Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Hi All - Thanks again for your suggestions.

No intention of offending those who live in the Blair school district. I'm pretty familiar with Blair HS - I have two nephews who graduated from the school within the last three years and a couple of friends with kids in that school (magnet and non magnet) and the reviews have been decidedly negative with the exception of those with kids in the magnet program. My impression is based on hearing about their experiences. Same with Eastern MS. That is what gives me pause about that school district.

Actually, DCC would be our first choice because we would love to be close to DTSS, but the homes in the areas with really good schools at the elementary level are well over 400k - we've looked. The neighborhoods where we could afford a home in DCC have really underperforming schools (Glen Haven, Kemp Mill). I don't need a 9 on Great Schools, but I am looking for more than a 3 or 4 rating based on test scores.

But again, thanks to all for your suggestions. We'll check out the areas you've listed.

Blair gets an 8 out of 10.

http://www.greatschools.org/maryland/silver-spring/927-Montgomery-Blair-High-School/

Relax already about Blair! OP has explained his/her concerns about Blair and why she doesn't want to send her kid(s) there. And it sounds like OP is also more immediately focused on elementary schools. Take a chill pill - we're sure that Blair is great.

I don't have a dog in this fight, don't have any kids in the school district in question. But I think OP is making judgments based on little info.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Hi All - Thanks again for your suggestions.

No intention of offending those who live in the Blair school district. I'm pretty familiar with Blair HS - I have two nephews who graduated from the school within the last three years and a couple of friends with kids in that school (magnet and non magnet) and the reviews have been decidedly negative with the exception of those with kids in the magnet program. My impression is based on hearing about their experiences. Same with Eastern MS. That is what gives me pause about that school district.

Actually, DCC would be our first choice because we would love to be close to DTSS, but the homes in the areas with really good schools at the elementary level are well over 400k - we've looked. The neighborhoods where we could afford a home in DCC have really underperforming schools (Glen Haven, Kemp Mill). I don't need a 9 on Great Schools, but I am looking for more than a 3 or 4 rating based on test scores.

But again, thanks to all for your suggestions. We'll check out the areas you've listed.

Blair gets an 8 out of 10.

http://www.greatschools.org/maryland/silver-spring/927-Montgomery-Blair-High-School/

Relax already about Blair! OP has explained his/her concerns about Blair and why she doesn't want to send her kid(s) there. And it sounds like OP is also more immediately focused on elementary schools. Take a chill pill - we're sure that Blair is great.

There are lots of houses that feed into Oakland Terrace and the new DCC school for 400k. Oaklamd Terrace is a great school and I imagine the new school will be too.

Anonymous wrote:Hi All - Thanks again for your suggestions.

No intention of offending those who live in the Blair school district. I'm pretty familiar with Blair HS - I have two nephews who graduated from the school within the last three years and a couple of friends with kids in that school (magnet and non magnet) and the reviews have been decidedly negative with the exception of those with kids in the magnet program. My impression is based on hearing about their experiences. Same with Eastern MS. That is what gives me pause about that school district.

Actually, DCC would be our first choice because we would love to be close to DTSS, but the homes in the areas with really good schools at the elementary level are well over 400k - we've looked. The neighborhoods where we could afford a home in DCC have really underperforming schools (Glen Haven, Kemp Mill). I don't need a 9 on Great Schools, but I am looking for more than a 3 or 4 rating based on test scores.

But again, thanks to all for your suggestions. We'll check out the areas you've listed.

Blair gets an 8 out of 10.

http://www.greatschools.org/maryland/silver-spring/927-Montgomery-Blair-High-School/

Hi All - Thanks again for your suggestions.

No intention of offending those who live in the Blair school district. I'm pretty familiar with Blair HS - I have two nephews who graduated from the school within the last three years and a couple of friends with kids in that school (magnet and non magnet) and the reviews have been decidedly negative with the exception of those with kids in the magnet program. My impression is based on hearing about their experiences. Same with Eastern MS. That is what gives me pause about that school district.

Actually, DCC would be our first choice because we would love to be close to DTSS, but the homes in the areas with really good schools at the elementary level are well over 400k - we've looked. The neighborhoods where we could afford a home in DCC have really underperforming schools (Glen Haven, Kemp Mill). I don't need a 9 on Great Schools, but I am looking for more than a 3 or 4 rating based on test scores.

But again, thanks to all for your suggestions. We'll check out the areas you've listed.

Anonymous wrote:I also live in Woodmoor, but if I didn't have a commute to consider and didn't care about proximity to DC for social reasons, I would look into Olney. It's too far for me, but seems like the schools are good and its more affordable than close-in.

I agree (I live in SS) but I think that houses there are a little more than 400 (though still less than other parts of close-in MoCo).

I also live in Woodmoor, but if I didn't have a commute to consider and didn't care about proximity to DC for social reasons, I would look into Olney. It's too far for me, but seems like the schools are good and its more affordable than close-in.

Here are some options in Rockville, Richard Montgomery cluster:

http://www.redfin.com/MD/Rockville/804-Gail-Ave-20851/home/10512984

http://www.redfin.com/MD/Rockville/910-Wade-Ave-20851/home/10513549

http://www.redfin.com/MD/Rockville/2309-Rockland-Ave-20851/home/10526250

http://www.redfin.com/MD/Rockville/617-Azalea-Dr-20850/home/23464625 (townhouse)

Anonymous wrote:OP here - No, definitely doesn't have to be a "W" school, but we want to be in a solid cluster that includes ES, MS, and HS. I like the downtown Silver Spring and Four Corners area, but the schools at the elementary level and middle school level are really uneven. Plus, I'm not convinced that Blair is a great school unless you're in one of the magnet programs.

I'll explore some of the options listed here and appreciate the responses.

Thank you!

Hi OP - DTSS resident here. We live in Sligo Park Hills, which is .5 mile from the Whole Foods there in Silver Spring. We paid upper $400s, so it's probably out of your price range, but I do want to say that I'm not sure you're going to find better schools under $400k. We're very happy with Sligo Creek Elementary (8 out of 10 on greatschools) and have heard many of our neighbors who have been happy with Silver Spring International. Not sure you're going to find a 9 or 10 out of 10 school at that price range, honestly, so you may have to check some of your assumptions, impressions, or aspirations. And I'm not sure what would be better than Blair that isn't in the BCC area, which is definitely unaffordable. They also have lots of magnet and immersion and other programs in MOCO, which of course would be luck most of the time to get into, but something to consider. You may also want to post and/or search in the real estate forum - there have been similar questions and you may get more of a response. Best of luck!

Anonymous wrote:Definitely Olney, but Magruder is a nightmare. I know three teachers over there and they say it is awful.

The majority of Olney goes to Sherwood doesn't it? I know my house is zoned for it.

Definitely Olney, but Magruder is a nightmare. I know three teachers over there and they say it is awful.

If I and my Dh were both wah full time I would leave the area. But if I had to stay I would want a larger house bc it's hard to be productive in a small house with two people at home. So I would move as far out as possible and would consider Howard Cty.

If I were OP, I would definitely research the schools in Olney, Derwood, Poolesville - anyone know about Laytonsville?? Why am I thinking of it but coming up with a blank?

Condo or rent

Anonymous wrote:OP,

Some homes in Olney Mill are just under $400K. They are not big - most having 3 BR. But the neighborhood is nice and the schools are solid.

Tanterra is also reasonable; homes have that mod look to them. Greenwood is the ES, and it's excellent.

You can also find more "upscale" TH in your price range.

Of the two middle schools, I prefer Farquhar to Rosa Parks. So you can check out feeder patterns, too.

nice TH - http://franklymls.com/MC7829237

Olney Mill - http://franklymls.com/MC7801823
half acre

Olney Mill - http://franklymls.com/MC7830502
slightly above