Anonymous wrote:OP again - it's his home school, so no extra commute and he'll likely know kids in his class. Would love to know more about the curriculum specifically. Is it reading more advanced texts? What subject matters does it focus on?

We had a child go through PBES CES. 4th Grade was an adjustment in terms of the amount of work, but it was more "interesting" work according to our kid. The reading books are advanced, and the projects are pretty involved. I am not sure how the distance learning was for the 4th grade program, but the teacher is pretty tech-savy so I imagine it was more involved/challenging than the general education online learning. They did some great projects such as writing their own science fiction story, hero myth, autobiography, and Ted-Talk, and creating visual book report and solar system models, etc. Anyway - lots of advanced reading and heavy on the writing. Our kid loved it.

Anonymous wrote:I have a question but did not want to start a new thread. I am moving DD to private for 3rd grade next year. If we return for 4th grade, I wonder if we can apply for CES beforehand?

Private school students can be tested for CES. I believe it's done at central office. You don't need to move her out of private first--you could have her take the test and wait to see if she gets in.

I have a question but did not want to start a new thread. I am moving DD to private for 3rd grade next year. If we return for 4th grade, I wonder if we can apply for CES beforehand?

Anonymous wrote:OP again - it's his home school, so no extra commute and he'll likely know kids in his class. Would love to know more about the curriculum specifically. Is it reading more advanced texts? What subject matters does it focus on?

I think this is all posted on the MCPS AEI website.

They read a new book every 2-3 weeks (choice), so more analysis and discussion, greater volume, and generally probe more deeply. This all happens as part of curriculum but also because the kids are more capable. PBES 4th CES has A TON OF HOMEWORK. Ask the school about this and if it’s changed due to lots of strife.

If your kid is capable and otherwise bored do it.

OP again - it's his home school, so no extra commute and he'll likely know kids in his class. Would love to know more about the curriculum specifically. Is it reading more advanced texts? What subject matters does it focus on?

My daughter goes to Chevy Chase ES.

I was mostly impressed with the teachers. Very enthusiastic and dedicated to fostering curiosity and critical thinking skills for the students. Not that the teachers are our old school were bad at all, but they could only do so much with a heterogeneous class and a mediocre curriculum. Here the teachers really come into their own because they love to teach bright kids and have some freedom with special projects.

The CES Zooms were much less problematic than other live online lessons my kids attended. Having a group of kids who mostly pay attention and can trouble shoot many problems themselves instead of creating more issues is just priceless in a remote learning environment!

Two drawbacks we observed were the very long bus rides for certain children coming from far away (more than an hour!); as well as some behavioral problems. Not as many as there were in her home school, but just a reminder that being smart doesn't mean you can't have emotional or psychiatric issues, of course. The child in question did their level best, the school handled it very well, the family too, so no complaints. These things just happen sometimes.

Please consider it, OP. I don't know the Piney Branch CES at all, but I imagine the teacher quality and curriculum freedom will be similar.

Anonymous wrote:He's attending Piney Branch E.S.

Yeah. It’s good you shared this. PBES seems to have a higher (highest?) workload for 4th CES compared to other centers. We attended recently and 4th was so much more work than 5th. I don’t regret it, and perhaps it’s changed, but it was a huge issue for many families.

Anonymous wrote:OP here - each center is really small, so I doubt I'd get someone from my own center anyway. But I think the curriculum is the same across the board.

The best thing about center curriculum is that teachers there have much more "freedom" to wiggle around depending on their own interests and strengths. So the content and daily schedule could be extremely difference between center to center.

In general, CES curriculum focuses on literacy, so your DC will enjoy it a lot if he/she is strong in reading/writing. The math curriculum still follows the compact math's, but some center has enough math-advanced kids to form an individual class and learn AIM at 5th grade. Science and social studies have their own curriculum which is in general really nice, but again, largely depends on teacher's capability and interests.

He's attending Piney Branch E.S.

Each center is not that small--there are families on DCUM from every center. The ones further upcounty may be less represented but we're all here. My DC will be at the Mill Creek Towne CES in the fall for 4th grade, so I can't offer any personal feedback yet. My understanding is that there are more projects, more homework, larger classes, some quirky kids, and students are expected to get their work done. Not sure DC will be successful, but we're willing to give it a try. Your DC can always go back to your home school if it doesn't work out.

Anonymous wrote:Just share the center your kid is going to. You will get feedback for that particular center. If you do a search you can pull up tons of information.

+1 The culture of the centers does vary. Some are quite intense, some less so. You will get more meaningful feedback if you're specific.

Just share the center your kid is going to. You will get feedback for that particular center. If you do a search you can pull up tons of information.

OP here - each center is really small, so I doubt I'd get someone from my own center anyway. But I think the curriculum is the same across the board.

Could you share which center he was invited to? You’ll get more usable feedback that way.

I am interested in learning more about what the CES program looks like. My son was just invited, and I'm excited for him, but also want to be able to tell him what to expect. Would especially like to hear from those who just finished up 4th grade this year. How did things work with COVID situation? Did your kid like the program? Was it just a lot of homework? Would love to hear a parent experience. I've read all the FAQ and everything on the MCPS site, but I want a personal perspective.