Reply to Tell me about Bel Pre Elementary

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/regulatoryaccountability/glance/currentyear/schools/02780.pdf

Here's the at a glance stats. Nearly 70% FARMs. I know the school has a backpack program where other schools and charitable orgs fill backpacks with food to send home with the kids each week. Just mentioning this in case you have zero clue as to the demographics.

Having said that, the teachers might be great and your kid might thrive there academically. I have friends and relatives with kids in title 1 schools in Silver Spring who are at the top of their class and will end up in the HGCs. BUT these kids don't have the same social aspects that kids at other schools might have. Specifically: they don't have play dates after school because their friends' parents are working multiple jobs, or don't speak English, or they live in crowded housing situations. And they don't play on sports teams with their friends from school. This might not bother you...just mentioning it as something to consider.

My sister's kids are in a title 1 school near bel Pre. Because she is a SAHM and the only white English speaking parent in her kids' classes, it was sort of assumed she would be the room mom and class volunteer and PTA lady, etc. Sharing that info just as an FYI as I imagine its the same case at bel Pre.

Do you live in Strathmore Bel Pre? Great neighborhood, nice houses and awesome pool...but most kids go to private school instead of the local public schools. The apartments on Hewitt are problematic and feed into the school. The county actually received federal hot spot funding for additional police initiatives there many years ago. [/quote]

I'm a teacher at a Title I school and ITA agree with this poster. The social piece is the one you'll want to consider. [/quote]

OP--you are getting great advice.  The academics in Title 1 schools can be fantastic due to the extra resources.  But the social aspect is really tough.  My BF son goes to a Title 1 in FFX.  He was sad because no one ever invited him to bday parties.  My BF came to find out it was because the families were not throwing friend parties due to the cost.  So when little Johnny wanted to have a party, my BF had a hard time.  He wanted to invite the class to Pump It Up in Manassas.  Well, most of his classmates parents use public transportation and work multiple jobs.  It just wasn't going to happen the way Johnny had envisioned his bday party with his friends from school.  And then of course there is the social awkwardness of being able to afford something that many in the class cannot or view as wasteful when there is food to be bought and bills to be paid.

FWIW--Johnny is a very popular playdate on the weekends.  His mom has a car and food.  Many of Johnny's classmates are very eager to spend any time they can with my friends family.[/quote]

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