Viers Mill/Loiderman/Wheaton cluster

[Anonymous]

My child is really enjoying Wheaton. It's a beautiful, new school. The administration is great. Great teachers so far too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Viers Mill is a focus school, which means it has smaller classes in K-2 due to a higher poverty level at the school. This has pros and cons, obviously. The former principal, who was very well regarded, was promoted. Last year's principal did not survive for a second year, so hopefully someone can chime in to say how the new principal is doing.

The Loiderman middle school has the only arts magnet in the County. Wheaton High School has some special magnet programs, and is part of the DCC (down county consortium). I do not think Wheaton is generally considered the most desirable school in the DCC.

This seems to be an ongoing issue with Title 1 schools. If they get strong leadership the school starts to thrive because there have so much access to MCPS resources. Then as soon as the school starts to do a great job, these principals are promoted to another school (usually richer and better performing), and MCPS then gets the most inapt person to run the school. The title 1 salaries for teachers and administration should be among the highest and based on performance.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Ah, the infamous poor white people who want a unicorn - a single family home for under $350K, but where white people are the majority.

Good luck with that, OP.

Lol

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

New principal is doing very well. Well-liked by staff and parents, even though he is young and inexperienced. He seems to know what he doesn't know and is eager to learn (last year's principal's was older and experienced, but refused to admit that he was totally lost.) He implemented a new program this year for incoming kindergartner parents (kids will attend K in 2017-18) so that parents have the chance to observe K classes in progress, get a tour of the school, and have questions answered in a small group setting. There have been 2 or 3 so far, and will be a few more before K orientation. There is also a summer "camp" program for 2-3 weeks. It's not free like Title I ELO, but it's a preview of the first quarter of the upcoming grade and the students get to do some fun projects.

Kindergarten classes have 14-16 students this year, and relatively the same numbers for 1st and 2nd. Upper grades are more crowded, with about 25 per class. There is little turnover and changes in the number of classrooms per grade have usually meant that teachers shift grades. For example, last year 2nd grade teachers moved to 5th grade voluntarily when their positions were cut, rather than leave the school. There are several after school activities. Soccer, yoga, and karate are the most popular and constant, but there are also different science and music classes that are taught by outside vendors. The upper grades have a pretty dedicated chess team that just placed 7th out of all Maryland schools at the championship this weekend.

The PTA is relatively strong and is working on reaching out to all families, especially the Spanish-speaking parents who may have felt like they were on the sidelines before. I feel like there is a strong family presence in the building. Reading here, it seems like a lot of schools discourage parental involvement, and that is not the case at Viers Mill. Parents are welcomed to volunteer in the classroom.

After care is not great, but not horrific. Global gets a lot of complaints on DCUM, and the VM location was put on notice to get it together. There have been some changes, but it still could be improved. The good news is that people seem aware of the issues, and if they aren't resolved, they will probably not get their contract renewed.

Which neighborhood are you looking at? My guess is Holiday Park (walk to school) or Randolph Hills (ride the bus). Both are full of young families with a good community feel. It seems like some do move out of the area when the kids get to upper grades. I think that's more of just how it is when you're starting out and then later can afford more house, and not a reflection of the school, but it does exist.

For middle school, Viers Mill is part of the Middle School Magnet Consortium, which is three schools that each have a whole-school magnet specialty. Fifth graders rank their choices and are placed based on that, so even if Loiederman is closest, you're not automatically going there. Loiederman is visual and performing arts, Parkland is aerospace technology, and Argyle is digital design. For high school, the Downcounty Consortium does have home schools (Wheaton, in this case) but students can apply via lottery for a different school based on programs they're interested in, or for some test-in programs. Wheaton is moving up quickly, especially with its biomedical program. It's tough to say what things will look like in 13 years. I think Kennedy is really the only school left in the DCC that "nobody wants" (though I'm sure there are students there who are happy). Blair, Northwood, and Einstein are the other choices.

Overall, Viers Mill is going through some growing pains and has had a rough couple of years with the changes in administration and the loss of Title I. Under the longtime principal's direction, the school had amazing success, got the Blue Ribbon (first Title I school in MCPS to do so), had a visit from the President, and was a Great Schools ranking of 8 or 9. That ranking dropped a bit when the MSA switched over to PARCC and new strategies had to be worked out. After the principal was promoted, an acting principal was put in place who did not get a second year. Then last year's principal was brought in from another county, and failed miserably. So now VM is on its 4th principal in 4 years, so some adjustment is to be expected. But it looks like this one is here to stay and is making a positive impact.

As a fellow VMES parent, this is a spot on assessment of our school.

Families there are very down earth and there is a great mix of cultures, academic achievement, and socioeconomic backgrounds in both the student body and family involvement. Those who are obsessed with being part of a majority or on the other end of the spectrum, assigning privilege to others, either just wallow in their own toxicity or leave the school after a few years. I would advise the OP to cross check this with your own values.

The location is fabulous as you are about 40 minutes from all three airports, 10 min away from North Bethesda/South Rockville & Wheaton and a 10/15 minute drive from the Strathmoore, Wheaton, White Flint, Twinbrook metro stations. The most "walkable" destination is Rock Creek Trail though the Randolph Hills side is close to Boiling Brook Plaza (with a Jewish market).

[Anonymous]

I understand why the OP cares about her children having Jewish peers. Jewish children often go to Sunday school and Hebrew school that take place during times that their friends are playing sports or doing other activities. Many Jewish children end up hating Hebrew school and Sunday school (and then Judaism in general) because they'd rather be doing what their friends are doing. If they have friends going to Hebrew school and Sunday school, too, then being Jewish has a more positive appearance.

Additionally, the vast majority of other cultures all celebrate the same Christian holidays: Christmas, Easter, etc. Jews do not celebrate these and it can be very lonely for a child to be the only one not coming back to school after Winter Break talking about Christmas presents or after Spring Break talking about Easter baskets and Easter presents.

It's not fair to make digs at OP because most people commenting have no idea what it's like to be the only child in a particular situation in a classroom or in a school. I don't think the OP is asking for all the kids to be Jewish in the school, but she wants to make sure that her children will have Jewish friends in class each year. I think that's a reasonable request.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I understand why the OP cares about her children having Jewish peers. Jewish children often go to Sunday school and Hebrew school that take place during times that their friends are playing sports or doing other activities. Many Jewish children end up hating Hebrew school and Sunday school (and then Judaism in general) because they'd rather be doing what their friends are doing. If they have friends going to Hebrew school and Sunday school, too, then being Jewish has a more positive appearance.

Additionally, the vast majority of other cultures all celebrate the same Christian holidays: Christmas, Easter, etc. Jews do not celebrate these and it can be very lonely for a child to be the only one not coming back to school after Winter Break talking about Christmas presents or after Spring Break talking about Easter baskets and Easter presents.

It's not fair to make digs at OP because most people commenting have no idea what it's like to be the only child in a particular situation in a classroom or in a school. I don't think the OP is asking for all the kids to be Jewish in the school, but she wants to make sure that her children will have Jewish friends in class each year. I think that's a reasonable request.

I can understand her wanting her child to have some school friends who are Jewish. But what she said was,"not sure I prefer a school that is more than half hispanic." That is not a comment about the families she wants int eh school. It is a comment about who she doesn't want.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I understand why the OP cares about her children having Jewish peers. Jewish children often go to Sunday school and Hebrew school that take place during times that their friends are playing sports or doing other activities. Many Jewish children end up hating Hebrew school and Sunday school (and then Judaism in general) because they'd rather be doing what their friends are doing. If they have friends going to Hebrew school and Sunday school, too, then being Jewish has a more positive appearance.

Additionally, the vast majority of other cultures all celebrate the same Christian holidays: Christmas, Easter, etc. Jews do not celebrate these and it can be very lonely for a child to be the only one not coming back to school after Winter Break talking about Christmas presents or after Spring Break talking about Easter baskets and Easter presents.

It's not fair to make digs at OP because most people commenting have no idea what it's like to be the only child in a particular situation in a classroom or in a school. I don't think the OP is asking for all the kids to be Jewish in the school, but she wants to make sure that her children will have Jewish friends in class each year. I think that's a reasonable request.

I understand wanting to have religious peers for your child. While the school is shockingly majority Hispanic, the other groups are well represented. There are several Jewish families in the school, and I'm judging solely by the PTA representation. Surely there are more Jewish families who are not in the PTA as well. One of the neighborhoods surrounds a Jewish market.

[Anonymous]

Another VMES parent here and I agree with assessments so far. I want to add two things. For a variety of reasons, my spouse and I cannot attend PTA meetings or volunteer with a lot of the events, but we still feel very included through the list serve and attending events without helping put them on. There is definitely a core group of parents that seems to be the main force planning and putting on the events, but the PTA is not cliquish, like I've read here about other schools. Mostly low-key parents. The few times we've been able to help out, we've felt welcomed into that group.

Also agree that parents are allowed in the school to volunteer and I feel that there is good communication from teachers. I've emailed my children's teachers several times and gotten responses fairly quickly. Last year, there were some ongoing issues with my child and another student, and I felt that the teachers involved handled it well and kept us in the loop. I've been able to request another parent conference with no problem. Again, reading here, it seems like a lot of schools shut parents out and don't want to offer extra communication. That hasn't been my experience at VM.

[Anonymous]

Bumping for more recent feedback, especially about Viers Mill Elementary.

[Anonymous]

We live in the Rockville HS cluster and love it. My kids are at RCV and are thriving there. I like that the cluster is small. Feels like a true community.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My child is really enjoying Wheaton. It's a beautiful, new school. The administration is great. Great teachers so far too.

+1. DS is at Wheaton and loves it — it is beautiful! Teachers have been great and the kids bright and nice. And we are Jewish.

[Anonymous]

Bumping for more recent feedback, especially about Viers Mill Elementary.

Principal is in his stride and no longer feels "new" at the job. New AP this year (seems to be the thing across the county--APs are moved on to principal after 2-3 years) came from middle school and gets stuff done, especially re: discipline. She's laid back, but very approachable for parents. The class sizes are small in K-2, but jump starting in 3rd, which was a bit of a rough transition for my kid. But otherwise, the previous assessments are still accurate. Happy with the teachers, the communication, parent involvement, etc.

One of my kids is rally, really into art and the art teacher at VMES is amazing. We're hoping for Loiederman in the lottery when the time comes.

[Anonymous]

Viers Mill is probably on the short list as an ES that could get rezoned to the reopened Woodward, whenever it reopens.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Viers Mill is probably on the short list as an ES that could get rezoned to the reopened Woodward, whenever it reopens.

Not likely--school is under enrolled as it is, and enrollment is going down. They went down to 4 K classes this year, when they had 6 just a few years ago.

[Anonymous]

I can understand her wanting her child to have some school friends who are Jewish. But what she said was,"not sure I prefer a school that is more than half hispanic." That is not a comment about the families she wants int eh school. It is a comment about who she doesn't want.

Possibly but the demographic trend changes in MoCo are surprising. The MCPS hispanic population increased by what 30% while the white (inclusive of Jewish) population decreased by 20%. This has been far from uniform across the schools. Schools like Wheaton have seen a steady increase in hispanic students and decrease in white students. Schools in Potomac, Bethesda, North Potomac and parts of Rockville have seen increases in asian students rather than hispanic students and the white inclusive of Jewish population has also grown.

So if OP's kids are younger and she wants than to have fair amount of Jewish peers then looking at a school with a primarily non-Jewish demographic that is trending upward fast while the Jewish demographic is declining isn't the best gamble.