PP here. That last sentence should read "should NOT" be a big deal, either."

No, the date is accurate. We did that with another ES in MCPS. The old school is demolished the day after the school year ends (so for Candlewood, it must have been June 2013) and construction begins immediately. It's about 18 months for the construction process.

If your child starts at Candlewood next year (meaning August 2014), a few months at the holding school won't be an issue. Even if you buy the house there prior to June 2014, a few months of this school year + the first half of the 2014-2015 school year, should be a big deal, either.

Our daughter will be in K at Candlewood next year, and from what I hear that midyear move to the new school is pretty firm - I don't love the idea of moving midyear but it will be nice to have a new building with plenty of room for almost all of elementary school.

Not familiar specifically with Candlewood but we went through similar process with another ES in Montgomery County. The kids are moved to a nearby holding school (and are the only ones in the building). They will transition to the rebuilt school after the winter break in December of 2014 (this will give personnel time to move all the stuff over the holiday break). They will stay in the same classes/same teacher when they move back into Candlewood.

We are looking at a property in the boundaries of Candlewood E.S. I've heard/read its a great school, and the location near the metro is great for us. I see that its being re-built. Does anyone here have an update on how that all works? I read from their website that it was scheduled to be done January 2015. Is that an overestimate and they're hoping for Fall, or do you think that's pretty accurate? Will the students start in the Fall with the same classes they'll be with when they move over to the new school?
How do those transitions work in MCPS? It seems like it would be a huge process.
Are they the only students at the current temporary school?