Norwood vs. Green Acres? Pros & Cons?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Green Acres is a really happy and engaging place. DS is eager to go to school every day. He comes home and talks excitedly about what he is doing in school, particularly in science, language arts and social studies. We appreciate that the curriculum is developmentally appropriate and makes connections to the real world. We especially love the amount of time spent outdoors. DS is challenged without being stressed which is just what we wanted. He has a cousin at Norwood in the same grade. The main difference is that Norwood teaches in a traditional format and Green Acres is progressive. Lots of leaning by doing, collaboration and applying concepts to real world problems. This authentic approach really engages DS.

Green Acres is small which has worked well for us. The teachers really understand my son's strengths and weaknesses. They have worked with him to better organize himself and find his voice in the classroom. When he had a health issue in the fall, everyone at the school was wonderfully supportive so he didn't fall behind.

Green Acres is a very special place!

+1 !

[Anonymous]

Norwood's high school placement list:
http://www.norwoodschool.org/Page/Program/High-School-Placement

Green Acres high school placement list:
http://www.greenacres.org/page.cfm?p=1969

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't know if it matters to the OP, but Norwood has a stronger academic reputation. This is not take anything away from Green Acres. Depends on your kid's needs.

I'm curious as to the formula that predicates "stronger academics"?

I keep seeing it pop up in other threads.

If it's endless homework and constant testing, no thanks.

Yes at Norwood there is endless homework. Heavy homework after a longer day 8am-3.30 from grade 3 onwards. Spelling every week, but not testing on all the words, which seems like a total waste of time.

[Anonymous]

Norwood also has clear discipline issues. Boys mostly, who are permitted to run amok without consequence (except negative consequences for the other children in class...).

[Anonymous]

Much higher number of applications to Norwood this year and excellent high school placement track record. Also check out the school's Facebook page to see students' athletic, academic and artistic achievements. Voted by readers of Bethesda Magazine as Best 2016 K-8 school in the area.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Norwood for sure. It's a gem of a school. Warm and child-centered. Character education and community service focused with strong academics in a whole child focused spot. The Head of School is incredibly engaged and taking the school in a solid direction. You will love the community and your child will thrive.

Can you elaborate?

As parents at Norwood we have found him to be a nice guy but really not very leader-like. He leaves early for the community sing a longs - really? They are only about 45 mins, does he have to leave? I think the new head would make sure he could greet people on their way out. Honestly I've seen him blushing as he hides the food he is eating at his desk - it doesn't really scream LEADER to me...

[Anonymous]

Oh my god, you are beyond weird.

If you are the same negative poster in this and other threads (incessantly complaining about the most bizarre issues), I hope that March 1 brought you an offer from another school that will be a better match of your expectations.

Go forth and never come back!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Oh my god, you are beyond weird.

If you are the same negative poster in this and other threads (incessantly complaining about the most bizarre issues), I hope that March 1 brought you an offer from another school that will be a better match of your expectations.

Go forth and never come back!

lack of discipline, poor teachers, weak math curriculum, useless LS head? sure those are totally weird issues that never get complained about by any other person or for any other school. you're the weirdo.

[Anonymous]

OK, just to make you leave the school, I will gladly concede that Norwood is all that. It's a bad, bad school and you should not waste another minute of your time or money on it.

So, I repeat: Go forth and never come back.

[Anonymous]

Describe your child's learning style, personality, ability level, your family and what your "perfect school" would be and I can give you advice...Do you belong to a country club and drive a lexus or do you drive an old mini-van and compost?

[Anonymous]

I have no experience with Green Acres so I can not compare, as most families are not truly able too.
We were at Norwood in the past and the music program is amazing. Some teachers were great, others not. Same with the other families. The kids move around from class to class and this works for some, but not all kids. The families that I know who are still there like the new Head. Mrs. Simpson's is a thing most kids participate in outside of school so look that up and see if you are into it. That could be a telling sign either way. Overall it's an upbeat place to go to school with lots of after school options that we miss now. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Well okay then, I see a lot of folks with axes to grind!

OP we were faced with this exact same choice in 2005. I personally wanted GA because I went to a school like that, not as structured and more "free range". In fact the reason we even wanted private school was because of my experience at that school.

That said, we ended up going with Norwood because I realized after careful contemplation that my son would not do well in an environment with less structure. He lacked self discipline and I knew he wouldn't do well if left to make his own choices.

I am still sad about it but Norwood was the better choice for him. I would urge you to think carefully about which school you think your son would thrive in, they are very different environments so the choice should be clear.

Both are good schools, you can't go wrong as long as you choose the one that suits his personality. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have no experience with Green Acres so I can not compare, as most families are not truly able too.
We were at Norwood in the past and the music program is amazing. Some teachers were great, others not. Same with the other families. The kids move around from class to class and this works for some, but not all kids. The families that I know who are still there like the new Head. Mrs. Simpson's is a thing most kids participate in outside of school so look that up and see if you are into it. That could be a telling sign either way. Overall it's an upbeat place to go to school with lots of after school options that we miss now. Good luck!

That is absolutely not true. Very few kids in my child's grade did that and it was a completely insignificant factor!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OK, just to make you leave the school, I will gladly concede that Norwood is all that. It's a bad, bad school and you should not waste another minute of your time or money on it.

So, I repeat: Go forth and never come back.

Are you a Norwood parent? You sound unstable.

[Anonymous]

We have been at Norwood for many years, with two children. We don't belong to a country club, and our children do not go to Mrs. Simpsons. One of my daughters' friends does go to Mrs. Simpsons - supposedly it is 15% of their current class that goes. (10 kids)