Reply to Public elementary schools in Bethesda and Chevy Chase?

Forum Index » Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS)

Reply to "Public elementary schools in Bethesda and Chevy Chase?"

Subject:

Emoticons





More smilies

Text Color: Font: Close Marks

[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Bump.

We're moving and are trying to decide between a house zoned to Somerset and one zoned to BE. We have a list of comparisons between the homes and truly cannot decide just based on locations, commute, price, etc. So I'm trying to figure out if the difference in schools is significant enough to impact the decision.

Can anyone tell me about special programs, curriculum enrichment sponsored by the PTA, or other extras at the schools (artist in residence, garden, etc)? [/quote]

I am sure both schools are great but I doubt either would fit the bill in the "artist in residence or garden" category. You need to look private if those are items on your wish list.[/quote]

We're at Westbrook Elementary, which is closer in to DC than either Somerset or BE.  We live 4 blocks from Friendship Heights Metro.  Westbrook PTA pays for Artist in Residence for all grade levels, plus they've had an extra, school-wide project this year (creating a giant mobile).  The school was just renovated last year to include a courtyard which is supposed to be planted with local plants - though I'm not exactly sure how this will be implemented.

There are great play areas, with a separate facility for younger vs older kids.  Afterschool activities are much more diverse now that we actually have the space and gym to accommodate activities.  During the school week, there is one special per day - music, PE, art, media, computer lab.  I wish there was more physical activity, but it doesn't seem different from many other schools in the area.  Science and Social studies seem to be woven in - ie. my 3rd grader is currently working on home budgets & economics, which are woven into math.  Likewise, with many of the experiments that they've done this year.

FWIW, I'm not sure "grade level" makes any sense when discussing the math curriculum.  It is very different than when I was a kid in MCPS GT programs a million years ago.  As an example, my 3rd grader didn't start multiplication until this year, which is much later than when I remember learning it.  However, they are integrating it with algebra, fractions and multi-step word problems, which are being introduced way earlier than I remember being taught.  I don't see it as better or worse - it is just way more integrated and presented differently.

It wasn't on your list, but Westbrook is pretty wonderful.

[/quote]

Options

	Disable HTML in this message
	Disable BB Code in this message
	Disable smilies in this message

Review message

Search Recent Topics Hottest Topics