I wonder about this also, but I figure the answer isn't school specific. I would think in k levels would vary regardless of the school.

How do classes (K especially) work, in regards to kids coming in knowing how to do math, read, etc. I assume there's a bunch that will be able to read and a bunch still working on letters, with some in-between. Do they teach to different levels within the same class?

More funding for smaller class sizes.

How does it being considered a focus school change things, if at all?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The non Spanish (English academy) has it share of problems.
If your child is on grade level with no behavior issues they kind of get neglected. We know of at least 4 families plus ours that pulled our kids out.

And I know people who have pulled their kids out of Rosemary Hills and Westbrook, and other schools. Kids leave the Immersion program every year as well. Not every school or environment is for everyone.

The people I know who pulled their kids out of RCF all claimed various issues, some legit, others just couldn't deal with the high minority population.

..."high minority population", at a school that's 41% white...

The immersion side is mostly white. The English Academy is not. Although even 59% non-white is too high for some people.

Anonymous wrote:http://www.bethesdamagazine.com/Bethesda-Beat/2014/New-Rock-Creek-Forest-Elementary-School

I hope the above link works-see this article in the latest Bethesda Magazine. There are some great pictures of the new building.

Sorry, I am having difficulty copying the link, but google on Rock Creek Forest, Bethesda Magazine.

http://www.bethesdamagazine.com/Bethesda-Beat/2014/New-Rock-Creek-Forest-Elementary-School

I hope the above link works-see this article in the latest Bethesda Magazine. There are some great pictures of the new building.

Are you high maintenance? Do you demand a lot of academics for your child? Then skip it.

The population size for the neighborhood is smaller than many publics due to the immersion program. If I were you, OP, I would give it a try. We have been pleased with our kid's teachers each year and really like convenience of having him right in the neighborhood. I think the school principal is competent and interested in working with parents. I do not hear any complaints from other parents.

The new building is very nice. MCPS managed the modernization well I think. It's a green building with geothermal heating and I think it's supposed to have a green roof eventually. The kids are back in but finishing touches are still being completed. Playgrounds haven't been installed yet.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:how can it be so small when RHPS (a few blocks away) has mid 20s? It's so odd since the boundaries are so close.

RHPS's catchment area is huge. RCFES's is not.

It can't be since the all county Spanish immersion program is housed there.

The catchment area refers only to the neighborhood side. RCFES pulls from the four quadrants around EW and Grubb, but RHPS pulls from both the Rosemary Hills neighborhood and several other areas as well. Look at it this way, RCFES has 3 neighborhood classes, RHPS typically has 7-8. It's just a bigger school.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The non Spanish (English academy) has it share of problems.
If your child is on grade level with no behavior issues they kind of get neglected. We know of at least 4 families plus ours that pulled our kids out.

And I know people who have pulled their kids out of Rosemary Hills and Westbrook, and other schools. Kids leave the Immersion program every year as well. Not every school or environment is for everyone.

The people I know who pulled their kids out of RCF all claimed various issues, some legit, others just couldn't deal with the high minority population.

..."high minority population", at a school that's 41% white...

Anonymous wrote:The non Spanish (English academy) has it share of problems.
If your child is on grade level with no behavior issues they kind of get neglected. We know of at least 4 families plus ours that pulled our kids out.

And I know people who have pulled their kids out of Rosemary Hills and Westbrook, and other schools. Kids leave the Immersion program every year as well. Not every school or environment is for everyone.

The people I know who pulled their kids out of RCF all claimed various issues, some legit, others just couldn't deal with the high minority population.

I think they mean for the neighborhood school.

Anonymous wrote:Pulled out after k 3 years ago. Have friends who waited it out through 1st and 2nd.

I don't know many people who pulled their kids out. I know one, but the mom was the most high maintenance person on the planet. Most families I know are happy with it, including us. There is a PTA meeting tomorrow evening at 7 pm. You might attend since there is supposed to be a tour of the new school.