We are new to the area and having trouble deciding what to do when it comes to schools. We just joined a local parish that has a school, but neighbors say that it's not the right choice. This is so hard - we live in the west end. Any other advice would be greatly appreciated from the lifers here in Hagerstown.

Not a lifer by any means. My daughter will be entering middle school this year. She attended Paramount for elementary, along with one year in the Fountaindale magnet. I'm not impressed with Paramount in the least, though it perenially ranks well on testing. Unfortunately, I believe the testing focus to be a county issue that is inescapable, rather than by location. My other issue with Paramount is what I call the "Gucci Moms", ya know, the housewives who live at the school, always have their mani's and pedi's and matching shoes and handbags that essentially rule the roost. But that's a personal matter. Our experience with the Fountaindale magnet was a first year trial. At the time, the 2nd and 3rd grades shared a classroom. As a 2nd grader,she saw a lot of advanced 3rd grade work, and it overwhelmed her. They have since given each grade it's own room, and I would strongly encourage participation there if your child is elementary aged and gifted.

Since she would be making the move to Northern Middle anyway, we decided this would be the time to make the move to St. Mary. I like what I've seen, and I like their approach to testing....they take them in the fall, and use them as a ruler for what they need to work on, rather than teaching to the test so the scores look good. It seems the academics are stronger, they give more homework, and yet things seem to be more leisurely with breaks during the day and off days that make sense instead of random half days and such sprinkled around the calendar in the public schools. I truly feel the education will be better than what she would receive at Northern Middle, granted that some other opportunities are limited, such as sports and clubs. However, she is deeply involved in other outside organizations ,and I don't think she will miss anything vital to her development.

All that said, education is a very personal decision, much dependent upon your own personal circumstances and needs, and the age and ability of the child. It is never an easy debate, and you will always wonder if you are doing the right thing! I hope my opinions give you a little insight. Welcome to the area and good luck!

PS, for the public schools, you might look at Maryland Report Card,
some of the links available through that site, as well as the local BOE.

Thanks for your opinion. It really helps - I'll check into the MD report card. Our neighbors told us not to go into St. mary's. Their daughter had a child there and ended up pulling her and putting her in Northern Middle in 7th grade due to the cruelness of the teachers out there. We'll check into though - again thanks it's good to hear something positive about it.

If your kids are elementary age, Salem Elementary has a reputation for being a great elemenatary school. If I'm not mistaken they won several honors.

There's a Christian school, K-12 I believe, right out Salem Ave on Cearfoss Pike (Salem becomes Cearfoss once it reaches the county), Grace Academy. It's not Catholic, but it's supposed to be good.

I can't help ya a whole lot, not having kids in school myself.

Welcome to the area, and welcome to the forums.

Thanks so much for the welcome. We are finding the quaintness of a small town very welcoming.