Elementary Schools in Bethesda

[Anonymous]

Hi!
We are planning a move into Bethesda and I am trying to find out about the elementary schools. Does anyone have an opinion on ones that are better to be near? I hear they are all good. What about Wyngate or Bethesda? Thanks.

[Anonymous]

Visit Wyngate. Look out back. A dozen modular classrooms. Addition some day....

BE housing likely more pricey. Same with Bradley Hills--a good school too.

Look at mcps website for testing scores, crowding, etc.

[Anonymous]

I am a very happy Wyngate parent, so read my response with that mind.

Yes, the school is totally overcrowded right now. I think we have 10 portables in use. An addition has been approved and is going to start this upcoming school year. The addition will be finished and open for use in Fall 2013. You will be hard pressed to find an elementary school in Bethesda that is not crowded (I think Carderock is not), so I definitely wouldn't make that a deal breaker.

I find the Wyngate community to a be a perfect combo of living in Bethesda while not being "snotty" like so many people think of this general area. Families value the great education, are very involved in PTA activities, and the Principal of the school runs a tight ship (in a, I think, good way)...

I know Bethesda well and there are only a couple of other neighborhoods that I might prefer to live in but I couldn't live in a house of this size if I were to live in them...If I were looking to live in the Whitman district, I'd look at Bradley Hills or Wood Acres. But for several reasons I actually would prefer my kids attend WJ, rather than Whitman, so I'm sticking with Wyngate.

Good Luck and if you have specific questions I might answer, ask away!

[Anonymous]

Try Carderock - brand new school opened this year -- or Seven Locks -- brand new school being built right now.

[Anonymous]

All of the schools in Bethesda are comparable, IMO. We are very happy at Ashburton, but most people seem happy with their respective schools. I don't think you can go wrong anywhere.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:All of the schools in Bethesda are comparable, IMO. We are very happy at Ashburton, but most people seem happy with their respective schools. I don't think you can go wrong anywhere.

I agree with this. (Also note that if you aren't entering in the next year or two or three t's very hard to project who will be more overcrowded in the future).

[Anonymous]

What about Rosemary Hills?

[Anonymous]

Try Carderock - brand new school opened this year -- or Seven Locks -- brand new school being built right now.

A new or renovated school building is nice, but I think it's pretty low on the list of qualifications for a good school. Besides, with a construction plan already in place (with construction date) for Wyngate, the portables are about to go. Many schools are "slated" for renovation and will be for years and years because of the budget.

OP, really, any elem school is Bethesda is going to be great. In this case, I would choose your house first and not worry so much about which particular school the neighborhood is assigned to.

[Anonymous]

I would not pick a school that is slated for renovation. Two years of dust, noise, safety concerns.....etc. The physical environment is very important to me. Some people don't mind portables, but I do. I also know that teachers do not like them so portables have an affect on their morale. I would also pick Carderock or Seven Locks. Renovated schools also get the technology from MCPS (I never understood the rationale behind it). Old schools have to raise money for technology.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would not pick a school that is slated for renovation. Two years of dust, noise, safety concerns.....etc. The physical environment is very important to me. Some people don't mind portables, but I do. I also know that teachers do not like them so portables have an affect on their morale. I would also pick Carderock or Seven Locks. Renovated schools also get the technology from MCPS (I never understood the rationale behind it). Old schools have to raise money for technology.

The kids love being in portables.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I know Bethesda well and there are only a couple of other neighborhoods that I might prefer to live in but I couldn't live in a house of this size if I were to live in them...If I were looking to live in the Whitman district, I'd look at Bradley Hills or Wood Acres. But for several reasons I actually would prefer my kids attend WJ, rather than Whitman, so I'm sticking with Wyngate.

Agree with this parent. We're in Whitman, and I would be really happy to be in WJ cluster.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would not pick a school that is slated for renovation. Two years of dust, noise, safety concerns.....etc. The physical environment is very important to me. Some people don't mind portables, but I do. I also know that teachers do not like them so portables have an affect on their morale. I would also pick Carderock or Seven Locks. Renovated schools also get the technology from MCPS (I never understood the rationale behind it). Old schools have to raise money for technology.

The kids love being in portables.

Portables cover homeroom only. Still one single crowded lunchroom, art room, library stocked for a much smaller student body, music room, etc. Would avoid over-crowded schools if possible. The addition of classrooms only doesn't solve whole over crowding issue IMO.

[Anonymous]

What is the WJ cluster?

[Anonymous]

WJ Cluster=the neighborhoods with elem and middle schools which later send the kids to Walter Johnson High School....

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would not pick a school that is slated for renovation. Two years of dust, noise, safety concerns.....etc. The physical environment is very important to me. Some people don't mind portables, but I do. I also know that teachers do not like them so portables have an affect on their morale. I would also pick Carderock or Seven Locks. Renovated schools also get the technology from MCPS (I never understood the rationale behind it). Old schools have to raise money for technology.

I am 100% with you.