Westbrook Elem or Stone Ridge Private School?

[Anonymous]

DD is currently enrolled in PK at Stone Ridge but we are considering for K having her move to Westbrook Elem. Can current parents provide thoughts on Westbrook with the new principal, the expansion, class sizes etc? Any information would be greatly appreciated.

[Anonymous]

I've heard its not as good as it used to be. Large classes (although that seems to be the norm at every public these days), very old building, mediocre principal, etc. Basically, it doesn't seem to compare well to some of the other Bethesda or Potomac elementaries (Bannockburn, Bradley Hills, etc.). Also, it feeds into Westland MS -- supposedly a mess. You'd likely be living through many years of trailors and construction if you moved your child to Westbrook now -- and then you'd have to contend with Westland. If you can afford it, you should probably stay at Stone Ridge.

[Anonymous]

I thought Westbrook ES fed into White Oak MS.

[Anonymous]

Westbrook goes to Westland.

I recommend you go visit Westbrook and make a decision.

[Anonymous]

If its the Westbrook ES off of Mass. Ave, it feeds into Westland MS.

[Anonymous]

DC is at Westbrook and we love it, with the exception of the large classes. So please stay at Stone Ridge and keep our classes from getting yet larger. (JK)

[Anonymous]

I vote Stone Ridge, if you can afford it going forward.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I've heard its not as good as it used to be. Large classes (although that seems to be the norm at every public these days), very old building, mediocre principal, etc. Basically, it doesn't seem to compare well to some of the other Bethesda or Potomac elementaries (Bannockburn, Bradley Hills, etc.). Also, it feeds into Westland MS -- supposedly a mess. You'd likely be living through many years of trailors and construction if you moved your child to Westbrook now -- and then you'd have to contend with Westland. If you can afford it, you should probably stay at Stone Ridge.

This is so true. 10nyrs ago it was equal or better than most privates. Then it was overrun.

[Anonymous]

What has changed so much? Is it just overcrowding or has the teaching quality decreased etct?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What has changed so much? Is it just overcrowding or has the teaching quality decreased etct?

Overcrowding is a lot of it. Plus, just changing the size of the school so dramatically changed the climate of the school from one of a warm, intimate, tight-knit community school to a larger, more anonymous one. A new principal arrived just as the school began to grow and he wasn't so great as the previous principals were. He didn't 'get' the culture of the school. Many of the more experienced, long term teachers left or retired. The parent community changed...more working moms, fewer at home moms (and this is NOT a judgment, but just a fact that changes the climate of the school. For better or worse, there was a lot of community building that took place between parents standing on the lawn waiting for dismissal vs some of the cliquishness that is seen there now: an us vs. them mentality that is ugly) Also, the culture of the surrounding neighborhoods changed. While there always seemed to be a solid core of highly educated folks, they weren't always the most affluent or competitive sort. There seemed to be a grounded-ness and down-to-earth, warm, welcoming character to Westbrook that is now diminished.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What has changed so much? Is it just overcrowding or has the teaching quality decreased etct?

Overcrowding is a lot of it. Plus, just changing the size of the school so dramatically changed the climate of the school from one of a warm, intimate, tight-knit community school to a larger, more anonymous one. A new principal arrived just as the school began to grow and he wasn't so great as the previous principals were. He didn't 'get' the culture of the school. Many of the more experienced, long term teachers left or retired. The parent community changed...more working moms, fewer at home moms (and this is NOT a judgment, but just a fact that changes the climate of the school. For better or worse, there was a lot of community building that took place between parents standing on the lawn waiting for dismissal vs some of the cliquishness that is seen there now: an us vs. them mentality that is ugly) Also, the culture of the surrounding neighborhoods changed. While there always seemed to be a solid core of highly educated folks, they weren't always the most affluent or competitive sort. There seemed to be a grounded-ness and down-to-earth, warm, welcoming character to Westbrook that is now diminished.

Interesting -- your post could also describe the changes I've seen at Somerset in recent years, not with respect to the neighborhood, but very similar to the school's evolving culture.

[Anonymous]

At the end of 12th grade, if your kid does well at either they will be going to the same colleges as people who go to both schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:At the end of 12th grade, if your kid does well at either they will be going to the same colleges as people who go to both schools.

Is this your rationale for sending your child to public??

[Anonymous]

Not sure when 23:21 had kids there - I think it must have been under the last principal's term (Mr. Ewald), which ended last year. My DC's in K this year, so we haven't been there long. There is a new principal this year (Ms. Jones), who seems pretty good - active and responsive to the parent community.

Pros: Incredible K teachers (sorry, just don't know the other grades so well, so won't speak to that) who go a million times above & beyond the call of duty every day for our kids. Yes, there are 20 kids/teacher with no aide, but parent volunteers and student interns are in the classroom nearly every day. I was impressed at how quickly our teacher got to know the quirks & abilities of every child in the classroom. The extremely active PTA & parent body makes sure that many of the extras are still there (artist in residence programs, music teacher, etc), even in a time of budget cuts.

Cons: They are about to undergo a big renovation to add a gym and extra classroom space. During construction, there will be more limited playground space. The physical condition of the existing building is also a bit shoddy - needs paint, needs general sprucing up. Also, with no gym currently, there are very limited opportunities for active play on rainy days/after school.

It is a real neighborhood school, which cuts both ways. On the one hand, we've really gotten to know our neighbors at last and it is great to have playdates where the kids can get together more spontaneously - just walk up the street. Its also nice to be able to walk to school (or DC can take the 5 min bus ride, which is pretty fun).

On the other hand, there is very little diversity at the school (since there isn't much in our neighborhood either, as you probably already know if you live here).

If you're curious about Westbrook, call the school secretary and ask to come in for a tour.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Not sure when 23:21 had kids there - I think it must have been under the last principal's term (Mr. Ewald), which ended last year. My DC's in K this year, so we haven't been there long. There is a new principal this year (Ms. Jones), who seems pretty good - active and responsive to the parent community.

Pros: Incredible K teachers (sorry, just don't know the other grades so well, so won't speak to that) who go a million times above & beyond the call of duty every day for our kids. Yes, there are 20 kids/teacher with no aide, but parent volunteers and student interns are in the classroom nearly every day. I was impressed at how quickly our teacher got to know the quirks & abilities of every child in the classroom. The extremely active PTA & parent body makes sure that many of the extras are still there (artist in residence programs, music teacher, etc), even in a time of budget cuts.

Cons: They are about to undergo a big renovation to add a gym and extra classroom space. During construction, there will be more limited playground space. The physical condition of the existing building is also a bit shoddy - needs paint, needs general sprucing up. Also, with no gym currently, there are very limited opportunities for active play on rainy days/after school.

It is a real neighborhood school, which cuts both ways. On the one hand, we've really gotten to know our neighbors at last and it is great to have playdates where the kids can get together more spontaneously - just walk up the street. Its also nice to be able to walk to school (or DC can take the 5 min bus ride, which is pretty fun).

On the other hand, there is very little diversity at the school (since there isn't much in our neighborhood either, as you probably already know if you live here).

If you're curious about Westbrook, call the school secretary and ask to come in for a tour.

Are you at all aware of how incredibly LUCKY you are to have a kiindergarten class with just 20 kids in it (yes, even with one teacher?) That is A-MAZING.