Which Bethesda elementary schools are likely to remain small for the next few years

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10/18/2025 10:51

Subject: Which Bethesda elementary schools are likely to remain small for the next few years

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Anonymous

Anonymous wrote:I would argue <100 kids is only meaningful vis-a-vis the number of teachers/sections per grade. Our school which has been listed above and is otherwise deemed underutilized always hovers between 3 overstuffed classes and 4 reasonable classes, but usually 3 sections and it sucks. There's an unpredictable sweet spot around here with DC area being such a transient place for the parents/job cost of living.

This person has it right. I don't live in MoCo anymore but I'm in a small district with 6 elementaries. When schools get population or program bulges that add (or don't add) a classroom per grade, it is a logistical consideration that lasts for years. Because moving up to 4 classrooms for a whole school means a new teacher for every grade. So don't look for enrollment of 100. Look for enrollment of 60-75 per grade.

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10/18/2025 11:56

Subject: Which Bethesda elementary schools are likely to remain small for the next few years

quote

Anonymous

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Bannockburn and Carderock Springs definitely - they are in an area with much higher property prices and low rental stock.

Bradley Hills (where my kids went) is a newer and bigger building that could accomodate more students, plus it is in an area with varied housing stock and more rental opportunities.

It could but enrollment has been staying pretty steady after the covid outflux to private schools. I think it'll stay small.

That was before Federal government layoffs and the similar adjustment to contractors and nonprofits.

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10/18/2025 12:07

Subject: Which Bethesda elementary schools are likely to remain small for the next few years

quote

Anonymous

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks for these responses. How about Wood Acres-- grade and class sizes?

Wood Acres is one of the bigger schools in the cluster. We liked it and I think the larger size made the transition to Pyle easier.

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10/20/2025 14:56

Subject: Which Bethesda elementary schools are likely to remain small for the next few years

quote

Anonymous

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks for these responses. How about Wood Acres-- grade and class sizes?

27 kids in K with one teacher. All IEP kids stuffed into one section.
On paper it's a great school, and if you have a very bright outgoing child who is a good at learning independently, then they will do great there. Otherwise - meh. I wish we bought in Bannockburn or VA. Ended up going to a private.