Public elementary schools in Bethesda and Chevy Chase?

[Anonymous]

Definitely choose Somerset over BE.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Bump.

We're moving and are trying to decide between a house zoned to Somerset and one zoned to BE. We have a list of comparisons between the homes and truly cannot decide just based on locations, commute, price, etc. So I'm trying to figure out if the difference in schools is significant enough to impact the decision.

Can anyone tell me about special programs, curriculum enrichment sponsored by the PTA, or other extras at the schools (artist in residence, garden, etc)?

Really? If these are your criteria, I don't think MCPS is going to be quite what you're after.

I don't see why-- my kid has had artists in residence programs pretty much every year that I can think of -- playwriting, opera, art, etc.

PP who bumped you may be able to visit the schools-- I definitely got a different vibe at the different ESs I visited, although in the end I don't think it would have made a difference in which house I bought. If you promise to take it with an extra handful of salt, I will say that there are some posters who really seem to love Somerset.

Which ES has artists in residence for subjects like opera and playwriting? Are you speaking of recognized artists brought in from outside the school community?

I'm 1203. Westbrook ES has AIR that brings in artists from the greater community. Some have been more interesting an in-depth than others. Operetta for K, play for 1st, cultural focus culminating in a group presentation for 2nd, etc. I'm sure that each individual school can answer to this in better detail. I know it changes every year.

This is great! Thanks for sharing. Is it an afterschool activity? Do all MCPS do this?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Bump.

We're moving and are trying to decide between a house zoned to Somerset and one zoned to BE. We have a list of comparisons between the homes and truly cannot decide just based on locations, commute, price, etc. So I'm trying to figure out if the difference in schools is significant enough to impact the decision.

Can anyone tell me about special programs, curriculum enrichment sponsored by the PTA, or other extras at the schools (artist in residence, garden, etc)?

Really? If these are your criteria, I don't think MCPS is going to be quite what you're after.

Bumper here. I used those examples - artist in residence and garden because other MCPS schools have them. MCPS is promoting the garden thing (it's discussed on Somerset's website) and Westbrook has the AIR program sponsored by the PTA. So they are Possible in MCPS, not just privates.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Definitely choose Somerset over BE.

Please tell me why. I have friends at both and both rave about their school. I need impartial advice on picking between the two.

[Anonymous]

We had artists in residence (as part of the curriculum during the Spring) at Rosemary Hills and Chevy Chase.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Bump.

We're moving and are trying to decide between a house zoned to Somerset and one zoned to BE. We have a list of comparisons between the homes and truly cannot decide just based on locations, commute, price, etc. So I'm trying to figure out if the difference in schools is significant enough to impact the decision.

Can anyone tell me about special programs, curriculum enrichment sponsored by the PTA, or other extras at the schools (artist in residence, garden, etc)?

Really? If these are your criteria, I don't think MCPS is going to be quite what you're after.

I don't see why-- my kid has had artists in residence programs pretty much every year that I can think of -- playwriting, opera, art, etc.

PP who bumped you may be able to visit the schools-- I definitely got a different vibe at the different ESs I visited, although in the end I don't think it would have made a difference in which house I bought. If you promise to take it with an extra handful of salt, I will say that there are some posters who really seem to love Somerset.

Which ES has artists in residence for subjects like opera and playwriting? Are you speaking of recognized artists brought in from outside the school community?

I'm 1203. Westbrook ES has AIR that brings in artists from the greater community. Some have been more interesting an in-depth than others. Operetta for K, play for 1st, cultural focus culminating in a group presentation for 2nd, etc. I'm sure that each individual school can answer to this in better detail. I know it changes every year.

This is great! Thanks for sharing. Is it an afterschool activity? Do all MCPS do this?

Not after school. In place of a subject on certain days during the AIR period. Sometimes they take place over several days vs weeks. Each artist was different and each topic required different approaches - whole grade vs separate classes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Bump.

We're moving and are trying to decide between a house zoned to Somerset and one zoned to BE. We have a list of comparisons between the homes and truly cannot decide just based on locations, commute, price, etc. So I'm trying to figure out if the difference in schools is significant enough to impact the decision.

Can anyone tell me about special programs, curriculum enrichment sponsored by the PTA, or other extras at the schools (artist in residence, garden, etc)?

Really? If these are your criteria, I don't think MCPS is going to be quite what you're after.

I don't see why-- my kid has had artists in residence programs pretty much every year that I can think of -- playwriting, opera, art, etc.

PP who bumped you may be able to visit the schools-- I definitely got a different vibe at the different ESs I visited, although in the end I don't think it would have made a difference in which house I bought. If you promise to take it with an extra handful of salt, I will say that there are some posters who really seem to love Somerset.

Which ES has artists in residence for subjects like opera and playwriting? Are you speaking of recognized artists brought in from outside the school community?

I'm 1203. Westbrook ES has AIR that brings in artists from the greater community. Some have been more interesting an in-depth than others. Operetta for K, play for 1st, cultural focus culminating in a group presentation for 2nd, etc. I'm sure that each individual school can answer to this in better detail. I know it changes every year.

This is great! Thanks for sharing. Is it an afterschool activity? Do all MCPS do this?

Not after school. In place of a subject on certain days during the AIR period. Sometimes they take place over several days vs weeks. Each artist was different and each topic required different approaches - whole grade vs separate classes.

Really cool. I have not heard of anything like this in our neighborhood school. Thanks again.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Bump.

We're moving and are trying to decide between a house zoned to Somerset and one zoned to BE. We have a list of comparisons between the homes and truly cannot decide just based on locations, commute, price, etc. So I'm trying to figure out if the difference in schools is significant enough to impact the decision.

Can anyone tell me about special programs, curriculum enrichment sponsored by the PTA, or other extras at the schools (artist in residence, garden, etc)?

Really? If these are your criteria, I don't think MCPS is going to be quite what you're after.

Bumper here. I used those examples - artist in residence and garden because other MCPS schools have them. MCPS is promoting the garden thing (it's discussed on Somerset's website) and Westbrook has the AIR program sponsored by the PTA. So they are Possible in MCPS, not just privates.

I think this is great! And thanks to the Westbrook poster for sharing.

In general, though, I'd keep in mind that it is the PTA supporting this - not MCPS.

[Anonymous]

Not a school you mentioned but Kensington Parkwood which is in Bethesda but outside the beltway and a split of kids from Bethesda and Kensington is one of the few schools with a state sponsored arts integration program. In addition, it also teaches Italian thanks to a grant from the Italian Embassy. There are tons of classes offered after hours including: sports, imagination stage, hip hop dancing, yoga, legos/engineering, science and math and reading enrichment but those are all classes in which you pay extra.

[Anonymous]

My kids have attended both Somerset and BE (due to a move). Frankly, we prefer BE. Overall, BE is friendlier, more diverse, and has better communication. There are more programs and better after-school activities. We don't miss Somerset at all.

[Anonymous]

Wyngate Elementary also does Artist in Residence programs, supported by the PTA. My guess is that the other local public schools also have these type of programs thanks to PTA support/funding.

[Anonymous]

MarinaK wrote:We are moving to the area just before the beginning of the coming school year and are currently looking into schools for my son, who will be going into first grade. Because we are out of state and are unfamiliar with the various schools, it would be very helpful to have some "inside" information. We are doing lots of online research, but it would be great to hear from parents with first hand experience. We are particularly interested in Somerset and Bethesda Elementary and would love to hear specifics about those two schools, but other recommendations would be much appreciated.

Thank you!

Avoid Maryland due to their common core implementation and issues. Consider Virginia, DC or private schools not going downhill like MoCo.

[Anonymous]

Stay with MCPS. You'll be happy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The MCPS budget is decided in secret at meetings at which the unions and MCCPTA participates. No curricular change is possible w/o union approval.

Under the new curriculum students a made to sit in groups and teach each other while the teacher hops around.

It is a nice way to make everyone perform to an average level.

So, think carefully before you move to MCPS.

Sounds like Montessori.

Except your kid is now 9 years old and playing around, not 4 years old.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Bethesda Elementary has a good reputation and its in downtown Bethesda which is a great area if you can afford it.

Bethesda is actually over crowded with large classes. They are also under construction for the next few of years, so it will be even more crowded.