How are things at Murch this year?

[Anonymous]

We are in bounds and DD will be eligible for pre-K next year. Would love to hear the impressions of new/current Murch families. What do you think of the new principal? Wasn't there a problem with the art teacher last year? I've heard that the early years are great and things fall off a bit in the upper grades. Please share your thoughts, thanks.

[Anonymous]

great all around-- the new principal (who is a seasoned principal from montgomery county and was a principal trainer for new leaders for new schools) seems very present, very communicative, very happy to work with parents/have parents in the school etc., the teachers seem happy, the art teacher is new this year and the kids love art again- she is teaching them color theory right now, and seems to have a rich curriculum (she is also an artist). The playground is the bomb...
I have older and younger kids at Murch and I think the "falling off" talk is because of the attrition to charters and private schools and there is a feeling of not wanting to be the last one left. I have a child at Deal this year which is truly surpassing all my expectations and so I think with the success of deal, people will be less likely to leave Murch and they will see a possibility of staying in the system longer--once Wilson is renovated and modernized (which is slated to start this year) it will only get better.
The teachers at Murch are really great- lower and upper grades. With our oldest there were some disasters but they have all retired now and the whole lot of teachers is really truly wonderful.
Its a new day at Murch with the new principal, new art teacher, and assistant principal (a beloved teacher moved to AP over the summer).

[Anonymous]

The new principal seems great; the old art teacher is gone and the kids seem happy with the new one, and the new playground's the bomb! It's shaping up to be a good year.

[Anonymous]

There is a general sense of optimism amongst the parents at Murch. This is mostly due to the new principal and the new playground space.
A PP mentioned some disasters among the teaching staff and it is true that some have retired, but there is still a fair range in teaching styles and abilities at this school. This could be true not only at other public schools but private schools as well.
If you haven't toured Deal lately, you should. It is beautiful. The renovations have completely changed the feel of the school and I barely recognize today the same school I toured just over a year ago. I agree that Deal's facililities and promising program will keep more kids at Murch in the later grades.