Sorry to be a downer. Maybe it's the rain. I do think things improve over time--but kindergarden seems to suck lemons in this county.

I'm not very impressed with MCPS either. I do get the impression that there is "an emperor with no clothes" situation going on. MCPS seems to be using its test scores and obsession with high scores as a way to hide the decline in the actual quality and substance of the experience. I do think that the private schools offer a substantially better educational experience. However, I don't know that this better experience is worth 300-400K per kid.

I've taken the outlook that MCPS is a good introduction for my kids to learn how to deal with a system. We all need to do this and bureaucracy along with things that don't make sense exists everywhere. Its life. My kids will get good scores which will get them into schools for higher education. They'll have fun and learn social skils. We'll continue to supplement their education by taking advantage of all the things in this area outside of MCPS. We'll watch for their interests to evolve and then make sure they have access to classes and activities that support these outside of the school.

What schools have kindergartens with nearly 30 kids and teachers yelling "stop it"? This never happened in my child's school. 19 kids in K, and the veteran teacher had total control of the class. Things were calm, kids had fun and learned, and all in all it was a very nurturing environment. Ditto for 1st and 2nd grade. FWIW, we're in the Olney/Brookeville area, and the class sizes have stayed about the same despite the budget cuts.

I was dropping my daughter off for the first few days of K last year, but it was tough for her, so started parking and walking her to the door of the gym, where the kids gathered. Then, I noticed other moms inside the gym, so I started staying until the teacher came and walked the class to the classroom. I think this definitely helped my child feel comfortable in the school. I agree that having to drop of kindergartners is tough on them.

My now 1st grader desperately misses her wonderful K teacher and centers. First is very different from K in moco.

OP, I'm glad things have improved for your DC. Kids pick up on our anxieties. If you're not already doing so, try to be upbeat and positive about school in the morning. That may help with drop-off.

I don't think we can make blanket statements about MCPS. We have to look at things on a school-by-school basis. DC is in a a down county elementary school, and we've been very pleased. I hear good things about many elementary schools across the county. It's important to look and research carefully, especially try to seek word-of-mouth from other parents who have experience with particular schools. Overall, I'm quite pleased with MCPS at this level. I know it's public and not private. I accept that. For middle school, I'll have to follow my own advice and find out which schools are recommended by parents and students in that age group. I'm sure there are some acceptable to great middle schools. The high school choice process seems to be popular with parents and students. I've found the teachers to be motivated and well trained. If you talk to parents of children in other school systems across the country, you'll probably find that MCPS actually does have a lot of positives compared to other public school systems.

Anonymous wrote:Could we brainstorm the issues here? Our kids are in a MOCO ES and we are content for now (not perfect, but, so far so good). For those who are discontented, what are the major issues? Is it class size, curriculum, facilities, programs, lack or specific enrichment classes? Give me a sense of the types of issues you have.

Elementary class sizes are way too large, especially in kindergarten and 1st grade. We can't put 27 to 29 five-year olds with 1 adult and expect it to be a nurturing learning environment. It's a lot of "stop it!!!" and other types of yelling and a lot of disciplining. Research shows that class size matters most in early childhood, especially in K - 2. Recommended class size for this age group is 17 kids. MCPS have 10 to 12 more in each class with no teacher's aid. This is a huge gap and it will not be without consequences. I don't understand why MoCo can't fund teacher's aids, at least in kindergarten and maybe 1st grade.

MCPS needs a serious audit into the eligibility of kids going to school in the county. All sort of scams are taking place while out-of-boundary students flood MCPS.

Anonymous wrote:Never thought it would happen...but kids are in private for high school. Generally was lucky for elementary but middle school in MCPS "sucked lemons," to use the colorful phrase of an earlier poster. Would have to agree that many MCPS parents are in denial, esp. having paid big bucks to live in the county. They are eagerly buying the hype that the Brand MCPS PR dept. is dishing out. If MCPS is "the best," I shudder for our country. Start paying attention -- and advocating -- NOW, kindergarten parents.

YES, this is so true!

Could we brainstorm the issues here? Our kids are in a MOCO ES and we are content for now (not perfect, but, so far so good). For those who are discontented, what are the major issues? Is it class size, curriculum, facilities, programs, lack or specific enrichment classes? Give me a sense of the types of issues you have.

I share a lot of your concerns, OP. My son is in one of the schools with "smaller" K classes - 19 students. I volunteered on Friday and was appalled by the chaos that just seems to be the norm. 20 or more 5-year olds with one adult just isn't functional.
I so wish I had been successful in making a move to a different area (away from DC). I've always believed that education is one of those things best delivered on a small scale, and my experience with my son so far as reinforced that belief.

Never thought it would happen...but kids are in private for high school. Generally was lucky for elementary but middle school in MCPS "sucked lemons," to use the colorful phrase of an earlier poster. Would have to agree that many MCPS parents are in denial, esp. having paid big bucks to live in the county. They are eagerly buying the hype that the Brand MCPS PR dept. is dishing out. If MCPS is "the best," I shudder for our country. Start paying attention -- and advocating -- NOW, kindergarten parents.

Anonymous wrote:

Some MoCo parents are in denial. Quality of elementary education is simply not at the same level of VA or selected NW locations in DC. Education is still solid, but MCPS is loosing ground even accounting for the overall deterioration of public schools in the region. The sooner we realize this, the better. There is a very strong case for considering private education at the elementary level when kids need more individualized attention and should be given space to blossom his/her talents.

Do you think the State and Feds will fork over $22,000/year for MD kids to attend private school?

I suggest if you believe your case you had better send your elementary school-aged children to private school ... on your dime (not mine).

Are you doing so? If not, why not?

I see you got upset. I am working on it and kids will be in private next year.

What school are you in (or what town/area)? Our elem actually added a last-minute teacher for 2nd grade, so class sizes are 20-22 kids. Plus, they have two reading specialists who float, so the reading groups will be even smaller. Kindergarten is a transition for all kids, so hang in there. We've been pleased with MCPS. And I'm optimistic about the new curriculum.

Thanks for the encouraging "hang in there" posts. My child still does not like to go to school (the rain does not help), but once there, she doesn't want to leave (bravo, "Wonders" aftercare)! I do think it's a process of settling in and making a few friends. Her teacher is quite accessible via e-mail and notes, and says nothing but positive things about my child in class (I'm a wreck at drop-off, but it's nice to know that my child is doing well).
I do think the school could be a bit more helpful in pairing kindergardeners with older kids, at least for the first two weeks, to help at drop-off and in walking the child to the classroom. The school has done a lot, but my child adores the older kids and it would be nice to have a "mentor" with a hand to hold. Perhaps the Big Kids in elementary school are too young.
I would like to help, in and/or out of class, but must wait until the dust settles and we're invited to volunteer. Being new to Mont.Co., I really want to lobby the powers that be to get an assistant or floater to assist all K classes in the county. We.can.do.this.
All in all, it's still a tearful morning ("I don't want to go to school") but I think the sun will come out soon and thank God it's Friday. I do think the school overall is better (newer, cleaner, the clocks on the walls work; there are not massive layoffs of teachers within a shaky school system) than the schools in my beloved hometown of DC. Thanks again for the encouraging words.

My DC was in a very well regarded NW elementary and I can tell you that his MOCO elementary is so much better that it has shocked me. In even the best DC schools there is no differentiation and smart kids sit around while the teachers teach down to the less advanced students. DC elementary schools are fine if your kids are average or below grade level b/c the curriculum is very easy/basic. However, if your child is smart, they will not be challenged b/c DC schools aren't set up for advanced students. MOCO schools are.