Schools near Gaithersburg

[Anonymous]

We're considering a move to Gaithersburg (will commute downtown via Marc rail) and am looking for good schools. Two elementary aged kids. Bright, no SN diagnosis but one is hating school in our public with large classes.

[Anonymous]

We live just outside of Gaithersburg and send our kids to Norwood. Love it!

[Anonymous]

Christ Episcopal in Rockville could work for you - it's convenient from Gaithersburg and a few blocks from Rockville metro/MARC station. Small classes, nice families, and I feel like my kids are getting an excellent, well-rounded education.

If you have a parent who isn't commuting downtown, you could also try Barnesville. We had to rule it out because of long commutes in the opposite direction, but I know people there and they love the school.

One I don't really know much about, other than it would be convenient, is Seneca Academy. I believe it only goes through 5th or 6th grade though.

[Anonymous]

My child goes to Seneca Academy. It's an International Baccalaureate Primary Years Program. We love it. It does only go through 5th grade, though. My plans for middle school include looking at Christ Episcopal, Butler Montessori, and Barnesville.

[Anonymous]

Barnesville! Wonderful community and outstanding teachers!

[Anonymous]

Daughter has been at Barnesville PreK-8th, and it's been wonderful. Not as expensive as the "down county" schools, but absolutely on par in terms of academics and high school prep/placements. Fantastic teachers, great community, beautiful setting. Visit schools in May so you can compare.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Daughter has been at Barnesville PreK-8th, and it's been wonderful. Not as expensive as the "down county" schools, but absolutely on par in terms of academics and high school prep/placements. Fantastic teachers, great community, beautiful setting. Visit schools in May so you can compare.

Join in endorsing the Barnesville recommendations, if you're looking for a place that has small classes and will rekindle your children's love of school. Great teachers, sweet peers, and lovely grounds that make recess, outdoor PE, and outdoor learning very special and fun for the kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Christ Episcopal in Rockville could work for you - it's convenient from Gaithersburg and a few blocks from Rockville metro/MARC station. Small classes, nice families, and I feel like my kids are getting an excellent, well-ounded education.

If you have a parent who isn't commuting downtown, you could also try Barnesville. We had to rule it out because of long commutes in the opposite direction, but I know people there and they love the school.

One I don't really know much about, other than it would be convenient, is Seneca Academy. I believe it only goes through 5th or 6th grade though.

Regarding Christ Episcopal School. If your DC visits for the day, he/she may want to start there the next day. That was our DC's reaction and the reaction of some others who looked at and now attend the school. It's that good. For the reasons listed above and more we've been very happy there. It's definitely worth being among the schools you consider. Good luck.

[Anonymous]

Depending on the grade, you might consider St Andrews - while it is based in Potomac through 2d grade or so, it switches to the main campus in either 3d or 4th. The main campus is next to Hoover middle, easy from Gaithersburg. I wouldn't shlep little ones to downtown Potomac if you have good closer options, but as they get later in elementary this could be an option that avoids further switching.

[Anonymous]

I second St. Andrew's - CES' head of school is amazing but the school wasn't impressive (to me). Seneca gave me a strange vibe - not all of the teachers buy in to the IB program. It's really small and I (again, personally) got the vibe that the school might not be doing too well financially. St. Andrew's has some very cool partnerships with Harvard and Johns Hopkins and is really invested in studying the ways in which the brain learns. Good luck in your search!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Christ Episcopal in Rockville could work for you - it's convenient from Gaithersburg and a few blocks from Rockville metro/MARC station. Small classes, nice families, and I feel like my kids are getting an excellent, well-ounded education.

If you have a parent who isn't commuting downtown, you could also try Barnesville. We had to rule it out because of long commutes in the opposite direction, but I know people there and they love the school.

One I don't really know much about, other than it would be convenient, is Seneca Academy. I believe it only goes through 5th or 6th grade though.

Regarding Christ Episcopal School. If your DC visits for the day, he/she may want to start there the next day. That was our DC's reaction and the reaction of some others who looked at and now attend the school. It's that good. For the reasons listed above and more we've been very happy there. It's definitely worth being among the schools you consider. Good luck.

+1 for CES if you are interested in K-8. We live just outside of Gaithersburg and chose it after looking at different options. Good luck with your decision.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I second St. Andrew's - CES' head of school is amazing but the school wasn't impressive (to me). Seneca gave me a strange vibe - not all of the teachers buy in to the IB program. It's really small and I (again, personally) got the vibe that the school might not be doing too well financially. St. Andrew's has some very cool partnerships with Harvard and Johns Hopkins and is really invested in studying the ways in which the brain learns. Good luck in your search!

CES also has a partnership with Johns Hopkins - specifically their LIFT program.

Another possible option (although in the wrong direction for a downtown commute) is Sandy Spring Friends school. It seems far, but the ICC (route 200) actually makes it pretty quick to get there from Gaithersburg.

[Anonymous]

Thanks everybody! We have a lot of work to do (selling/buying house, changing one job, figuring out commute downtown for other job...). My sense is that I'm going to be much happier with the school options you all have noted than our current Bethesda public (and we moved here for the schools, darn it).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Christ Episcopal in Rockville could work for you - it's convenient from Gaithersburg and a few blocks from Rockville metro/MARC station. Small classes, nice families, and I feel like my kids are getting an excellent, well-ounded education.

If you have a parent who isn't commuting downtown, you could also try Barnesville. We had to rule it out because of long commutes in the opposite direction, but I know people there and they love the school.

One I don't really know much about, other than it would be convenient, is Seneca Academy. I believe it only goes through 5th or 6th grade though.

Regarding Christ Episcopal School. If your DC visits for the day, he/she may want to start there the next day. That was our DC's reaction and the reaction of some others who looked at and now attend the school. It's that good. For the reasons listed above and more we've been very happy there. It's definitely worth being among the schools you consider. Good luck.

+1 for CES if you are interested in K-8. We live just outside of Gaithersburg and chose it after looking at different options. Good luck with your decision.

What do you do about 9-12?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Christ Episcopal in Rockville could work for you - it's convenient from Gaithersburg and a few blocks from Rockville metro/MARC station. Small classes, nice families, and I feel like my kids are getting an excellent, well-ounded education.

If you have a parent who isn't commuting downtown, you could also try Barnesville. We had to rule it out because of long commutes in the opposite direction, but I know people there and they love the school.

One I don't really know much about, other than it would be convenient, is Seneca Academy. I believe it only goes through 5th or 6th grade though.

Regarding Christ Episcopal School. If your DC visits for the day, he/she may want to start there the next day. That was our DC's reaction and the reaction of some others who looked at and now attend the school. It's that good. For the reasons listed above and more we've been very happy there. It's definitely worth being among the schools you consider. Good luck.

+1 for CES if you are interested in K-8. We live just outside of Gaithersburg and chose it after looking at different options. Good luck with your decision.

What do you do about 9-12?

Not that poster, but not everyone wants private for K-12.