Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Im the PP btw, so I feel I should also say that i live in the RM cluster and chose to live there for its benefits. We specifically chose against the Wootton cluster for lack of diversity and realistic demographics.

I can't speak about the elementary schools so much in other clusters, but RM's elementary schools generally have very involved parents. Each has a different personality though.

That was a great breakdown PP. We also live in the RM cluster. Chose this one over Wootton and Churchill. We chose RM for a few reasons:

1. diversity - race and SES. RM/JW has the closest even split of race you will find in MCPS (roughly: 25% Asian, 25% Hispanic, 30% White, 15% Black, 6% multi)

2. IB program - have no idea if kids will want to be in IB diploma program in HS, but the option is there if they want it. There are 25 spots for in cluster students. I also liked that CG/JW had the IB programs, too. I know it's not a huge deal, bt I like that they do attempt to interweave IB concepts into the curriculum, no matter how small.

Also, I had one kid go to Barnsley for HGC. It is a huge school because of the programs they have there. We weren't very involved with the school since DC was only there for two years, but from the few times we did attend school functions, parents there seemed quite engaged.

This is pretty much the reason why I'd say there is a lack of 'community feel' at Barnsley. Because of the HGC, some of the kids are only there for 2 years. Kids live out of boundary, and are less likely to come to school functions (as you said, you only attended school functions a 'few' times - rightfully so, since it's a hassle to come all the way back to the school if you live farther away!). And, the multiple programs - GT/LD and DHOH and HGC lead to it being a HUGE school.

PP here. I get the sense that the home school families have a great sense of community. But yes, the HGC cohorts don't mingle much with the homeschool kids, hence the lack of community feel as a whole.

Which schools are all home schools versus HGC?

You could try Rock Creek or Flower Valley which are both in the same cluster as Barnsley.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I live in aspen hill and my child will attend Barnsley/wood/rockville. However I teach at RM and want to clarify that if your kid is in the RM cluster they can go into the IB diploma program in 11th grade even if they don't test into the magnet. There is not a separate entrance test - it's a choice for all rising juniors to enter the program.

If an in-cluster student elects to finish with an IB diploma, are the 11th- and 12th-grade classes he or she takes together with IB magnet students?

The reshuffling will only affect elementary schools.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:CGES parent here. Please keep in mind that RM cluster will have all its elementary school boundaries redrawn with new school opening. I was just at the information meeting for the study yesterday and the only thing they were able to say with certainty is that CI will move from CGES.
Just a thought to keep in mind when you are looking at neighborhoods.

They wouldn't even fully commit to that. It's one of the goals of the boundary study, but technically it doesn't HAVE to happen. Just like they wouldn't commit that 25%+ of students will have to relocate from each of the 3 over-capacity elementary schools. They said that may not happen...but, come on. If you are at 130% capacity, you won't be able to get to 100% capacity without shedding nearly 25%--MATH!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I live in aspen hill and my child will attend Barnsley/wood/rockville. However I teach at RM and want to clarify that if your kid is in the RM cluster they can go into the IB diploma program in 11th grade even if they don't test into the magnet. There is not a separate entrance test - it's a choice for all rising juniors to enter the program.

If an in-cluster student elects to finish with an IB diploma, are the 11th- and 12th-grade classes he or she takes together with IB magnet students?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I live in aspen hill and my child will attend Barnsley/wood/rockville. However I teach at RM and want to clarify that if your kid is in the RM cluster they can go into the IB diploma program in 11th grade even if they don't test into the magnet. There is not a separate entrance test - it's a choice for all rising juniors to enter the program.

If an in-cluster student elects to finish with an IB diploma, are the 11th- and 12th-grade classes he or she takes together with IB magnet students?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Im the PP btw, so I feel I should also say that i live in the RM cluster and chose to live there for its benefits. We specifically chose against the Wootton cluster for lack of diversity and realistic demographics.

I can't speak about the elementary schools so much in other clusters, but RM's elementary schools generally have very involved parents. Each has a different personality though.

That was a great breakdown PP. We also live in the RM cluster. Chose this one over Wootton and Churchill. We chose RM for a few reasons:

1. diversity - race and SES. RM/JW has the closest even split of race you will find in MCPS (roughly: 25% Asian, 25% Hispanic, 30% White, 15% Black, 6% multi)

2. IB program - have no idea if kids will want to be in IB diploma program in HS, but the option is there if they want it. There are 25 spots for in cluster students. I also liked that CG/JW had the IB programs, too. I know it's not a huge deal, bt I like that they do attempt to interweave IB concepts into the curriculum, no matter how small.

Also, I had one kid go to Barnsley for HGC. It is a huge school because of the programs they have there. We weren't very involved with the school since DC was only there for two years, but from the few times we did attend school functions, parents there seemed quite engaged.

This is pretty much the reason why I'd say there is a lack of 'community feel' at Barnsley. Because of the HGC, some of the kids are only there for 2 years. Kids live out of boundary, and are less likely to come to school functions (as you said, you only attended school functions a 'few' times - rightfully so, since it's a hassle to come all the way back to the school if you live farther away!). And, the multiple programs - GT/LD and DHOH and HGC lead to it being a HUGE school.

PP here. I get the sense that the home school families have a great sense of community. But yes, the HGC cohorts don't mingle much with the homeschool kids, hence the lack of community feel as a whole.

Which schools are all home schools versus HGC?

Anonymous wrote:CGES parent here. Please keep in mind that RM cluster will have all its elementary school boundaries redrawn with new school opening. I was just at the information meeting for the study yesterday and the only thing they were able to say with certainty is that CI will move from CGES.
Just a thought to keep in mind when you are looking at neighborhoods.

Anonymous wrote:I live in aspen hill and my child will attend Barnsley/wood/rockville. However I teach at RM and want to clarify that if your kid is in the RM cluster they can go into the IB diploma program in 11th grade even if they don't test into the magnet. There is not a separate entrance test - it's a choice for all rising juniors to enter the program.

Anonymous wrote:I live in aspen hill and my child will attend Barnsley/wood/rockville. However I teach at RM and want to clarify that if your kid is in the RM cluster they can go into the IB diploma program in 11th grade even if they don't test into the magnet. There is not a separate entrance test - it's a choice for all rising juniors to enter the program.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Which schools are all home schools versus HGC?

On the mcps website

http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/curriculum/specialprograms/elementary/

Anonymous wrote:
Which schools are all home schools versus HGC?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Im the PP btw, so I feel I should also say that i live in the RM cluster and chose to live there for its benefits. We specifically chose against the Wootton cluster for lack of diversity and realistic demographics.

I can't speak about the elementary schools so much in other clusters, but RM's elementary schools generally have very involved parents. Each has a different personality though.

That was a great breakdown PP. We also live in the RM cluster. Chose this one over Wootton and Churchill. We chose RM for a few reasons:

1. diversity - race and SES. RM/JW has the closest even split of race you will find in MCPS (roughly: 25% Asian, 25% Hispanic, 30% White, 15% Black, 6% multi)

2. IB program - have no idea if kids will want to be in IB diploma program in HS, but the option is there if they want it. There are 25 spots for in cluster students. I also liked that CG/JW had the IB programs, too. I know it's not a huge deal, bt I like that they do attempt to interweave IB concepts into the curriculum, no matter how small.

Also, I had one kid go to Barnsley for HGC. It is a huge school because of the programs they have there. We weren't very involved with the school since DC was only there for two years, but from the few times we did attend school functions, parents there seemed quite engaged.

This is pretty much the reason why I'd say there is a lack of 'community feel' at Barnsley. Because of the HGC, some of the kids are only there for 2 years. Kids live out of boundary, and are less likely to come to school functions (as you said, you only attended school functions a 'few' times - rightfully so, since it's a hassle to come all the way back to the school if you live farther away!). And, the multiple programs - GT/LD and DHOH and HGC lead to it being a HUGE school.

PP here. I get the sense that the home school families have a great sense of community. But yes, the HGC cohorts don't mingle much with the homeschool kids, hence the lack of community feel as a whole.