Anonymous wrote:OP here:

Looking for school names & why you have enjoyed the schools, not the side comments. Thanks!!

Without knowing more specific concerns, folks might be naming schools with the same issues you observed at the school you visited.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:there isn't anything magical about Bethesda. What is different is the kids in Bethesda come from wealthier families than where I assume you are.

What didn't you like about the kindergarten teachers? All the schools follow the same curricula.

People love to say this on this board but the reality is that different schools have different peer cohorts and and anyone who doesn't know how this can impact the class environment as a whole has been living under a rock.

Bethesda isn't the only place with high achieving peer cohorts. There are strong elementary schools across the county. And there are very smart kids in every single school.

Westbrook elementary

Anonymous wrote:Not Bethesda, but Chevy Chase ES is the best MoCo elem school I’ve experienced (of three).

Yes but... rosemary hills

Not Bethesda, but Chevy Chase ES is the best MoCo elem school I’ve experienced (of three).

Wood Acres, Bradley Hills, Bannockburn, Carderock

Bethesda Elementary is often criticized for being crowded (and it is despite changes over the years) but the principal is dedicated and hard working. She fights for resources for the school from MCPS. Because the school has a focus on special needs, I think all students benefit from diversity in abilities in the student population. Because of the high amount of construction in Bethesda, there’s a variety of housing and family incomes. I’ve had 14 years at the school as a parent with multiple children and have only had one teacher who was very unprepared for the classroom (and that teacher has left). I am regularly impressed with the teaching staff.

Not in Bethesda, but Beverly Farms is the school you want. It’s the best community with an amazing school and PTA.

Not Bethesda, but we are super happy with our elementary school in Olney. The administrators are top-notch, in my opinion, and we love the kindergarten team and all the specials teachers.

OP here:

Looking for school names & why you have enjoyed the schools, not the side comments. Thanks!!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:there isn't anything magical about Bethesda. What is different is the kids in Bethesda come from wealthier families than where I assume you are.

What didn't you like about the kindergarten teachers? All the schools follow the same curricula.

People love to say this on this board but the reality is that different schools have different peer cohorts and and anyone who doesn't know how this can impact the class environment as a whole has been living under a rock.

Yeah, but that doesn't negate the fact that all schools follow the same curricula.
DP

Anonymous wrote:there isn't anything magical about Bethesda. What is different is the kids in Bethesda come from wealthier families than where I assume you are.

What didn't you like about the kindergarten teachers? All the schools follow the same curricula.

People love to say this on this board but the reality is that different schools have different peer cohorts and and anyone who doesn't know how this can impact the class environment as a whole has been living under a rock.

Don't pick a school because you like the teachers. Teachers change all the time, even ignoring that your kid will have new teachers every year, and every school has duds.

there isn't anything magical about Bethesda. What is different is the kids in Bethesda come from wealthier families than where I assume you are.

What didn't you like about the kindergarten teachers? All the schools follow the same curricula.

Hi everyone,
I just toward our local public school in MoCo – which is not in Bethesda – and was underwhelmed with the principal, kindergarten teachers who presented, and the facilities.

We are a progressive, community oriented family and want to stay in the public school system. I plan to be active in the PTA and to volunteer in the class if needed. However, I cannot justify sending my kids to this school. I’m now exploring a move to Bethesda for the sake of schools (while still preferring a neighborhood where most kids go public!).

Please tell me the real scoop on which schools have the best teachers and other resources you seem important to a high-quality publicelementary school experience! Thank you!