Anonymous wrote:Um, you don't "get rid" of low performers in public schools. It's not like private school where slower students are counseled out.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am asking for actual schools and experiences.

Our child is at Bradley Hills. 4th grade with 24 kids in her homeroom- the classes rotate for different subjects but most if the 4th grade rooms have 24 kids. Of the three teachers she encounters for academic subjects, two are very nuturing, encouraging, kind and enthusiastic. The third is ok but still a bit green. He art, music and PE teachers are all great.

As a BCC cluster ES parent, we know other families at Bradley Hills and have openly wondered if we didn't make a massive mistake. Our DC is in a class with 30 kids. It was 29 but a new kid arrived just last week.

OP, the biggest issue with MCPS is overcrowding. We have ESs the size of most HSs in other places and HSs the size of small colleges. My advice would be to stay away from the BCC cluster, except for Westbrook ES. Most ESs in the Whitman cluster are fine, except for Wood Acres. Definitely stay away from that one. I would also stay away from the WJ cluster, the whole thing is basically overcrowded and there is a bruising boundary study coming up for a new HS.

In terms of quality of education, it is 100% the parents. Some teachers are better than others, but if you are not actively engaged as a parent and really pushing your child with extracurriculars you may find that your child will stagnate. This was not how my public school experience was growing up, but it seems pretty consistent with the current mood of "no child left behind" in many jurisdictions in the area and the focus on testing. I guess it is just the way it is nowadays unless you foot the bill for a good private. We have considered private, however I am not so sure that many privates are essentially any better.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am asking for actual schools and experiences.

Our child is at Bradley Hills. 4th grade with 24 kids in her homeroom- the classes rotate for different subjects but most if the 4th grade rooms have 24 kids. Of the three teachers she encounters for academic subjects, two are very nuturing, encouraging, kind and enthusiastic. The third is ok but still a bit green. He art, music and PE teachers are all great.

As a BCC cluster ES parent, we know other families at Bradley Hills and have openly wondered if we didn't make a massive mistake. Our DC is in a class with 30 kids. It was 29 but a new kid arrived just last week.

OP, the biggest issue with MCPS is overcrowding. We have ESs the size of most HSs in other places and HSs the size of small colleges. My advice would be to stay away from the BCC cluster, except for Westbrook ES. Most ESs in the Whitman cluster are fine, except for Wood Acres. Definitely stay away from that one. I would also stay away from the WJ cluster, the whole thing is basically overcrowded and there is a bruising boundary study coming up for a new HS.

In terms of quality of education, it is 100% the parents. Some teachers are better than others, but if you are not actively engaged as a parent and really pushing your child with extracurriculars you may find that your child will stagnate. This was not how my public school experience was growing up, but it seems pretty consistent with the current mood of "no child left behind" in many jurisdictions in the area and the focus on testing. I guess it is just the way it is nowadays unless you foot the bill for a good private. We have considered private, however I am not so sure that many privates are essentially any better.

Anonymous wrote:How many times do I need to say I am looking at experiences as they relate to specific schools?

Anonymous wrote:We have decided that it is time to move our elementary school children to public schools--likely in the Bethesda area. Many reasons, but mainly more house and financial reasons.

What schools are seen as nurturing and teaching a live of learning versus schools that are essentially institutional and homogenous? Also, when do the schools start tracking kids as far as academic achievement levels? Thank you

Anonymous wrote:Use the search function for the many specific schools (what, about two dozen?) you want specific information about.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why is everyone giving the op a hard time? She asked a specific question, which many of us have been able to answer in detail and posters are getting angry that their long, excruciatingly dull posts are going unheeded? Pah, what time wasters youbare.

Because she's getting snippy. Several people are telling her similar things: ex. "it depends on the teacher."

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Thank you for these answers. Very helpful. Comments on Somerset and West(forgot full name derf) also of interest.

You probably mean Westbook. Both great schools with high test scores and very involved families. Both very homogenous (white, wealthy) and very "Bethesda" where many of the kids and parents dress in the same brands. Lots of lawyers, lobbyists, higher-ranking gov. types in these schools. Of the Bethesda schools the ones that are more diverse are closer to Rockville like Ashburton and Wyngate. Lots of NIH families in these.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why is everyone giving the op a hard time? She asked a specific question, which many of us have been able to answer in detail and posters are getting angry that their long, excruciatingly dull posts are going unheeded? Pah, what time wasters youbare.

Because she's getting snippy. Several people are telling her similar things: ex. "it depends on the teacher."

Anonymous wrote:Why is everyone giving the op a hard time? She asked a specific question, which many of us have been able to answer in detail and posters are getting angry that their long, excruciatingly dull posts are going unheeded? Pah, what time wasters youbare.