We are in district for Spring Hill with a child with severe food allergies. I tried to set-up a meeting with the Principal and got relegated to the AP. The AP had no clue about food allergy policy and left me feeling like it was a free for all. The SACC person did not show for the meeting nor for the open house that year. I also spoke with friends with non food allergic children and got a feeling that it would be up to DC to self advocate. Another friend with a child with severe allergies did get a meeting with the Principal and opted for private. We did as well (not solely because of allergies but it was a factor). I would definitely talk try to set-up a meeting before you buy if possible, talk to current parents and solicit opinions on the Nova Food Allergy yahoo group.

We had a child at Chesterbrook for 6 years with severe food allergies -- never had a problem. Teachers are great and the principal is wonderful. I know other families who enjoyed Spring Hill as well although don't know about the food allergy issue. You probably can't go wrong either way.

We moved to McLean 2 yrs ago b/c of schools and chose Chesterbrook over Spring Hill b/c of the size issue. We were moving our kids from a small private and were worried about a huge elementary. We LOVE Chesterbrook; I have one DS in AAP, one with an IEP, and one that may qualify for AAP when he hits 3rd grade. It's a great school with wonderful teachers, a fantastic principle, and very active parent community. Chesterbrook is also less over-crowded than Spring Hill - meaning fewer trailers (although to be honest my 4th grader thinks it's fun to trek to a trailer for his math class).

My daughter, with severe food allergies, attended Spring Hill. I think the key is to communicate clearly and frequently with the teachers.

I'd pick Chesterbrook over Spring Hill, which has almost 1000 students. To me, that's just too large for an elementary school.

As a plus, Chesterbrook is closer to DC and Arlington, and the neighborhoods that feed into Chesterbrook are at least as appealing as those assigned to Spring Hill.

McLean public schools are all good. Housing is generally more affordable in east McLean feeds to McLean HS rather than Langley HS. As to diversity, go to a McLean grocery store or look at the soccer fields on a weekend and look around. That's what diversity you'll see in the elementary schools. Mostly white, lots of Asian, one or two AA.

Anonymous wrote:We are looking to move to the Mclean area and we are trying to decide on the boundary areas for these elementary schools. I am interested in curriculum, diversity and the gt program. If anyone has kids there can you please comment. Also, does anyone have a child dealing with food allergies in either one of these schools. If so, how are they handled at the school. Good or bad teacher experiences? Thanks.

Spring Hill is incomparably better. Don't know about the food allergies.

We are looking to move to the Mclean area and we are trying to decide on the boundary areas for these elementary schools. I am interested in curriculum, diversity and the gt program. If anyone has kids there can you please comment. Also, does anyone have a child dealing with food allergies in either one of these schools. If so, how are they handled at the school. Good or bad teacher experiences? Thanks.