Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Somerset also has students from abroad and their scores are excellent so I don't think that is the correct explanation (with all due respect).

Well said because students coming from abroad, on an average, actually speak and write better English than local students do, sorry but that’s just how it is. The reason behind this is that they usually come from ultra-highly educated families with kids always getting the best possible education earlier. Their parents usually speak and write flawless English, though their accents won’t be American.

This thread was made 14 years ago and the last post prior to that was almost 13 years ago, you know that..?

DP. So....?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Somerset also has students from abroad and their scores are excellent so I don't think that is the correct explanation (with all due respect).

Well said because students coming from abroad, on an average, actually speak and write better English than local students do, sorry but that’s just how it is. The reason behind this is that they usually come from ultra-highly educated families with kids always getting the best possible education earlier. Their parents usually speak and write flawless English, though their accents won’t be American.

This thread was made 14 years ago and the last post prior to that was almost 13 years ago, you know that..?

Anonymous wrote:Somerset also has students from abroad and their scores are excellent so I don't think that is the correct explanation (with all due respect).

Well said because students coming from abroad, on an average, actually speak and write better English than local students do, sorry but that’s just how it is. The reason behind this is that they usually come from ultra-highly educated families with kids always getting the best possible education earlier. Their parents usually speak and write flawless English, though their accents won’t be American.

I have kids at Burning Tree. I can't speak to whats going on there relative to other schools, but i can say that DH and i have been very pleased. There are great new administrators and a very positive and warm feel at the school. Ive been impressed with the teachers my kids have had. Dont know if that helps...but if youre concerned that lower relative test scores suggest an underlying fundamental problem with the school, i havent seen it.

My husband and I are looking for houses in the area and are thinking of making an offer on a house that feeds into burning tree. I understand the importance of diversity as I myself was an ESL student and taught ESL and special ed students for a number of years thereafter. However, I am concerned about low test results for non-ESL/special ed. 3rd and 4th graders (the 5th graders seem to do well). I think Math and Reading are important to grasp at an early age at the rudimentary level tested by the state to lay the foundation for later educational success. Does anyone have any ideas about what's going on at the 3rd and 4th level that impacts the ability of students to do well in Math and Reading?

http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/regulatoryaccountability/glance/currentyear/schools/02419.pdf

Let's keep in mind that Burning Tree's scores are quite high--not as high as Somerset's, but still very, very high compared to other MCPS public elementary schools. I did not realize that Somerset has such an international population, but when I looked at the MCPS web site, I saw that it does have a very high ESOL population--nearly 14 percent. Another factor to consider--Somerset does not have a specialized learning program for kids with special needs--as a result, while only 7.5% of the kids have special needs at Somerset, 14.4% of the population at BT is in special ed--this affects test scores as well. If I can make one point, though, it's that choosing schools based on test scores is short-sighted. Scores say much more about the wealth and education of the families in the neighborhood than the quality of the teaching at the school. Just look at the link below--if you are familiar at all with the neighborhoods in Montgomery County, you will note that the schools with the highest scores are, generally speaking, in the wealthiest areas. In fact, the County allocates the most resources to the most struggling schools. For small class sizes and other "extras," you may be better off at one of the schools with high FARMS rates and low test scores. The County also often sends its strongest teachers and principals to the low-performing schools to help them turn things around. If you are unsure about a school, visit it and talk to families there, and get their reactions. All schools have pros and cons...

http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/regulatoryaccountability/glance/currentyear/schools/02419.pdf

Somerset also has students from abroad and their scores are excellent so I don't think that is the correct explanation (with all due respect).

I am not sure if this affects test scores, but many BT students come from abroad--their parents work for World Bank, IMF, or are diplomats or journalists for publications based in other countries. For some of these students, English is a second language. The school community is very international/enriched as a result, and my children have had an incredibly interesting, warm experience there. They truly are getting the "DC experience," and their friends are bright and have exposed them to their cultures. The standards are high and the teachers are great. Parents are very involved which helps counteract some of the budget cuts in the County and increases the sense of community.

The kindergarten classes average 21 students. Students have a half hour of recess everyday. The kindergarten playground is adjacent to the classrooms and the teachers will often taken the students outside for 10 minute breaks as needed. The students have 45 minutes of PE, Music, and Art once a week. They also have scheduled times to go the Media Center and the Computer Lab.

Sorry to hijack you post OP. What is the class size (K)? how often do the kids have recess? PE?

OP, I attended a school next to BT years ago. It had the learning disabled children, and all the students were sent to BT when that school closed, so it was essentially the same student body. I loved the fact that the learning center kids were there. I helped me understand differences in people, I was privileged to be a part of their lives. At the time I was there, I knew it was a privilege.

OP here. Thanks so much!

Burning Tree has a Learning Center for children with special needs in the school. It is a center that serves a designated part of the county. Children who attend the Learning Center may have downs syndrome, developmental delays, autism etc. The Learning Center is an academic program and these students take the MSA. The students are mainstreamed as much as possible in academics and art, music, pe.

The school has a new principal in her second year. She is replacing a much loved and respected principal who retired which is not an easy thing to do. The teachers at Burning Tree are overall very experienced and provide a rich academic atmosphere for children. It is a great school with an active PTA and experienced teachers. I had three children attend the school and they all had a great experience.

I'd be interested in hearing from parents that have kids that currently attend as well as parents that have attended on the overall impression/experience of this school.

Can someone help shed light on this school? Why are the test scores not as high as other neighboring schools? Also
why is the number of special education students so incredibly high?
Thanks in advance.