Arcola Elementary School

[Anonymous]

Hi,

Wondering if anyone who has a child in Arcola Elementary and what their thoughts are. Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Any information on their aftercare program is appreicated as well

[Anonymous]

I'm sorry no one has replied to the OP. We have kids and live in the Arcola ES neighborhood. The advantages/disadvantages are as follows (depending on your point-of-view, these could be viewed as either advantages or disadvantages):

- lack of socioeconomic and racial diversity (the school is predominantly Hispanic and FARMS, with a high percentage of ESOL students)
- Title I school (this can be a pro or con, depending on how you look at it - it means more money for special programs, including free half-day summer school for all students, regardless of income, and better ratios of teacher:student)
- young staff (check out the school's website, and you'll note that the majority of the teachers are recent graduates)
- nice facilities
- affordable, quality after school program (we have had a good experience with Montgomery Child Care Association, which is on-site)

There are a few young professional families who have moved to Wheaton and have enrolled their kids in the school, but my impression is that it's rather hit-or-miss. Also, like many MCPS schools, there has been some overcrowding issues - they just installed some new, modular classrooms.

[Anonymous]

It was on the news recently for overcrowding, and the parent group (not sure if it was the PTA or just a group of concerned parents) seemed to come off not to well--parents advocating that a high-rise apartment complex be redistricted to go to Glen Haven.

[Anonymous]

I know some truly excellent teachers who work there, at least 2 with 10+ years of experience. Because its Title 1, they have very small class sizes (less than 20 in second grade classrooms) and beautiful facilities. Agree with PP that there are a lot of ESOL students and not a lot of economic diversity.