Rosemary Hills or Private?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Rosemary hills is why my parents started me in private in 1980.

That speaks volumes about your parents, not the school.

[Anonymous]

Rosemary Hills is in or adjacent to a historically black or one of the first in the county black neighborhoods. Demographics may have changed since the 80s though. The school across the 100 year old bridge that linked the two communities over the rail lines during segregation was/is Woodlin ES.

Will they keep RH ES open once the purple line light rail construction is finished and rail is operating? The CSX train tracks used to be directly behind the school.

[Anonymous]

Depends on which private school.

[Anonymous]

The focus on younger kids was really great. Also it had a very involved parent community. Lunch and recess weren’t great but if class sizes are going to be a little smaller I wouldn’t hesitate at all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Rosemary hills is why my parents started me in private in 1980.

That speaks volumes about your parents, not the school.

You should learn about Rosemary’s history before you share that fact publicly. It is very telling.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kids went to Rosemary Hills and had a great experience, and we were very happy with it.

Things I loved about it as a parent and for my kids:
- the focus on that age group. Everyone there, and everyone in the building, is focused on very little kids and I really appreciated how that manifested in approach, attitude, understanding of behaviors, etc... I was a total convert to this kind of split after seeing their experience of it.
- I liked the principal - found her to be very capable, professional and effective. Lots of people complained about her not being warm and fuzzy enough - but I wasn't looking for that. I thought she was a very effective administrator and the school seemed well run.
- I loved the diversity of my kids' friends group. Socio-economic, cultural, intellectual, etc... - deep and true diversity and it was great. None of their subsequent education (all public MoCo) has been as diverse and I think they are the poorer for it.
- Great playground space

100% agree. RHES is the best. Wish CCES was anywhere as good.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Rosemary hills is why my parents started me in private in 1980.

troll/sarcasm, right? b/c this actually happened with a bunch of then-younger-scared-of-non-wipipo-parents (who still live in the same hoods), from what I have heard. Really need to do that oral history project.

[Anonymous]

Rosemary Hills is zoned for BCC to slide some diversity/FARMs to the High School from silver spring. In the 80s a contingent of the county tried to close the school during the post baby boomer contractions within the county and the federal Gov stepped in and threatened to withhold funding if they did. Hence it is still open.

funny part is the BCC affiliation has pushed many of the legacy families out of the neighborhood with school shoppers buying up the humble/modest ramblers for strong (for Silver Spring) prices leaving only the cheap apts between grubb and 16th street as the source of most of the FARMs in BCC.

Over the years I have heard a few people buy in that area and claim it to be Chevy Chase at various BBQs or cocktail parties assuming I wouldn't already know about it. I guess I know why they are insecure as I have heard many people unapologetically rip into the area when discussing BCC or Westland problems. The same way people talk about "those" Scotland kids at Churchill. Having a Silver Spring address will get you some eye rolls and doors closed during your time with the school system. Not by everybody but it will happen.

[Anonymous]

I reached out to the RHPS principal, who told me that with the FOCUS program, the average class size will be 19, but she didn't mention any other supports that may come with the FOCUS program. She said the total number of K classes would rise to 8 or 9 (I can't remember which) from 6 or 7 now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Rosemary Hills is zoned for BCC to slide some diversity/FARMs to the High School from silver spring. In the 80s a contingent of the county tried to close the school during the post baby boomer contractions within the county and the federal Gov stepped in and threatened to withhold funding if they did. Hence it is still open.

funny part is the BCC affiliation has pushed many of the legacy families out of the neighborhood with school shoppers buying up the humble/modest ramblers for strong (for Silver Spring) prices leaving only the cheap apts between grubb and 16th street as the source of most of the FARMs in BCC.

Over the years I have heard a few people buy in that area and claim it to be Chevy Chase at various BBQs or cocktail parties assuming I wouldn't already know about it. I guess I know why they are insecure as I have heard many people unapologetically rip into the area when discussing BCC or Westland problems. The same way people talk about "those" Scotland kids at Churchill. Having a Silver Spring address will get you some eye rolls and doors closed during your time with the school system. Not by everybody but it will happen.

Homes in RH now go for $900k plus. Generally above.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:After touring RH, seeing the large class size, the chaos, noting the short recess and limited time for PE and other electives, we chose private. At the time, I had a friend with kids at RH who strongly advised us to go to private instead. Some other good friends of ours started at RH then moved to private shortly thereafter.

Class size is 19 next year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I reached out to the RHPS principal, who told me that with the FOCUS program, the average class size will be 19, but she didn't mention any other supports that may come with the FOCUS program. She said the total number of K classes would rise to 8 or 9 (I can't remember which) from 6 or 7 now.

The only thing focus status does is lower the class size (which is great).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am very disappointed at MCPS. If your kids haven't enrolled in school yet, I would go private.

We're not at Rosemary Hills but you may want to see this school and its MS and HS could be affected by the MCPS boundary studies to rezone various schools. It’s not a great time to count on MCPS right now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Rosemary Hills is zoned for BCC to slide some diversity/FARMs to the High School from silver spring. In the 80s a contingent of the county tried to close the school during the post baby boomer contractions within the county and the federal Gov stepped in and threatened to withhold funding if they did. Hence it is still open.

funny part is the BCC affiliation has pushed many of the legacy families out of the neighborhood with school shoppers buying up the humble/modest ramblers for strong (for Silver Spring) prices leaving only the cheap apts between grubb and 16th street as the source of most of the FARMs in BCC.

Over the years I have heard a few people buy in that area and claim it to be Chevy Chase at various BBQs or cocktail parties assuming I wouldn't already know about it. I guess I know why they are insecure as I have heard many people unapologetically rip into the area when discussing BCC or Westland problems. The same way people talk about "those" Scotland kids at Churchill. Having a Silver Spring address will get you some eye rolls and doors closed during your time with the school system. Not by everybody but it will happen.

You must be thinking about people who live in the area between Beach Drive and Grubb Road, that is Chevy Chase, though those kids go to Rock Creek Forest.

East of Grubb road is Silver Spring.

[Anonymous]

Our kids are bussed from Chevy Chase to Rosemary Hills. We've been very happy so far! As other posters have said, the focus on younger kids has a profound impact. The staff and teachers seem very capable and are very responsive. Our kids are learning very well. Strong PTA, okay community (we wish there were more happening here). In terms of class size, we haven't had anything as high as 25 despite that being technically possible.