Public elementary schools in Bethesda and Chevy Chase?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Bethesda ES is certainly over capacity. But that doesn't necessarily mean that the classes are large. In fact the 2013-14 at-a-glance report says that the average class size is 25.7 for K, 22.1 for 1-3, and 24.9 for 4-5. Compare that to Somerset ES, which is just slightly over capacity, with average class sizes of 25.0 for K, 22.7 for 1-3, and 23.6 for 4-5 -- pretty similar.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:there is plenty of economic diversity at Bethesda Elementary!
some students do live in multi- million dollar mansions
in Edgemoor , but other students live in small apartments
in downtown Bethesda. I know a few families who are
renting small apartments in town just to give their
kids a great public education at Bethesda Elementary!
FWIW, we live in a house that is with about $800k
(so middle of the road for BE)

I lived in one of these small apartments and a 1 bedroom was $2500 a month. They are hardly poor or middle class residents, for the most part. Our building's two bedrooms started at $3200.

No economic diversity at either school, OP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:there is plenty of economic diversity at Bethesda Elementary!
some students do live in multi- million dollar mansions
in Edgemoor , but other students live in small apartments
in downtown Bethesda. I know a few families who are
renting small apartments in town just to give their
kids a great public education at Bethesda Elementary!
FWIW, we live in a house that is with about $800k
(so middle of the road for BE)

Renting even a small apartment in Bethesda is expensive. That this is your idea of economic diversity speaks volumes about exactly how not economically diverse it is. If you want economic diversity, try Rosemary Hills.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I didn't know there were still farms in Bethesda.

That's quite funny. I like your sense of humor, it reminds me of something I might say.

On the off chance that you were being serious, however, I would point out that FARMS is an acronym for "free and reduced meals" thus the FARMS rate is the % of kids eligible for free or reduced cost lunches - an indicator of the socioeconomic breakdown of the school community and possible diversity in that aspect.

My kid went to an MCPS school where 100 % of the kids got free breakfast -- all they had to do was show up to qualify. No one even had to fill out a single form. There were kids whose parents did not speak a word of English in my DC"s class. The teacher, however, was kick-ass -- thousands of times more devoted and inspiring than the teachers now at our more tony school. My DC learned a lot and came home talking about school every day. Plus they were exposed to people from all walks of life, not just white bread Bethesda/Chevy Chase. Your assumptions about FARMS schools incorrect IMO. I'm glad we've learned that first hand.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I didn't know there were still farms in Bethesda.

That's quite funny. I like your sense of humor, it reminds me of something I might say.

On the off chance that you were being serious, however, I would point out that FARMS is an acronym for "free and reduced meals" thus the FARMS rate is the % of kids eligible for free or reduced cost lunches - an indicator of the socioeconomic breakdown of the school community and possible diversity in that aspect.

My kid went to an MCPS school where 100 % of the kids got free breakfast -- all they had to do was show up to qualify. No one even had to fill out a single form. There were kids whose parents did not speak a word of English in my DC"s class. The teacher, however, was kick-ass -- thousands of times more devoted and inspiring than the teachers now at our more tony school. My DC learned a lot and came home talking about school every day. Plus they were exposed to people from all walks of life, not just white bread Bethesda/Chevy Chase. Your assumptions about FARMS schools incorrect IMO. I'm glad we've learned that first hand.

I agree with your overall sentiment, PP. But when you look at test scores at high-FARMs schools it is clear that high FARMs means lower performance at the school. Sure the teachers are dedicated and of course it's important to be exposed to a broad group of people, but if a teacher is overwhelmed with non English speaking students who require a lot of remediation, it's possible to expect that average or high performing students will get the time and teaching they deserve. This is what I've observed. It's disheartening but true.

[Anonymous]

We love Bradley Hills Elementary in Bethesda. Yes, the classes are larger than I'd like (23 in my daughter's Kindergarten class), but she's learning tons and loving it. Great after-school activities offered as well. It's a brand new school building this year (after several years of construction), and the larger size means that more activities can be offered.

Besides just focusing on the elementary school level, you should also consider what middle and high school it will feed into.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I didn't know there were still farms in Bethesda.

That's quite funny. I like your sense of humor, it reminds me of something I might say.

On the off chance that you were being serious, however, I would point out that FARMS is an acronym for "free and reduced meals" thus the FARMS rate is the % of kids eligible for free or reduced cost lunches - an indicator of the socioeconomic breakdown of the school community and possible diversity in that aspect.

My kid went to an MCPS school where 100 % of the kids got free breakfast -- all they had to do was show up to qualify. No one even had to fill out a single form. There were kids whose parents did not speak a word of English in my DC"s class. The teacher, however, was kick-ass -- thousands of times more devoted and inspiring than the teachers now at our more tony school. My DC learned a lot and came home talking about school every day. Plus they were exposed to people from all walks of life, not just white bread Bethesda/Chevy Chase. Your assumptions about FARMS schools incorrect IMO. I'm glad we've learned that first hand.

I agree with your overall sentiment, PP. But when you look at test scores at high-FARMs schools it is clear that high FARMs means lower performance at the school. Sure the teachers are dedicated and of course it's important to be exposed to a broad group of people, but if a teacher is overwhelmed with non English speaking students who require a lot of remediation, it's possible to expect that average or high performing students will get the time and teaching they deserve. This is what I've observed. It's disheartening but true.

What you say may or may not be true, but test score are almost irrelevant to it. Test scores, esp. in elementary school, mostly tell you the SES of the parents-- it doesn't tell you whether your kid would get a good education at that school vs another school (which is what I think of when I want a "high performing school").

[Anonymous]

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?

if my kid wanted to take opera i would leave the school. what a bore

[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?

if my kid wanted to take opera i would leave the school. what a bore

Yep, totally boring to create, act out and sing music. Now worksheets, that's fun.

[Anonymous]

Both Bethesda and Somerset are great schools. You can't go wrong with either one.

[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?

if my kid wanted to take opera i would leave the school. what a bore

Yep, totally boring to create, act out and sing music. Now worksheets, that's fun.

i said opera all those other programs are available at every school.

[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?

if my kid wanted to take opera i would leave the school. what a bore

Yep, totally boring to create, act out and sing music. Now worksheets, that's fun.

i said opera all those other programs are available at every school.

Um, dear, that's what opera is. Making and performing an opera. Anyway, glad you're not interested -- more room for my kid!

[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)?

I am sure both schools are great but I doubt either would fit the bill in the "artist in residence or garden" category. You need to look private if those are items on your wish list.

Plenty of schools in Bethesda / CC have artist in residence programs (ok, for a day or a week, but they have them). School gardens are all over!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:there is plenty of economic diversity at Bethesda Elementary!
some students do live in multi- million dollar mansions
in Edgemoor , but other students live in small apartments
in downtown Bethesda. I know a few families who are
renting small apartments in town just to give their
kids a great public education at Bethesda Elementary!
FWIW, we live in a house that is with about $800k
(so middle of the road for BE)

I lived in one of these small apartments and a 1 bedroom was $2500 a month. They are hardly poor or middle class residents, for the most part. Our building's two bedrooms started at $3200.

No economic diversity at either school, OP.

That is not correct.

[Anonymous]

OP, have you visited the schools? You'll never decide based on this forum!