Mcps experience in ES varies widely from school to school. Some are very small with warm, supportive communities if engaged parents who volunteer regularly. Others are massive and feel very impersonal with huge segments of the population being completely unaware or involved in what’s happening at school.

Bethesda ES is one of the massive schools and it was fine until second grade for all three of our DCs. Agree with PP who commented about mcps only seeing groups, not individuals. We absolutey felt that way at BE. When we moved to private with our eldest we were blown away by how well our DD’s teachers knew our daughter. The care and quality of instruction, student:teacher ratio, flexibility and creativity was night and day. We were fortunate to be able to afford private (although it was a stretch) and it absolutely was the right choice for our family. That said, we have friends who were zoned for other ES and their experience was totally different (better) than ours at BE. Principal, size of school, and parent engagement matter.

I teach college. Maybe 10% of my students are actually prepared for real, college-level work as freshmen. What they need to know is not specific to either public or private. They need emotional stability, executive functioning, organization, a work ethic, and the ability to read and take notes. Just get them that wherever you have to, however you have to.

As some others said early you can’t compare MCPS as a whole to a specific private school. It’s an Apple to Orange comparison. You have to talk about a specific school and specific cohort of kids.

I’ve grown tired of the conversations from people talking about the MCPS budget. It’s public data. Anyone can ask where the money is going. Further, just because the budget number seems big, doesn’t mean it’s ridiculous given the amount of students and requirements. Do the math.

Why not send all?

[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]My two children are 5 years apart, attended Bethesda Elementary School, and the oldest had the most crowded classrooms. I well remember his disastrous first grade with 31 kids! The youngest attended after the addition and had to deal with more students total, but had smaller class sizes.

I think it's luck of the draw, OP. Now my kids are in their freshman year of college and middle school. I know there's crime and violence at BCC and the usual middle school shenanigans. It's always been that way, but there are spikes of trouble every now and then, at various schools, so if your kid is unlucky and gets a bad year, it's easy to worry that schools are going downhill.

You might consider the following to aid in your decision:

1. Privates may enforce more discipline, and weed out kids with problematic behaviors, so classrooms are quieter and possibly smaller.

2. MCPS has the CES, magnets, and advanced tracks in middle and high school, therefore more ability to accelerate precocious students, that only the very top privates can match.

3. If your child needs an IEP/504, services and accommodations, privates are not required to offer anything, but publics are, and they do. Sometimes very well indeed (one of my kids had an IEP).

4. Money. It deserves its own discussion. What does "if money is not an issue" really mean? A private school parent will always assess their child's experience relative to how much they're spending. A refrain you'll hear a lot is: I'm happy, but not 30-60K happier than I was before! Invested in the stock market, that money would have provided much reassurance for college tuition, or your kids' downpayment on a home, or your retirement, or eldercare costs... is private a better choice than other priorities in your life? Nowadays colleges are very selective, and college costs have on average risen faster than inflation. State universities cost 30-40K a year total, but only if your kid gets in. Kids need very good grades now to get to UVA and UMD. Private universities are in the 70-100K a year. Merit aid is given to top students. If "money is not an issue", financial aid is likely off the table - that's how you get donut hole families who are middle class but can only pay for in-state college.

Maybe you can afford one K-12 private, 3 college costs, and have millions for retirement. But most people, even on this board, do not. I have a net worth of 15M and my two kids are/will be MCPS products. They can pick the college they want (65K a year for the oldest, he got merit aid at a 85K a year university).






[/quote]

OP here. Thank you. We can’t do more than 10k a year, therefore Catholic would be. Seems like they offer a bit more wiggle room in the way they teach, have a bit more flexibility than the MCPS curriculum. I don’t want my kid kits to learn her academics.. ideally she would love learning and enjoy the experience of school, not just get grades to get grades. Yes Catholics may be a bit more strict on discipline but the ones we like have positive discipline approach.. and tbh aren’t like how Catholic schools used to be (I work at one in DC). We also like the smaller school setting and the sense of community it offers [/quote]

It sounds like private is a stretch. I would absolutely stay in MCPS over a Catholic school. You could use the $10k to supplement in areas you think are lacking.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I agree that MCPS schools continue to be in decline, and it will take a significant decision and concerted effort by new leadership (and engaged parents) to stem the decline and put the school system on a positive trajectory again. If you do decide to keep your kids in MCPS, consider gauging for yourself how well they can read and write. (Effective reading and writing seems to not be a priority for MCPS). Also look at the state of Maryland standardized test scores (MCAP, I think) that are mailed to parents once or twice a year, and ask whether you are satisfied with your students' demonstrated level of proficiency on these. Also look at the State of Maryland report cards (available online) for your kids' schools. In my case, I am disappointed in both my kids' MCAP scores and the state of Maryland report card for their schools. Both are well below what I would expect given the superior grades my kids' receive on their report cards and the reputation of the schools as being some of the best in MCPS. Also pay attention when and if the school principal presents the results of their school on the Maryland report card. Our elementary principal tried to spin the results as a positive and didn't seem forthcoming about the negatives in the results until they were pressed on this in a public forum. All in all, I don't believe MCPS is invested in helping each individual student reach their full potential. MCPS does not see individuals -- only groups. I don't have any experience with private school in the area---yet. But maybe this is a fundamental difference between public and private nowadays. Or maybe not. Many of the same factors that have caused this decline in MCPS are acting on private schools as well.

All in all, I don't believe MCPS is invested in helping each individual student reach their full potential. MCPS does not see individuals -- only groups.

+1... Makes me sad to write this, but our kid is a good student, more quiet and has been very overlooked and written off by MCPS teachers when struggling with academics or social/emotionally- basically when having issues, counselors/teachers are like "they're doing fine and not failing out." Like that's what only matters are grades--what about social emotional health that MCPS always talks about? I feel like DC is just a # at MCPS, bec it's too big and not enough teachers and asst teachers. Not the teachers' fault --but where does the MCPS budget go?? This is at one of the MCPS highly rated ES that our neighbors/friends talked up for years.
I am very involved in the school (PTA and active volunteer) and am so disappointed and considering private for MS. DC loved learning until this year but hates school now, at age 10. I wish I didn't have to even consider private. Considering private for more attention, smaller class sizes, and ability to dialogue when needed w/teachers and so that teachers really know my child and their support and challenge needs in partnership with our family. Kid has to do the work, but want teachers that believe in my kid. DC needs both challenge and support and I am not confident that MCPS can provide this.

Yep this is 100% why we moved from a top rated MCPS school to private and echoing a pp above who mentioned the existence of privates that are diverse, academically rigorous and not "elitest" (why should that matter anyway...you can always expose your kid to the side of the world outside of school...)
You just have to look around a bit, and obviously $10k isn't going to cut it.

I think if you have the option, private wins. What kid wouldn't be better served in a smaller classroom? FWIW I think middle school is the weakest link in MCPS, so that's where I would put your private school $$ if you have that option.

Anonymous wrote:As much as we have loved MCPS, we are thinking to send our 3rd kiddo to private (catholic) but still struggling with "letting go" of the public school idea (neighbors being classmates etc). However, I am not expert on MCPS but seems like MCPS is on the decline.. crowded classrooms (ours is an ES in Bethesda), micro managing of teachers, not enough staff/resources to handle students with behavioral issues or different learning needs etc... Am I wrong? Our two oldest kiddos are a few years older than the last one... and seems that MCPS was in a much better place back when they started attending around 2013...til now. Would love to hear perspectives on this. If money was not an issue, would you go private vs MCPS? Thanks

My son did both MCPS and Catholic. We went back to MCPS. You will find the Catholic schools are behind in math, 2-3 years worth. Instrumental music doesn't start until high school. Teachers are not certified teachers.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP are you talking independent Catholic? If not, I really don't think a Catholic school is better than MCPS, certainly in terms of rigor of work/curriculum.

Teacher who just posted. My kid had nightly homework starting in kindergarten. Spelling tests each week, daily grammar and writing instruction, handwriting, midterms and finals starting in 3rd grade. He also wrote his own speeches and delivered them in yearly oratory contests each year. Yearly Ted talks with partners on current events too. He started reading novels in third grade. I think they read 2-3 each trimester. Summer reading was 3-5 books each summer plus essays on 1-3 of them.

His education was top notch and affordable. He was an atheist through most of his MS and HS years and his teachers encouraged him to participate in discussions in religion class. The brothers at his HS were happy to have engaged students like him.

I teach in public school and we aren’t allowed to give homework. Students don’t read books. They read passages and excerpts. It’s all to prepare them for MCAP testing. Very little grammar, writing, and spelling instruction. No public speaking, attendance doesn’t matter, etc. I could go on. It’s night and day.

Homework isn't helpful or developmentally appropriate for early elementary kids (and can be actively harmful to the extent it crowds out things like free play, physical activity, and family time after school), but MCPS allows it anyway and most teachers give it, unfortunately. The idea of nightly homework for 5 year olds is frankly horrifying. IMO any school that gives homework to little kids either a) doesn't understand what's actually appropriate and helpful for young children, or b) is pandering to parents who think that giving homework to little kids is a sign that the school is rigorous and challenging. Neither one is a sign of good leadership at the school.

Anonymous wrote:I agree that MCPS schools continue to be in decline, and it will take a significant decision and concerted effort by new leadership (and engaged parents) to stem the decline and put the school system on a positive trajectory again. If you do decide to keep your kids in MCPS, consider gauging for yourself how well they can read and write. (Effective reading and writing seems to not be a priority for MCPS). Also look at the state of Maryland standardized test scores (MCAP, I think) that are mailed to parents once or twice a year, and ask whether you are satisfied with your students' demonstrated level of proficiency on these. Also look at the State of Maryland report cards (available online) for your kids' schools. In my case, I am disappointed in both my kids' MCAP scores and the state of Maryland report card for their schools. Both are well below what I would expect given the superior grades my kids' receive on their report cards and the reputation of the schools as being some of the best in MCPS. Also pay attention when and if the school principal presents the results of their school on the Maryland report card. Our elementary principal tried to spin the results as a positive and didn't seem forthcoming about the negatives in the results until they were pressed on this in a public forum. All in all, I don't believe MCPS is invested in helping each individual student reach their full potential. MCPS does not see individuals -- only groups. I don't have any experience with private school in the area---yet. But maybe this is a fundamental difference between public and private nowadays. Or maybe not. Many of the same factors that have caused this decline in MCPS are acting on private schools as well.

All in all, I don't believe MCPS is invested in helping each individual student reach their full potential. MCPS does not see individuals -- only groups.

+1... Makes me sad to write this, but our kid is a good student, more quiet and has been very overlooked and written off by MCPS teachers when struggling with academics or social/emotionally- basically when having issues, counselors/teachers are like "they're doing fine and not failing out." Like that's what only matters are grades--what about social emotional health that MCPS always talks about? I feel like DC is just a # at MCPS, bec it's too big and not enough teachers and asst teachers. Not the teachers' fault --but where does the MCPS budget go?? This is at one of the MCPS highly rated ES that our neighbors/friends talked up for years.
I am very involved in the school (PTA and active volunteer) and am so disappointed and considering private for MS. DC loved learning until this year but hates school now, at age 10. I wish I didn't have to even consider private. Considering private for more attention, smaller class sizes, and ability to dialogue when needed w/teachers and so that teachers really know my child and their support and challenge needs in partnership with our family. Kid has to do the work, but want teachers that believe in my kid. DC needs both challenge and support and I am not confident that MCPS can provide this.

Anonymous wrote:OP are you talking independent Catholic? If not, I really don't think a Catholic school is better than MCPS, certainly in terms of rigor of work/curriculum.

Teacher who just posted. My kid had nightly homework starting in kindergarten. Spelling tests each week, daily grammar and writing instruction, handwriting, midterms and finals starting in 3rd grade. He also wrote his own speeches and delivered them in yearly oratory contests each year. Yearly Ted talks with partners on current events too. He started reading novels in third grade. I think they read 2-3 each trimester. Summer reading was 3-5 books each summer plus essays on 1-3 of them.

His education was top notch and affordable. He was an atheist through most of his MS and HS years and his teachers encouraged him to participate in discussions in religion class. The brothers at his HS were happy to have engaged students like him.

I teach in public school and we aren’t allowed to give homework. Students don’t read books. They read passages and excerpts. It’s all to prepare them for MCAP testing. Very little grammar, writing, and spelling instruction. No public speaking, attendance doesn’t matter, etc. I could go on. It’s night and day.

Anonymous wrote:I’m an MCPS teacher and if money was no object, I would absolutely choose private.

I worked 2-3 jobs to send my kid to Catholic school. Best money I’ve ever spent.

-another teacher

Anonymous wrote:If money was no object and there was a very diverse non-elitist private school that taught the way I think kids should be taught, then it would be private school without a thought.

I don’t know of any private school like that in this dmv region. I would probably hire top-notch tutors.

I am very happy with my DC’s mcps school but that’s because it’s a magnet with a great diverse, self-selected cohort.

I think there are a few such schools. Oneness family school is one. It is definitely not elitist and has rigorous academic. Our kids are so happy there.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My children both attended Little Bennett ES and it was and is a dream school. The level of care, Love, attention and awesome friends my child gets is amazing! Rocky Hill and was good for my eldest before redistricting and went on to Poolesville HS SMCS. That was when the test and essays were used and she absolutely thrives and excels at that school. It is amazing!! Now, I do not like Rocky Hill and do not want to send my youngest there so we are looking at private options… MCPS is very school selective.

Why do you not like Rocky Hill after the redistricting? What were the feeder schools before, and which ones now?

PP doesn't like that two high-poverty elementary schools (Fox Chapel ES and James Daly ES) were reassigned to Rocky Hill MS. These elementary schools were already assigned to Clarksburg HS before the boundary change - which is why PP didn't like Clarksburg HS.

Anonymous wrote:ETA: They have not had a steady principal nor a good one since Mrs. Eldridge left and I loved her. She was firm but kind, very organized and dealt with things as best she could.

??? Dr. Eldridge left temporarily for medical reasons. An acting principal was named in her absence. When it was determined she was not coming backing then the process of getting a new principal was done. The new principal began in the 22-23 SY and is still there.