Seneca Academy has gone out of business and will be closing its school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So John, with Seneca probably closing and Barnesville having administration problems, what would be your choice for a down to earth, relatively affordable (say, $30K or under per year) Montgomery County private school?

I fear I can't help you here...clearly I have a positive bias toward Barnesville and wouldn't characterize it as you have, and also, I've been away long enough that I haven't the foggiest idea of what going tuition rates are. For example, I've deeply respected the program and leadership at Green Acres, but a quick glance of their website revealed to me that their tuition isn't in the range you're seeking. I wish you well in the search!

John

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So John, with Seneca probably closing and Barnesville having administration problems, what would be your choice for a down to earth, relatively affordable (say, $30K or under per year) Montgomery County private school?

I fear I can't help you here...clearly I have a positive bias toward Barnesville and wouldn't characterize it as you have, and also, I've been away long enough that I haven't the foggiest idea of what going tuition rates are. For example, I've deeply respected the program and leadership at Green Acres, but a quick glance of their website revealed to me that their tuition isn't in the range you're seeking. I wish you well in the search!

John

Thank you! We will look at Barnesville to make a decision for ourselves, but are worried about how low the enrollment is, and whether that's an indication that folks are uneasy with it.

As for Green Acres, we love the philosophy of the school, but it's hard to justify such a high price tag.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Hi all! My name is Jen Vo and I am a Seneca Academy parent. Yes, due to the economic downturn caused by COVID-19, it was announced that the school would be closing permanently at the end of May. The families were devastated, and quickly jumped into action, determined to save the school. We have been fundraising (over $68,000 in only two days!) Tonight Fox 5 ran a segment ( link here: https://www.fox5dc.com/video/677304 ) and the response was unbelieveable! I am more optimistic than ever that we will save the school! We have some really big moves in the works... you can follow our progress, learn more, and make pledges at www.savesenecaacademy.com and/or by following the facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/savesenecaacademy/

Seneca Academy is an extraordinary school and I would really encourage any of you who were looking forward to sending you children in the future to not give up hope ❤ My family has been there for 7 years (my daughter is currently in 3rd, my son in K, they started in preschool) and I honestly do not believe there is a better school out there ❤

I hope you all are able to save the school, but it's clear from the 990s that it wasn't just COVID. The school was having a lot of financial problems prior to that. I hope you're able to put together a lasting strategic plan that provides for long-term financial stability.

You need a development office, for one.

And what would help you with your development problems? Stop spreading wrong information when you have no first hand knowledge of anything!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Hi all! My name is Jen Vo and I am a Seneca Academy parent. Yes, due to the economic downturn caused by COVID-19, it was announced that the school would be closing permanently at the end of May. The families were devastated, and quickly jumped into action, determined to save the school. We have been fundraising (over $68,000 in only two days!) Tonight Fox 5 ran a segment ( link here: https://www.fox5dc.com/video/677304 ) and the response was unbelieveable! I am more optimistic than ever that we will save the school! We have some really big moves in the works... you can follow our progress, learn more, and make pledges at www.savesenecaacademy.com and/or by following the facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/savesenecaacademy/

Seneca Academy is an extraordinary school and I would really encourage any of you who were looking forward to sending you children in the future to not give up hope ❤ My family has been there for 7 years (my daughter is currently in 3rd, my son in K, they started in preschool) and I honestly do not believe there is a better school out there ❤

I hope you all are able to save the school, but it's clear from the 990s that it wasn't just COVID. The school was having a lot of financial problems prior to that. I hope you're able to put together a lasting strategic plan that provides for long-term financial stability.

You need a development office, for one.

And what would help you with your development problems? Stop spreading wrong information when you have no first hand knowledge of anything!

Hmm? It's a fact that Seneca Academy doesn't have a development director. You need one in order to spearhead fundraising. My comment was entirely meant in good faith. I think it's a great school and just hope they're thinking long-term in terms of what they need.

[Anonymous]

My daughter attended a parochial and now attends the same school as a prior Barnesville family. It's interesting to me that they seem to have had similar experience, bad teachers high turnover rate and lots of bullying. Snobbery was unfortunately high according to both of them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My daughter attended a parochial and now attends the same school as a prior Barnesville family. It's interesting to me that they seem to have had similar experience, bad teachers high turnover rate and lots of bullying. Snobbery was unfortunately high according to both of them.

Snobbery is endemic in virtually all private schools and many public schools, too. That's far from something specific to any one school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Hello all -

I had the pleasure of serving as Head of School at Barnesville for nine years, and my three sons attended, with the older two successfully matriculating to Poolesville Global Magnet and St. Andrew's for 9th grade, and the youngest attending until the time I departed. I also had the pleasure of working with Brooke Carroll when she was head at Seneca.

There are too many opinions, assertions, and allegations in this thread to address, but I did feel compelled to wade back into this forum to offer a few non-anonymous thoughts from my limited perch:

1. Seneca was a lovely school with a strong academic program. It was a gem of upcounty, and it will be missed.

2. Barnesville enjoyed partnering with Seneca over the years, and it felt to me like there was much more in common than different between the two schools. Would that we could have partnered more.

3. Barnesville, though smaller in enrollment than it has been in the past, continues to deliver an outstanding education to its students. I would without hesitation reenroll my children there. While a school can't be all things to all people, I particularly cherished its whole-child approach, the green and nature focus of the curriculum, and the community size that allowed for a sense of togetherness.

4. Smaller schools by their very nature are less tolerant of budget and enrollment swings, but I can say with certainty that the resources of my former school were, and are, well-managed.

Should Seneca families consider Barnesville? Yes, I think so, along with other local options, as cost and commute will allow. It may not be the perfect match for everyone, but I believe it has a great deal to offer.

I wish all Seneca's families the best in this time of transition and uncertainty.

- John

I am making myself perfectly clear here. I was a parent while you were HOS at Barnesville.

1. Academics no where near public school or other local privates. I should know as my other children went to MCPS and other private schools.

2. While we were there the flight of students leaving was quite apparent.

3. Fifth grade teacher my child had literally did not grade a thing the whole year. Presented us with a folder, that included three items in it for a conference? Total waste of a year.

4. Current HOS has zero experience in school administration and it shows.

5. Spanish teacher was horrible did absolutely nothing. Social Studies teacher could not write an email. Math teacher in the high math for MS was a bully. While these teachers are no longer there, the good ones are not either. Staff turnover has been a lot.

6. Barnesville can barely field a MS currently.

7. Bullying was crazy bad when we where there. Particularly the girls. (No my child was not bullied) Watching the others and how the school did nothing was gross. Yes, I complained while we were there.

8. Because turnover was so high during our time Barnesville took on some students that clearly needed counselors with knowledge of their learning abilities. That did not happen.

9. Our first year at Barnesville was fourth grade. We had a lovely teacher who is no longer there. That year was amazing. After that completely downhill.

As a parent I can say with confidence I would not recommend Barnesville for any grade past third. Yes, this is very personal for me. While Poolesville Magnet is great that's not telling the whole story at all.

What did we love about Barnesville recess, every day.

I am sorry to hear that your family's experiences were so disappointing. Clearly an anonymous message board isn't the place to try to redress past concerns, but please know that it pains me to hear that this was your family's pathway. I wish you and your alumna well wherever the future may lead.

John

My concerns are not in the past. Barnesville has been having these issues for years. None of what I wrote is not still true today.

Putting a child in private school and paying for an education in Montgomery County where we have great public schools is a huge decision for many families.

Barnesville did not and still does not give a quality education. That is what we were paying for.

This was not only our experience. Many of the families my child's year feel the exact same way. Hence after us the school has had a very hard time keeping families.

I am sticking to what I wrote all of which is true now in real time.

Posters on this thread asked for opinions on Barnesville. There are many better schools to pay for. Green Acres comes to mind. Norwood and many Catholic Schools.

[Anonymous]

"Posters on this thread asked for opinions on Barnesville. There are many better schools to pay for. Green Acres comes to mind. Norwood and many Catholic Schools."

I'm the PP who was asking for opinions about Barnesville. We would look more closely at Norwood and Green Acres, but they are expensive. I suppose you get what you pay for in many cases, though?

[Anonymous]

Seneca. LOL.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why not go public? Much better education and free.

You’re kidding? MCPS and FCPS are dumpster fires

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why not go public? Much better education and free.

You’re kidding? MCPS and FCPS are dumpster fires

Former Barnesville and Seneca family. I love my kid's MCPS school. Anecdotal only, of course, but I'd rank them:

1) Seneca
2) Public
3) Barnesville

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So John, with Seneca probably closing and Barnesville having administration problems, what would be your choice for a down to earth, relatively affordable (say, $30K or under per year) Montgomery County private school?

I fear I can't help you here...clearly I have a positive bias toward Barnesville and wouldn't characterize it as you have, and also, I've been away long enough that I haven't the foggiest idea of what going tuition rates are. For example, I've deeply respected the program and leadership at Green Acres, but a quick glance of their website revealed to me that their tuition isn't in the range you're seeking. I wish you well in the search!

John

Thank you! We will look at Barnesville to make a decision for ourselves, but are worried about how low the enrollment is, and whether that's an indication that folks are uneasy with it.

As for Green Acres, we love the philosophy of the school, but it's hard to justify such a high price tag.

I am a current Green Acres parent. Please take a look at the school. It is so worth the money, especially now with the remote learning going on. I have been incredibly impressed by the learning that is happening at all the grade levels.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So John, with Seneca probably closing and Barnesville having administration problems, what would be your choice for a down to earth, relatively affordable (say, $30K or under per year) Montgomery County private school?

I fear I can't help you here...clearly I have a positive bias toward Barnesville and wouldn't characterize it as you have, and also, I've been away long enough that I haven't the foggiest idea of what going tuition rates are. For example, I've deeply respected the program and leadership at Green Acres, but a quick glance of their website revealed to me that their tuition isn't in the range you're seeking. I wish you well in the search!

John

Thank you! We will look at Barnesville to make a decision for ourselves, but are worried about how low the enrollment is, and whether that's an indication that folks are uneasy with it.

As for Green Acres, we love the philosophy of the school, but it's hard to justify such a high price tag.

I am a current Green Acres parent. Please take a look at the school. It is so worth the money, especially now with the remote learning going on. I have been incredibly impressed by the learning that is happening at all the grade levels.

We will look at it. I think what we struggle with is just that it's higher than most of the other schools in the area, especially for the lower grades. At $39K for 2-8th grade, that's more in line with high school tuition, as opposed to elementary school. I'd want to see really where we're getting the extra value above, say, Norwood, which charges $33-38K for those grade levels.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So John, with Seneca probably closing and Barnesville having administration problems, what would be your choice for a down to earth, relatively affordable (say, $30K or under per year) Montgomery County private school?

I fear I can't help you here...clearly I have a positive bias toward Barnesville and wouldn't characterize it as you have, and also, I've been away long enough that I haven't the foggiest idea of what going tuition rates are. For example, I've deeply respected the program and leadership at Green Acres, but a quick glance of their website revealed to me that their tuition isn't in the range you're seeking. I wish you well in the search!

John

Thank you! We will look at Barnesville to make a decision for ourselves, but are worried about how low the enrollment is, and whether that's an indication that folks are uneasy with it.

As for Green Acres, we love the philosophy of the school, but it's hard to justify such a high price tag.

I am a current Green Acres parent. Please take a look at the school. It is so worth the money, especially now with the remote learning going on. I have been incredibly impressed by the learning that is happening at all the grade levels.

We will look at it. I think what we struggle with is just that it's higher than most of the other schools in the area, especially for the lower grades. At $39K for 2-8th grade, that's more in line with high school tuition, as opposed to elementary school. I'd want to see really where we're getting the extra value above, say, Norwood, which charges $33-38K for those grade levels.

Look at Christ Episcopal in Rockville if you don't mind a parochial school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So John, with Seneca probably closing and Barnesville having administration problems, what would be your choice for a down to earth, relatively affordable (say, $30K or under per year) Montgomery County private school?

I fear I can't help you here...clearly I have a positive bias toward Barnesville and wouldn't characterize it as you have, and also, I've been away long enough that I haven't the foggiest idea of what going tuition rates are. For example, I've deeply respected the program and leadership at Green Acres, but a quick glance of their website revealed to me that their tuition isn't in the range you're seeking. I wish you well in the search!

John

Thank you! We will look at Barnesville to make a decision for ourselves, but are worried about how low the enrollment is, and whether that's an indication that folks are uneasy with it.

As for Green Acres, we love the philosophy of the school, but it's hard to justify such a high price tag.

I am a current Green Acres parent. Please take a look at the school. It is so worth the money, especially now with the remote learning going on. I have been incredibly impressed by the learning that is happening at all the grade levels.

We will look at it. I think what we struggle with is just that it's higher than most of the other schools in the area, especially for the lower grades. At $39K for 2-8th grade, that's more in line with high school tuition, as opposed to elementary school. I'd want to see really where we're getting the extra value above, say, Norwood, which charges $33-38K for those grade levels.

Look at Christ Episcopal in Rockville if you don't mind a parochial school.

Thanks! Will do.