Bethesda elementary schools - thoughts?

[Anonymous]

We are really struggling with the decision on whether or not to go private next year for K (and onwards) for dc#1. Having never been through this stage before, I'd really like to hear what parents in the Bethesda area think of their schools - private or public. A couple thoughts in particular:

1) Do you think your child is getting a good solid math base if you are doing public? I have heard lots of negative things about Everyday Math (and nothing positive), but the MCPS website mentions how they are "upgrading" their current Everyday math curriculum these next several years to something called EIC - integrated something or other. Thoughts from those who may be experiencing this change would be appreciated.

2) What is your K and 1st graders' homework like? Excessive or no?

3) If you have experienced both private and MCPS, what were the factors that made you switch from one to the other?

Thanks in advance. Would love to hear the thought process of others who made the decision. Obviously, $$$ is a major factor of going private, but we are in the situation where we could swing it, although I wouldn't say comfortably. It would definitely require a tight budget, and at this income, we're not sure if sending TWO dcs to private would even be an option when the time came. In which case, would you even send your first one to private in the first place?

[Anonymous]

What is your Bethesda school? In my opinion, the specific school matters.

[Anonymous]

I think any homework in k-2 (other than the occasional project) is excessive, so by that standard, yes we had too much. On the other hand, in K the teacher didn't really if or when we handed it in.

My sense is that MoCo does a pretty good job with math (but there's so much "acceleration" it can be hard to tell).

[Anonymous]

OP here: we are currently in Bradley Hills, but are possibly looking into a larger home. School zone will obviously be a part of that decision as well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here: we are currently in Bradley Hills, but are possibly looking into a larger home. School zone will obviously be a part of that decision as well.

No personal experience, but I've heard excellent things about Bradley Hills

[Anonymous]

I live in Bradley Hills/Pyle/Whitman cluster. I'm one of the FEW in my neighborhood who sends my child to private school. This is one of the very best clusters and the kids I know who are in all three schools, or have graduated from Whitman, are all wonderful kids who are getting great educations. And I know TONS of kids in all three schools as I know a lot of people in the 'hood and my child plays with all of the neighborhood kids on a daily basis.

I only chose a very specific private because I wanted a special program that was not available to me in our publics. If we didn't get in, we would HAPPILY be in our public schools. So unless you have a very specific need, or reason to go private, you are in the very best cluster.

[Anonymous]

Opted out of elementary and middle school in the Pyle/Whitman cluster in favor of a Catholic school. We wanted a smaller school with a social community that extended from it. We were somewhat new to this area when our oldest started school and we wanted to meet families. We like the structure and orderliness and have been very happy with the academics.

[Anonymous]

OP, I think in the Bethesda clusters, academics should not be your concern. We've done both private and public, and math in particular was much more accelerated in MCPS than in our private school at least (a reputable MoCo private). We are not in Bethesda (rather a highly regarded Kensington elem.) and they DO NOT use Everyday Math. Our dc are strong in the academics (math and reading), but if they were not, or ever begin to struggle in those areas, I'd actually worry that MCPS is putting too much emphasis on them.

In summary, unless you have the extra $$$, or your dc is in need of smaller classes (won't find in Bethesda elems.), or is in need of more individualized attention, then I say go w/MCPS and put the cash into your new house.

[Anonymous]

I'm in a similar situation as the OP. We are in the Bradley Hills/Pyle/Whitman district, but really want a bigger house (so far looks like our price range won't buy much around here!). I fear giving up this cluster and our very family friendly neighborhood for the other clusters nearby. I guess it's fear of the unknown, not sure if the others really are as good or the students are as committed.

I think the private schools are luring and a temptation, but I think in the long run, the public schools offer more (activities, electives, etc). That money could be much better applied to other things, like college savings and retirement, and summer programs.

Another great benefit of using local public school rather than private, is that your child gets to know the kids in the neighborhood.

I plan to start out using the public schools, and only if there turns out to be a need or big reason to go private, will look there. Just need to figure out if Bradley Hills has to be the one!

[Anonymous]

Another family here who grew disenchanted with our elementary school (Whitman cluster) and transferred to a Catholic school. Homework is much more varied/engaging and overall curriculum is more rigorous---DC was really bored in MCPS and was really starting to despise school. Approach to math is very different at new school---lots of timed drills but DC really seems to be responding to this style. New school's homework packets contain a variety of topics including math, social studies, science, and reading comprehension/writing instead of the redundant MCPS homework packets that seemed to focus solely on spelling words with some occasional math. Packets are distributed on Fridays so that we can work on them over the weekend if we want, freeing up precious family evening time during the week. Very glad we made the switch, at least for the elementary/middle school experience (new school goes to 8th grade). Still open to the idea of returning to Whitman for high school---will cross that bridge when we get there. Also there are many more "specials" at new school than DC experienced in MCPS---art, music, library, computer lab and PE *twice* a week as well as Spanish (which was only an after-school enrichment option in our MCPS elementary school). This really seems to make the day much more enjoyable and stimulating for the kids.