Anonymous
10/07/2025 21:41
Subject: Culture at Carson vs. Franklin
There are some seriously fragile egos in play here.
I'm so sorry that some people's entire identity seems to be tied to their child's middle school. That's quite tragic. I can't imagine being so insecure that you are unable to see that your generalizations, based on a remarkably small sample size, are faulty and that, in reality, both schools have excellent teachers.
OP, if you haven't been scared away by some of the responses in your thread, please feel confident in choosing either school. They are both great choices.
I'm so sorry that some people's entire identity seems to be tied to their child's middle school. That's quite tragic. I can't imagine being so insecure that you are unable to see that your generalizations, based on a remarkably small sample size, are faulty and that, in reality, both schools have excellent teachers.
OP, if you haven't been scared away by some of the responses in your thread, please feel confident in choosing either school. They are both great choices.
Anonymous
10/07/2025 20:44
Subject: Culture at Carson vs. Franklin
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Carson had excellent math teachers. Franklin not so much.
One of my kids had a terrible math teacher in seventh grade, but a good one in eighth grade. (RCMS).
One of my kids had an excellent math teacher in seventh grade, but a mediocre one in eighth grade. (RCMS).
One of my kids had a good math teacher in seventh grade, but an excellent one in eighth grade. (FMS).
One of my kids has a mediocre math teacher in seventh grade. (FMS).
It has seemed to our family that both schools have a spectrum of teachers. Some are fine, some are great, some are excellent, some are not good at all.
I don't think anyone can fairly say that either school has 100% excellent, 100% terrible, or 100% mediocre teachers in any subject unless there truly is one one teacher who teaches a certain subject.
I never said 100%. But my overall impression is that Carson teachers are better. They also know how to deal with 2e learners better.
Anonymous
10/05/2025 13:20
Subject: Culture at Carson vs. Franklin
Anonymous wrote:Carson had excellent math teachers. Franklin not so much.
One of my kids had a terrible math teacher in seventh grade, but a good one in eighth grade. (RCMS).
One of my kids had an excellent math teacher in seventh grade, but a mediocre one in eighth grade. (RCMS).
One of my kids had a good math teacher in seventh grade, but an excellent one in eighth grade. (FMS).
One of my kids has a mediocre math teacher in seventh grade. (FMS).
It has seemed to our family that both schools have a spectrum of teachers. Some are fine, some are great, some are excellent, some are not good at all.
I don't think anyone can fairly say that either school has 100% excellent, 100% terrible, or 100% mediocre teachers in any subject unless there truly is one one teacher who teaches a certain subject.
Anonymous
10/05/2025 11:42
Subject: Culture at Carson vs. Franklin
Carson had excellent math teachers. Franklin not so much.
Anonymous
10/05/2025 08:54
Subject: Re:Culture at Carson vs. Franklin
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:We've had kids in AAP at both Carson and Franklin, as well as a kid in regular/honors education at Franklin. Holistically, we have been pleased with Franklin.
Franklin's AAP program is excellent, and the current administration is very good as well. They brought in a new principal last year and two new vice principals this year. It's been a positive change. We've also been very impressed with the Spanish teachers at Franklin.
The only negative we've seen is that Franklin's music program is now extremely small, which is different than when our older kids attended Franklin over the past few years. It's a shame that so few kids sign up for music classes.
That’s interesting. I have been hearing the complete opposite. The new principal is too lax and I heard the Spanish teachers are difficult - in fact, it’s hard to even understand one of them.
The new principal is much less lax than the one they had a few years ago, and the vice principals are definitely not lax with regard to misbehavior.
My kids who have gone to Franklin took Spanish 1 and Spanish 2, and the teachers they've had have been outstanding. No one has been difficult to understand.
We have also been extremely impressed with the AAP and honors teachers (some of the same teachers) our kids have had. Algebra I, Geometry, English 7, US History, and Civics have been particularly strong. Our daughter who is now in high school also really liked the librarian and her counselor. Both of them showed a lot of patience and kindness toward our daughter.
Did you actually hear one of them speak? We did. Her accent was so thick we couldn’t understand what she was saying in English. I checked with another parent and she confirmed that was a common complaint. Maybe your kids had a different teacher.
There are a bunch of teachers, so maybe the one your kid had is one our kids have not. Our kids have had three different Spanish teachers at Franklin. They have all been easy to understand and have not been difficult in any way.
Notice my response above said, "the teachers they've had." Obviously, that means the teachers they've had, not every teacher in that school. I do not believe in gross generalizations, so if there is an issue with a single teacher, I would never classify an entire department as "difficult."
Anonymous
10/05/2025 08:39
Subject: Re:Culture at Carson vs. Franklin
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:We've had kids in AAP at both Carson and Franklin, as well as a kid in regular/honors education at Franklin. Holistically, we have been pleased with Franklin.
Franklin's AAP program is excellent, and the current administration is very good as well. They brought in a new principal last year and two new vice principals this year. It's been a positive change. We've also been very impressed with the Spanish teachers at Franklin.
The only negative we've seen is that Franklin's music program is now extremely small, which is different than when our older kids attended Franklin over the past few years. It's a shame that so few kids sign up for music classes.
That’s interesting. I have been hearing the complete opposite. The new principal is too lax and I heard the Spanish teachers are difficult - in fact, it’s hard to even understand one of them.
The new principal is much less lax than the one they had a few years ago, and the vice principals are definitely not lax with regard to misbehavior.
My kids who have gone to Franklin took Spanish 1 and Spanish 2, and the teachers they've had have been outstanding. No one has been difficult to understand.
We have also been extremely impressed with the AAP and honors teachers (some of the same teachers) our kids have had. Algebra I, Geometry, English 7, US History, and Civics have been particularly strong. Our daughter who is now in high school also really liked the librarian and her counselor. Both of them showed a lot of patience and kindness toward our daughter.
Did you actually hear one of them speak? We did. Her accent was so thick we couldn’t understand what she was saying in English. I checked with another parent and she confirmed that was a common complaint. Maybe your kids had a different teacher.
Anonymous
10/04/2025 11:18
Subject: Re:Culture at Carson vs. Franklin
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:We've had kids in AAP at both Carson and Franklin, as well as a kid in regular/honors education at Franklin. Holistically, we have been pleased with Franklin.
Franklin's AAP program is excellent, and the current administration is very good as well. They brought in a new principal last year and two new vice principals this year. It's been a positive change. We've also been very impressed with the Spanish teachers at Franklin.
The only negative we've seen is that Franklin's music program is now extremely small, which is different than when our older kids attended Franklin over the past few years. It's a shame that so few kids sign up for music classes.
That’s interesting. I have been hearing the complete opposite. The new principal is too lax and I heard the Spanish teachers are difficult - in fact, it’s hard to even understand one of them.
The new principal is much less lax than the one they had a few years ago, and the vice principals are definitely not lax with regard to misbehavior.
My kids who have gone to Franklin took Spanish 1 and Spanish 2, and the teachers they've had have been outstanding. No one has been difficult to understand.
We have also been extremely impressed with the AAP and honors teachers (some of the same teachers) our kids have had. Algebra I, Geometry, English 7, US History, and Civics have been particularly strong. Our daughter who is now in high school also really liked the librarian and her counselor. Both of them showed a lot of patience and kindness toward our daughter.
Anonymous
10/04/2025 11:03
Subject: Re:Culture at Carson vs. Franklin
Anonymous wrote:We've had kids in AAP at both Carson and Franklin, as well as a kid in regular/honors education at Franklin. Holistically, we have been pleased with Franklin.
Franklin's AAP program is excellent, and the current administration is very good as well. They brought in a new principal last year and two new vice principals this year. It's been a positive change. We've also been very impressed with the Spanish teachers at Franklin.
The only negative we've seen is that Franklin's music program is now extremely small, which is different than when our older kids attended Franklin over the past few years. It's a shame that so few kids sign up for music classes.
That’s interesting. I have been hearing the complete opposite. The new principal is too lax and I heard the Spanish teachers are difficult - in fact, it’s hard to even understand one of them.
Anonymous
10/04/2025 09:57
Subject: Culture at Carson vs. Franklin
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:It really doesn’t matter which state college a teacher went to or how much math or science they studied there. What matters is whether students are only doing the basics at grade level or if they’re ready to take on advanced work. At Carson, teachers see students who are eager for that next step—whether it’s Olympiads, robotics, MathCounts, and more. Franklin, on the other hand, leans more toward the fine arts, with a focus on music, theater, and similar areas. FCPS acknowledges this difference, check their individual school characterization.
To what are you referring when you cite "individual school characterization"? Are you referring to the school profiles? If so, you are grossly misunderstanding and mischaracterizing those profiles. You are also being extraordinarily unfair to the staff and students at BOTH schools to pigeon-hole their talents the way you have.
I'm not sure why it is so difficult for some of the respondants here to admit that both schools are outstanding schools and trying to pit one against the other does no one any favors.
NP. You’re taking it personally which I find really weird. I had kids at both schools and we just prefer Carson. We felt the teachers and students were better overall at Carson. Get over it. If you don’t agree oh well. I don’t care.
+1
Anonymous
10/04/2025 09:46
Subject: Culture at Carson vs. Franklin
Never heard any such things about Carson school. My son is a 8th grader in AAP. He’s happy there and just checked with him about this after seeing this post. He said he has not noticed any such things.
My only complaint about Carson is that it’s highly competitive to get into some of the after school activities.
My only complaint about Carson is that it’s highly competitive to get into some of the after school activities.
Anonymous
10/04/2025 07:55
Subject: Culture at Carson vs. Franklin
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:It really doesn’t matter which state college a teacher went to or how much math or science they studied there. What matters is whether students are only doing the basics at grade level or if they’re ready to take on advanced work. At Carson, teachers see students who are eager for that next step—whether it’s Olympiads, robotics, MathCounts, and more. Franklin, on the other hand, leans more toward the fine arts, with a focus on music, theater, and similar areas. FCPS acknowledges this difference, check their individual school characterization.
To what are you referring when you cite "individual school characterization"? Are you referring to the school profiles? If so, you are grossly misunderstanding and mischaracterizing those profiles. You are also being extraordinarily unfair to the staff and students at BOTH schools to pigeon-hole their talents the way you have.
I'm not sure why it is so difficult for some of the respondants here to admit that both schools are outstanding schools and trying to pit one against the other does no one any favors.
NP. You’re taking it personally which I find really weird. I had kids at both schools and we just prefer Carson. We felt the teachers and students were better overall at Carson. Get over it. If you don’t agree oh well. I don’t care.
Give yourself a cookie. None of what you posted detracts from PP’s observation, which is that it’s absurd to stereotype Carson and Franklin to the degree that some Carson parents routinely do.
+1
Anonymous
10/04/2025 07:12
Subject: Culture at Carson vs. Franklin
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:It really doesn’t matter which state college a teacher went to or how much math or science they studied there. What matters is whether students are only doing the basics at grade level or if they’re ready to take on advanced work. At Carson, teachers see students who are eager for that next step—whether it’s Olympiads, robotics, MathCounts, and more. Franklin, on the other hand, leans more toward the fine arts, with a focus on music, theater, and similar areas. FCPS acknowledges this difference, check their individual school characterization.
To what are you referring when you cite "individual school characterization"? Are you referring to the school profiles? If so, you are grossly misunderstanding and mischaracterizing those profiles. You are also being extraordinarily unfair to the staff and students at BOTH schools to pigeon-hole their talents the way you have.
I'm not sure why it is so difficult for some of the respondants here to admit that both schools are outstanding schools and trying to pit one against the other does no one any favors.
NP. You’re taking it personally which I find really weird. I had kids at both schools and we just prefer Carson. We felt the teachers and students were better overall at Carson. Get over it. If you don’t agree oh well. I don’t care.
Give yourself a cookie. None of what you posted detracts from PP’s observation, which is that it’s absurd to stereotype Carson and Franklin to the degree that some Carson parents routinely do.
Anonymous
10/03/2025 22:04
Subject: Culture at Carson vs. Franklin
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:It really doesn’t matter which state college a teacher went to or how much math or science they studied there. What matters is whether students are only doing the basics at grade level or if they’re ready to take on advanced work. At Carson, teachers see students who are eager for that next step—whether it’s Olympiads, robotics, MathCounts, and more. Franklin, on the other hand, leans more toward the fine arts, with a focus on music, theater, and similar areas. FCPS acknowledges this difference, check their individual school characterization.
To what are you referring when you cite "individual school characterization"? Are you referring to the school profiles? If so, you are grossly misunderstanding and mischaracterizing those profiles. You are also being extraordinarily unfair to the staff and students at BOTH schools to pigeon-hole their talents the way you have.
I'm not sure why it is so difficult for some of the respondants here to admit that both schools are outstanding schools and trying to pit one against the other does no one any favors.
NP. You’re taking it personally which I find really weird. I had kids at both schools and we just prefer Carson. We felt the teachers and students were better overall at Carson. Get over it. If you don’t agree oh well. I don’t care.
Anonymous
10/03/2025 16:49
Subject: Culture at Carson vs. Franklin
Anonymous wrote:It really doesn’t matter which state college a teacher went to or how much math or science they studied there. What matters is whether students are only doing the basics at grade level or if they’re ready to take on advanced work. At Carson, teachers see students who are eager for that next step—whether it’s Olympiads, robotics, MathCounts, and more. Franklin, on the other hand, leans more toward the fine arts, with a focus on music, theater, and similar areas. FCPS acknowledges this difference, check their individual school characterization.
To what are you referring when you cite "individual school characterization"? Are you referring to the school profiles? If so, you are grossly misunderstanding and mischaracterizing those profiles. You are also being extraordinarily unfair to the staff and students at BOTH schools to pigeon-hole their talents the way you have.
I'm not sure why it is so difficult for some of the respondants here to admit that both schools are outstanding schools and trying to pit one against the other does no one any favors.
Anonymous
10/03/2025 16:13
Subject: Culture at Carson vs. Franklin
It really doesn’t matter which state college a teacher went to or how much math or science they studied there. What matters is whether students are only doing the basics at grade level or if they’re ready to take on advanced work. At Carson, teachers see students who are eager for that next step—whether it’s Olympiads, robotics, MathCounts, and more. Franklin, on the other hand, leans more toward the fine arts, with a focus on music, theater, and similar areas. FCPS acknowledges this difference, check their individual school characterization.