Churchill elementary

[Anonymous]

Also not impressed with the principal. He put an inexperienced teacher in a 4th grade AAP class. She had no AAP training or classroom experience. Needless to say, she was awful and shipped out to another school the following year. He also isn't strong enough against the parents or PTA. If you aren't from here, you'll be amazed at how organized the PTAs are around here.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Also not impressed with the principal. He put an inexperienced teacher in a 4th grade AAP class. She had no AAP training or classroom experience. Needless to say, she was awful and shipped out to another school the following year. He also isn't strong enough against the parents or PTA. If you aren't from here, you'll be amazed at how organized the PTAs are around here.

I would not send my kids there. At least, not without Xanax.

[Anonymous]

We live in the neighborhood and chose to go private. I'm glad we did only because we got terrific teacher to student ratios. That said, Churchhill is a great school, especially if you get into AAP, but the classes can be more than 33. I'm glad I put the money into small classes for the younger years but I sure would like that cash back right now! (you do know that privates are very expensive here, right?)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We live in the neighborhood and chose to go private. I'm glad we did only because we got terrific teacher to student ratios. That said, Churchhill is a great school, especially if you get into AAP, but the classes can be more than 33. I'm glad I put the money into small classes for the younger years but I sure would like that cash back right now! (you do know that privates are very expensive here, right?)

Average K size at Churchill Road this year 22.5 students. Average for Grades 1-3 is 24.9 students. Average for Grades 4-6 is 25.9 students. So the averages are well above the FCPS averages, but there are other schools with higher averages, including Wolftrap and Flint Hill in Vienna, Canterbury Woods in Fairfax, and Stratford Landing in Alexandria.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We live in the neighborhood and chose to go private. I'm glad we did only because we got terrific teacher to student ratios. That said, Churchhill is a great school, especially if you get into AAP, but the classes can be more than 33. I'm glad I put the money into small classes for the younger years but I sure would like that cash back right now! (you do know that privates are very expensive here, right?)[/quote

This poster is correct-private schools are criminally expensive, and to be honest, not worth it in McLean which has such good public options. Your best bet is to try public for a year and see what you think. I was very pro-private school, but it didn't work out, and we've been very happy with Churchill, esp if your kid gets into AAP. My friends in private complain about the lack of differentiation and social issues as well, so as much as you want to think private is a panacea, it really isn't. High school might be a different story as there are a lot of complaints about the culture at Langley High, but if you can save money in the elementary years and figure out what kind of student your child is going to be. Also, Longfellow Middle is the best in the county, as long as the powers that be don't ruin it as an option for AAP students-remains to be seen. All in all, the public options really are worth exploring before you fork over the money for private, which really only gets you a nicer facility, smaller class sizes, better arts/music, and maybe some social status if that is important. A better education, not so much..

[Anonymous]

You can't possibly say that about all private schools. The AAP classes are great, but they march right on whether your child is catching on or not. Easy to get lost. The education itself might not be better at all privates, but it may be better for your child to be in a smaller class size where it is recognized immediately if they are not understanding something. The AAP is awesome for a lot of kids, but for others, private is still better and worth the investment.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We live in the neighborhood and chose to go private. I'm glad we did only because we got terrific teacher to student ratios. That said, Churchhill is a great school, especially if you get into AAP, but the classes can be more than 33. I'm glad I put the money into small classes for the younger years but I sure would like that cash back right now! (you do know that privates are very expensive here, right?)

Average K size at Churchill Road this year 22.5 students. Average for Grades 1-3 is 24.9 students. Average for Grades 4-6 is 25.9 students. So the averages are well above the FCPS averages, but there are other schools with higher averages, including Wolftrap and Flint Hill in Vienna, Canterbury Woods in Fairfax, and Stratford Landing in Alexandria.

K classes at Churchill are actually 25, 24, 24, & 25 this year. I'm looking at an in-house Teacher/Class List with Student Count. 1-3 average is low too, I believe it's 26.5; 4-6 is 26.8 and that includes 5 classes at 30 or higher. This is probably better than it's been in a couple years, but point is those averages make the class sizes sound better than they are.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We live in the neighborhood and chose to go private. I'm glad we did only because we got terrific teacher to student ratios. That said, Churchhill is a great school, especially if you get into AAP, but the classes can be more than 33. I'm glad I put the money into small classes for the younger years but I sure would like that cash back right now! (you do know that privates are very expensive here, right?)[/quote

This poster is correct-private schools are criminally expensive, and to be honest, not worth it in McLean which has such good public options. Your best bet is to try public for a year and see what you think. I was very pro-private school, but it didn't work out, and we've been very happy with Churchill, esp if your kid gets into AAP. My friends in private complain about the lack of differentiation and social issues as well, so as much as you want to think private is a panacea, it really isn't. High school might be a different story as there are a lot of complaints about the culture at Langley High, but if you can save money in the elementary years and figure out what kind of student your child is going to be. Also, Longfellow Middle is the best in the county, as long as the powers that be don't ruin it as an option for AAP students-remains to be seen. All in all, the public options really are worth exploring before you fork over the money for private, which really only gets you a nicer facility, smaller class sizes, better arts/music, and maybe some social status if that is important. A better education, not so much..

This is not a black-and-white issue and this poster is really overgeneralizing, but it's a reasonable approach to try public and see how it works for your family, especially during the early grades.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We live in the neighborhood and chose to go private. I'm glad we did only because we got terrific teacher to student ratios. That said, Churchhill is a great school, especially if you get into AAP, but the classes can be more than 33. I'm glad I put the money into small classes for the younger years but I sure would like that cash back right now! (you do know that privates are very expensive here, right?)

Average K size at Churchill Road this year 22.5 students. Average for Grades 1-3 is 24.9 students. Average for Grades 4-6 is 25.9 students. So the averages are well above the FCPS averages, but there are other schools with higher averages, including Wolftrap and Flint Hill in Vienna, Canterbury Woods in Fairfax, and Stratford Landing in Alexandria.

K classes at Churchill are actually 25, 24, 24, & 25 this year. I'm looking at an in-house Teacher/Class List with Student Count. 1-3 average is low too, I believe it's 26.5; 4-6 is 26.8 and that includes 5 classes at 30 or higher. This is probably better than it's been in a couple years, but point is those averages make the class sizes sound better than they are.

I'm looking at the county information. Averages are averages.

http://www.fcps.edu/it/studentreporting/documents/ElmClassSizeAvg2013.pdf

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We live in the neighborhood and chose to go private. I'm glad we did only because we got terrific teacher to student ratios. That said, Churchhill is a great school, especially if you get into AAP, but the classes can be more than 33. I'm glad I put the money into small classes for the younger years but I sure would like that cash back right now! (you do know that privates are very expensive here, right?)

Average K size at Churchill Road this year 22.5 students. Average for Grades 1-3 is 24.9 students. Average for Grades 4-6 is 25.9 students. So the averages are well above the FCPS averages, but there are other schools with higher averages, including Wolftrap and Flint Hill in Vienna, Canterbury Woods in Fairfax, and Stratford Landing in Alexandria.

K classes at Churchill are actually 25, 24, 24, & 25 this year. I'm looking at an in-house Teacher/Class List with Student Count. 1-3 average is low too, I believe it's 26.5; 4-6 is 26.8 and that includes 5 classes at 30 or higher. This is probably better than it's been in a couple years, but point is those averages make the class sizes sound better than they are.

I'm looking at the county information. Averages are averages.

http://www.fcps.edu/it/studentreporting/documents/ElmClassSizeAvg2013.pdf

Wouldn't be the first time the county's reported info. is wrong. I have current accurate numbers at the school and (1) those averages you gave are low & incorrect and (2) even if they were correct, give a misimpression of how large many of the individual classes are.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We live in the neighborhood and chose to go private. I'm glad we did only because we got terrific teacher to student ratios. That said, Churchhill is a great school, especially if you get into AAP, but the classes can be more than 33. I'm glad I put the money into small classes for the younger years but I sure would like that cash back right now! (you do know that privates are very expensive here, right?)

Average K size at Churchill Road this year 22.5 students. Average for Grades 1-3 is 24.9 students. Average for Grades 4-6 is 25.9 students. So the averages are well above the FCPS averages, but there are other schools with higher averages, including Wolftrap and Flint Hill in Vienna, Canterbury Woods in Fairfax, and Stratford Landing in Alexandria.

K classes at Churchill are actually 25, 24, 24, & 25 this year. I'm looking at an in-house Teacher/Class List with Student Count. 1-3 average is low too, I believe it's 26.5; 4-6 is 26.8 and that includes 5 classes at 30 or higher. This is probably better than it's been in a couple years, but point is those averages make the class sizes sound better than they are.

I'm looking at the county information. Averages are averages.

http://www.fcps.edu/it/studentreporting/documents/ElmClassSizeAvg2013.pdf

Wouldn't be the first time the county's reported info. is wrong. I have current accurate numbers at the school and (1) those averages you gave are low & incorrect and (2) even if they were correct, give a misimpression of how large many of the individual classes are.

I'm more inclined to believe the FCPS information than whatever you think you know. You are an anonymous nobody who apparently doesn't understand what an average is.

[Anonymous]

The question becomes-, is it worth 30K a year for 4-6 kids less in a class (some privates in DC have up to 24 in a class) for elementary school? Versus saving for retirement, college funds, etc? I would definitely at least give it a try for a year. Kids always evolve in their personality from year to year, and every parent always has to reassess each year if public or private is still working for their child. Much harder to leave a private school though, so choose carefully going in!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Teachers are wonderful. Parents are crazy intense and take helicopter parenting to a new level.

YUP. They are nice about it, though.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We live in the neighborhood and chose to go private. I'm glad we did only because we got terrific teacher to student ratios. That said, Churchhill is a great school, especially if you get into AAP, but the classes can be more than 33. I'm glad I put the money into small classes for the younger years but I sure would like that cash back right now! (you do know that privates are very expensive here, right?)

Average K size at Churchill Road this year 22.5 students. Average for Grades 1-3 is 24.9 students. Average for Grades 4-6 is 25.9 students. So the averages are well above the FCPS averages, but there are other schools with higher averages, including Wolftrap and Flint Hill in Vienna, Canterbury Woods in Fairfax, and Stratford Landing in Alexandria.

K classes at Churchill are actually 25, 24, 24, & 25 this year. I'm looking at an in-house Teacher/Class List with Student Count. 1-3 average is low too, I believe it's 26.5; 4-6 is 26.8 and that includes 5 classes at 30 or higher. This is probably better than it's been in a couple years, but point is those averages make the class sizes sound better than they are.

I'm looking at the county information. Averages are averages.

http://www.fcps.edu/it/studentreporting/documents/ElmClassSizeAvg2013.pdf

Wouldn't be the first time the county's reported info. is wrong. I have current accurate numbers at the school and (1) those averages you gave are low & incorrect and (2) even if they were correct, give a misimpression of how large many of the individual classes are.

I'm more inclined to believe the FCPS information than whatever you think you know. You are an anonymous nobody who apparently doesn't understand what an average is.

I don't know what your angle is, we are all anonymous but assuming you and I are both telling the truth based on info we have access to: you seem to have no affiliation with the school or you wouldn't be citing the fcps website as your source. I am a current parent with both the directory and office supplied class count lists for PTA flyer copying purposes. Maybe you work at gatehouse because that's usually who is pretending the fcps data is accurate and motivated to pretend the class sizes are not so bad. Parents actually at these schools have a perfect understanding of "averages" and also how statistics can be manipulated and used to mislead.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We live in the neighborhood and chose to go private. I'm glad we did only because we got terrific teacher to student ratios. That said, Churchhill is a great school, especially if you get into AAP, but the classes can be more than 33. I'm glad I put the money into small classes for the younger years but I sure would like that cash back right now! (you do know that privates are very expensive here, right?)

Average K size at Churchill Road this year 22.5 students. Average for Grades 1-3 is 24.9 students. Average for Grades 4-6 is 25.9 students. So the averages are well above the FCPS averages, but there are other schools with higher averages, including Wolftrap and Flint Hill in Vienna, Canterbury Woods in Fairfax, and Stratford Landing in Alexandria.

K classes at Churchill are actually 25, 24, 24, & 25 this year. I'm looking at an in-house Teacher/Class List with Student Count. 1-3 average is low too, I believe it's 26.5; 4-6 is 26.8 and that includes 5 classes at 30 or higher. This is probably better than it's been in a couple years, but point is those averages make the class sizes sound better than they are.

I'm looking at the county information. Averages are averages.

http://www.fcps.edu/it/studentreporting/documents/ElmClassSizeAvg2013.pdf

Wouldn't be the first time the county's reported info. is wrong. I have current accurate numbers at the school and (1) those averages you gave are low & incorrect and (2) even if they were correct, give a misimpression of how large many of the individual classes are.

I'm more inclined to believe the FCPS information than whatever you think you know. You are an anonymous nobody who apparently doesn't understand what an average is.

I don't know what your angle is, we are all anonymous but assuming you and I are both telling the truth based on info we have access to: you seem to have no affiliation with the school or you wouldn't be citing the fcps website as your source. I am a current parent with both the directory and office supplied class count lists for PTA flyer copying purposes. Maybe you work at gatehouse because that's usually who is pretending the fcps data is accurate and motivated to pretend the class sizes are not so bad. Parents actually at these schools have a perfect understanding of "averages" and also how statistics can be manipulated and used to mislead.

There is nothing misleading about an average. The data was of October 2013. Since then the school has only added one student.