If you have a kid in MCPS ES now, would you recommend it?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
I recommend it on one condition: you live in a wealthy area. Parents there will be highly motivated and have the means to push their children to excel, and will pressure schools to up their game, provide PTA enrichment, not let bad teachers stay, etc...

Elementary in general is a time to learn how to socialize, and there is not as much academic learning as some would like. MCPS does offer some interesting advanced classes in middle and especially high school.

I'm going to guess that the majority of complaints about MCPS are coming from parents who live in wealthier areas - because they are paying a premium for the schools, they have higher expectations. Personally, I've been satisfied with the elementary school experience so far at a Focus school, but my bar wasn't set to high - basically, is my kid learning and progressing, and do they seem generally happy to be going?

[Anonymous]

OP--don't ask only about elementary. We did this and loved our ES for a few years... and then I started hearing about the middle school and we moved. It seems like a long way off, but pay attention to the MS and HS as you are looking.

[Anonymous]

My neighbors are happy with Glen haven ES. We will have kids there too in a few years

[Anonymous]

My child just finished first grade at rock view ES in Kensington. This is a focus school and hence small class size. We love it and my child loves it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP--don't ask only about elementary. We did this and loved our ES for a few years... and then I started hearing about the middle school and we moved. It seems like a long way off, but pay attention to the MS and HS as you are looking.

YEs, for sure this. I loved, loved our Elementary School (a focus school); but heard concerning things about the Middle School (Gaithersburg MS); so we moved to a different cluster where the MS and HS have a better reputation. MS was the most concerning to me rather than HS (Gaithersburg HS) because the MS years are the toughest for a kid in my opinion and is when friends/peers start becoming a big part of their lives. I just didn't want to risk it. High Schools however are much bigger and I think much easier for a teen to find their own group of friends that they would be comfortable with. Plus the activities, programs offered at each HS in this county are vast that a teen should be able to find something that is of interest to them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP--don't ask only about elementary. We did this and loved our ES for a few years... and then I started hearing about the middle school and we moved. It seems like a long way off, but pay attention to the MS and HS as you are looking.

+100

Comes quick.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We have loved Barnsley! Great mix of kids both in neighborhood and with special programs (DHOH, GT/LD, CES), wonderful teachers, phenomenal principal! Highly recommend!

CES kids rarely mix with neighborhood kids. My DC went to HGC there. I didn't like the Principal.

that is the whole point of CES

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We have loved Barnsley! Great mix of kids both in neighborhood and with special programs (DHOH, GT/LD, CES), wonderful teachers, phenomenal principal! Highly recommend!

CES kids rarely mix with neighborhood kids. My DC went to HGC there. I didn't like the Principal.

that is the whole point of CES

No, it's more like an unfortunate side effect.

[Anonymous]

We love Jones Lane ES in Darnestown. A little out of the way if you are considering Bethesda area though.

[Anonymous]

Would absolutely recommend Highland View ES - gone from K-3 so far, nothing but great experiences.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We have loved Barnsley! Great mix of kids both in neighborhood and with special programs (DHOH, GT/LD, CES), wonderful teachers, phenomenal principal! Highly recommend!

CES kids rarely mix with neighborhood kids. My DC went to HGC there. I didn't like the Principal.

that is the whole point of CES

No, it's more like an unfortunate side effect.

Whatever the point of CES/HGC... my point to the first PP was that the "mix" of kids don't mix together. CES 4th/5th graders will impact the overall school test scores, but that is about it. They don't mix with the neighborhood kids much so there is no benefit to the neighborhood kids, and vice versa.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We have loved Barnsley! Great mix of kids both in neighborhood and with special programs (DHOH, GT/LD, CES), wonderful teachers, phenomenal principal! Highly recommend!

CES kids rarely mix with neighborhood kids. My DC went to HGC there. I didn't like the Principal.

that is the whole point of CES

No, it's more like an unfortunate side effect.

Whatever the point of CES/HGC... my point to the first PP was that the "mix" of kids don't mix together. CES 4th/5th graders will impact the overall school test scores, but that is about it. They don't mix with the neighborhood kids much so there is no benefit to the neighborhood kids, and vice versa.

The neighborhood kids get the benefit of an increased school rep which helps stabilize the neighborhood. once again the whole point of CES

[Anonymous]

Absolutely - Barnsley.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Nope, absolutely not. Regret putting my kid in public.

Same.

Without school names and/or reasons these comments are meaningless.

Any time you express concerns or disagree with the principal or teachers there is retaliation, sometimes on the kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Nope, absolutely not. Regret putting my kid in public.

Same.

Without school names and/or reasons these comments are meaningless.

Any time you express concerns or disagree with the principal or teachers there is retaliation, sometimes on the kids.

Unless you name your kid, I don't see how they can retaliate against you.