http://www.greatschools.org/

You can read parent comments too.

Also read the at-a-glance of the schools you are interested in and familiarize yourself with the acronyms.
FARMS - free and reduced meal price
ESOL - English as a second language

http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/regulatoryaccountability/glance/

I'm not sure where you can get volunteer hours for each school, but that would tell you how involved parents are. I know my child's school keeps track of volunteer hours and has gotten commendation for the number of hours volunteered.

College Gardens is good. The principal at ritchie park is terrible.

Also check out Garret Park ES - some parts of Rockville near Randolph Road/Nicholson lane/Parklawn dr are zoned to that school

Anonymous wrote:Is this double posted? I just responded to this thread somewhere else?

yes-- first in general schools

http://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/269419.page

If you are looking in Rockville - stick to the west end. Lakewood, Fallsmead, Beall, Richie Park, Beall, etc.

Is this double posted? I just responded to this thread somewhere else?

We are looking to move to a neighborhood with a strong elementary school in Mont County. We can't afford Bethesda or Chevy Chase, so are thinking SS or Rockville. I've heard there are vast differences btwn schools in this area, especially in regards to resources. I'm starting to tour schools and am looking at the MCPS website. Do you know other ways I can tell its a good school?? what questions shoud I be asking the schools to give me hints (ie, parent involvement stats?). Any good websites you'd recommend? I feel frustrated bc I know there are differences but websites like greatschools.com are so generic and have good marks for almost all MCPS.
Any tips would be appreciated!