Anonymous wrote:I assume your MS is Hardy. Here is the deal - for the last few years fewer BASIS was an option for just about any child who wanted it. It no longer is. Children from Key, Stoddert, Eaton, Hyde and Mann are now attending Hardy. It is shifting the % OOB and in 2 years it will be mostly IB.

+1 - The %OOB is definitely trending down. Even now, the 6th graders are much more mixed (%IB vs. %OOB) and there is a stark difference between the current 6th graders and the 8th graders. Also, it is very true that many students that will be 5th graders were not matched. Latin has been tough to get into and now BASIS is tough so many parents will choose Hardy either because they cannot afford private school or do not want to go the private route.

Finally, if your child is going to Stoddert (can't speak for the other schools), he/she is benefiting from a very diverse International student body. Imagine possibly continuing that environment at Hardy? I would think that any child could benefit from such a diverse environment.

3rd Grade is a big jump in MCPS. Does DCPS use Common Core worksheets, etc? If so, that will help. I think NCC or CCES are more welcoming environments for a new kid than BE.