Progressive and dual language public schools in MC, MD

[dsmoves]

Considering a move to the DC area, and liking what we're seeing house-wise in Montgomery County.

Are there any good progressive model public schools in the county? Any Spanish-English dual language schools (progressive model or not)?

Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Montgomery County Public Schools is one giant school district in which nearly all schools follow the same model. There is a language immersion program in several elementary schools for Spanish, French and Chinese. There is more information on the web site, or search the archives here. Admission is primarily lottery-based, and the wait list is extremely long. But you have as good a chance of getting in as anyone else, and students from all over the county are considered. Rock Creek Forest ES and Rolling Terrace ES are the Spanish immersion schools. Additionally, Kemp Mill ES has dual-language Spanish-English program, but only for students in that assignment area.

[Anonymous]

Rolling Terrace gives preference for Spanish Immersion to kids in the neighborhood, and tp kids who already speak Spanish for the upper grades. It might be worth investigating whether you could get a space for your 7 year old and then sibling privilege.

900K would buy something quite nice in that area.

[Anonymous]

What is a "progressive model" school?

[Anonymous]

I don't think MCPS is particularly "progressive" as I understand that for education. Between NCLB and the county's concern over eliminating an achievement gap between different groups, there is a fair amount of testing and areas like art, music and recess don't get quite as much time as many would like.

That said, I know in our schools, and I think in many others, the parents and schools try to work together to address those shortfalls with before or after school activities, or by bringing in temporary "artists in residence", etc., and overall we've been happy with the schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't think MCPS is particularly "progressive" as I understand that for education. Between NCLB and the county's concern over eliminating an achievement gap between different groups, there is a fair amount of testing and areas like art, music and recess don't get quite as much time as many would like.

That said, I know in our schools, and I think in many others, the parents and schools try to work together to address those shortfalls with before or after school activities, or by bringing in temporary "artists in residence", etc., and overall we've been happy with the schools.

Elementary students get 45 minutes of PE, music and art a week, and 30 minutes of recess a day. That's been the standard since I was in MCPS elementary school 25+ years ago. It doesn't really have anything to do with NCLB and the achievement gap. Standardized testing is no more than any other typical public school district, really. Media center and computer lab time varies a bit--some schools do it weekly like regular specials, others bi-weekly, others something else.

I agree that some schools have more active PTA and parent groups to supplement the arts. There are also "arts integration" schools, but I don't know of a definitive list of which ones fit this description. I think your best bet would be to find some homes you like, look up their school assignment (it's on the MCPS web site) and then post an inquiry here about those schools for feedback. What area in the county have you been liking as far as homes go?

[Anonymous]

"Progressive" means art, music, PE, and recess?

[Anonymous]

I would not move to Montgomery for language immersion. The wait lists are extremely long, and the county keeps cutting classes and resources. In addition, there is a group lobbying the Board of Ed to do away with immersion. I feel fortunate does have an immersion slot, but I would not bank a mortgage on it for upcoming cohorts. I hear there are more options for language immersion in DC charters. I have no idea about those wait lists, though.

[Anonymous]

What? Who is trying to do away with the immersion programs??? Genuinely curious. Hoping for a spot next year, but might as well move on if its dead. They should be adding classes, not eliminating. The programs are very popular so I assume it would take something extreme to do away with the programs.

[Anonymous]

It's not dead; PP is relying on rumors. "A group" is lobbying? Well, good for them. Groups are lobbying for healthier school lunches, but that's not happening either. The budget has forced some cutbacks in the numbers of immersion classrooms, but the program is alive and well and not going anywhere.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Montgomery County Public Schools is one giant school district in which nearly all schools follow the same model. There is a language immersion program in several elementary schools for Spanish, French and Chinese. There is more information on the web site, or search the archives here. Admission is primarily lottery-based, and the wait list is extremely long. But you have as good a chance of getting in as anyone else, and students from all over the county are considered. Rock Creek Forest ES and Rolling Terrace ES are the Spanish immersion schools. Additionally, Kemp Mill ES has dual-language Spanish-English program, but only for students in that assignment area.

Not the OP, but I am also interested in MOCO immersion programs (Spanish). If I understand you correctly, Rock Creek Forest and Rolling Terrace are lottery-based admissions, and Kemp Mill is available to all in-bounds students? What if you live in-bounds for Rock Creek Forest or Rolling Terrace? Are these school-wide programs, or only available to part of the student body? Is one of the programs or schools better or more established?

Thanks.

[Anonymous]

8:42 again. According to the MCPS website, Spanish immersion is offered at:

•Burnt Mills Elementary School
•Rock Creek Forest Elementary School
•Rolling Terrace Elementary School

Is Burnt Mills the same as Kemp Mills?

[Anonymous]

A progressive school is actually a particular pedagogical approach (I think GDS and Green Acres are both progressive).

There are no public schools in MCPS that follow this model.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:8:42 again. According to the MCPS website, Spanish immersion is offered at:

•Burnt Mills Elementary School
•Rock Creek Forest Elementary School
•Rolling Terrace Elementary School

Is Burnt Mills the same as Kemp Mills?

No, Kemp Mill's program is dual-language, not immersion. The classes are mixed with native Spanish and native English speakers. Each groups gets reading in their primary language, and then other subjects are mixed. It's based on the research that shows children learn to read best in the language they understand the best. So a student whose dominant language is Spanish would ideally be taught to read in Spanish first, and the skills would transfer as they learn to speak English. If you think about how we learn languages, it makes a lot of sense--if you learn French as an adult, you don't have to learn to read all over again, just how to read those French words. It's a godo cocnept, but difficult to implement because it depends on having a certain student population. The KM program is only for students in the KM assignment area, I believe. It's not a program out-of-boundary kids can apply for.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A progressive school is actually a particular pedagogical approach (I think GDS and Green Acres are both progressive).

There are no public schools in MCPS that follow this model.

This.