Rockville preschools: CES or Geneva?

[Anonymous]

DH and I have narrowed down our son’s preschool options to Christ Episcopal or Geneva Day School. Does anyone have any firsthand experience with either (or better yet, both!) of these preschool programs in the Rockville area?

And more broadly, are there any advantages or disadvantages to picking a school that goes further than preschool (like CES) since we’re planning to switch to public school when our son is ready to start kindergarten? Thanks!

[Anonymous]

We had an older child go through CES and our youngest will be beginning in the Fall. We LOVE the preschool - the teachers are so supportive and caring. Our oldest was basically scared of his own shadow and cried all of the time and was really shy. They really took their time with him and coaxed him out of his shell; helped to match him up with other kids who matched his personality and really nurtured him. Also, his preschool teachers never missed his birthday parties - I felt like the staff was actually family.

We had lots of choices this second time around and we've also moved and our income is a lot higher now than it was before so could have selected a different preschool for our second child but there was no doubt that we would choose CES again.

[Anonymous]

Geneva is fantastic and also has a kindergarten that can’t be beat! I love their focus on the young child. It is a wonderful community.

I do not have experience withCES so I can’t compare it, but I know if you go with Geneva that you will be happy!

[Anonymous]

I consistently hear good things about both. Choose whichever location is more convenient for you.

[Anonymous]

Kids are older, so dated info. However, we sent various kids to CES and Geneva as well as other local preschools. During those times, all were wonderful programs.

That said, with pandemic, double check - I believe CES staff were reduced commiserate with drop in enrollment, and not sure what preschools have remained open and how that has affected staffing.

FWIW, kindergarten teacher at CES is superb. After experiencing public school K with our first, we sent younger kids to CES just to have her as a teacher. No experience with Geneva K.

Overall, no matter where you go and what age, do your best to ensure your child will mesh with the teacher. If teacher doesn't like your kid, that's a tough place to be.

[Anonymous]

I've heard fantastic things from families at both. Go with whoever is cheaper and/or closer

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DH and I have narrowed down our son’s preschool options to Christ Episcopal or Geneva Day School. Does anyone have any firsthand experience with either (or better yet, both!) of these preschool programs in the Rockville area?

And more broadly, are there any advantages or disadvantages to picking a school that goes further than preschool (like CES) since we’re planning to switch to public school when our son is ready to start kindergarten? Thanks!

Which school is more structured? And which prepares better for Kindergarten (I guess is more academic)?

[Anonymous]

Christ Episcopal is probably more structured because the entire school (K-8) is that way. It is not in a stifling way but all the kids follow a little routine and have “leadership” roles. It’s a great warm little place in the cutest preschool house, where the teachers are amazingly patient and supportive of the kids (I’ve especially observed this for kids who are absolutely new to daycare/preschool) and the teachers even routinely stop by for birthday parties. You can’t go wrong with either one of the schools though.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Christ Episcopal is probably more structured because the entire school (K-8) is that way. It is not in a stifling way but all the kids follow a little routine and have “leadership” roles. It’s a great warm little place in the cutest preschool house, where the teachers are amazingly patient and supportive of the kids (I’ve especially observed this for kids who are absolutely new to daycare/preschool) and the teachers even routinely stop by for birthday parties. You can’t go wrong with either one of the schools though.

Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Christ Episcopal is probably more structured because the entire school (K-8) is that way. It is not in a stifling way but all the kids follow a little routine and have “leadership” roles. It’s a great warm little place in the cutest preschool house, where the teachers are amazingly patient and supportive of the kids (I’ve especially observed this for kids who are absolutely new to daycare/preschool) and the teachers even routinely stop by for birthday parties. You can’t go wrong with either one of the schools though.

This would be close to where we are. Do you know how old you have to be to enroll in the preschool?

[Anonymous]

Admission starts at age two. Prek4 also requires uniforms. That may change your mind if you want to switch to public schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Christ Episcopal is probably more structured because the entire school (K-8) is that way. It is not in a stifling way but all the kids follow a little routine and have “leadership” roles. It’s a great warm little place in the cutest preschool house, where the teachers are amazingly patient and supportive of the kids (I’ve especially observed this for kids who are absolutely new to daycare/preschool) and the teachers even routinely stop by for birthday parties. You can’t go wrong with either one of the schools though.

This would be close to where we are. Do you know how old you have to be to enroll in the preschool?

We actually are starting our 3 year old toddler here in the Fall and were really impressed with the Head of the preschool and the classroom(s) - really bright and cheerful.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Geneva is fantastic and also has a kindergarten that can’t be beat! I love their focus on the young child. It is a wonderful community.

I do not have experience withCES so I can’t compare it, but I know if you go with Geneva that you will be happy!

I do know people who were happy with their Geneva experience but ours was not good at all and we knew other parents our year who were equally unhappy. I think the kindergarten is a good for very quiet academic kids who can sit still for long periods of time. I have heard more consistently good things about the pre-k program so I suspect it depends on the teacher and probably to some extent the year.

[Anonymous]

Geneva has some great aspects to it, it really does. My child has had awesome teachers and the playground is FANTASTIC. That being said, this year there have been many disappointing things for US (might not be a big deal to others):
1. Screen time. I personally think there should be NONE, but they show some videos in PreK and had them on a tablet of some kind. In summer camp, they watched tv/movies for 45 minutes every day and we were not told.

2. Lack of outdoor time. I thought they were going outside twice a day, no matter the weather, but even on days when it's been 45 degrees they have only gone out once.

3. More academic than I thought. Lots of worksheets and handwriting stuff.

3. Closures. For 'inclement' weather, they follow MCPS no matter what. SO even if their parking lot is plowed, they just close if MCPS does. They also took longer than most preschools in the area to update quarantine guidelines. They were doing 14 day quarantines up until last week.

Again, I think it's still a great school. But I probably would have picked somewhere else if I had known this.