I posted above and just wanted to add that none of the schools in this area are bad. They all have great curriculum and if the school is a good fit for your kid -- they are as good as most privates. What they lack is small class sizes and any decent PE programs. PE is once a week for 40 minutes. It can be a very depressing environment for little boys.

People do have many positive things to say about Carderock (both academic and social). I live in the area and would say that parents like Burning Tree Elementary the best, then Carderock, then Wood Acres, and last Bannockburn. Wood Acres is just too huge and has a real problem with bullying. It has mostly very good teachers and a few bad ones. Bannockburn has a lousy reputation for just about everything. Carderock is kind of low key. Parents do not run around bragging about how great it is, but if you speak with them, they are very happy. I'd also say that they seem more realistic than some of the parents at some of the others.

Some refer to the school as Carderock Academy because its small size, beautiful facility, affluent community and excellent academic program make it appear more like a private school than a public.

How could their curriculum be any different than the county-wide, mandated curriculum at Bethesda, Bannockburn, North Chevy Chase, Somerset, Burning Tree, Westbrook and Wood Acres?

Answer: it isn't a different "academic program." They're getting the same academic program taught to the same white/Asian high SES students you see elsewhere in southwestern MoCo

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are the academics at Cardarock on par with nearby privates LS, like Holton?

Yes. The Carderock program is on par with any area private school. Families who have switched from privates talk about how much better the Carderock program, staff, and overall school experience is. Not only are the academics phenomenal, but there is a very active PTA which ensures that the students have plenty of enrichment opportunities. The PTA funds activities like cultural arts performances, after school sports, art, drama, and foreign language. In addition, children are encouraged to participate in charitable projects, best buddies programs and, generally, to be good school citizens. This is a very special school. Consider yourself lucky if your children have the opportunity to attend.

Which schools?

Beauvoir, Sidwell, Norwood, Woods Academy, Landon and Potomac are some or the locals. In addition, new families from NYC and Ct. have mentioned that the school is better than their former privates. Anecdotal evidence only, but certainly something to consider.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are the academics at Cardarock on par with nearby privates LS, like Holton?

Yes. The Carderock program is on par with any area private school. Families who have switched from privates talk about how much better the Carderock program, staff, and overall school experience is. Not only are the academics phenomenal, but there is a very active PTA which ensures that the students have plenty of enrichment opportunities. The PTA funds activities like cultural arts performances, after school sports, art, drama, and foreign language. In addition, children are encouraged to participate in charitable projects, best buddies programs and, generally, to be good school citizens. This is a very special school. Consider yourself lucky if your children have the opportunity to attend.

Which schools?

Carderock has a brand new school building. You should tour the school to see what your tax dollars "buy".

Anonymous wrote:Are the academics at Cardarock on par with nearby privates LS, like Holton?

Yes. The Carderock program is on par with any area private school. Families who have switched from privates talk about how much better the Carderock program, staff, and overall school experience is. Not only are the academics phenomenal, but there is a very active PTA which ensures that the students have plenty of enrichment opportunities. The PTA funds activities like cultural arts performances, after school sports, art, drama, and foreign language. In addition, children are encouraged to participate in charitable projects, best buddies programs and, generally, to be good school citizens. This is a very special school. Consider yourself lucky if your children have the opportunity to attend.

Are the academics at Cardarock on par with nearby privates LS, like Holton?

I live in Bannockburn and find the moms in Carderock Springs much more inviting.

I like Carderock parents better than Bannockburn parents. I have met and know many of both and actually decided NOT to build a house in Bannockburn because of the parents and the school. Bannockburn tends to have the younger, less affluent families -- which is absolutely not a bad thing. However, for some reason, I find the moms there highly judgemental and they think that their kids are perfect. I don't have a special needs child, but I pity anyone with one in that school. The parents have no compassion. Of course I am totally generalizing, but I would definitely recommend Carderock over Bannockburn. Since you asked for opinions -- that is mine!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Carderocks PTA is full of a bunch of pot heads so that makes things fun

Wow! I figured it was a bunch of Potomac richy-riches! How refreshing!

They are the ones.....

Carderock Springs is a top notch school. The parent community demands the best and they get it. Some refer to the school as Carderock Academy because its small size, beautiful facility, affluent community and excellent academic program make it appear more like a private school than a public.

As for the PTA, I assume the earlier poster was joking.

Anonymous wrote:Carderocks PTA is full of a bunch of pot heads so that makes things fun

Wow! I figured it was a bunch of Potomac richy-riches! How refreshing!

Carderocks PTA is full of a bunch of pot heads so that makes things fun

We are debating moving to one of these neighborhoods from DC. We really like to bikealong the Potomac so we are considering these neighborhoods. We visited these areas years ago and had good impressionss, and have heard good things about the schools. Are these schools still in good shape? I really liked Bannockburn's policy of putting kids in ability-level classes. Does that still happen? Thanks!