Is there anything negative about Somerset?

[Anonymous]

That I should know about? Or is it all really really good? We can pay for independent or go there. Please advise.

[Anonymous]

The student body has very few African American or Latino students.

[Anonymous]

Our kids went there -- it's a friendly community with a very good faculty who can provide a solid elementary education. Having said that, like all MoCo publics, it also has its drawbacks -- big classes; lots of testing; a math curriculum that pushes kids ahead, but which can also leaves some holes in their education; virtually no science or social studies. We moved our kids to independent schools for middle and high school, and found a big difference.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Our kids went there -- it's a friendly community with a very good faculty who can provide a solid elementary education. Having said that, like all MoCo publics, it also has its drawbacks -- big classes; lots of testing; a math curriculum that pushes kids ahead, but which can also leaves some holes in their education; virtually no science or social studies. We moved our kids to independent schools for middle and high school, and found a big difference.

Gosh, have to disagree with this. My second grader has science or social studies everyday. If you found a big difference when you switched to middle school, I am not surprised. I would expect any middle school to have more emphasis and dedicated classes to social studies and science. With respect to math, these days only those kids capable of doing more challenging math are given more challenging math (perhaps you experienced something different when you were there?). We have found this differentiated approach to be a blessing. There are multiple math groups ranging in ability -- not as many groups as for reading, but it is broken out nonetheless and the more challenging math homework is optional.

To the OP's original question, it is a wonderful school. If you live in the community already, you will find that the school reflects the community very well. There is a tremendous amount of diversity, just not the kind that you usually think about -- there is a huge number of children from countries from around the globe who attend Somerset because their parents are here serving as diplomats or are employed at the World Bank or doing an exchange at NIH or simply are refugees (this may not be as apparent to you as you walk around the neighborhood, many of these use temporary apartment housing). This makes for national identity diversity, religious diversity, cultural diversity, language skills diversity and enriches the school in so many ways. There may not be a lot of economic diversity (though the district includes the full range from Kenwood to apartments near Western Avenue and River Road) but if that is your focus you certainly would not find that at an independent school.

FYI, the fabulous principal is about to retire but the rest of the administrative staff is so strong I am hoping that this is a ripple event and not a tidal wave. Particularly amazing school counselor, gym teacher and art teacher.

HTH

[Anonymous]

Just because science and social studies appear on your child's schedule doesn't mean that there will actually be any instruction in those subjects. And, when they are taught, the approach tends to be pretty superficial; too often, the focus is on memorizing and spitting back vocabulary.

As far as math, my kids got "A"s for years in the most challenging math groups, so that wasn't the problem. Rather, their teachers gave us a heads up that some subjects were not being taught with enough depth, and that we should expect to have to do some supplementary work to prepare our kids to re-visit those topics once they got to MS and HS. They were right.

[Anonymous]

9:27, I can assure you that there is MUCH more economic and racial diversity at most private schools than there is at Somerset. Agree about the international diversity though.

[Anonymous]

What are the class sizes like?

[Anonymous]

Regular Science instruction in MoCo doesn't really begin until 5th grade when it starts to appear on the standardized tests. Before t it's just reading and math

[Anonymous]

Not true -- my children have both done science in lower ES grades

[Anonymous]

You can't all be correct about Somerset - those of you who say there is no science and those of you who say your kids got science! What is the truth?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You can't all be correct about Somerset - those of you who say there is no science and those of you who say your kids got science! What is the truth?

I'm a parent in a different MCPS elementary and a former elementary teacher and see how both claims can be made. Yes, technically DC has science. Does DC get high-quality systematic science instruction that adequately develops process skills? IMO, no.

Regarding the math curriculum, MCPS has just completed a review and update of its math curriculum and will be discussing it at upcoming community meetings.

Good luck in your decision.

[Anonymous]

Can any parents respond on current class sizes in K and 1st grade? Is there an aide in the classroom or just 1 teacher?