GlenAllen vs Westover vs Flower Valley ES

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here, so it sounds like it is better to wait for the right home zoned for OTES, Flower Valley, or Westover in 20904? Although if we buy a home zoned for Westover, I know there are concerns about White Oak Middle, but HS offers the option for Blake.

10723 Drumm just hit the market, OP - looks gorgeous. We have friends on the block of Drumm, it’s nice and quiet, walkable to Kenmont Pool and the Wheaton Mall. Just sayin’

I saw, house looks great. Just concerned about the yard and 9/10 flood factor.

As someone who lives not far, the flood factor seems off. There are parts of the OTES area that definitely have that issue, but that part of Drumm doesn’t seem like it would be one of them. Worth asking out, in any case. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here, so it sounds like it is better to wait for the right home zoned for OTES, Flower Valley, or Westover in 20904? Although if we buy a home zoned for Westover, I know there are concerns about White Oak Middle, but HS offers the option for Blake.

If you're looking at Flower Valley, you might also consider Barnsley and Rock Creek Valley. They all feed to Wood middle and Rockville high. These schools will have more of a community feeling because kids will stay in the same schools with their friends all through the years, as contrasted to the schools in the NEC and DCC, where many kids end up heading in different directions because of the choice process.

We live in FV and love it. But we literally found out tonight our principal is retiring at the end of the year and I am really bummed. So there’s going to be some uncertainty with the school during the transition. Such a shame because we have been really happy thus far.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here, so it sounds like it is better to wait for the right home zoned for OTES, Flower Valley, or Westover in 20904? Although if we buy a home zoned for Westover, I know there are concerns about White Oak Middle, but HS offers the option for Blake.

If you're looking at Flower Valley, you might also consider Barnsley and Rock Creek Valley. They all feed to Wood middle and Rockville high. These schools will have more of a community feeling because kids will stay in the same schools with their friends all through the years, as contrasted to the schools in the NEC and DCC, where many kids end up heading in different directions because of the choice process.

We live in FV and love it. But we literally found out tonight our principal is retiring at the end of the year and I am really bummed. So there’s going to be some uncertainty with the school during the transition. Such a shame because we have been really happy thus far.

To be clear the principal of FVES is retiring.

[Anonymous]

“ My kids no longer go to Glenallan, but a few years back, it was thriving.”

Same. My oldest went there for a few years and had really good teachers and a positive experience. That was under the prior principal; don’t know the current one.

But we moved because we didn’t see the MS and HS options as viable.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here, so it sounds like it is better to wait for the right home zoned for OTES, Flower Valley, or Westover in 20904? Although if we buy a home zoned for Westover, I know there are concerns about White Oak Middle, but HS offers the option for Blake.

If you're looking at Flower Valley, you might also consider Barnsley and Rock Creek Valley. They all feed to Wood middle and Rockville high. These schools will have more of a community feeling because kids will stay in the same schools with their friends all through the years, as contrasted to the schools in the NEC and DCC, where many kids end up heading in different directions because of the choice process.

We live in FV and love it. But we literally found out tonight our principal is retiring at the end of the year and I am really bummed. So there’s going to be some uncertainty with the school during the transition. Such a shame because we have been really happy thus far.

She's a decent principal, but not amazing. FV may end up with someone even better. Your kid's experience in ES is more contingent on the teachers they get each year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here, so it sounds like it is better to wait for the right home zoned for OTES, Flower Valley, or Westover in 20904? Although if we buy a home zoned for Westover, I know there are concerns about White Oak Middle, but HS offers the option for Blake.

If you're looking at Flower Valley, you might also consider Barnsley and Rock Creek Valley. They all feed to Wood middle and Rockville high. These schools will have more of a community feeling because kids will stay in the same schools with their friends all through the years, as contrasted to the schools in the NEC and DCC, where many kids end up heading in different directions because of the choice process.

We live in FV and love it. But we literally found out tonight our principal is retiring at the end of the year and I am really bummed. So there’s going to be some uncertainty with the school during the transition. Such a shame because we have been really happy thus far.

She's a decent principal, but not amazing. FV may end up with someone even better. Your kid's experience in ES is more contingent on the teachers they get each year.

I like the assistant principal a lot and am hopeful we will end up with some one good as a replacement but I think this type of transition can be difficult for the school. Agree we have been very lucky with wonderful teachers so far so hopefully that will keep up regardless.

[Anonymous]

Keep an eye on North Sherwood Forest neighborhood. I know there will be listings in the next year. Good luck!

Westover is fine if your kid is neuro-typical. Most teachers are great, really small school and community. Bullying issues should be in check by the time your daughter is enrolled.

I'd sell you our house if it didn't need so much updating. I think we need to move to Howard County where all the schools have great programs and there isn't a magnet lottery! I would miss the diversity in MoCo though.

[Anonymous]

OP- I would recommend Flower Valley ES. Solid school in a well-loved neighborhood with a nice small community feel to it.

[Anonymous]

Westover is amazing. The community, the teachers, the principal and ASA. We couldn’t ask for a better school. Class sizes average below 20 and most families in the community send their kids there. Robin Hood Swim club is across the street which brings neighborhood fun to the community with swim team, events etc. Sherwood Forest is a fantastic neighborhood- you should look there!

[Anonymous]

All MCPS schools are about the same even use the same curriculum. You should select the community the best fits your needs.

[Anonymous]

I too have a kid that goes to Glenallan. It's fine. I definitely agree with those who say it was better under the previous principal, Mr. Moran. He has since moved to a role in central office.