What makes your child's elementary school stand out?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We've loved Kensington Parkwood. A few clarifications: the building isn't all that old (2005) but the school population has grown dramatically so the school needs more space already. It is in the pipeline for additional renovations through MCPS. A pp is correct that Walter Johnson HS doesn't have IB; it does have a special "APEX program" for students wanting more challenge (http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/wjhs/programs/apex/program_info.aspx).

Anonymous wrote:
-Parkwood Elementary in Kensington has the CETA program, which pairs them with the Kennedy Center for some really interesting exposure to the arts, feeds up to Walter Johnson HS which has International Baccalaureate: http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/parkwoodes/artsintegration/ I've heard good things about this school from a community perspective, downside is that the building is older and I think they're looking to renovate it, though I'm not sure when that will happen. Here's a link to the last I saw published on that, though there's likely more updated info out there somewhere: https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/construction/studies/Docs/KensingtonParkwoodESFeasibility.pdf

Another vote for Kensington Parkwood. It's a great school and the people are pretty are pretty low key and nice.

[Anonymous]

OP, do you plan to rent or buy? As military and depending on your "Q", that might help you pick your neighborhood. Also, if your husband will be working in Bethesda, does that mean Walter Reed/Bethesda Naval Hospital? That's a little north of downtown Bethesda and puts some good schools immediately north of the Hospital, and a little east (Kensingto Parkwood) is more affordable (but not Garrett Park).

We live in N. Bethesda and have a child at Luxmanor. I'd recommend it, except that the building is old and they are expecting to have the kids in a holding school in a couple of years to do a reno/rebuild. The school one neighborhood over, Farmland, is brand new and it's in a slight more affordable community. Both Luxmanor and Farmland have townhouse communities that feed into them, which gives you a wider range of housing options.

Really, no IB at WJ? please say why you think that PP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
Really, no IB at WJ? please say why you think that PP.

WJ has AP classes.

IB Programs in MCPS: B-CC, Einstein, Kennedy, Richard Montgomery, Rockville, Seneca Valley, Springbrook, Watkins Mill. (http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/curriculum/specialprograms/high/ib.aspx) Richard Montgomery has a countywide, test-in program, while the other schools' programs are for local students.

[Anonymous]

[quote=Anonymous]We are moving to the area in the fall. My husband will be working in Bethesda. We have 2 children that will do the majority of elementary school while we are there. In looking at neighborhoods, we will likely try to live in Bethesda, Kensington, Rockville, Potomac, or North Potomac. I have looked at great schools, and read lots of these forum posts. What I would love to hear in trying to narrow our school search is what makes your school unique (good and bad). Extracurriculars, great principal, involved parents, etc...anyone really love their kids school?[/quote]

Read between the lines on all the advice you are getting here! all MCPS schools are basically teaching to the test scores, so the more homogenous the school, the better they are at what they teach because they do not have to be "all over the place". so pick what you need and the neighborhood that is most homogenous with what you need! most of the close-in schools are not homogenous.

[Anonymous]

My children love love love their specials in PE ART MUSIC AND COMPUTERS in Montgomery Knolls.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The parent community and principal stand out for me at Westbrook Elementary School. I have never seen such dedicated and friendly involvement in a school. Definitely check this school out and the surrounding neighborhood. It is a gem.

Most importantly we have lots of money. But we do share with those less privileged.

[Anonymous]

How is the principal at luxmanor? How does he regard kids on an IEP it attending typical classes?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How is the principal at luxmanor? How does he regard kids on an IEP it attending typical classes?

I'm thinking it will be more helpful if you start a new topic--this is a thread from 2014!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We are a military family and anticipate being in the area 5-10 years. We have 2 children. The oldest wont start school until 2015, so there is a good possibility we will be moving prior to the start of MS for either of them. A great MS would be a BONUS, but it is far enough away that we could consider moving again if we are still in the area.

We are open to any neighborhood that is safe and within a 45 min commute to Bethesda. The closer the better. Seems like to be closer we will have to choose something little older/outdated to stay in our budget, but we are ok with that if we will have better resale value, safety, and or quailty of school.

I am not looking for the Harvard of elementary schools, and they are both too young to have shown a strong interest in any particular thing yet. We are trying to raise grounded, resilient, altruistic kids. Hopefully we can find a school environment that will encourage those things as well.

We are looking safe place, where they will get a solid foundational education, with a strong sense of community, a principal who is liked and respected, and where parental involvement will be encouraged. (Some other threads seems to imply some schools were only inclusive to parents when fundraising was involved)

Sorry this sounds so idealistic...I know every school will have it's mean kids and give too much homework, etc. Just want to feel like we are part of a team. We do not want to feel like the school is stretched too thin, and the parents are all mad at the world, and everyone is just counting down the days till the end of the year.

Again, thank you all for taking the time to respond. I am feeling much more optimistic than when just perusing the other threads!

Come live in Bannockburn, Bethesda, I would love to be your neighbor! Join the community pool too.

[Anonymous]

The PTA at Ashburton are really wonderful.

All of the teachers are hard working and dedicated, however the Principal leaves much to be desired.

[Anonymous]

Ashburton has awesome PTA and teachers but it is so crowded that there has been a loss of community feel, if that is what you are looking for. It is larger than the new middle school in Kensington!

[Anonymous]

My kid sits on an overturned garbage can and uses his lap for a desk at Ashburton. Yeah, it's really great here.

[Anonymous]

It begins with the letter "W"

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kid sits on an overturned garbage can and uses his lap for a desk at Ashburton. Yeah, it's really great here.

I call bullshit.

That may have happened on the first day of school (and it would have been a brand new, clean trash bin) as many new residents who'd moved from outside of the region waited until the first day of school to register their child.
There was absolutely no way the school could have known or prepared for that many new registrants without a prior advisement, however that issue was quickly rectified by the 2nd day of school.

So, you're either talking semantics or just flat out lying... which is it?

Why would you have allowed your kid to sit on a garbage can for the entire year, huh?
You just took note of it, allowed it to happen all year & then came here to bitch about it, lol?

Name the heartless teacher who forced your kid to go all year long sitting on a garbage can, or everyone will know that you're a troll & a liar.

[Anonymous]

2014 thread...stop posting...