Does anyone have experience with Chevy Chase Elementary?

[Anonymous]

I'm considering this school among several and wondering what people have to say about it. I read some slightly negative things on GreatSchools.net about the lack of an open atmosphere and poor communication--kind of a leadership attitude problem. I'm wondering if this is a common experience there--I'd rather not rely on GreatSchools for info. How much do the highly gifted kids mix with the rest of the school, and do they ever learn with eachother? Any experience on how kids with mild special needs/unique learners do there?

Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm considering this school among several and wondering what people have to say about it. I read some slightly negative things on GreatSchools.net about the lack of an open atmosphere and poor communication--kind of a leadership attitude problem. I'm wondering if this is a common experience there--I'd rather not rely on GreatSchools for info. How much do the highly gifted kids mix with the rest of the school, and do they ever learn with eachother? Any experience on how kids with mild special needs/unique learners do there?

Thanks!

I visited CC when considering four schools last year. The principal never answered my email, I went and walked through the school. Main office was not welcoming either. I highly recommend Cold Spring Elementary in Potomac. Best principal, best staff, best students--- very nice community. Go and visit, you will be impressed for sure. Mr. Barnett is the principal everyone would love to have.

[Anonymous]

Thanks very much for the suggestion. That may be a little far but I will keep it in mind.

[Anonymous]

The Cold Spring principal is retiring next week. I wouldn't ever suggest letting one staff member determine your choice of school--turnover in schools is very high. That person could be gone within one year.

[Anonymous]

The parents and kids I know all have great things to say about CCES. Keep in mind it's a 3-6 school (likely switching to 3-5 when a new middle school is built), with Rosemary Hills being the K-2 partner/feeder school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The Cold Spring principal is retiring next week. I wouldn't ever suggest letting one staff member determine your choice of school--turnover in schools is very high. That person could be gone within one year.

The Cold Spring principal is NOT retiring next week. Generally speaking, the principal is not any staff member. It matters if the principal is a true leader or just an administrator. At Cold Spring, the principal is an outstanding leader. As a consequence, staff turnover is almost zero. This yea rtwo teachers retired after 20 years at Cold Spring.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: It matters if the principal is a true leader or just an administrator.

IME what matters most is the quality of the teachers and the support they get from the parents and admin staff (including the principal). Maybe I don't really know what a principal who is a "true leader" would look like, but I am a little sceptical about the importance of "leadership".

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: It matters if the principal is a true leader or just an administrator.

IME what matters most is the quality of the teachers and the support they get from the parents and admin staff (including the principal). Maybe I don't really know what a principal who is a "true leader" would look like, but I am a little sceptical about the importance of "leadership".

Then experience a disinterested principal, as we did, and you'll understand the difference.

[Anonymous]

The schools, Stone Mill Elementary and Wayside are excellent too, and the principals and teachers are very engaged and caring.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: It matters if the principal is a true leader or just an administrator.

IME what matters most is the quality of the teachers and the support they get from the parents and admin staff (including the principal). Maybe I don't really know what a principal who is a "true leader" would look like, but I am a little sceptical about the importance of "leadership".

Then experience a disinterested principal, as we did, and you'll understand the difference.

[Anonymous]

CCES parent. Our experience was excellent. Principal was welcoming and answered questions on initial tour several years ago. During our time at CCES, principal was also responsive to our questions and needs.

Since CCES houses a Highly Gifted Center (2 classes in 4th and 5th grade), principal also is very insistent about not having a school within a school. CCES kids who are far enough ahead in math class (2-3 grades) are mixed with HGC kids for math classes. Kids are also mixed across all classes w/in a grade for specials.

Personality-wise the principal has a clear vision for the school and sticks with it. This may come off as her not being open, but that was not our experience personally. Also, on a school-wide level, when CCES community confronted the issue last year about whether the 6th grade should stay or be moved to Westland, the principal (along with PTA members) laid out the options and current situation, but the principal was clearly committed to supporting the parent majority wishes.

We found the parent community friendly and welcoming. Lots of school events. Communication is good, again particularly with the highly sensitive topics of boundary realignment, movement of the sixth grade and new middle school. These are HUGE issues for the school community, so it is fair that they are a big focus of communication. It is true that as a green school, the newsletters are sent out by email or posted online and teachers and parents communicate by email, but communication can also go on via "backpack mail," which is basically sending a note in with your kid.

Student/parent communication has been excellent. Homework assignments come home every night in a planner and are posted online. I've never had a teacher not respond to an email within 24 hours.

We found all our teachers to be very good, and prior to CCES we experienced some terrible teachers (both within and outside MoCo), so I don't just say teachers are good automatically!

As for special needs, I saw consistent accommodations made not only for special needs students (alpha smarts, teachers to take dictation on written parts of exam, understanding nature towards ADD kids) but also incorporated classroom-wide. There was more recognition and allowance for kids to do independent projects or to demonstrate mastery in alternative ways. Routines like planners and clear breakdown of assignments were used with all students, not just those with executive planning dysfunction. That said, my student at CCES was not special needs, so I have no particular insight there.

[Anonymous]

Thanks PP. I am not OP, but a potential CCES parent and your post is very helpful.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Yes, thanks a lot PPP for your insights! Very helpful. I have to say, I had a conversation with the principal that was very positive. She was welcoming, informed, positive, and sounded like they would work hard to accommodate my DC's needs. Sounds like a great school.