the teachers left Einstein because the program wasn’t growing.


What dance courses does Northwood provide? How’s Northwood competition team?


1st place last competition but to be fair they haven’t competed against Einstein yet.


What competition teams are you talking about? MCPS offers competitive dance? I've only seen Poms and Latin Dance.


Poms is the competitive dance team they’re referring too.
Anonymous
Post 01/20/2026 11:10     Subject: Einstein or Northwood (For Dance)

Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Einstein hands down. The program is AMAZING. I didn't even know Northwood had dance if that tells you anything.


Stop defaming a school. Northwood just held their winter dance concert at Wheaton High School and it was fantastic and a packed crowd.

We are very happy with Northwood’s dance program and one of the teachers left Einstein because the program wasn’t growing.


What dance courses does Northwood provide? How’s Northwood competition team?


1st place last competition but to be fair they haven’t competed against Einstein yet.


What competition teams are you talking about? MCPS offers competitive dance? I've only seen Poms and Latin Dance.
Anonymous
Post 01/20/2026 10:22     Subject: Einstein or Northwood (For Dance)

DCC dance moms cage fight?

Getting my popcorn.
😊
Anonymous
Post 01/19/2026 21:35     Subject: Einstein or Northwood (For Dance)

Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:The dance program will move to Northwood under Taylor’s new plan. And depending on your current home address, your kid will have to move buildings in 10th grade. Only 8th, 11th and 12th graders will be grandfathered as well as students in a “regional program”. The Einstein dance program is part of VAPA which is a school based program.


That's not correct. Per the Program Analysis FAQ:

"Current 8th graders (Class of 2030) would not be affected by the proposed changes. They would follow the current system, including application/assignment to existing countywide magnets and consortia schools, and would continue in their program until graduation in 2030."

https://docs.google.com/document/u/0/d/1sYH8G9mVKZI0Bkm_-ZXoSszwRGnrsemE_ksF7DZR4fs/mobilebasic#kix.ra7jpkchekmv



They can’t afford old and new bussing or teaching staffing. Let’s see what the BOE actually approves. That Google doc is not what was originally shared. They talked about 8th graders that would in 8th grade in fall 2027.


That and their “Dance Pathway” is a joke. The classes are more dance theory than performance based. Einstein VAPA will still be the standard.


Stop disparaging Northwood. It comes down to the strength of the teacher and kids taking outside classes. I’d pick academics.


You’re confusing factual comparison with disparagement. Northwood has never been regarded as an arts hub in the way Einstein has. The OP is asking which school will best support her daughter’s training, and the answer is Einstein. One of their instructors helped develop the MCPS dance curriculum, and both Einstein’s dance and competitive dance programs are widely known. Get off your high horse.


Einstein is not preforming at top levels and the students who do are generally in outside programs. Academics are more important. Both are good schools. Get off your high horse. It’s not that competitive.



I’m confuse. Didn’t OP ask about dance programs? If they’re investing so much into dance then clearly dance is important to their child. Einstein will help with her training, Northwood not so much. It’s that simple.
Anonymous
Post 01/19/2026 20:37     Subject: Einstein or Northwood (For Dance)

Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:The dance program will move to Northwood under Taylor’s new plan. And depending on your current home address, your kid will have to move buildings in 10th grade. Only 8th, 11th and 12th graders will be grandfathered as well as students in a “regional program”. The Einstein dance program is part of VAPA which is a school based program.


That's not correct. Per the Program Analysis FAQ:

"Current 8th graders (Class of 2030) would not be affected by the proposed changes. They would follow the current system, including application/assignment to existing countywide magnets and consortia schools, and would continue in their program until graduation in 2030."

https://docs.google.com/document/u/0/d/1sYH8G9mVKZI0Bkm_-ZXoSszwRGnrsemE_ksF7DZR4fs/mobilebasic#kix.ra7jpkchekmv



They can’t afford old and new bussing or teaching staffing. Let’s see what the BOE actually approves. That Google doc is not what was originally shared. They talked about 8th graders that would in 8th grade in fall 2027.


That and their “Dance Pathway” is a joke. The classes are more dance theory than performance based. Einstein VAPA will still be the standard.


Stop disparaging Northwood. It comes down to the strength of the teacher and kids taking outside classes. I’d pick academics.


You’re confusing factual comparison with disparagement. Northwood has never been regarded as an arts hub in the way Einstein has. The OP is asking which school will best support her daughter’s training, and the answer is Einstein. One of their instructors helped develop the MCPS dance curriculum, and both Einstein’s dance and competitive dance programs are widely known. Get off your high horse.


Einstein is not preforming at top levels and the students who do are generally in outside programs. Academics are more important. Both are good schools. Get off your high horse. It’s not that competitive.
Anonymous
Post 01/19/2026 20:26     Subject: Einstein or Northwood (For Dance)

Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:The dance program will move to Northwood under Taylor’s new plan. And depending on your current home address, your kid will have to move buildings in 10th grade. Only 8th, 11th and 12th graders will be grandfathered as well as students in a “regional program”. The Einstein dance program is part of VAPA which is a school based program.


That's not correct. Per the Program Analysis FAQ:

"Current 8th graders (Class of 2030) would not be affected by the proposed changes. They would follow the current system, including application/assignment to existing countywide magnets and consortia schools, and would continue in their program until graduation in 2030."

https://docs.google.com/document/u/0/d/1sYH8G9mVKZI0Bkm_-ZXoSszwRGnrsemE_ksF7DZR4fs/mobilebasic#kix.ra7jpkchekmv



They can’t afford old and new bussing or teaching staffing. Let’s see what the BOE actually approves. That Google doc is not what was originally shared. They talked about 8th graders that would in 8th grade in fall 2027.


That and their “Dance Pathway” is a joke. The classes are more dance theory than performance based. Einstein VAPA will still be the standard.


Stop disparaging Northwood. It comes down to the strength of the teacher and kids taking outside classes. I’d pick academics.


You’re confusing factual comparison with disparagement. Northwood has never been regarded as an arts hub in the way Einstein has. The OP is asking which school will best support her daughter’s training, and the answer is Einstein. One of their instructors helped develop the MCPS dance curriculum, and both Einstein’s dance and competitive dance programs are widely known. Get off your high horse.
Anonymous
Post 01/19/2026 20:18     Subject: Einstein or Northwood (For Dance)

Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:The dance program will move to Northwood under Taylor’s new plan. And depending on your current home address, your kid will have to move buildings in 10th grade. Only 8th, 11th and 12th graders will be grandfathered as well as students in a “regional program”. The Einstein dance program is part of VAPA which is a school based program.


That's not correct. Per the Program Analysis FAQ:

"Current 8th graders (Class of 2030) would not be affected by the proposed changes. They would follow the current system, including application/assignment to existing countywide magnets and consortia schools, and would continue in their program until graduation in 2030."

https://docs.google.com/document/u/0/d/1sYH8G9mVKZI0Bkm_-ZXoSszwRGnrsemE_ksF7DZR4fs/mobilebasic#kix.ra7jpkchekmv



They can’t afford old and new bussing or teaching staffing. Let’s see what the BOE actually approves. That Google doc is not what was originally shared. They talked about 8th graders that would in 8th grade in fall 2027.


That and their “Dance Pathway” is a joke. The classes are more dance theory than performance based. Einstein VAPA will still be the standard.


Stop disparaging Northwood. It comes down to the strength of the teacher and kids taking outside classes. I’d pick academics.
Anonymous
Post 01/19/2026 18:14     Subject: Einstein or Northwood (For Dance)

Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Einstein hands down. The program is AMAZING. I didn't even know Northwood had dance if that tells you anything.


Stop defaming a school. Northwood just held their winter dance concert at Wheaton High School and it was fantastic and a packed crowd.

We are very happy with Northwood’s dance program and one of the teachers left Einstein because the program wasn’t growing.


What dance courses does Northwood provide? How’s Northwood competition team?


1st place last competition but to be fair they haven’t competed against Einstein yet.
Anonymous
Post 01/19/2026 18:10     Subject: Einstein or Northwood (For Dance)

Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:The dance program will move to Northwood under Taylor’s new plan. And depending on your current home address, your kid will have to move buildings in 10th grade. Only 8th, 11th and 12th graders will be grandfathered as well as students in a “regional program”. The Einstein dance program is part of VAPA which is a school based program.


That's not correct. Per the Program Analysis FAQ:

"Current 8th graders (Class of 2030) would not be affected by the proposed changes. They would follow the current system, including application/assignment to existing countywide magnets and consortia schools, and would continue in their program until graduation in 2030."

https://docs.google.com/document/u/0/d/1sYH8G9mVKZI0Bkm_-ZXoSszwRGnrsemE_ksF7DZR4fs/mobilebasic#kix.ra7jpkchekmv



They can’t afford old and new bussing or teaching staffing. Let’s see what the BOE actually approves. That Google doc is not what was originally shared. They talked about 8th graders that would in 8th grade in fall 2027.


That and their “Dance Pathway” is a joke. The classes are more dance theory than performance based. Einstein VAPA will still be the standard.