For what it's worth, in the late 80's/ early 90's I went to Bel-Pre, Strathmore, Col. E Brooke Lee MS for 6th and then Argyle MS for 7th (because Lee split when MCPS opened Argyle in an existing building). We lived in a townhouse in Longmeade. I'm African American and enjoyed the diversity those schools provided back then. I was never, ever on FARMS and was at the top of my class academically. It was nice to see other minority faces in the classroom. I even had black teachers (yes, actually teaching IN the classroom...not cleaning it). Some people are threatened by this. Just being honest. My family built a single family home in Olney so I moved over to Farquire for 8th grade. Many, many more white people and still very country at the time (108 was a single lane road and Roy Rogers was where the Fletcher's BP gas station is today). I became the black polka dot on a white canvas in most of my classes at Farquire and eventually Sherwood. Thankfully, I found a group of smart black girls who could relate to my struggle/isolation feelings and we are till very close today. I joined the Pom squad at Sherwood, sang solos and danced in Rock n Roll Revival and made lasting friendships with ALL kinds of people along the way. It was the time of my life!

My point is that you have to decide what you value in your child's education. I excelled in elementary and middle school and didn't realize that they weren't top notch places to be (compared to Betheda schools) until I grew up. I was supposed to go to Kennedy but my parents wanted to build a house. One of my fiends from Argyle who went onto Kennedy was accepted to Harvard. Not due to affirmative action but due to her academic excellence. After school play dates are important but that wouldn't make or break my decision. With your support, I believe your child can and will be successfully wherever they are.

Anonymous wrote:If you are looking for a Preschool -- for before you child enters K or 1st grade, and are looking up in that area, you might try Casa de Montessori Preschool. They have an open house soon (Saturday March 29) and are very affordable and flexible with before and aftercare. Many of my friends sent their kids there and then they went on to Stoneybrook once they reached school age.

Stoneybrook?

My daughter went to Casa. So I'm very familiar with the area. but Stoneybrook?

Kennedy High School . . .

OP we go to RCNS in Rockville. Our home school is bel pre too. He will go there if he doesn't get into spanish immersion program. We went to Kindergarten orientation today and the teachers and staff seemed nice. I went to bel pre as a kid many years ago (product of moco).

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, can I ask which preschool? (we're looking for one in the area and haven't found much)

Not OP, but we live in the area too and were happy with Bright Eyes inside Veirs Mill Elementary. It's more of a daycare setting, but the 4s room is pre K.

Can you tell me more about Bright Eyes Pre K? I looked at it last year for my 3 yr old and was disappointed. My only comment to Helen was that the teachers just seemed very disengaged. They were just sitting on the floor doing nothing. Not playing with the children, not reading books, nothing. Just sitting and I suppose supervising.

It would be very convenient for me and the price is excellent. Is it worth taking a second look at the Pre K class?

This year there is a new Pre K teacher, and Helen is also no longer there. I have a child in the 2/3 room and the teachers are GREAT. My child is very shy (cried the first week, every day) but they were all awesome. I pick up at differents times of day in the afternoon, and whenever I come, the teachers were either leading an activity or playing with the kids in centers. The biggest factor for me is that my child talks about the teachers while at home, and gives them hugs when it's time to leave. If my child likes them, I like them!

I have peeked into the Pre K room often enough (we were still debating about going to the 4/5s room or looking for another preschool) and it seems good. The classroom is nice, and they put the 2/3/4/5s and walking toddlers together to play outside, which I like. I have a first grader who went through the program and liked it, but I wanted to get a feel for the new teacher. So far, I think we are leaning towards staying there next year. We are interested in a play-based environment with some academic structure to get our kids used to "school," but not neccearily stressing the academics. If that's what you're looking for, I would say give it another look, if only because the teacher is not who you saw before.

If you are looking for a Preschool -- for before you child enters K or 1st grade, and are looking up in that area, you might try Casa de Montessori Preschool. They have an open house soon (Saturday March 29) and are very affordable and flexible with before and aftercare. Many of my friends sent their kids there and then they went on to Stoneybrook once they reached school age.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, can I ask which preschool? (we're looking for one in the area and haven't found much)

Not OP, but we live in the area too and were happy with Bright Eyes inside Veirs Mill Elementary. It's more of a daycare setting, but the 4s room is pre K.

Can you tell me more about Bright Eyes Pre K? I looked at it last year for my 3 yr old and was disappointed. My only comment to Helen was that the teachers just seemed very disengaged. They were just sitting on the floor doing nothing. Not playing with the children, not reading books, nothing. Just sitting and I suppose supervising.

It would be very convenient for me and the price is excellent. Is it worth taking a second look at the Pre K class?

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks for the replies...very useful information! I am very concerned and bothered about the social situation as well because as I mentioned in my original comment, our neighborhood has no young children (or at least none that I have ever seen), so school would be the main place where my child would be having social interactions with other kids her own age. Our home is in the Longmead Crossing area, nice neighborhood but not much going on socially.

I will look into the PTA at the school, but I just want a clear picture of what to expect, especially academically. What are the teachers like? And the students? Have there been any issues with bullying? Does everyone have to take ESOL class since there is such a high percentage of non-English speaking students? Will it be challenging enough for my child academically?

I just feel like after putting her in a great preschool for 2 years, this school will be a big disappointment, but I really want to get a clear picture and not just judge based on statistics. I have been weighing the pros and cons of the school and I feel like the cons are outweighing the pros so far but that's just on paper and without any actual input from people who actually have children at the school or people who work there.

I know we will eventually have to move because it looks like it just gets worse in the higher grades, just trying to figure out what to expect at a Title 1 school and if the social thing is worth moving for (if that is, in fact, the biggest issue) because I don't think my husband feels the same way I do :-/

My kid didn't have to take ESOL classes--ESOL is for those who don't speak English well enough to participate in the general education curriculum. If I remember correctly, my kid told me the students receiving ESOL services were pulled out of the classroom for a portion of the day.

Consider having a candid conversation with the administration if you choose to enroll your child at Bel Pre. I've found they're welcoming and try to find solutions to parental concerns.

Good luck.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, can I ask which preschool? (we're looking for one in the area and haven't found much)

OP here. We go to Early Childhood Center in Rockville. We couldn't find anything in this area either.

Thank you!

Good luck to you! We live on the other side of Bel Pre. I hear from neighbors that both Rock Creek and Barnsley are good elementary schools, in case you want to move nearby!

Thanks

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks for the replies...very useful information! I am very concerned and bothered about the social situation as well because as I mentioned in my original comment, our neighborhood has no young children (or at least none that I have ever seen), so school would be the main place where my child would be having social interactions with other kids her own age. Our home is in the Longmead Crossing area, nice neighborhood but not much going on socially.

I live up that way and didn't realize that Longmead kids went to Bel Pre. I have friends there and the kids go to Stonegate, Farquiar (spelling?) and NEC with most of my friends' kids choosing Blake. You might want to think of activities outside of school to help your child build friendships - there are a lot of martial arts studios, Elite Dance, gymnastics and competitive cheerleading options. Plus, in the summer, there are swimming pools. Stonegate pool has a waiting list, so if you are considering that, you might want to get on the list now. I'm sure there are also sports, but I am not familiar with the options. If you are interested in getting involved with the Stonegate neighborhood, which is like a mile or two from you, you could volunteer for Ben's Run, which has lots of activities throughout the year, especially now, with the run coming up in early April.

Just some thoughts.

OP here. I know we didn't realize it either :-/ We bought this house back in 2007 before we had kids. The boundary for Stonegate elementary is literally one street away from our neighborhood! Thanks for the other info, I will look into it

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, can I ask which preschool? (we're looking for one in the area and haven't found much)

Not OP, but we live in the area too and were happy with Bright Eyes inside Veirs Mill Elementary. It's more of a daycare setting, but the 4s room is pre K.

Thanks. I'm the PP. I'll check them out also.

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks for the replies...very useful information! I am very concerned and bothered about the social situation as well because as I mentioned in my original comment, our neighborhood has no young children (or at least none that I have ever seen), so school would be the main place where my child would be having social interactions with other kids her own age. Our home is in the Longmead Crossing area, nice neighborhood but not much going on socially.

I live up that way and didn't realize that Longmead kids went to Bel Pre. I have friends there and the kids go to Stonegate, Farquiar (spelling?) and NEC with most of my friends' kids choosing Blake. You might want to think of activities outside of school to help your child build friendships - there are a lot of martial arts studios, Elite Dance, gymnastics and competitive cheerleading options. Plus, in the summer, there are swimming pools. Stonegate pool has a waiting list, so if you are considering that, you might want to get on the list now. I'm sure there are also sports, but I am not familiar with the options. If you are interested in getting involved with the Stonegate neighborhood, which is like a mile or two from you, you could volunteer for Ben's Run, which has lots of activities throughout the year, especially now, with the run coming up in early April.

Just some thoughts.

Anonymous wrote:OP, can I ask which preschool? (we're looking for one in the area and haven't found much)

Not OP, but we live in the area too and were happy with Bright Eyes inside Veirs Mill Elementary. It's more of a daycare setting, but the 4s room is pre K.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, can I ask which preschool? (we're looking for one in the area and haven't found much)

OP here. We go to Early Childhood Center in Rockville. We couldn't find anything in this area either.

Thank you!

Good luck to you! We live on the other side of Bel Pre. I hear from neighbors that both Rock Creek and Barnsley are good elementary schools, in case you want to move nearby!

Anonymous wrote:did you see this article

http://potomac.patch.com/groups/schools/p/driver-drops-boy-off-at-wrong-stop-stranded-in-laurel-for-hours

Op here. I saw this in the news but didn't realize it was a bel pre student! Thanks for bringing this to my attention!