Anonymous wrote:We have over 900 to our counsellor!

I think both are crazy high numbers!

We have over 900 to our counsellor!

How are the new principal, assistant principal, and counselor doing? I'm particularly concerned about the counselor. How can she do her job when there are more than 700 kids in the school? That's quite a large ratio, isn't it?

Anonymous wrote:We are in boundary here at FN, but are considering private due to profoundly gifted child...Thoughts on FN, what you like/dont like?

What, exactly, does profoundly gifted mean? Thank you.

Forest Knolls is an excellent school. The teachers work very hard, but it is getting crowded and they are stressed.

I have two at FKES, it is a lovely school! There are enrichment opportunities such as Jr. press corps and an accelerated reading group. Compacted math starts in 4th grade (assuming it is maintained going forward.).

Also, they do seem to group classes by ability, so the teacher can go faster or do enrichment for all or small groups if needed. Mine are above average, but not "gifted" so these programs may or may not be helpful to your child.


All that said, I agree with PP who generally described MCPS as a slog.

Ms. Michal was a godsend for my PG kid. But honestly, depending on your PG kid's temperament you are going to have a slog in MCPS -- the system resists admitting that kids like this exist. Fight for what your kid needs NOW -- don't be swayed by "but in two years we offer this." Be ready to think outside of the box, and to walk away if you have to.

Good luck!

My child is in 3rd at FKES. We love the school and continue to live in our small house so as to stay at FKES. There are staff who went to school there and come back to teach at the school, they love the community so much. We love the community. Be be aware that around 2018 they are going to do another study to see about changing boundaries so as to reduce the overcrowding with boundary change. The changes will send students to Montgomery Knolls/Pine Crest, but it will probably not be for several years. The houses where the children are walkers to FKES will not be affected.

Our family has been with Forest Knolls ES for nine years. It is our home school. Oldest DD went all the way through elementary there and went on to a magnet program for middle school. Next year she's planning to go to CAP, the humanities magnet at Blair. She is gifted in a number of areas, but I wouldn't say profoundly gifted or anything. My middle child is in 4th there this year, and I have a 4 year old up and coming. The school is really a wonderful place. Even teachers who retire from there come back to substitute teach. They keep the class sizes very small the first three years, and they are excellent at grouping children so that if they are above grade-level or below grade-level they get the right attention. The administration is very responsive.

DS started K there this year and we love it. The school itself is quite large, but they manage to break it up into manageable chunks for the kids so that it's not overwhelming. We're really happy with his teacher so far, and the aftercare is wonderful. We've been content with the level of differentiation in his class, but while he's very bright, in the top reading group, etc., he's nowhere near PG, so your experience might be very different in that regard.

It's going to be hard to get appropriate education for a PG child at any MC elementary school, and after lots of first hand observation and research I don't think you will at most privates, either. So do keep HCG in mind when the time comes.

Anonymous wrote:There are a few, but you have to search the forum for "Forest Knolls" with one r.

Thanks! Clearly I'm not the HGC in the fam

Here's a recent thread, with a comment from a parent who turned down HCG to stay: http://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/456660.page#6629707

There are a few, but you have to search the forum for "Forest Knolls" with one r.

We are in boundary here at FN, but are considering private due to profoundly gifted child...Thoughts on FN, what you like/dont like?