Franklin Sherman Elementary - Current families that attend

[Anonymous]

We're moving into this district and know very little about this school. I understand a lot of the zone goes to private schools and another subset goes to Haycock (or elsewhere) for AAP. For the families at this school, can you tell me about your experience? For it being so small, is a generally positive atmosphere amongst the community and in the school? Any insight & feedback is appreciated.

[Anonymous]

Same question here, we are also moving to the area and would love to know more about Sherman.

[Anonymous]

Last school year brought significant boundary changes. Approximately 200 students joined us from Kent Gardens, while about 150 transferred to Chesterbrook and Churchill Road.

In January 2024, we welcomed a new principal. The school has grown slightly in size, and last year felt very much like a transition period. As a smaller elementary school, there’s typically a strong sense of community, where everyone knows everyone. But with so many recent changes, that dynamic has naturally shifted.

[Anonymous]

I live on Calder road right next to Franklin Sherman ES. A lot of kids in that neighborhood attend private schools like Sidwell, Potomac, Flint Hill, etc... About half attend Franklin Sherman. It is a very good ES school, but again, anything in McLean is MUCH better than anywhere else.

[Anonymous]

Part of the reason McLean schools have such good mean test scores is demographics. There is no truly low cost housing left for sale in McLean. There are some long time residents/families who bought before house prices soared, of course.

Another part is that many students (not all, but many) in that area get outside school supplements and reinforcement. Sometimes this is at home with a parent. Sometimes this is online (e.g., Beast Academy). Sometimes this is at a tutoring center (AoPS, Mathnasium, Kumon, or similar).

These factors confound any attempt to measure the actual effectiveness or appropriateness of the FCPS curriculum and instruction.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Part of the reason McLean schools have such good mean test scores is demographics. There is no truly low cost housing left for sale in McLean. There are some long time residents/families who bought before house prices soared, of course.

Another part is that many students (not all, but many) in that area get outside school supplements and reinforcement. Sometimes this is at home with a parent. Sometimes this is online (e.g., Beast Academy). Sometimes this is at a tutoring center (AoPS, Mathnasium, Kumon, or similar).

These factors confound any attempt to measure the actual effectiveness or appropriateness of the FCPS curriculum and instruction.

+1. FCPS is the benefactor of very bright, caring parents who are on the ball with academics. This makes up for a sub par curriculum and mediocre teachers.