Anonymous
01/30/2010 14:38
Subject: Georgetown Prep?
I'm the person who posted about PG. My oldest will be in K next year, so we're looking at private schools. We are part of the Charles Flowers school cluster--which is good by PG's (lower) standard but doesn't hold a candle to Montgomery, Fairfax, Howard or Loudon. PG generally ranks 23rd or 24th out of the 24 counties in Maryland for public schools--so they are not an option for us.
Please don't be surprised that Mitchellville/Bowie did not hold its value. In the D.C. area, a neighborhood's value is closely related to the quality of the schools. For example, I have a friend who bought her house in Montgomery County at the same time that I bought mine and for about the same price--$750,000. Her home has maintained its value, because it's in a great public school district, so there will always be demand. In PG, many affluent Blacks are forced to send their children to private school, so the homes don't hold their value very well.
Another piece of friendly advice: Be careful when people tell you that a certain neighborhood is "good for affluent Blacks" as opposed to "for all affluent people". There are some (whether consciously or subconsciously) who believe that Blacks subscribe to a lower standard. If the neighborhood is so great "for Blacks", ask yourself how come other races don't want to live there? Ask yourself why people would pay more for a similarly constructed house if it's located in Montgomery or Fairfax? And why is that most of the people who suggest that you live there don't live in PG don't live there themselves? It's usually, because the neighborhood that's "good for affluent Blacks" is not that great at all.
Please don't be surprised that Mitchellville/Bowie did not hold its value. In the D.C. area, a neighborhood's value is closely related to the quality of the schools. For example, I have a friend who bought her house in Montgomery County at the same time that I bought mine and for about the same price--$750,000. Her home has maintained its value, because it's in a great public school district, so there will always be demand. In PG, many affluent Blacks are forced to send their children to private school, so the homes don't hold their value very well.
Another piece of friendly advice: Be careful when people tell you that a certain neighborhood is "good for affluent Blacks" as opposed to "for all affluent people". There are some (whether consciously or subconsciously) who believe that Blacks subscribe to a lower standard. If the neighborhood is so great "for Blacks", ask yourself how come other races don't want to live there? Ask yourself why people would pay more for a similarly constructed house if it's located in Montgomery or Fairfax? And why is that most of the people who suggest that you live there don't live in PG don't live there themselves? It's usually, because the neighborhood that's "good for affluent Blacks" is not that great at all.
Anonymous
01/30/2010 13:45
Subject: Re:Georgetown Prep?
Anonymous wrote:A word of friendly advice: Do NOT move to PG County. It has high crime, low-performing schools, minimal services and substandard shopping and restaurants. I moved there, because I had heard the same thing as you did--that it was a good place for affluent Blacks (and because the houses are cheaper). We bought a brand new McMansion for $750,000 and two years later, the homes in our neighborhood are going for just $350,000--they have declined by more than half! And there have been all sorts of crimes in our Mitchellville/Bowie neighborhood (e.g. carjackings, break-ins, gang activity). It sounds like you really want a nice life for your son. If you can afford it, I would suggest moving to Howard, Montgomery, Fairfax or Loudon County. They are diverse and at least you and your family will be safe. If I could afford to move, I would do it in a heartbeat! Good luck to you and your family.
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:I got a question. I am African American and GP is indeed our first pick. We visited the school and absolutely loved it. I noticed that most applicants will need to make 99 on the SSAT but we are willing to give it a shot. Now we are after a great education that will propel us towards a Holy Cross or a Georgetown. I'm just being honest with you. Now this is what I need to know. Do blacks stand out like a sore thumb? Will he not have a single friend there? Hey I might as well ask directly before we waste time, energy and money.
No - blacks do not stand out like a sore thumb. DS has good friends at Prep who came from schools other than Mater Dei. He will have a demanding day at Prep especially if he does varsity sports. As for his music the good boys schools might be more flexible in his needs for arts, etc than publics which are often quite rigid. By that I mean it becomes an either or situation. That being said it might be easier for him if you live closer than PG county. Prep has a lot of hw and once they are in high school many community or neighborhood friends become more secondary than the guys from school. Also don't be surprised if his new friends [of all races] fix him up with or if he meets girls of all races.
Yeah, we can live wherever we want so if not living in PG county is better for us then that is what we will have to do. I'm glad that you mentioned that PG is sort of far considering the hw and the lifestyle. I will share that with my husband immediately. My husband loves the school. Since my son is at the end of the severenth grade we are going to wait until we have a better idea of where he can go to school before we actually buy a house up here. I appreciate your post, it is thoughtful and likewise helpful. He mixes well with all kinds of people that is truly his gift. If he ends up with some other race girlfreind then that will have to be fine. The most important thing is that he enjoy his high school years and establish lasting relationships as well as get a "good" education. I personally use to hate the idea of mixed marriages because both of my sisters in law are white. Since they have been very happy I really can't say anything against them at this point. My son will need to be happy above everything else. So if someone cares about him I definitely won't make them stop. Anyways, the question for me now is where do they meet girls? I mean most people know that Gonzaga boys date girls from Visi, Damatha dates girls from Seton but where do GP boys meet girls? Oh, and I do agree that the boys school would be better for the arts.
I'm responding to the PG county person. I attempted to post a response a few minutes earlier and it didn't connect for some reason. Anyways, I wanted to say that I have heard that PG county was not so good but never from someone who lives there. This advice is "straight from the horses mouth" and that makes it valid. Howard County is nice. It reminds me of the planned community we lived in back home. It seems to be impossibly far for those who commute to DC daily. I will check the others out today because I am snowed in and have all day to play on the internet. I am very surprised that Mitchelville/Bowie did not hold its value. I now have several other questions for YOU. Where do your kids go to school? Are you pleased with the school? Also what do you know about a public school called Roosevelt? Thanks for your response it is enlightening.
Anonymous
01/30/2010 13:33
Subject: Re:Georgetown Prep?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:I got a question. I am African American and GP is indeed our first pick. We visited the school and absolutely loved it. I noticed that most applicants will need to make 99 on the SSAT but we are willing to give it a shot. Now we are after a great education that will propel us towards a Holy Cross or a Georgetown. I'm just being honest with you. Now this is what I need to know. Do blacks stand out like a sore thumb? Will he not have a single friend there? Hey I might as well ask directly before we waste time, energy and money.
No - blacks do not stand out like a sore thumb. DS has good friends at Prep who came from schools other than Mater Dei. He will have a demanding day at Prep especially if he does varsity sports. As for his music the good boys schools might be more flexible in his needs for arts, etc than publics which are often quite rigid. By that I mean it becomes an either or situation. That being said it might be easier for him if you live closer than PG county. Prep has a lot of hw and once they are in high school many community or neighborhood friends become more secondary than the guys from school. Also don't be surprised if his new friends [of all races] fix him up with or if he meets girls of all races.
Yeah, we can live wherever we want so if not living in PG county is better for us then that is what we will have to do. I'm glad that you mentioned that PG is sort of far considering the hw and the lifestyle. I will share that with my husband immediately. My husband loves the school. Since my son is at the end of the severenth grade we are going to wait until we have a better idea of where he can go to school before we actually buy a house up here. I appreciate your post, it is thoughtful and likewise helpful. He mixes well with all kinds of people that is truly his gift. If he ends up with some other race girlfreind then that will have to be fine. The most important thing is that he enjoy his high school years and establish lasting relationships as well as get a "good" education. I personally use to hate the idea of mixed marriages because both of my sisters in law are white. Since they have been very happy I really can't say anything against them at this point. My son will need to be happy above everything else. So if someone cares about him I definitely won't make them stop. Anyways, the question for me now is where do they meet girls? I mean most people know that Gonzaga boys date girls from Visi, Damatha dates girls from Seton but where do GP boys meet girls? Oh, and I do agree that the boys school would be better for the arts.
Quoted PP here. Dematha and Seton are in a different socializing area geographically. Prep, Landon, STA, Gonzaga meet girls through friends, mixers [dances], parties. Huge numbers of girls from Holton, Visi, Stone Ridge, Madeira go to football games and ANY possible event held by these schools. Gonzaga has big dances called mixers. freshman and sophomore year there are huge numbers of elaborate parties for girl's Sweet Sixteens.
I really don't want to deal with Damatha. I don't want to have to defend it however, since I have verified the fact that he can only apply to two high schools I might have to put them on the list because it is a safety school. Some days he says, "why worry, I can just go to Damatha". He just got all A's this report card and if he finishes the year with all A's then I will not worry much about where he is going to go. I hate to keep bringing this race thing up but are the sweet sixteen events diverse by chance? Oh and another thing I have just noticed that there are social groups for moms at GP. Is that diverse?
Anonymous
01/30/2010 13:19
Subject: Re:Georgetown Prep?
Anonymous wrote:A word of friendly advice: Do NOT move to PG County. It has high crime, low-performing schools, minimal services and substandard shopping and restaurants. I moved there, because I had heard the same thing as you did--that it was a good place for affluent Blacks (and because the houses are cheaper). We bought a brand new McMansion for $750,000 and two years later, the homes in our neighborhood are going for just $350,000--they have declined by more than half! And there have been all sorts of crimes in our Mitchellville/Bowie neighborhood (e.g. carjackings, break-ins, gang activity). It sounds like you really want a nice life for your son. If you can afford it, I would suggest moving to Howard, Montgomery, Fairfax or Loudon County. They are diverse and at least you and your family will be safe. If I could afford to move, I would do it in a heartbeat! Good luck to you and your family.
Thank you soo much for YOUR advice. It seems like you know what I am dealing with. I thought Mitchelville/Bowie were pretty safe but now that I am getting it "straight from the horses mouth", (southern language) I will adhere to it. I've been told that before but never from someone who lives there. Howard County is really nice but far from a lot of things. I visited a neighborhood called Maple Lawn and it looked like the planned community we lived in back home. Haven't checked the others. I will do it today because I'm snowed in. Although my son is just in 7th grade I am really big on where he will go to high school. That is totally the driving force for our decision. What do you think about living inside the district? My co workers do and they insist on it? According to them the district is changing and IT is the safe place to be. Can't beat it for convenience. So what do you think? Oh and where do your kids go to school? Yep, I am trying to get everything out of you now. Appreciate your input.
I got a question. I am African American and GP is indeed our first pick. We visited the school and absolutely loved it. I noticed that most applicants will need to make 99 on the SSAT but we are willing to give it a shot. Now we are after a great education that will propel us towards a Holy Cross or a Georgetown. I'm just being honest with you. Now this is what I need to know. Do blacks stand out like a sore thumb? Will he not have a single friend there? Hey I might as well ask directly before we waste time, energy and money.
No - blacks do not stand out like a sore thumb. DS has good friends at Prep who came from schools other than Mater Dei. He will have a demanding day at Prep especially if he does varsity sports. As for his music the good boys schools might be more flexible in his needs for arts, etc than publics which are often quite rigid. By that I mean it becomes an either or situation. That being said it might be easier for him if you live closer than PG county. Prep has a lot of hw and once they are in high school many community or neighborhood friends become more secondary than the guys from school. Also don't be surprised if his new friends [of all races] fix him up with or if he meets girls of all races.
Yeah, we can live wherever we want so if not living in PG county is better for us then that is what we will have to do. I'm glad that you mentioned that PG is sort of far considering the hw and the lifestyle. I will share that with my husband immediately. My husband loves the school. Since my son is at the end of the severenth grade we are going to wait until we have a better idea of where he can go to school before we actually buy a house up here. I appreciate your post, it is thoughtful and likewise helpful. He mixes well with all kinds of people that is truly his gift. If he ends up with some other race girlfreind then that will have to be fine. The most important thing is that he enjoy his high school years and establish lasting relationships as well as get a "good" education. I personally use to hate the idea of mixed marriages because both of my sisters in law are white. Since they have been very happy I really can't say anything against them at this point. My son will need to be happy above everything else. So if someone cares about him I definitely won't make them stop. Anyways, the question for me now is where do they meet girls? I mean most people know that Gonzaga boys date girls from Visi, Damatha dates girls from Seton but where do GP boys meet girls? Oh, and I do agree that the boys school would be better for the arts.