Bethesda elementary schools?

[Liesel]

Hi we are relocating from Manhattan to Bethesda and I wanted to get a sense of the best elementary schools in the area. Schools are our number one priority, and I'd love opinions about the various "10" schools - Bannockburn, Bradley Hills, Carderock. I've read the reviews and stats online, but I really want straightforward opinions/advice from parents who live in the area. We also want a nice house with these priorities (in order): Larger lot, walking distance to schools and shops, proximity to nature and bike/running trails, easy access to metro. We have between $1.5 to $2.0 mill to spend on a house and our style is modern. Thanks in advance for any advice!!

[Anonymous]

I think you're asking for the moon. For example, walking distance to shops and easy access to metro means you need to be closer to the DC line. That comes with smaller lots and a different set of schools (the BCC cluster, which is still very good).

Try the MD public schools forum for more info on the schools, if that's your top priority.

[Anonymous]

You don't want walking access to shops. Anywhere within walking to shops is a traffic nightmare. The traffic is hellish in this area.

[Anonymous]

I agree you'd be better off posting in both Real Estate (about your house priorities) and MD schools (for your school-specific questions).

If you poke around in MD schools you will find this question does come up from time to time. Keep in mind that Montgomery County is one big school system, and the differences between the elementary schools in the areas you mention or might be looking will be pretty small. It's possible one school might have more portables than another for a couple years, but my recommendation would be not to worry too much whether you end up in Bannockburn or Bethesda, Carderock or Chevy Chase, figure out what neighborhood works for you.

Not sure what you consider a "larger lot", or what the prices are these days, but you might find what you are in Edgemoor/Battery Park.

[Anonymous]

This has close to everything you want, although the house needs some updating: https://www.redfin.com/zipcode/20815/filter/viewport=38.99157:38.95614:-77.06354:-77.11848.
It's also not super close to shops and metro, but walkable. Half acre though, which is very rare.

This also has a large lot and I think is probably quite walkable to downtown Bethesda: https://www.redfin.com/zipcode/20815/filter/viewport=38.99157:38.95614:-77.06354:-77.11848

That said, if you can afford those, you could probably afford private school. Although maybe you're just someone who prefers public over private regardless of financial situation.

In general, the Kenwood neighborhood is best for larger lots and nice houses, but somewhat walkable (depending on where in the neighborhood). Caveat is that I don't think the middle school and high school are "10s" on Great Schools. They're still considered very good, but they are not 10s (fwiw, we're in that district and happy to be, so I'm not saying I don't think it's great, I'm just acknowledging that GS and others would argue the Pyle/Whitman tree is better).

[Anonymous]

Smaller lot, but walkable to friendship, Westbrook elementary etc.
https://www.redfin.com/MD/Chevy-Chase/5311-Willard-Ave-20815/home/10637027

[Anonymous]

Also:
https://www.redfin.com/MD/Chevy-Chase/5206-Dorset-Ave-20815/home/10650217

[Anonymous]

We are at Bradley Hills and are pleases with the quality of education our children are receiving. The teachers are good and the parents are very involved. The school was just renovated several years ago so we are not dealing with portables like many of the other schools. That said, it is not close to shops or the metro (about 2 miles). Some lots are larger, but not a lot of them are modern.

Somerset has the walkabity you are looking for, but I'm not sure of the school pyramid.

[Anonymous]

Somerset is in the BCC pyramid.

I agree with posters above who say that "walkable" is hard to find within the Whitman pyramid (such as the elementary schools you listed). Edgemoor is the main option. BCC has many more walkable neighborhoods, and you can find pockets of larger lots, like the south-eastern corner of East Bethesda (zoned to Bethesda ES). Also look in Chevy Chase around Friendship Heights, within the Westbrook, Somerset, and Chevy Chase ES zones (all BCC).

[Anonymous]

Do people really take great schools as gospel? I can understand using it as a data point but not assuming that the only good schools in Bethesda are the ones with a "10" on great schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Somerset is in the BCC pyramid.

I agree with posters above who say that "walkable" is hard to find within the Whitman pyramid (such as the elementary schools you listed). Edgemoor is the main option. BCC has many more walkable neighborhoods, and you can find pockets of larger lots, like the south-eastern corner of East Bethesda (zoned to Bethesda ES). Also look in Chevy Chase around Friendship Heights, within the Westbrook, Somerset, and Chevy Chase ES zones (all BCC).

We are in the BCC cluster and are very happy with the schools. For us, the balance between proximity to DC (walkability, metro, etc.) and school quality and lot size is perfect.

[Anonymous]

We are at Bradley Hills and really recommend it highly. The kids are bright and the curriculum challenging. There are some wonderful extras which you just don't hear about on the website - its worth touring and asking questions.

For me its a 20 minute walk to central Bethesda, for most people locally that's considered too far, which I doubt would be the case for people coming from Manhattan. But for locals who think its too far to walk you can cycle, catch a bus or drive. There's plenty of places to park your bike and / or car.

In terms of housing stock things should pick up soon - April / May / June. and your budget should get you something along the lines you describe. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Don't bother with "great schools" you get better detailed data from schooldigger.com

[Liesel]

Hi all, just wanted to thank you for taking the time to reply to my post. I've learned a lot from the responses and am going to expand search to include the BCC areas for walkability reasons. Also will look more closely at Bradley Hills. Thank you!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This has close to everything you want, although the house needs some updating: https://www.redfin.com/zipcode/20815/filter/viewport=38.99157:38.95614:-77.06354:-77.11848.
It's also not super close to shops and metro, but walkable. Half acre though, which is very rare.

This also has a large lot and I think is probably quite walkable to downtown Bethesda: https://www.redfin.com/zipcode/20815/filter/viewport=38.99157:38.95614:-77.06354:-77.11848

That said, if you can afford those, you could probably afford private school. Although maybe you're just someone who prefers public over private regardless of financial situation.

In general, the Kenwood neighborhood is best for larger lots and nice houses, but somewhat walkable (depending on where in the neighborhood). Caveat is that I don't think the middle school and high school are "10s" on Great Schools. They're still considered very good, but they are not 10s (fwiw, we're in that district and happy to be, so I'm not saying I don't think it's great, I'm just acknowledging that GS and others would argue the Pyle/Whitman tree is better).

Kenwood is lovely. From there you can walk or bike to Whole Foods, Pizzeria, Bagel Shop, etc., and eventually the Westbard redevelopment will make that area even more desirable. Plus, you can hop on the bike trail to get to downtown Bethesda and the Bethesda pool. You're close to 495 and DC, and if you wan to walk to school, there's a great private right next door too - WES.