Oak View CES

[Anonymous]

My child is on the waitlist for the Oak View CES. I did a quick search for the program on here, and saw some general negative feedback on the school itself. Can anyone tell me more about the program? If there are larger issues at the elementary school, does it filter into the CES program? If my child makes it off the waitlist it will be a very difficult decision whether to leave our home school which has tons of parent involvement/activities/etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My child is on the waitlist for the Oak View CES. I did a quick search for the program on here, and saw some general negative feedback on the school itself. Can anyone tell me more about the program? If there are larger issues at the elementary school, does it filter into the CES program? If my child makes it off the waitlist it will be a very difficult decision whether to leave our home school which has tons of parent involvement/activities/etc.

I think it is great to be proactive, but I find that given so many are on the wait list it is almost pointless to research a CES until an offer is made.

[Anonymous]

I don't think much time is given for wait list families to make a decision if an offer is made. OP is wise to get a feel for the school while there is time now.

I have no Oak View info, but Pine Crest rules! (Sorry to not be of help.)

[Anonymous]

Our child started at Oak View CES this year and we're really pleased with it. Both 4th grade CES teachers are terrific. All the kids are in one teacher's "homeroom" or the other, and they switch to the other teacher for either math/science or reading/social studies blocks. The principal is very warm and welcoming and approachable. Some families have had issues with the CES bussing this year, but that didn't affect us. The PTA is smaller than at our previous school, and is shared with New Hampshire Estates ES.

[Anonymous]

My child graduated from Oakview HGC. My experiences: A great program, excellent teachers, and students peers

[Anonymous]

We currently have a 5th grader in Oak View HGC. We have been thrilled with the teachers, administration, curriculum and the community. Happy to answer any specific questions.

[Anonymous]

So, are there two 4th grade classes, then? And do they each have about 25 students?

[Anonymous]

Parent of a student in this program. 4th grade teachers are great. My student has not gotten on as well with the more veteran teacher of the 5th grade. He is a good teacher, but can be sarcastic and my kid has had a hard time with that. My child has had social difficulties with the other kids in the program in 5th grade. Kids aren't as friendly (in my child's view). The school has discipline problems outside the center. Center isn't especially well integrated into the rest of the school. 5th grade academics aren't as strong as they were in 4th. I don't think in 5th grade there is as much of a difference academically between the center and the home school. 4th grade there was, for sure. The AP is not very nice to the kids. The lunch room is very crowded and chaotic. The playground is too and Spanish is heavily spoken by kids outside the center on the playground (not saying that's a bad thing, it's just a fact). Pine Crest takes a 5th grade trip to Philadelphia, the 5th grade this year is going to Dave and Busters at Oak View. They didn't take the trip to St. Mary's City in 4th grade at Oak View. There is a big money differential in the PTA and the rest of the school at large from what you are probably used to at your home school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So, are there two 4th grade classes, then? And do they each have about 25 students?

Correct.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My child is on the waitlist for the Oak View CES. I did a quick search for the program on here, and saw some general negative feedback on the school itself. Can anyone tell me more about the program? If there are larger issues at the elementary school, does it filter into the CES program? If my child makes it off the waitlist it will be a very difficult decision whether to leave our home school which has tons of parent involvement/activities/etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Parent of a student in this program. 4th grade teachers are great. My student has not gotten on as well with the more veteran teacher of the 5th grade. He is a good teacher, but can be sarcastic and my kid has had a hard time with that. My child has had social difficulties with the other kids in the program in 5th grade. Kids aren't as friendly (in my child's view). The school has discipline problems outside the center. Center isn't especially well integrated into the rest of the school. 5th grade academics aren't as strong as they were in 4th. I don't think in 5th grade there is as much of a difference academically between the center and the home school. 4th grade there was, for sure. The AP is not very nice to the kids. The lunch room is very crowded and chaotic. The playground is too and Spanish is heavily spoken by kids outside the center on the playground (not saying that's a bad thing, it's just a fact). Pine Crest takes a 5th grade trip to Philadelphia, the 5th grade this year is going to Dave and Busters at Oak View. They didn't take the trip to St. Mary's City in 4th grade at Oak View. There is a big money differential in the PTA and the rest of the school at large from what you are probably used to at your home school.

My child had the opposite experience with the fifth grade teacher. Best teacher he has ever had.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Parent of a student in this program. 4th grade teachers are great. My student has not gotten on as well with the more veteran teacher of the 5th grade. He is a good teacher, but can be sarcastic and my kid has had a hard time with that. My child has had social difficulties with the other kids in the program in 5th grade. Kids aren't as friendly (in my child's view). The school has discipline problems outside the center. Center isn't especially well integrated into the rest of the school. 5th grade academics aren't as strong as they were in 4th. I don't think in 5th grade there is as much of a difference academically between the center and the home school. 4th grade there was, for sure. The AP is not very nice to the kids. The lunch room is very crowded and chaotic. The playground is too and Spanish is heavily spoken by kids outside the center on the playground (not saying that's a bad thing, it's just a fact). Pine Crest takes a 5th grade trip to Philadelphia, the 5th grade this year is going to Dave and Busters at Oak View. They didn't take the trip to St. Mary's City in 4th grade at Oak View. There is a big money differential in the PTA and the rest of the school at large from what you are probably used to at your home school.

My child had the opposite experience with the fifth grade teacher. Best teacher he has ever had.

+1 Best teacher any of my kids have had. DC has an amazing year with him.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Parent of a student in this program. 4th grade teachers are great. My student has not gotten on as well with the more veteran teacher of the 5th grade. He is a good teacher, but can be sarcastic and my kid has had a hard time with that. My child has had social difficulties with the other kids in the program in 5th grade. Kids aren't as friendly (in my child's view). The school has discipline problems outside the center. Center isn't especially well integrated into the rest of the school. 5th grade academics aren't as strong as they were in 4th. I don't think in 5th grade there is as much of a difference academically between the center and the home school. 4th grade there was, for sure. The AP is not very nice to the kids. The lunch room is very crowded and chaotic. The playground is too and Spanish is heavily spoken by kids outside the center on the playground (not saying that's a bad thing, it's just a fact). Pine Crest takes a 5th grade trip to Philadelphia, the 5th grade this year is going to Dave and Busters at Oak View. They didn't take the trip to St. Mary's City in 4th grade at Oak View. There is a big money differential in the PTA and the rest of the school at large from what you are probably used to at your home school.

My child had the opposite experience with the fifth grade teacher. Best teacher he has ever had.

+1 Best teacher any of my kids have had. DC has an amazing year with him.

Good! I'm genuinely happy for your kids. Unfortunately it hasn't been like that for my child. He's impatient with my kid. He's been borderline insulting at times. The newer 5th grade teacher has been good though.

[Anonymous]

Mr. Bass. 5th grader teacher at Oak view CES, is the best teacher of my kid have had.

[Anonymous]

This is good to hear. My child was accepted to Oakview and we're leaning toward acceptance. Can anyone in the program comment on the non-academic parts of the school?

Clubs? Music? Art? The school counselor? Administration? The overall school community? We're coming from a school that we like a lot and where my child has been well served, so the "intangibles" are also worth it for us to consider.