Westbrook Elementary or Somerset Elementary?

[Anonymous]

We are planning to move from DC (Janney district) to Montgomery County near the DC border. All things being equal, would welcome suggestions regarding locating in the Westbrook Elementary or Somerset Elementary school districts. Would appreciate hearing your family's experience at one or both of these schools. Many thanks.

[Anonymous]

I don't know much about Somerset, but 2 kids at Westbrook and we love it! Great music program, lots of artists in residence, big science program in upper grades, and friendly community. My friends with kids at other schools are often jealous when I talk about some of the programs we have (though no friends at Somerset).

Some teachers aren't great, but that is true at most schools. Overall, I would strongly recommend!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We are planning to move from DC (Janney district) to Montgomery County near the DC border. All things being equal, would welcome suggestions regarding locating in the Westbrook Elementary or Somerset Elementary school districts. Would appreciate hearing your family's experience at one or both of these schools. Many thanks.

A minor but important note: the school district is Montgomery County Public Schools. Westbrook ES and Somerset ES have boundaries within the MCPS school district. Why is this important?

1. Because a lot of the school stuff is determined by MCPS, not by individual schools.
2. Because MCPS can change school boundaries.

[Anonymous]

They're both good, and both feed up to Westland Middle and BCC. Pick a house you like and let that drive the decision.

[Anonymous]

I'd choose Somerset over Westbrook because I'd like to be closer to the metro. Maybe it doesn't matter much now, but when your kids are teenagers, the freedom the metro gives them (and you) is wonderful.

Both are good schools, same good feeder pattern, so I'd pick based on the neighborhood, and I prefer Somerset for transportation reasons.

[Anonymous]

Somerset has a much better reputation.

[Anonymous]

Somerset parent here. Although none of my friends, nor I, have ever been to the school, our respective butlers and weekday nannies assure us its very nice.

[Anonymous]

We had friends who had a son at Somerset for 2 years until they moved away. They liked it and said the teachers they encountered were very open and good communicators. They felt their son (who was an absolute STAR student, fluent in 2 languages) was served well by the place.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Somerset parent here. Although none of my friends, nor I, have ever been to the school, our respective butlers and weekday nannies assure us its very nice.

You need to get a new schtick.

[Anonymous]

Love the Somerset poster!
- NP who went to Somerset and whose dad went to Westbrook

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Somerset parent here. Although none of my friends, nor I, have ever been to the school, our respective butlers and weekday nannies assure us its very nice.

You need to get a new schtick.

Oh, no! I love the Somerset poster.

[Anonymous]

Most of the families I know in Somerset boundary send children to private schools.

[Anonymous]

My kids go to Westbrook and we are very satisfied. Both schools are nice facilities (with Westbrook's addition having just been completed 18 months ago). One advantage of Westbrook is that it has more field space for outdoor play. One advantage of Somerset is that the neighborhood has that nice outdoor pool (which I believe most residents can use, although check the boundaries).

[Anonymous]

The field is Somerset may be smaller but it is MUCH nicer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'd choose Somerset over Westbrook because I'd like to be closer to the metro. Maybe it doesn't matter much now, but when your kids are teenagers, the freedom the metro gives them (and you) is wonderful.

Both are good schools, same good feeder pattern, so I'd pick based on the neighborhood, and I prefer Somerset for transportation reasons.

We chose Westbrook in order to be closer to metro! The boundary for Westbrook runs up to the geico, which is the section we live in & puts us a few short blocks to Friendship Heights station. Unless you are at the Willard ave high rises (which, I'm pretty sure, zone to Somerset, but don't get access to the pool there), you can't get closer to metro.

The one thing that is better for Somerset wrt transport is access to the Capitol crescent trail. We are stuck having to either go up River rd, or cross River & Mass, which can be unnerving with little kids when they start riding bikes independently.