Looking for Best Pre-K in Rockville area

[Anonymous]

My DD will be 5 at the end of November. I am looking for a pre-K for her for the fall. We have visited a few Montessoris, Primary Day, Harbor and Green Acres. Anyone have any positives or negatives for any of these schools? The possibilities are overwhelming. Anyone have any guidance? I would really love to find a morning Pre-K but this does not seem to exist.
Thanks in advance!

[Anonymous]

That is quite a range. very traditional to progressive.

Where do you see her ending up? (since Harbor and PD end in 2nd grade?)

Green Acres is more progressive. Just search on this forum for all the opinion points.

PD is more traditional. Big emphasis on reading and their phonovisual program. Handwriting is also taught. Most kids go on to Holton or Landon. A few go to Sidwell or Norwood.

Harbor is more to the progressive side. Not sure where the kids go to after. Will take kids who need more education attention.

Montessoris (IMO) are a mix of progressive (kids tend to do work based on their ability vs grade) and traditional (lots of push for reading and math)

Not sure which ones you have looked at but they can range form pk-2 to grade 5.

It is hard to give you any guidance since you did not give is any info on the type of child she is, what type of environment she responds best to and and what you wsnt to do down the road for ES/MS/HS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My DD will be 5 at the end of November. I am looking for a pre-K for her for the fall. We have visited a few Montessoris, Primary Day, Harbor and Green Acres. Anyone have any positives or negatives for any of these schools? The possibilities are overwhelming. Anyone have any guidance? I would really love to find a morning Pre-K but this does not seem to exist.
Thanks in advance!

Do you mean the fall, as in 2-3 weeks from now? Or are you looking for the 2013 application cycle?

[Anonymous]

Go up to Epworth at the Gaithersburg line. Awesome little preschool with a morning program.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the responses so far!
Yes, this is for school starting 3 weeks from now.
My DD is the youngest of 5 children.
She is very smart, outgoing, a leader and loves to learn.
Her older siblings already go to a private school so she will go there too once she is ready. If she stays at another school till 2nd grade or higher that works too.
I am leaning toward Harbor, but Green Acres is much closer to us.
Anyone have children attending Harbor or Green Acres?

[Anonymous]

Since you have older kids and plan to move her to their private soon, I say go to the place that is most convenient logistically and has an opening. I'm surprised all these schools are giving you so much time to think about it with start day so close.

[Anonymous]

OP, at this point it's not what's the "best" Pre-K but its an issue of who still has space left. Where did your older kids go to Pre-K - is that an option for you? What is considered to be the "feeder" preschool into the elementary school where you will send your child - do they have space available?

You're right, morning programs are hard to find. St. Andrews in Potomac may have Pre-K spots, its worth checking. They are in the old St. Francis Episcopal Day school right in Potomac village. They are an all day program however.

[Anonymous]

We were very happy with green acres pre-k. Very warm, caring teachers, lots of individual attn. but a very long day, even with rest time. Also, very expensive if you're not planning on continuing.

[Anonymous]

The "long" day prepares them for K. at 4 they can benefit from this schedule. But I have to praise you parents for thinking that a 9-3 schedule is long for kids. I hate to see children in daycares until 6pm or in extended day programs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The "long" day prepares them for K. at 4 they can benefit from this schedule. But I have to praise you parents for thinking that a 9-3 schedule is long for kids. I hate to see children in daycares until 6pm or in extended day programs.

Most people don't have a choice. Not everyone has the income for a nanny or a SAHP.

[Anonymous]

I also preferred Harbor to Green Acres when I visited both schools.
Chose Harbor. Have been happy there.

[Anonymous]

Christ Episcopal School has a half day preschool 8:30 - 12 with the option to stay for the full day on any day you choose. I got a notice that they have 2 spot remaining as of yesterday. Big plus is the two teachers for the class of what currently is 14 are amazing. Both early childhood certified and I believe one if not both have their masters in education. their web address is: ces-rockville.org

[Anonymous]

We did Green Acres for pre-k and loved it. My child definitely thrived there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The "long" day prepares them for K. at 4 they can benefit from this schedule. But I have to praise you parents for thinking that a 9-3 schedule is long for kids. I hate to see children in daycares until 6pm or in extended day programs.

Most people don't have a choice. Not everyone has the income for a nanny or a SAHP.

Then do not have kids. why bother if you won't be raising them?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The "long" day prepares them for K. at 4 they can benefit from this schedule. But I have to praise you parents for thinking that a 9-3 schedule is long for kids. I hate to see children in daycares until 6pm or in extended day programs.

Most people don't have a choice. Not everyone has the income for a nanny or a SAHP.

Then do not have kids. why bother if you won't be raising them?

Troll much?
Stick to the point please.