Rolling Terrace Immersion Program

[Anonymous]

My family currently lives in DC and we are planning to move to Takoma Park this spring/summer. While I've heard lots of wonderful things about Piney Branch & Takoma Park Elementary, I haven't been able to find much information from parents who send their children to Rolling Terrace (or decided NOT to send their children there). I would love for my children to be bilingual, and since the other immersion programs are lottery-based, it seems like Rolling Terrace would be the natural choice. I am very concerned, however, about the relatively low scores of the school (even though I recognize the shortcomings of standardized testing). I would very much appreciate hearing the thoughts and experiences of other parents with respect to Rolling Terrace, and the Spanish immersion program in particular. Thank you!

[Anonymous]

Are you sure that Rolling Terrace is NOT lottery based? My kids went to RCF but I remember applying for Rolling Terrace too.

[Anonymous]

Here is what it says on the MCPS web site about RT:

Rolling Terrace Elementary School’s Spanish Partial Immersion Program is available to transfer students by lottery only for seats not filled by Rolling Terrace Elementary School students.

http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/curriculum/specialprograms/elementary/immersion_spanish_elementary.shtm

[Anonymous]

OP here. It is my understanding that Rolling Terrace is NOT lottery based for children for whom it is their neighborhood school. To the extent the program has spaces available after those have been filled, those additional spaces for out-of-bounds children are lottery based.

[Anonymous]

DS attends the Spanish Immersion Program at Rolling Terrace. We are very pleased with the school. OP is correct; it is one of several immersion programs in the county that are open first to students in the school boundary and then to out of boundary students by lottery. The test scores do not necessarily give an accurate picture of Rolling Terrace. The teachers and administrators are hard working and caring. There is an active, vibrant PTA. And, in my opinion, there is little, if any, tension between immersion & non-immersion students. The fact that the school is partial immersion after Kindergarten seems to help with kids' getting to know each other regardless of program. I recommend the school. At this point, I can't think of too many negatives. When things have come up, I've found the administration to be very responsive to parent concerns. Try to visit an upcoming open house.