Wyngate Elementary?

[Anonymous]

I posted this in Schools General with no nibbles, so trying here.

We are currently zoned for the Rosemary Hills-NCC-Westland-BCC cluster, and are contemplating a move to the Wyngate-North Bethesda-Walter Johnson cluster. Kids are both pre-K. I have found very little on this forum about Wyngate other than some general positive comments about the principal, and some concerns about it's size and overcrowding. Of course, the size of RH is also a concern to us. I would really appreciate any feedback on these schools, particularly with respect to the amount of free time, curriculum (how much is teaching for tests), and how much parental involvement is allowed/encouraged. DH and I have a lot of general concerns about Mont. Co. curriculum after No Child Left Behind, and wonder how much of a difference (if any) there is between these school districts. I am most interested in elementary for now, but also very curious to hear about other schools in the cluster. Thanks so much for any comments on either or both districts.

[Anonymous]

Very crowded. Check out playground and trailers in back of lot. Tightly run school. Lots of time sitting at desk and working. Very good test scores. Strong PTA. Lots of parents like it a lot. Several on our street send kids elsewhere.

Very happy with our teachers to date. Our teachers encouraged scheduled parental visits for class reading, learning assignments. I think there is a healthy volunteer program as well. I know that parents came for lunch sometimes too.

[Anonymous]

I am a Wyngate parent and agree with the PP. I would add that my child does NOT bring home worksheets or do endless worksheets at school as I have often read other MCPS elementary schools do for test prep. So, I'm pleased with that. Overcrowding is an issue but will be less of a concern for your kids as an addition will be open by 2015 and only older kids are in trailers so your pre-K kids won't have to deal with the trailers--but they will be impacted by the pathetic field/blacktop for recess in the meantime. The principal is very strong at Wyngate--she holds the place together well and with the overcrowding, it is necessary (my opinion). Generally, parent volunteering inside the classroom is not encouraged. There are many opportunities to help out outside of the classroom, however.