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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Hello all -

I had the pleasure of serving as Head of School at Barnesville for nine years, and my three sons attended, with the older two successfully matriculating to Poolesville Global Magnet and St. Andrew's for 9th grade, and the youngest attending until the time I departed.  I also had the pleasure of working with Brooke Carroll when she was head at Seneca.

There are too many opinions, assertions, and allegations in this thread to address, but I did feel compelled to wade back into this forum to offer a few non-anonymous thoughts from my limited perch:

1.  Seneca was a lovely school with a strong academic program.  It was a gem of upcounty, and it will be missed.

2.  Barnesville enjoyed partnering with Seneca over the years, and it felt to me like there was much more in common than different between the two schools.  Would that we could have partnered more.

3.  Barnesville, though smaller in enrollment than it has been in the past, continues to deliver an outstanding education to its students.  I would without hesitation reenroll my children there.  While a school can't be all things to all people, I particularly cherished its whole-child approach, the green and nature focus of the curriculum, and the community size that allowed for a sense of togetherness.

4.  Smaller schools by their very nature are less tolerant of budget and enrollment swings, but I can say with certainty that the resources of my former school were, and are, well-managed.

Should Seneca families consider Barnesville?  Yes, I think so, along with other local options, as cost and commute will allow.  It may not be the perfect match for everyone, but I believe it has a great deal to offer.

I wish all Seneca's families the best in this time of transition and uncertainty.

- John[/quote]

I am making myself perfectly clear here. I was a parent while you were HOS at Barnesville.

1. Academics no where near public school or other local privates.  I should know as my other children went to MCPS and other private schools.

2. While we were there the flight of students leaving was quite apparent.

3. Fifth grade teacher my child had literally did not grade a thing the whole year. Presented us with a folder, that included three items in it for a conference? Total waste of a year.

4. Current HOS has zero experience in school administration and it shows.

5. Spanish teacher was horrible did absolutely  nothing.  Social Studies teacher could not write an email. Math teacher in the high math for MS was a bully. While these teachers are no longer there, the good ones are not either. Staff turnover has been a lot.

6. Barnesville can barely field a MS currently.

7. Bullying was crazy bad when we where there. Particularly the girls. (No my child was not bullied) Watching the others and how the school did nothing was gross. Yes, I complained while we were there.

8. Because turnover was so high during our time Barnesville took on some students that clearly needed counselors with knowledge of their learning abilities. That did not happen.

9. Our first year at Barnesville was fourth grade. We had a lovely teacher who is no longer there. That year was amazing. After that completely downhill.

As a parent I can say with confidence I would not recommend Barnesville for any grade past third. Yes, this is very personal for me.  While Poolesville Magnet is great that's not telling the whole story at all.

What did we love about Barnesville recess, every day.

[/quote]

I am sorry to hear that your family's experiences were so disappointing.  Clearly an anonymous message board isn't the place to try to redress past concerns, but please know that it pains me to hear that this was your family's pathway.  I wish you and your alumna well wherever the future may lead.

John[/quote]

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