Anonymous wrote:OP we have not moved yet as we are not yet at that point (on the Hill and feel it's coming though). However, since I don't being at the mercy of the lottery, I've done a ton of research on this. We can only do Maryland for commute reasons. Here's what I've found:

- We are largely priced out of the western part of Bethesda/Potomac. I also feel these schools may be too intense for our family. Our kid is very bright but is highly sensitive. Our approach is usually to provide opportunity and support but not pressure, and then see what she does. I don't think she'd do well in a pressure cooker environment as she tends to internalize that kind of competition and even when she performs well, it's at the cost of her well being. So we are unlikely to stretch for a school like Whitman or Walter Johnson.

- Our best options seem to be in the eastern half of MoCo, specifically Einstein and Blair though we are looking at all of them. This will likely be our first choice and we may move sooner than later because these areas are getting more expensive all the time. A complicating factor here is the DCC (Downcounty Consortium) which allows students to apply to magnet programs at high school's outside their boundary. If your child is starting high school in the fall, you should look into the rules for applying to these programs and timing (I truly do not know, the deadlines might have already passed, I don't know if you can apply after freshman year). But when looking at these schools, make sure that you understand whether you are even eligible for the magnet program, and if not, make sure you are evaluating the non-magnet program when deciding if it's a fit. For instance, for us, our DC is very interested in the arts and Einstein is well known for its visual and performing arts programs. However, this is mostly due to the fact that it has magnet programs in these areas -- an IB student attending Einstein would get decent arts programming, but that's different than the magnet programming the school gets lauded for. But that's only available to the magnet students. Anyway, be aware of this feature of MoCo high schools as you make choices.

- Another option we're considering is Howard County, which is considered both pretty chill and with excellent schools, plus is more affordable than MoCo. Obviously the downside is distance from DC. We're really torn right now as to whether we are ready to make that leap. For us, the commute wouldn't be that bad, but after decades in DC it feels like really moving "away" socially. DH has some colleagues who live there, but those are the only people we know there and I don't really even know them very well. But it does feel like a good fit, and the value of the schools for the price of homes there feels better than anything we'd get in DC or MoCo. Some people also seem to like Ann Arundel county for similar reasons, but the commute makes less sense for us and it doesn't feel like a good cultural fit so we've ruled it out.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks all! I appreciate you sharing your research. Einstein/ Blair in MoCo, Rockville or Howard County sound like great options.

My DC is an A student in DC, but we have not supplemented learning so a pressure cooker school in MD or VA may not be the best option. I’m not sure what A student in DC translates to in other states.

The idea of a VA school for in-state tuition sounds great. I’m not sure how competitive DC would need to be.

We’ll likely rent a house inbound for a high school while renting out our DC home.

For UVA you need to be a top student. But there are lots of instate VA schools to choose from for lots of different kids. Both my nephews are average to above average students. One graduated last year from VCU. The other one is at James Madison. Both with really good experiences. You cannot beat the price. It’s a steal for what you get. Bonus is that it’s far enough but not too far away from the DMV for the parents.

Anonymous wrote:The two best high schools in NoVa are generally acknowledged to be Langley and McLean, both in Fairfax County. As others have noted, you'll also have a wide array of in-state tuition options available in Va, including W&M and UVa, which both are very well regarded although different in character.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The people I know all moved in bounds for Whitman, Churchill or Walter Johnson in Bethesda. One moved for Langley in McLean.

So you know rich people 😂 There are some affordable apartments zoned for Walter Johnson along Rockville Pike but I just cannot pull the trigger to move to Rockville.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you're laid back but your kid loves school, take a look at Rockville in the Richard Montgomery district. Perhaps unpopular by DCUM standards but could be a good fit.

- Affordable compared to W-schools in MCPS, and a lot more rental options/apartments
- Could be in a walkable neighborhood close to the metro. Not close to the same as being in DC, but kids have a lot more freedom
than in many of the suburban areas.
- It's too late for your kid to apply to the IB magnet program for freshman year, but they'd still have access to lots of the classes (as well as lots of APs), and if they want to do the diploma programme they can apply for junior year. All academically capable in-bound students can do MYP in 9th and 10th, and then apply to do the diploma programme with the magnet kids junior and senior year.
- Solid performing and visual arts

Also incredible bagpipe band.

Anonymous wrote:If you're laid back but your kid loves school, take a look at Rockville in the Richard Montgomery district. Perhaps unpopular by DCUM standards but could be a good fit.

- Affordable compared to W-schools in MCPS, and a lot more rental options/apartments
- Could be in a walkable neighborhood close to the metro. Not close to the same as being in DC, but kids have a lot more freedom
than in many of the suburban areas.
- It's too late for your kid to apply to the IB magnet program for freshman year, but they'd still have access to lots of the classes (as well as lots of APs), and if they want to do the diploma programme they can apply for junior year. All academically capable in-bound students can do MYP in 9th and 10th, and then apply to do the diploma programme with the magnet kids junior and senior year.
- Solid performing and visual arts

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks all! I appreciate you sharing your research. Einstein/ Blair in MoCo, Rockville or Howard County sound like great options.

My DC is an A student in DC, but we have not supplemented learning so a pressure cooker school in MD or VA may not be the best option. I’m not sure what A student in DC translates to in other states.

The idea of a VA school for in-state tuition sounds great. I’m not sure how competitive DC would need to be.

We’ll likely rent a house inbound for a high school while renting out our DC home.

For UVA you need to be a top student. But there are lots of instate VA schools to choose from for lots of different kids. Both my nephews are average to above average students. One graduated last year from VCU. The other one is at James Madison. Both with really good experiences. You cannot beat the price. It’s a steal for what you get. Bonus is that it’s far enough but not too far away from the DMV for the parents.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Move to NoVa. HS goes by fast and the in-state college options in NoVa are better than Md. In DC, they are non-existent.

This.

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks all! I appreciate you sharing your research. Einstein/ Blair in MoCo, Rockville or Howard County sound like great options.

My DC is an A student in DC, but we have not supplemented learning so a pressure cooker school in MD or VA may not be the best option. I’m not sure what A student in DC translates to in other states.

The idea of a VA school for in-state tuition sounds great. I’m not sure how competitive DC would need to be.

We’ll likely rent a house inbound for a high school while renting out our DC home.