Look for the results of the Downcounty consortium capacity study this October. It is possible that this could be addressed as part of this study.

Does anyone know if this is still a possibility? Have boundary studies happened or are any recommendations expected to happen in the future? I have followed this issue and am still surprised that Starr didn't just split the schools.

Just having a hard time understanding the reticence of creating a neighborhood school, the main problem seems to be that Starr thinks the COSA students will return. This is in indication that you have a huge problem, when you know you have COSA's attributable to the split.

With all this talk about the "acheivement gap" and emphasis on parental involvement in a schools the most important factor is what benefits the children. Staying in their home school benefits them the most.

We have had so many friends leave the neighborhood because of the school issue. The fact is, the vast majority of families don't send their kids to NHE so there really is no "neighborhood school", which is a shame and limits how much time people with children are willing to invest in the community.

My wife and I bought our house across the street from Oak View ES last summer just before all this happened. We love the neighborhood, but I'm dismayed by the results of the Starr recommendation/BOE unanimous vote. Every friend and family member that has come to visit us in our new home gives us a bewildered look when we tell them our daughter won't be going to Oak View.

Please don't buy a home zoned for NHE and assume you will get a transfer to Highland View. Yes a good number of people get one, but a good number end up at privates too.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:And lots of kids who are zoned for NHE end up going to Highland View because they get a hardship transfer. I've heard that unlike other parts of the county, this particular transfer is granted with some frequency. I don't know if those kids transfer to Oak View when they hit third grade or just continue with their peers at Highland View.

What is criteria is used for a hardship transfer?

You'd have to look it up on MCPS's website. It can be hit or miss. You might want to talk to others who have successfully obtained the transfer.

Anonymous wrote:And lots of kids who are zoned for NHE end up going to Highland View because they get a hardship transfer. I've heard that unlike other parts of the county, this particular transfer is granted with some frequency. I don't know if those kids transfer to Oak View when they hit third grade or just continue with their peers at Highland View.

What is criteria is used for a hardship transfer?

Anonymous wrote:And lots of kids who are zoned for NHE end up going to Highland View because they get a hardship transfer. I've heard that unlike other parts of the county, this particular transfer is granted with some frequency. I don't know if those kids transfer to Oak View when they hit third grade or just continue with their peers at Highland View.

Seriously? That would be great. How far would the distance need to be for it to be considered a "hardship"?

Anonymous wrote:And lots of kids who are zoned for NHE end up going to Highland View because they get a hardship transfer. I've heard that unlike other parts of the county, this particular transfer is granted with some frequency. I don't know if those kids transfer to Oak View when they hit third grade or just continue with their peers at Highland View.

The ones I have known continue at Highland view. DD is only in 4th grade though, so I don't know what those transfer kids will do for middle school.

And lots of kids who are zoned for NHE end up going to Highland View because they get a hardship transfer. I've heard that unlike other parts of the county, this particular transfer is granted with some frequency. I don't know if those kids transfer to Oak View when they hit third grade or just continue with their peers at Highland View.

Anonymous wrote:I also think the writing is on the wall that there will be boundary changes in the coming years. I don't think there are any guarantees at this point that the school assignment you would have today will be the school assignment you'd have 3 or 4 years from now. That whole area of Silver Spring is pretty nice. People have a wide range of views about the schools. I know some parents rave about NHE because they get much more small group or one-on-one time than they would at just about any other MCPS school because it's got Title I funding, others complain because it's not conveniently located. Highland View is definitely well-regarded by the local community and there are some stellar parent-leaders who have really helped improve the school. It's weird, though, because some families who are zoned for Highland View live almost across the street from Eastern Middle School, but they end up going to Sligo. It's a little wacky and not always intuitive.

Everyone who is actually zoned for Highland View ES goes to Silver Spring International Middle School. But the boundaries are weird in other ways too. We have friends who live closer to Highland View than we do, but their kids are zone for NHE, while we are zoned for Highland View.

I also think the writing is on the wall that there will be boundary changes in the coming years. I don't think there are any guarantees at this point that the school assignment you would have today will be the school assignment you'd have 3 or 4 years from now. That whole area of Silver Spring is pretty nice. People have a wide range of views about the schools. I know some parents rave about NHE because they get much more small group or one-on-one time than they would at just about any other MCPS school because it's got Title I funding, others complain because it's not conveniently located. Highland View is definitely well-regarded by the local community and there are some stellar parent-leaders who have really helped improve the school. It's weird, though, because some families who are zoned for Highland View live almost across the street from Eastern Middle School, but they end up going to Sligo. It's a little wacky and not always intuitive.

It depends also how old your kids are. sure, Blair is a very popular choice, and i can see the attraction. But if your kids are in preschool, you have a lot of years in New Hampshire Estates, Oakview and Eastern to get through before you worry about high school.

I know it's an opinion. I was expressing an opinion, which is based partially on what I have heard other parents say. I get that everyone has their own view of things and may have a different opinion than mine. I have heard plenty of parents express dismay when their kids failed to get into Blair. I have never heard a parent complain that their kid didn't get into Northwood. My experience may be very different than yours and that shouldn't be a problem.