Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I didn't know there were still farms in Bethesda.

That's quite funny. I like your sense of humor, it reminds me of something I might say.

On the off chance that you were being serious, however, I would point out that FARMS is an acronym for "free and reduced meals" thus the FARMS rate is the % of kids eligible for free or reduced cost lunches - an indicator of the socioeconomic breakdown of the school community and possible diversity in that aspect.

Oh, thank you so much.

Anonymous wrote:I didn't know there were still farms in Bethesda.

That's quite funny. I like your sense of humor, it reminds me of something I might say.

On the off chance that you were being serious, however, I would point out that FARMS is an acronym for "free and reduced meals" thus the FARMS rate is the % of kids eligible for free or reduced cost lunches - an indicator of the socioeconomic breakdown of the school community and possible diversity in that aspect.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Bump.

We're moving and are trying to decide between a house zoned to Somerset and one zoned to BE. We have a list of comparisons between the homes and truly cannot decide just based on locations, commute, price, etc. So I'm trying to figure out if the difference in schools is significant enough to impact the decision.

Can anyone tell me about special programs, curriculum enrichment sponsored by the PTA, or other extras at the schools (artist in residence, garden, etc)?

Really? If these are your criteria, I don't think MCPS is going to be quite what you're after.

I don't see why-- my kid has had artists in residence programs pretty much every year that I can think of -- playwriting, opera, art, etc.

PP who bumped you may be able to visit the schools-- I definitely got a different vibe at the different ESs I visited, although in the end I don't think it would have made a difference in which house I bought. If you promise to take it with an extra handful of salt, I will say that there are some posters who really seem to love Somerset.

Which ES has artists in residence for subjects like opera and playwriting? Are you speaking of recognized artists brought in from outside the school community?

I'm 1203. Westbrook ES has AIR that brings in artists from the greater community. Some have been more interesting an in-depth than others. Operetta for K, play for 1st, cultural focus culminating in a group presentation for 2nd, etc. I'm sure that each individual school can answer to this in better detail. I know it changes every year.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Bump.

We're moving and are trying to decide between a house zoned to Somerset and one zoned to BE. We have a list of comparisons between the homes and truly cannot decide just based on locations, commute, price, etc. So I'm trying to figure out if the difference in schools is significant enough to impact the decision.

Can anyone tell me about special programs, curriculum enrichment sponsored by the PTA, or other extras at the schools (artist in residence, garden, etc)?

Really? If these are your criteria, I don't think MCPS is going to be quite what you're after.

I don't see why-- my kid has had artists in residence programs pretty much every year that I can think of -- playwriting, opera, art, etc.

PP who bumped you may be able to visit the schools-- I definitely got a different vibe at the different ESs I visited, although in the end I don't think it would have made a difference in which house I bought. If you promise to take it with an extra handful of salt, I will say that there are some posters who really seem to love Somerset.

Which ES has artists in residence for subjects like opera and playwriting? Are you speaking of recognized artists brought in from outside the school community?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Bump.

We're moving and are trying to decide between a house zoned to Somerset and one zoned to BE. We have a list of comparisons between the homes and truly cannot decide just based on locations, commute, price, etc. So I'm trying to figure out if the difference in schools is significant enough to impact the decision.

Can anyone tell me about special programs, curriculum enrichment sponsored by the PTA, or other extras at the schools (artist in residence, garden, etc)?

Really? If these are your criteria, I don't think MCPS is going to be quite what you're after.

I don't see why-- my kid has had artists in residence programs pretty much every year that I can think of -- playwriting, opera, art, etc.

PP who bumped you may be able to visit the schools-- I definitely got a different vibe at the different ESs I visited, although in the end I don't think it would have made a difference in which house I bought. If you promise to take it with an extra handful of salt, I will say that there are some posters who really seem to love Somerset.

Anonymous wrote:Bump.

We're moving and are trying to decide between a house zoned to Somerset and one zoned to BE. We have a list of comparisons between the homes and truly cannot decide just based on locations, commute, price, etc. So I'm trying to figure out if the difference in schools is significant enough to impact the decision.

Can anyone tell me about special programs, curriculum enrichment sponsored by the PTA, or other extras at the schools (artist in residence, garden, etc)?

Really? If these are your criteria, I don't think MCPS is going to be quite what you're after.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Bump.

We're moving and are trying to decide between a house zoned to Somerset and one zoned to BE. We have a list of comparisons between the homes and truly cannot decide just based on locations, commute, price, etc. So I'm trying to figure out if the difference in schools is significant enough to impact the decision.

Can anyone tell me about special programs, curriculum enrichment sponsored by the PTA, or other extras at the schools (artist in residence, garden, etc)?

I am sure both schools are great but I doubt either would fit the bill in the "artist in residence or garden" category. You need to look private if those are items on your wish list.

We're at Westbrook Elementary, which is closer in to DC than either Somerset or BE. We live 4 blocks from Friendship Heights Metro. Westbrook PTA pays for Artist in Residence for all grade levels, plus they've had an extra, school-wide project this year (creating a giant mobile). The school was just renovated last year to include a courtyard which is supposed to be planted with local plants - though I'm not exactly sure how this will be implemented.

There are great play areas, with a separate facility for younger vs older kids. Afterschool activities are much more diverse now that we actually have the space and gym to accommodate activities. During the school week, there is one special per day - music, PE, art, media, computer lab. I wish there was more physical activity, but it doesn't seem different from many other schools in the area. Science and Social studies seem to be woven in - ie. my 3rd grader is currently working on home budgets & economics, which are woven into math. Likewise, with many of the experiments that they've done this year.

FWIW, I'm not sure "grade level" makes any sense when discussing the math curriculum. It is very different than when I was a kid in MCPS GT programs a million years ago. As an example, my 3rd grader didn't start multiplication until this year, which is much later than when I remember learning it. However, they are integrating it with algebra, fractions and multi-step word problems, which are being introduced way earlier than I remember being taught. I don't see it as better or worse - it is just way more integrated and presented differently.

It wasn't on your list, but Westbrook is pretty wonderful.

The boundary changed recently and $35K PP's info is no longer correct.

Anonymous wrote:35K a year is a lot to put up with. Try public and if you don't like it, switch. BE has lower income kids coming in from Silver Spring as well.

Could you please provide me an address in Silver Spring that feeds into Bethesda ES? I just don't see how it is possible, looking at the boundary map.

Anonymous wrote:Bump.

We're moving and are trying to decide between a house zoned to Somerset and one zoned to BE. We have a list of comparisons between the homes and truly cannot decide just based on locations, commute, price, etc. So I'm trying to figure out if the difference in schools is significant enough to impact the decision.

Can anyone tell me about special programs, curriculum enrichment sponsored by the PTA, or other extras at the schools (artist in residence, garden, etc)?

I am sure both schools are great but I doubt either would fit the bill in the "artist in residence or garden" category. You need to look private if those are items on your wish list.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The MCPS budget is decided in secret at meetings at which the unions and MCCPTA participates. No curricular change is possible w/o union approval.

Under the new curriculum students a made to sit in groups and teach each other while the teacher hops around.

It is a nice way to make everyone perform to an average level.

So, think carefully before you move to MCPS.

Sounds like Montessori.

you clearly don't understand how a Montessori class works

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Big class sizes and suspect curriculum (our view). We chose private. From their you can go with Grace Episcopal, WES, and some privates inside DC depending on your commute (Sheridan, Beauvoir, NPS, St Pats).

I'm sure the public school supporters will follow up with more responsive information (and criticism of my post).

Although these privates are all good, so are the publics you inquired about. The issue with a "suspect curriculum" is simply that the Montgomery County Public Schools has (recently) decided to slow down the math acceleration. Math acceleration (meaning kids moving 2, 3 years AHEAD of their grade year in math) is being slowed down. Frankly, this still puts these public schools on a more accelerated track than most area privates. Publics in MoCo are always stronger than privates (mostly b/c privates have less acceleration). Just wanted to put the "curriculum" into perspective. If you wanted your kid to be 3 years ahead in math then, yes, you will be disappointed in MoCo publics - and also in privates - and at Catholic schools - and anywhere else. If your kid is a math savant, just skip ahead to college math classes Otherwise, the MoCo publics you listed are on par with the privates you listed. Fear not, all of your choices are great.

fyi - in K-3 there is not even acceleration of 1 year ahead - despite many kids from strong backgrounds who start 1 year ahead....

Bump.

We're moving and are trying to decide between a house zoned to Somerset and one zoned to BE. We have a list of comparisons between the homes and truly cannot decide just based on locations, commute, price, etc. So I'm trying to figure out if the difference in schools is significant enough to impact the decision.

Can anyone tell me about special programs, curriculum enrichment sponsored by the PTA, or other extras at the schools (artist in residence, garden, etc)?

I didn't know there were still farms in Bethesda.

Anonymous wrote:there is plenty of economic diversity at Bethesda Elementary!
some students do live in multi- million dollar mansions
in Edgemoor , but other students live in small apartments
in downtown Bethesda. I know a few families who are
renting small apartments in town just to give their
kids a great public education at Bethesda Elementary!
FWIW, we live in a house that is with about $800k
(so middle of the road for BE)

Bethesda ES has a FARMS rate of 5.7%. On the other hand, Carderock Springs ES and Potomac ES have a FARMS rate of <5.0%. So I guess it's all relative. And Broad Acres ES has a FARMS rate of 94.8% -- that's not economically diverse either.