Anonymous
04/26/2024 10:48
Subject: Bethesda elementary
Overcrowded and very transient population. Principal has no time for you if your kid is performing on grade level or above and kid is used as a buffer student for kids with serious issues. We had three kids start there but moved them all after second.
Anonymous
04/23/2024 13:05
Subject: Bethesda elementary
Great location.
Anonymous
04/22/2024 20:23
Subject: Re:Bethesda elementary
Anonymous wrote:We've been at BE for 10 years, between two kids - one still there. We have been very happy with the school - I feel very fortunate to be in the BE community. As others note, it's an urban school and for that reason, there is limited space to expand - they have some trailers in the back for classrooms. Several years ago, the classes were extremely overcrowded. That has eased since the boundary changes that moved some kids to Somerset, and I haven't noticed the issues as much as when my first child was first in the school. The Principal (Ms. Seymour) runs a tight ship, and we've always been impressed with her. The school communicates with parents - there are weekly newsletters from the school, and a weekly email from the classroom teacher. I've had no problems getting in touch with teachers when needed, etc. In the years we've been there, we only had one teacher that wasn't great (and the teacher isn't there anymore) - and there are several teachers who are really amazing (my DS has one now and I will be sad when we leave her classroom). As others have noted, it's a very international schools - lots of countries represented (multicultural night is quite impressive).
In terms of making friends out of school, with my first child, yes, very much so. We had a tight group of friends (kids and parents) from BE. With my second child, this has not been the case, but I think it's more the nature of second child and I haven't put in the work to do playdates etc.
There are some after school activities (offered by the PTA for a $), and there is also a before/afterschool program run by Wonders.
Anonymous
04/22/2024 20:23
Subject: Re:Bethesda elementary
We've been at BE for 10 years, between two kids - one still there. We have been very happy with the school - I feel very fortunate to be in the BE community. As others note, it's an urban school and for that reason, there is limited space to expand - they have some trailers in the back for classrooms. Several years ago, the classes were extremely overcrowded. That has eased since the boundary changes that moved some kids to Somerset, and I haven't noticed the issues as much as when my first child was first in the school. The Principal (Ms. Seymour) runs a tight ship, and we've always been impressed with her. The school communicates with parents - there are weekly newsletters from the school, and a weekly email from the classroom teacher. I've had no problems getting in touch with teachers when needed, etc. In the years we've been there, we only had one teacher that wasn't great (and the teacher isn't there anymore) - and there are several teachers who are really amazing (my DS has one now and I will be sad when we leave her classroom). As others have noted, it's a very international schools - lots of countries represented (multicultural night is quite impressive).
In terms of making friends out of school, with my first child, yes, very much so. We had a tight group of friends (kids and parents) from BE. With my second child, this has not been the case, but I think it's more the nature of second child and I haven't put in the work to do playdates etc.
There are some after school activities (offered by the PTA for a $), and there is also a before/afterschool program run by Wonders.
In terms of making friends out of school, with my first child, yes, very much so. We had a tight group of friends (kids and parents) from BE. With my second child, this has not been the case, but I think it's more the nature of second child and I haven't put in the work to do playdates etc.
There are some after school activities (offered by the PTA for a $), and there is also a before/afterschool program run by Wonders.
Anonymous
04/22/2024 18:34
Subject: Bethesda elementary
We really liked BE, but my youngest left in 2019 so I don't have any current info, although I believe the Principal Ms Seymour is still there (she's great). There was a great mix of families, and being foreigners, we particularly appreciated how many countries were represented there. My kids used the playground after school with their friends, we organized playdates and home birthday parties with them, etc. Quality of teachers was sometimes excellent, mostly good and sometimes terrible, like in all schools (my teens have been to two middle and two high schools since then). They didn't do activities at school, I ran the afternoon car service to various outside activities 
What I love is living close to downtown Bethesda. I love the walkability, the metro, the restaurants and shops. I am from Europe and used to live in a capital city. This is better - less polluted, more human scale, but still feels urban. My kids still walk past BE regularly and can't believe "it's gotten so small". Ha!
What I love is living close to downtown Bethesda. I love the walkability, the metro, the restaurants and shops. I am from Europe and used to live in a capital city. This is better - less polluted, more human scale, but still feels urban. My kids still walk past BE regularly and can't believe "it's gotten so small". Ha!
Anonymous
04/22/2024 18:25
Subject: Bethesda elementary
As with any school, you will have a variety of families. International families too.
Anonymous
04/22/2024 14:48
Subject: Bethesda elementary
One of the ES in a more "urban-ish" area. Not sure if that is a pro or con.
Anonymous
04/22/2024 14:43
Subject: Bethesda elementary
Moving close to metro for easier commute. Tell us the pros and cons of BE. School community? Did your kids make friends at school that they hung out with outside of school? Quality of teachers? After school activities?