Any info on Chevy Chase Elementary School on Rosemary in CC?

[Anonymous]

What is CCES' reputation? Academics? Sciences? Art? Ability to deal with Active Boys?

[Anonymous]

I worked at rosemary hills several years ago. It is an amazing school - I wish my daughter could go there. something special about a k-2 school.

[Anonymous]

I also would welcome any comments on CCES.

[Anonymous]

We have had a great experience at CCES. Did not do RHPS as we moved into MD after that age. Can not comment on boys, as we have a girl.

CCES definitely is able to cater to a range of ability. Math classes are split by skills mastered and kids are usually at level or in a math class w/i the grade that is working one or more grades ahead. Reading is mixed ability by class, but w/i the class there are usually at least 3 separate reading groups. MoCo offers good magnet programs geared toward those capable of working 2 or more grades ahead of their chronological age.

CCES also has a well-loved, award-winning instrumental music teacher, Mr. Bowling (who also teaches at NCCES), so kids get to take instrumental music in addition to regular music starting in 4th grade. CCES used to have a "special" magnet science program, and so has a true science lab room w/ tables & faucets, etc. Unfortunately, the MoCo budget cut this teacher as a full-time science only teacher, but the CCES principal just hired the science teacher instead to be one of the 5th grade magnet teachers, so the science teacher is still at the school, but just not teaching science full-time. Instead, each individual teacher is now expected to teach the science curriculum. That seems to be going OK, but I'm not really focused on science, so I don't have a good sense of that transition. Art teacher seems great. There is a TV lab, and at some point, kids get to choose to participate in running the school-wide TV show.

Also, CCES is currently one of the few schools in the county to retain its 6th grade. Kids stay at CCES and move to middle school in 7th, unless they want to apply to a magnet. Many parents like this, viewing it as a sort of shelter from the impending teen/hormonal years. But, downside is that for very bright kids, they may not have access to the same gifted or honors track classes that are offered in a middle school. CCES is always arguing that their 6th grade should get the same stuff as a middle school, but of course because it's not a middle school, they are sometimes forgotten in planning by the central office. My sense is that so far, CCES has been able to get what middle school gets more or less, but since we are not in that grade, I don't know for sure.

We did a lot of research to pick a school, focused on CCES, moved and have been very happy there.

Am a little worried how the economy will affect budget cuts in public schools in general though...

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the info, PP. Any more comments out there??

[Anonymous]

What exactly do you mean by 'active boy'?

[Anonymous]

I have an 'active boy' (trouble sitting still, focusing, and a few other behavioral issues) and was reluctant to move him from his small private preschool to Rosemary Hills. He had a few issues in the beginning of the year while adjusting to the change, but his teacher and other staff members were especially dedicated to seeing him successfully adjust. We are half-way through his first year and I've never seen him so enthusiastic about school, learning, and his new friends. My husband and I have extremely busy schedules and 3 other children (older and younger). It is very reassuring when you can trust that your "active boy" is having his needs met and we are not being called away from the office on a regular basis. Before trying out the local public school, per recommendation from a coworker who was familiar with RH, his private school was recommending that I have him see a doctor about his troubles focusing. With a little dedication from his teacher, they seemed to have dissipated (in terms of causing classroom problems).

[Anonymous]

My sense is that public schools are far better at handling "active" boys than private schools. Private schools tend to filter out any boy (or kid) who might have too much energy. So, I am pleased to see that CCES can handle "active" boys.

[Anonymous]

NP - any other feedback regarding CCES? We are thinking of sending our son there. Are the class sizes a problem? What are the other children, parents like? How is the after-care? Do a lot of people walk?

[Anonymous]

Like PP, we may send our child there, so further feedback would be most appreciated.

[Anonymous]

Tons of kids walk to CCES. It's like a river of kids down Raymond Street in the AM. There is a crossing guard at Connecticut and Brookeville Ave. There are also bike racks for bikers. But, some kids also come by bus -- mostly those in the Rollingwood neighborhood or near CC circle or in the Rosemary Hills neighborhood.

I don't see class sizes as a problem, but others may disagree, and it might depend on your kid's personality. My DC is super-well-behaved teacher pleaser type, so classroom size isn't such an issue for us. I have been pleasantly suprised that the teachers we have had seem to have very good classroom management skills. Most teachers seem to employ some kind of positive behavior modification system (i.e. earn a ticket for good behavior to spend on candy, trinkets, homework passes, etc.)

Not much personal experience w/ aftercare as we've only dropped in, but it seems good. It's run by Wonders. There are also a lot of afterschool activities that can kind of substitute for part-time aftercare. Siblings from Rosemary Hills can attend Wonders after/before care at either CCES/RHPS and then be bused to CCES for pickup so that parents can pick up both kids at the same location.