woodacres elementary school

[Anonymous]

We moved to the area recently andwould like to get some info about Woodacres elementary. I was wondering if you can share your views, pros cons? What you like most/least, etc. We did not decide public versus private yet, so your comments will be very! useful. Thanks!!

[Anonymous]

Well, its so popular that its busting at the seams. Huge school.

[Anonymous]

We actually moved out of the district due to the overcrowding and budget issues. For example, there are so many students that younger kids aren't getting art class in the art room - just a traveling "art cart" in the classroom. Same goes for gym class and music. Also no foreign language instruction whatsoever - when we asked the VP why not, she said something along the lines of "Well, it's not on the standardized tests. You can draw your own conslusions as to why we don't teach it"
Last year I think there were 5 trailers - next year there are supposed to be even more. Class sizes are well above what MoCo recommends - I believe the K class had something like 29 kids:1 teacher and 1 aide (who was there especially for a special ed student)?

I know there are people who adore Wood Acres, but we just couldn't get past so many of these issues. We moved to a cheaper neighborhood and put the kids in catholic school instead.

[Anonymous]

I don't think any MoCo elementary schools offer foreign language (except as a before/after school activity through FLES).

[Anonymous]

I think 9:59 is correct - it's not on the test so they don't teach it. That was a big factor is our decision to switch out. Foreign language instruction shouldn't be discretionary - and we shouldn't need to pay extra to get it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Also no foreign language instruction whatsoever - when we asked the VP why not, she said something along the lines of "Well, it's not on the standardized tests. You can draw your own conslusions as to why we don't teach it"

I have heard similar about class sizes and overcrowding at WA. Our own elementary is stuck with several trailers and is somewhere on the wait list for expansion.

Just want to address your comments about lack of FL instruction. AFAIK, foreign language at the elementary level is only found in immersion programs in MCPS. The lack of FL instruction is not unique to WA. Countywide, there is zero budget for elementary FL instruction because FL instruction is not part of the MCPS curriculum.

[Anonymous]

We have neighbors there who are pleased and others who are frustrated. Probably just like at any other school! It was too big for us so we send our child to another neighborhood, non-public school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think 9:59 is correct - it's not on the test so they don't teach it. That was a big factor is our decision to switch out. Foreign language instruction shouldn't be discretionary - and we shouldn't need to pay extra to get it.

Just a question - but did you switch out to another public school that does teach foreign language? Otherwise, this comment makes no sense - if you went private - either Catholic or other private, you ARE paying extra to get foreign language early.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think 9:59 is correct - it's not on the test so they don't teach it. That was a big factor is our decision to switch out. Foreign language instruction shouldn't be discretionary - and we shouldn't need to pay extra to get it.

Just a question - but did you switch out to another public school that does teach foreign language? Otherwise, this comment makes no sense - if you went private - either Catholic or other private, you ARE paying extra to get foreign language early.

We switched out to a catholic school but moved to a less expensive neighborhood. Between the savings in our mortgage and property tax, we are paying less than we would have if we'd stayed in the Wood Acres neighborhood but we think our kids are getting a better education where we are now.

[Anonymous]

thanks a lot for your views! it seems my concerns were not unfounded..

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think 9:59 is correct - it's not on the test so they don't teach it. That was a big factor is our decision to switch out. Foreign language instruction shouldn't be discretionary - and we shouldn't need to pay extra to get it.

Just a question - but did you switch out to another public school that does teach foreign language? Otherwise, this comment makes no sense - if you went private - either Catholic or other private, you ARE paying extra to get foreign language early.

Can you switch to another public school without moving?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think 9:59 is correct - it's not on the test so they don't teach it. That was a big factor is our decision to switch out. Foreign language instruction shouldn't be discretionary - and we shouldn't need to pay extra to get it.

Just a question - but did you switch out to another public school that does teach foreign language? Otherwise, this comment makes no sense - if you went private - either Catholic or other private, you ARE paying extra to get foreign language early.

Can you switch to another public school without moving?

No. There are some exceptions (probably if you want to move to school where you would be a minority) or hardship. But generally and for all practical purposes, no.