Experience with CES
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Anonymous
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We got an email that our DC was pulled from the wait pool for a CES spot. I'm not sure whether or not to send, though. I don't really know anything about the program. How is it different from regular classes? Is it just more work? Are all classes different, or only math and reading? Also, is the program entirely self-contained or do they interact with the mainstream kids at the school?
FWIW, DC is very bright, but, in a weird combination, is both a perfectionist and doesn't have a great work ethic. Is rarely satisfied with just doing their best. It has to be perfect or it's not worth doing at all. For example, if they get stumped on a question on a test, their inclination is just to quit the test altogether and not answer any of the other questions. Obviously something we're working on, but I worry CES will exacerbate these issues. On the other hand, DC really loves learning, and is very creative. An excellent writer, although they don't enjoy reading or writing. Loves science. Pretty good at math. Is kind of socially awkward and struggles to form close friendships - don't know if CES would be good or bad for that. |
Anonymous
It's fairly self-contained. Kids are together for reading, writing, and science. Electives may be mixed with the rest of the school, as are lunch and recess obviously. Most CES kids are in compacted math, and depending on the school some kids from the regular program might plug into math class only. It is different from "regular" classes in that the curriculum is (usually) linked. That is, they will be focused on a theme throughout ELA, Science, Social Studies, etc. This is much more reading and writing than regular 4th/5th grade.
It could, to be honest. But in general I found the CES teachers were really very sensitive to my child's perfectionist tendencies and worked with them to figure out what was worth more effort, and what was already good enough.
It is a very writing intensive program, particularly compared to a regular MCPS 3rd grade classroom, so it would be a learning curve for any kid. It's also reading intensive, with real assigned books, quizzes, and papers. |
Anonymous
| Take the spot. Your kid can always transfer back if they don't like it. But for my kid it was the best experience of their life. Completely life changing in thinking about education and schooling. The kid is now a self-motivated learner, which is fantastic. |
Anonymous
| CES is humanities-based, so reading and writing are different from the standard 4th and 5th grade curriculum, and that also has some effect on social studies/science writing. Math is the same compacted math every other school has. |
Anonymous
| I know this was 30+ years ago, so please take it with a grain of salt, but my CES teachers were much more patient with the behavior you described, which I also exhibited and which was a sign, in retrospect, of my undiagnosed ADHD. At least back then, they gave more time, attention and benefit of the doubt to "proven smart kids." |
Anonymous
| It is a lot of reading and writing. I feel like the kids are expected to be good at multitasking as they will have daily class work (which can become homework if they don’t finish) of short readings and responses, plus a novel assignment with biweekly assignments and small group discussion, and/or a longer term project involving research and writing. They don’t always have all 3 at once, but there were periods of time when they did. My kid tends to procrastinate and is not very organized so it was a bit of a step learning curve there, and it felt like a lot of work for me to have to constantly check in about deadlines and give reminders to turn things in on time. On the plus side, my kid became a better writer and critical thinker. I don’t have a non-CES basis for comparison though. Socially, from what I could tell, it seemed like the normal range of personality types and interests typical for that age. There seemed to be a lot of class discussion and some group projects. |
Anonymous
| If your child seems unchallenged in school and wouldn't enjoy a more rigorous reading and writing program they would enjoy it. It's a lot more interesting than regular classes if they're up to the challenge. |
Anonymous
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I had two kids go through CES and it sounds like a good fit for your kid. My kids vary in their strengths and difficulties and both thrived there. There are other quirky kids he could connect with, and the teachers tend to understand different learning styles.
Which school, op? |
Anonymous
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Plenty of kids with challenges such as disorganization and not having a great work ethic at that age. Since universal screening began more of those kids were invited to the CES and they do fine IME.
We have an older child who went through the CES before universal screening and a younger one who was in the first group that was selected from universal screening. I'd say the first group was a bit less diverse, not just of race or income, but just in strengths. They were mostly highly motivated in DC1's grade, while there was a better mix in my younger child's grade with some kids being highly motivated and others less so but by the end of it every one had learned a lot. |
Anonymous
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For us, it did not work out. DC was miserable and went from loving school to hating it. Part of it was pandemic related, I'm sure, but I found it to just be more work and not more in-depth, as it had been advertised. It seemed perfect for a kid like DC, who loves reading and learning more about things, always asking questions, loves creative projects, and is just a little on the quirky side. We thought they would have a great peer group and enjoy the assignments. Unfortunately it did not work out that way. I'm a high school teacher, and I just was not impressed, and DC's teacher had major issues. DC is going back to our home school for 5th grade, which we have always been very happy with.
That said, you can always go back to the home school, so I would give it a shot if your DC wants to do it. I don't regret trying it out, although DC says they wish they had stayed at home school for 4th. |
Anonymous
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(my daughter did this pre-pandemic)
My DD loved it and really found her tribe. She found five girls who I imagine she'll be friends with for life. She went on to MS magnet and some of those girls went with her, some didn't, but they are still thick as thieves. The program was great, but the cohort, I think, was way more important. In 4th grade my kid no longer felt like a dork, she felt welcomed. And is rocking it. |
Anonymous
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My son was in a CES for the past 2 years (the pandemic years). He had a different experience than normal, because of school being virtual for a year, but overall, it was positive. The CES reading and writing work was significantly more interesting than what the regular classes were doing. They looked at topics in more depth and from different angles. It wasn’t significantly more work, but it was different. More writing essays or longer creative writing assignments and fewer worksheets.
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