Anonymous
02/26/2014 00:55
Subject: Tell me about Bel Pre Elementary
Anonymous wrote:OP, can I ask which preschool? (we're looking for one in the area and haven't found much)
OP here. We go to Early Childhood Center in Rockville. We couldn't find anything in this area either.
Anonymous
02/25/2014 13:35
Subject: Tell me about Bel Pre Elementary
Anonymous
02/25/2014 12:29
Subject: Tell me about Bel Pre Elementary
OP, can I ask which preschool? (we're looking for one in the area and haven't found much)
Anonymous
02/24/2014 21:39
Subject: Tell me about Bel Pre Elementary
Olney/Brookeville
Anonymous
02/24/2014 21:34
Subject: Tell me about Bel Pre Elementary
20:02 where did you move to?
Anonymous
02/24/2014 21:06
Subject: Tell me about Bel Pre Elementary
OP - if you don't have this in your neighborhood then I think you need to move. I'm jealous of 20:02 but at least my nieghborhood has a fair amount of same age kids that are out & about when weather is warm or pool is open. If you have not even neighborhood kiddos then it is going to be really hard for your kid to hang out with friends regularly I think. It sucks - it's just crappy that so many of the SS area schools are like this.
Anonymous
02/24/2014 20:02
Subject: Tell me about Bel Pre Elementary
We left a title 1 area in Silver Spring precisely for the social aspects of grade school. We wanted to live in a neighborhood where our kids can ride bikes and play with neighborhood kids from school. We wanted to be involved in carpools and play dates after school. Wanted our kids to play on teams with school friends and car pool to practices and games. Wanted to have a neighborhood pool where families from the school hang out during the summer. So glad we moved. Had we stayed, we wouldn't have this.
Anonymous
02/24/2014 16:16
Subject: Tell me about Bel Pre Elementary
OP here. Thanks for the replies...very useful information! I am very concerned and bothered about the social situation as well because as I mentioned in my original comment, our neighborhood has no young children (or at least none that I have ever seen), so school would be the main place where my child would be having social interactions with other kids her own age. Our home is in the Longmead Crossing area, nice neighborhood but not much going on socially.
I will look into the PTA at the school, but I just want a clear picture of what to expect, especially academically. What are the teachers like? And the students? Have there been any issues with bullying? Does everyone have to take ESOL class since there is such a high percentage of non-English speaking students? Will it be challenging enough for my child academically?
I just feel like after putting her in a great preschool for 2 years, this school will be a big disappointment, but I really want to get a clear picture and not just judge based on statistics. I have been weighing the pros and cons of the school and I feel like the cons are outweighing the pros so far but that's just on paper and without any actual input from people who actually have children at the school or people who work there.
I know we will eventually have to move because it looks like it just gets worse in the higher grades, just trying to figure out what to expect at a Title 1 school and if the social thing is worth moving for (if that is, in fact, the biggest issue) because I don't think my husband feels the same way I do :-/
I will look into the PTA at the school, but I just want a clear picture of what to expect, especially academically. What are the teachers like? And the students? Have there been any issues with bullying? Does everyone have to take ESOL class since there is such a high percentage of non-English speaking students? Will it be challenging enough for my child academically?
I just feel like after putting her in a great preschool for 2 years, this school will be a big disappointment, but I really want to get a clear picture and not just judge based on statistics. I have been weighing the pros and cons of the school and I feel like the cons are outweighing the pros so far but that's just on paper and without any actual input from people who actually have children at the school or people who work there.
I know we will eventually have to move because it looks like it just gets worse in the higher grades, just trying to figure out what to expect at a Title 1 school and if the social thing is worth moving for (if that is, in fact, the biggest issue) because I don't think my husband feels the same way I do :-/
Anonymous
02/22/2014 09:19
Subject: Tell me about Bel Pre Elementary
Not at bel pre but another title I school. Agree that the social aspect is difficult. It has been hard to set up play dates and zero class bday parties. 
kind of a bummer.
kind of a bummer.
Anonymous
02/21/2014 19:52
Subject: Tell me about Bel Pre Elementary
We liked it after time. I think once the principal realized that I knew what I was talking about, she began to view my questions and concerns in a different light. (I'm a certified teacher in another district.) The Assistant Principal, Ms. Nelson, is awesome.
Most of my DC's teachers were great. It's not the easiest for playdates and such...I found my son had more playdates and party invites from his after school program.
After Bel Pre is when it gets tricky. A number of families go through the HGC process or go private after 3rd grade if their child doesn't make it into the program.
Try talking to the owners/managers of the after school programs in the area. They may be able to give you some insight. You may even want to reach out to the PTA--they've been pretty active this year.
Good luck.
Most of my DC's teachers were great. It's not the easiest for playdates and such...I found my son had more playdates and party invites from his after school program.
After Bel Pre is when it gets tricky. A number of families go through the HGC process or go private after 3rd grade if their child doesn't make it into the program.
Try talking to the owners/managers of the after school programs in the area. They may be able to give you some insight. You may even want to reach out to the PTA--they've been pretty active this year.
Good luck.
Anonymous
02/21/2014 09:29
Subject: Tell me about Bel Pre Elementary
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/regulatoryaccountability/glance/currentyear/schools/02780.pdf
Here's the at a glance stats. Nearly 70% FARMs. I know the school has a backpack program where other schools and charitable orgs fill backpacks with food to send home with the kids each week. Just mentioning this in case you have zero clue as to the demographics.
Having said that, the teachers might be great and your kid might thrive there academically. I have friends and relatives with kids in title 1 schools in Silver Spring who are at the top of their class and will end up in the HGCs. BUT these kids don't have the same social aspects that kids at other schools might have. Specifically: they don't have play dates after school because their friends' parents are working multiple jobs, or don't speak English, or they live in crowded housing situations. And they don't play on sports teams with their friends from school. This might not bother you...just mentioning it as something to consider.
My sister's kids are in a title 1 school near bel Pre. Because she is a SAHM and the only white English speaking parent in her kids' classes, it was sort of assumed she would be the room mom and class volunteer and PTA lady, etc. Sharing that info just as an FYI as I imagine its the same case at bel Pre.
Do you live in Strathmore Bel Pre? Great neighborhood, nice houses and awesome pool...but most kids go to private school instead of the local public schools. The apartments on Hewitt are problematic and feed into the school. The county actually received federal hot spot funding for additional police initiatives there many years ago.
I'm a teacher at a Title I school and ITA agree with this poster. The social piece is the one you'll want to consider.
OP--you are getting great advice. The academics in Title 1 schools can be fantastic due to the extra resources. But the social aspect is really tough. My BF son goes to a Title 1 in FFX. He was sad because no one ever invited him to bday parties. My BF came to find out it was because the families were not throwing friend parties due to the cost. So when little Johnny wanted to have a party, my BF had a hard time. He wanted to invite the class to Pump It Up in Manassas. Well, most of his classmates parents use public transportation and work multiple jobs. It just wasn't going to happen the way Johnny had envisioned his bday party with his friends from school. And then of course there is the social awkwardness of being able to afford something that many in the class cannot or view as wasteful when there is food to be bought and bills to be paid.
FWIW--Johnny is a very popular playdate on the weekends. His mom has a car and food. Many of Johnny's classmates are very eager to spend any time they can with my friends family.
Anonymous
02/21/2014 09:13
Subject: Tell me about Bel Pre Elementary
Anonymous wrote:http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/regulatoryaccountability/glance/currentyear/schools/02780.pdf
Here's the at a glance stats. Nearly 70% FARMs. I know the school has a backpack program where other schools and charitable orgs fill backpacks with food to send home with the kids each week. Just mentioning this in case you have zero clue as to the demographics.
Having said that, the teachers might be great and your kid might thrive there academically. I have friends and relatives with kids in title 1 schools in Silver Spring who are at the top of their class and will end up in the HGCs. BUT these kids don't have the same social aspects that kids at other schools might have. Specifically: they don't have play dates after school because their friends' parents are working multiple jobs, or don't speak English, or they live in crowded housing situations. And they don't play on sports teams with their friends from school. This might not bother you...just mentioning it as something to consider.
My sister's kids are in a title 1 school near bel Pre. Because she is a SAHM and the only white English speaking parent in her kids' classes, it was sort of assumed she would be the room mom and class volunteer and PTA lady, etc. Sharing that info just as an FYI as I imagine its the same case at bel Pre.
Do you live in Strathmore Bel Pre? Great neighborhood, nice houses and awesome pool...but most kids go to private school instead of the local public schools. The apartments on Hewitt are problematic and feed into the school. The county actually received federal hot spot funding for additional police initiatives there many years ago.
I'm a teacher at a Title I school and ITA agree with this poster. The social piece is the one you'll want to consider.
Anonymous
02/20/2014 20:28
Subject: Tell me about Bel Pre Elementary
http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/regulatoryaccountability/glance/currentyear/schools/02780.pdf
Here's the at a glance stats. Nearly 70% FARMs. I know the school has a backpack program where other schools and charitable orgs fill backpacks with food to send home with the kids each week. Just mentioning this in case you have zero clue as to the demographics.
Having said that, the teachers might be great and your kid might thrive there academically. I have friends and relatives with kids in title 1 schools in Silver Spring who are at the top of their class and will end up in the HGCs. BUT these kids don't have the same social aspects that kids at other schools might have. Specifically: they don't have play dates after school because their friends' parents are working multiple jobs, or don't speak English, or they live in crowded housing situations. And they don't play on sports teams with their friends from school. This might not bother you...just mentioning it as something to consider.
My sister's kids are in a title 1 school near bel Pre. Because she is a SAHM and the only white English speaking parent in her kids' classes, it was sort of assumed she would be the room mom and class volunteer and PTA lady, etc. Sharing that info just as an FYI as I imagine its the same case at bel Pre.
Do you live in Strathmore Bel Pre? Great neighborhood, nice houses and awesome pool...but most kids go to private school instead of the local public schools. The apartments on Hewitt are problematic and feed into the school. The county actually received federal hot spot funding for additional police initiatives there many years ago.
Here's the at a glance stats. Nearly 70% FARMs. I know the school has a backpack program where other schools and charitable orgs fill backpacks with food to send home with the kids each week. Just mentioning this in case you have zero clue as to the demographics.
Having said that, the teachers might be great and your kid might thrive there academically. I have friends and relatives with kids in title 1 schools in Silver Spring who are at the top of their class and will end up in the HGCs. BUT these kids don't have the same social aspects that kids at other schools might have. Specifically: they don't have play dates after school because their friends' parents are working multiple jobs, or don't speak English, or they live in crowded housing situations. And they don't play on sports teams with their friends from school. This might not bother you...just mentioning it as something to consider.
My sister's kids are in a title 1 school near bel Pre. Because she is a SAHM and the only white English speaking parent in her kids' classes, it was sort of assumed she would be the room mom and class volunteer and PTA lady, etc. Sharing that info just as an FYI as I imagine its the same case at bel Pre.
Do you live in Strathmore Bel Pre? Great neighborhood, nice houses and awesome pool...but most kids go to private school instead of the local public schools. The apartments on Hewitt are problematic and feed into the school. The county actually received federal hot spot funding for additional police initiatives there many years ago.
Anonymous
02/20/2014 14:55
Subject: Tell me about Bel Pre Elementary
To be honest, we lived in the Bel Pre zone and moved without too much thought. It's big, crowded and the test scores (all info on the county website) were not in line with others in the county.
I toured the old building and found the office staff and counselor nice, and the teachers seem nice, but i really do think that it's hard to know from a tour or interview. Really try to find parents who have been there and talk to them - there are so many playgrounds around, try some of them on the weekend.
On the upside, it'd be great to be in a brand new building!
I toured the old building and found the office staff and counselor nice, and the teachers seem nice, but i really do think that it's hard to know from a tour or interview. Really try to find parents who have been there and talk to them - there are so many playgrounds around, try some of them on the weekend.
On the upside, it'd be great to be in a brand new building!
Anonymous
02/20/2014 13:37
Subject: Tell me about Bel Pre Elementary
Hi all,
Our daughter is going to Kindergarten this fall and will be going to Bel Pre Elementary school. I know the school will have a brand new building this fall, but I'm more concerned about the teachers, principal, and students. I haven't been able to find much since it is only from K-2 there isn't a lot of current information available and none of my neighbors have young kids. We will of course schedule a meeting to go and visit, but I'm just wondering if anyone on here has sent their kids there and what your experience has been. We are still trying to decide whether to stay in this area or move out to a "better" area. Any advice is appreciated!
Thanks
Our daughter is going to Kindergarten this fall and will be going to Bel Pre Elementary school. I know the school will have a brand new building this fall, but I'm more concerned about the teachers, principal, and students. I haven't been able to find much since it is only from K-2 there isn't a lot of current information available and none of my neighbors have young kids. We will of course schedule a meeting to go and visit, but I'm just wondering if anyone on here has sent their kids there and what your experience has been. We are still trying to decide whether to stay in this area or move out to a "better" area. Any advice is appreciated!
Thanks