Are Carroll County schools catching up to Howard County? What about in terms of special education? (Sykesville: house)

[Denverites303]

We've researched this forum and other online sources and have found that Howard County leads Carroll County in terms of schools and their special education programs, it seems to be due to more funding. A few weeks ago we were prepared to put an offer on a house in Howard C. but have read that Carrol C. may actually be catching up and maybe a good option for us. We prefer Carroll C in terms of housing options, lower taxes etc but would love to hear your opinion as we are getting relocated in a little over a month and have only been to MD only twice on house hunting trips. One of our children is autistic (high functioning) so we don't want to be wrong and take a gamble by not going with Howard County but prefer the home in Carroll. We waited until the redistricting was complete and have it narrowed down to a house in Carroll (Linton Springs Elementary) and Howard (Bushy Park). Any advice is greatly appreciated! We have done a bunch of "homework" but would love to hear everyone's opinion instead of going mostly of data provided by the school districts. Thanks!

[goldenage1]

Originally Posted by Denverites303

...... We waited until the redistricting was complete and have it narrowed down to a house in Carroll (Linton Springs Elementary) and Howard (Bushy Park). Any advice is greatly appreciated! ...... Thanks!

As far as the "achievement scores" in places like Greatschools.org, I feel they are irrelevant to a child with special needs. I would try to contact a principal or school psychologist in each school to ask how they work with kids on the autism spectrum. The web site will give you contact information, below:
https://www.carrollk12.org/schools/e...s/default.aspx
https://bpes.hcpss.org/school-staff

Just an impression, but Bushy Park presents a friendlier image in its web site. Linton Springs web site starts with a list of rigid rules. How does your child react to being require to be in his seat at specific times?

Bushy Park seems to have a fairly diverse student population, while Linton Springs does not have pictures of students. What are you comfortable with? Personally, I am more comfortable with the Bushy Park image in its web site. (If you want diversity stats, the Greatschools.org site shows that Linton Springs is less diverse than Bushy Park, eg: https://www.greatschools.org/marylan...hool/#Students )

[goldenage1]

Originally Posted by Denverites303

.....We prefer Carroll C in terms of housing options, lower taxes etc ....

Carroll County as a whole is more rural and conservative, politically. Howard County more urbanized and liberal. There will be many people in Carroll who wil resist becoming more like Howard County, so "catching up" may be a misleading term. However, Sykesville is probably closer to Howard County in politics. Where do you fit on the political spectrum?

Regarding taxes, the majority of local taxes go for schools, so Howard has more money to spend on schools. However, I noticed that Linton Springs ES has a lower pupil/teacher ratio than Bushy Park, so Carroll County may have the advantage there. I would definitely try to contact school officials.

[MidValleyDad]

Originally Posted by Denverites303

...We prefer Carroll C in terms of housing options, lower taxes etc ... Thanks!

County Budgets are usually split about 50% schools and 50% everything else. So to get better schools you have to have higher taxes

[goldenage1]

Please also consider the middle and high schools in your decision. The Carroll County assigned HS is Century, which has about 1000 students. That is small compared to Howard County high schools, and seems to have fewer offering in foreign language, sciences and advanced placement classes. Carroll County would have to have a lot of growth in wealth and population to "catch up" with the offerings at a typical Howard County high school.