Woodstock/randallsvile schools (Baltimore, Randallstown, Owings: new home, neighborhood, buy)

[dwtatty]

Looking to purchase a house in Woodstock. I noticed that this particular house is part of the Randallsville school district which, according to Zillow, has a 4/10 rating...obviously not a stellar rating. What is the collective wisdom on living in Woodstock and the Randallsville school system? Thank you.

[goldenage1]

Originally Posted by dwtatty

Looking to purchase a house in Woodstock. I noticed that this particular house is part of the Randallsville school district which, according to Zillow, has a 4/10 rating...obviously not a stellar rating. What is the collective wisdom on living in Woodstock and the Randallsville school system?

Do you mean Randallstown? Woodstock is adjacent or part of the Randallstown district. I remember a gang-style shooting at the High School in 2007 or 8, and other kids with guns in school. I would be very careful about sending my child to public school there. Can you afford a private school?

Have you seen the reviews here? http://www.greatschools.org/maryland...viewSubmitForm

[bus man]

The community of Woodstock is actually divided between Baltimore County and Howard County. The part on the Baltimore County side would presumably be zoned to the Randallstown district. Personally, I would avoid that one. The solution is simple: buy on the Howard County side.

[newhart]

I know someone who bought a house in the Offutt Rd area when that neighborhood was first being developed. They liked the house and the neighborhood fine but did not care for the schools at all and moved to Howard County within a couple of years. What I remember is that the schools were underfunded and didn't have what they needed. This was many years ago and there's been a lot of new home construction since then. Don't know if things have improved.

[xStarFall]

Howard county schools are decent but better than baltimore in my opinion. If possible, find a place more towards woodstock, marriottsville, ellicott city, columbia, clarksville, centennial, west friendship, maybe even glenelg area.
I went to high school in marriottsville and would send my future kids (only 23 years old..) to howard county schools if I couldn't afford private. I think HoCo schools/area includes EC, marriottsville, columbia, centennial, and clarksville. Check the district lines.

Ellicott city, marriottsville, columbia, olney, and clarksville areas are probably higher priced houses because of their safe, nice areas.
Woodstock and centennial are nice areas as well but not as developed as EC, marriottsville, columbia, olney, and clarksville.
Don't know much about west friendship and glenelg but they seem decent.

Under/less developed I think would be elkridge and catonsville.
Owings mills and reisterstown are pretty decent as well but those fall under baltimore county schools. Prob have to do more research for school districts there.

[dwtatty]

Thanks for all the responses. I did mean Randallstown rather than Randallsville...sorry about that. We opted against the house, but sure appreciate all your thoughts. We are new to the area and are finding housing a challenge....much more expensive than in Missouri. So......still looking.