Thank you I will look into Glenallen

Have you looked at rentals zoned in the Glenallen ES district? Glenallan ES is about a mile north (but located south of Glenmont metro), so you would not be giving up the community or the commute that you are planning, but Glenallan offers a lot of interesting in-school programs and has a vibrant parent community. Look at the "School Programs" section of the the "At A Glance" reports to see the differences in what the schools offer. Evidence of these types of programs also reflects the commitment and willingness of the leadership & admin staff at the school to make the school environment interesting and engaging, beyond the standard curriculum, for the students. You might be able to rent more space for less $$ too.

My daughter is going to 3rd grade

Charrox19 wrote:How can I have her test or get on the lottery list?

Nobody can help you without knowing what grade your kid is going into. There are no "lottery" programs at the ES level to my knowledge. There are test-in programs.

You aren't going to find a lot of Arcola families on DCUM. What grade is your child in, what is your budget, where are you commuting, and are you looking at the rental as a short term or long term living situation. People can give you very specific suggestions on where to look for rentals if you decide that Arcola zone is not where you want to be.

Since Arcola is piloting a "year-round" schedule, that is something to carefully consider. I'd ask the principal for a copy of the calendar and compare it to MCPS's school year calendar on the website. I'd also ask the principal about the curriculum, and how it is being modified for a longer school year. You may like a longer school year regardless, but, I think it is worth asking to see what they have in mind since this is a brand new pilot program. The benefits of a Title I school are small class sizes.

If you are looking at this rental as a short term (1-2 year situation), I think any ES school in MoCo will be fine. The curriculum is the same across all county schools, and it is an extremely centralized system with little autonomy at the local school level (there is good and bad to this!).

There are pros and cons of being in a school with a high FARMS rate. I'd spend some time reading a bunch of threads in the MD schools forum. You will get a sense of people's thoughts on the county's schools.

What grade will your child be attending this fall?

How can I have her test or get on the lottery list?

Thank you all for you input, please keep it coming.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm not an Arcola parent but a MCPS teacher. Arcola has a high FARMS (free and reduced meals services) student population, which means many of the students are low income and highly impoverished. Arcola also has a high student population where English is not the first language of many of the students. This, in addition to other factors such as its low test scores have made Arcola a year round school program in MCPS. Arcola is one of two schools where the students attend all year round.

I personally, would not move into that cluster, perhaps try other clusters to see where your budget could work. Downtown Silver Spring has better schools such as Woodlin, Flora Singer, Oakview, Pinecrest ES, Rock Creek Forrest or try the Takoma Park area---- Sligo Creek ES or Takoma Park ES.

OP asked for first-hand experience, not a summary of demographic data plus your opinion that schools with fewer poor/ESOL kids are better schools.

I actually have first hand experience, you jerk, as evidenced by stating that I am a MCPS teacher.

You're an MCPS teacher AT ARCOLA ES?

I have a friend who lives in a house zoned for Arcola, and she refuses to send her child there mainly because she doesn't believe in the extended school year.

My child goes to an almost-as-low rated MCPS elementary school but so far has had a great experience.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm not an Arcola parent but a MCPS teacher. Arcola has a high FARMS (free and reduced meals services) student population, which means many of the students are low income and highly impoverished. Arcola also has a high student population where English is not the first language of many of the students. This, in addition to other factors such as its low test scores have made Arcola a year round school program in MCPS. Arcola is one of two schools where the students attend all year round.

I personally, would not move into that cluster, perhaps try other clusters to see where your budget could work. Downtown Silver Spring has better schools such as Woodlin, Flora Singer, Oakview, Pinecrest ES, Rock Creek Forrest or try the Takoma Park area---- Sligo Creek ES or Takoma Park ES.

OP asked for first-hand experience, not a summary of demographic data plus your opinion that schools with fewer poor/ESOL kids are better schools.

I actually have first hand experience, you jerk, as evidenced by stating that I am a MCPS teacher.

What grade will your child be attending?

One way to research what's happening w MoCo schools is to compare "At a Glance" reports:

https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/sharedaccountability/glance/

Arcola ES:
https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/regulatoryaccountability/glance/currentyear/schools/02790.pdf

Glenallen ES:
https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/regulatoryaccountability/glance/currentyear/schools/02817.pdf

Oakland Terrace:
https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/regulatoryaccountability/glance/currentyear/schools/02769.pdf

Flora Singer:
https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/regulatoryaccountability/glance/currentyear/schools/02770.pdf

Understandably, as evidenced by the reports, a lot of Arcola's resources are focused on ESOL students; while this is a plus for many families, all of the school's work and commitment is not reflected in the standardized testing results.

Depending on the grade your child will be attending, and the timing of his/her entry, your child may be eligible (through testing and lottery) for other academic programs located at other ES schools.

Welcome to the area! It's a friendly community w lots of amenities

Anonymous wrote:I'm not an Arcola parent but a MCPS teacher. Arcola has a high FARMS (free and reduced meals services) student population, which means many of the students are low income and highly impoverished. Arcola also has a high student population where English is not the first language of many of the students. This, in addition to other factors such as its low test scores have made Arcola a year round school program in MCPS. Arcola is one of two schools where the students attend all year round.

I personally, would not move into that cluster, perhaps try other clusters to see where your budget could work. Downtown Silver Spring has better schools such as Woodlin, Flora Singer, Oakview, Pinecrest ES, Rock Creek Forrest or try the Takoma Park area---- Sligo Creek ES or Takoma Park ES.

OP asked for first-hand experience, not a summary of demographic data plus your opinion that schools with fewer poor/ESOL kids are better schools.

I'm not an Arcola parent but a MCPS teacher. Arcola has a high FARMS (free and reduced meals services) student population, which means many of the students are low income and highly impoverished. Arcola also has a high student population where English is not the first language of many of the students. This, in addition to other factors such as its low test scores have made Arcola a year round school program in MCPS. Arcola is one of two schools where the students attend all year round.

I personally, would not move into that cluster, perhaps try other clusters to see where your budget could work. Downtown Silver Spring has better schools such as Woodlin, Flora Singer, Oakview, Pinecrest ES, Rock Creek Forrest or try the Takoma Park area---- Sligo Creek ES or Takoma Park ES.

HI There

I am new to the Washington DC area and looking to move to a complex in Silver Spring to which Arcola elementary is the assigned school. Upon doing my research I have found that this is not the greatest school which is quite surprising for the location of the complex I anticipate to move to, but the school is a big deciding factor for me.

Before I sign my lease I would like some constructive feedback from real moms and dads who have had first hand experience at this school. Can any parents who have had kids attend or attend give me some insight.


Look forward to hearing from you