schools for my child

what area of maryland are you most interested in - i have lived in many...

I'm not particular about what area as long as it has good schools and there is a decent hospital no more than an hours drive to work in.

Frederick County schools are excellent, some of the best in the state. Our 7yo second grader has attended Frederick city public schools since K and we're been very, very pleased with the quality of her education thus far. This year she transferred to a very small older elementary school from her sparkling,big, high profile previous school - we were apprehensive, but the staff is wonderful and she is thriving, working a year ahead in math and language, etc. Yeah my kid is the smartest ever *grin* but good schools have a lot to do with it, too.

While Frederick is the fastest growing area in Maryland and has changed a lot over the past 5 years, its still a great place to live. DC and Baltimore are an hour away each, a large percentage of the population commutes to one city or the other.

Angela

FT Wife & Mama

FT Office Hag

PT Pre-Nursing Student

Frederick, MD

Each state has a Dept of Education. You can check their website to find out what the standardized test scores are for the school district that interests you. Generally, the schools with high test scores are doing things right. We looked for a home in a city where our kids could walk to school, but that was a priority for us...you can make your own wish list of features to look for. I would still visit the school in person to get a feel for the climate of learning. Good luck!

I second what you've heard about PG county. I went to undergrad there, and the county as a whole is in pretty bad shape.

Montgomery county is the wealthiest in the state, I believe.

Anne Arundel county has Annapolis, should be good schools there.

Stay away from Baltimore city unless you can afford a private school (but there are some EXCELLENT ones)

Baltimore County schools are not all bad! You are always going to have a few "bad apples" in whatever county you are in. It depends on the school. I know of one school in particular that is notorious for violence etc. But then the next school over is wonderful. It all depends on the immediate area, not necessarily the county.

Baltimore County is within an hours drive from probably a dozen different great hospitals, including UMMC and Hopkins which are incredible.

I do agree with staying away from the City schools though.

Baltimore County schools are not all bad! You are always going to have a few "bad apples" in whatever county you are in. It depends on the school. I know of one school in particular that is notorious for violence etc. But then the next school over is wonderful. It all depends on the immediate area, not necessarily the county.

Baltimore County is within an hours drive from probably a dozen different great hospitals, including UMMC and Hopkins which are incredible.

I do agree with staying away from the City schools though.

I grew up in Baltimore City and although it is probably not the place to live in I wouldn't say that the schools are all that bad. I went to high school in Baltimore City and it is definitely one of the top schools in the state if not the country. I would agree with above posts and say that all school systems are going to have bad seeds. Look at your kids and say where would they fit in better or what matches them best. Baltimore County is pretty good. Howard County is better and it is a nice area. Howard County General Hospital is right in that area and they are a part of The Johns Hospital System. :) Good Luck!

I grew up in Baltimore City and although it is probably not the place to live in I wouldn't say that the schools are all that bad. I went to high school in Baltimore City and it is definitely one of the top schools in the state if not the country. I would agree with above posts and say that all school systems are going to have bad seeds. Look at your kids and say where would they fit in better or what matches them best. Baltimore County is pretty good. Howard County is better and it is a nice area. Howard County General Hospital is right in that area and they are a part of The Johns Hospital System. :) Good Luck!

I went to school in Anne Arundel county, they have some pretty good schools. I third staying away from PG, Baltimore City, and even Charles County for that matter.

I went to school in Anne Arundel county, they have some pretty good schools. I third staying away from PG, Baltimore City, and even Charles County for that matter.

Harford county schools aren't bad...they have a pretty good amount of both private and public...

the problem w/ the wealthier areas is that drugs abound...as in harford county...the kids have the money and the access....and the school systems are in complete denial...

but educationally wise - i can vouch for harford county schools