We live in the Ashburton neighborhood and love the school. Sounds like you have two good choices - a great place to be!

My kid hasn't started Ashburton yet (she's 3), but we LOVE the neighborhood. I hear only good things about the school. We're slated for Tilden MS though, so I guess it depends on what part of the neighborhood you end up in. Most people here are middle class; it's very diverse.

I live in Wildwood. Ashburton is a great elementary school, as are North Bethesda Middle and Walter Johnson High. Assuming you are French speakers, the neighborhood also has MANY native French speakers in the neighborhood and are very close to the French International School/Lycee Rochambeau.

We live just a couple blocks from Ashburton and this is our first year there. So far, so good. I hate the grading system but you'll get that at every Mont Co public. The school is very diverse (french, chinese, latino and african kids in both DDs classes) and good economic diversity as well (not a lot of designer wearing grade schoolers). I do feel like they are doing a great job academically, despite having a TON of kids. The PTA and parent volunteers are really fabulous. They have a load of after school programs available (languages, sports, chess, art, etc) We love living in the neighborhood - walk to school, Giant, library, starbucks. Close to highways, good public transport.

Live in North Bethesda with kids at Ashburton, NBMS and WJ. We moved here by accident a few years ago -- It was not our first pick but were we moving from out of the country and picked the area for a ST stay before settling. We liked the area enough the relocate.

Schools are great, although WJ is not as strong as Churchill and Whitman. My kids have all attended or are attending Ashburton. We love it although it is increasingly becoming overcrowded. Neighborhood is very international -- Many people like yourself. My kids have friends from China, Japan, Brazil, France, Spain, Iran, etc. The area is in the suburbs and as such it does not have a true neighborhood feel as you would have in a city.

I guess you have to decide what you value more: Neighborhood or school. If you will not be here for the long-term, I would go with neighborhood as long as elementary school is strong. If you do decided to stay, you might have to consider private school or a magnet program once your children hit middle-school.

I live in the Wildwood neighborhood and my 2 kids go to Ashburton. We couldn't be happier. Our oldest starts middle school next year and we are more than comfortable with sending him to North Bethesda middle school. Middle school and high school factored into us choosing this area. This section of Bethesda is pretty "normal". Housing/rent is obnoxious but that is what it is. We are transplants and feel the community at Ashburton is pretty remarkable - lots of nice families. Good luck with your choice.

It depends on your personality and lifestyle.

Love woodlin ES and the neighborhood. I grew up in a small town and never thought I would find the same feeling in a big area like Washington DC. Everyone is down to earth, I feel very comfortable in the community and its not snobby. We have some concerns about Sligo MS but with the new leadership and the fact that most people have told me that MS sucks in general because of the kids age and attitude I think we will likely send our kids there. I have friends who are in Bethesda and while they like their school (can't remember which it is) they have said they don't feel very comfortable with those around them - not very down to earth and a lot of focus on money.