Any more recent experiences in this school parents can share here? We’re thinking kindergarten.

I have a child at Silver Oaks in middle school and another in the lower grades, and we love it. It's a newer school, and probably it went through some growing pains in the beginning, but Silver Oaks is thriving now. Both my kids are challenged academically and love going to school. My children and I feel seen and cared for and they are not only learning academic content, but are also learning compassion and critical thinking. They are curious and persevering in their learning, and they play hard outside in all weather every day. We have also been impressed with their teachers and staff. If you are interested, you should reach out to them!

I would like to offer our family's experience. My daughter was fine in daycare and in pre-K at Greenbelt Children's Center during COVID, but when she started kindergarten at our neighborhood public school, things started to fall apart. It soon became clear that she had some sensory integration issues and learning disabilities. We asked PGCPS for a 504 to get some accommodations but finally had to request an IEP evaluation to get any traction (& it took a year to get an IEP in place). She frequently stated how she hated school. Once the second family we knew told us that their child was thriving at Silver Oaks, we checked it out and transferred her.

No place is perfect, but in 6 months this child went from "I hate school" to "I'm going to miss school" in June. I do recognize that there is variability from teacher-to-teacher. We also had the same experience in PGCPS. My child's teacher this year picked up on something specific that was very useful to know with respect to her learning difficulties

Both families who told us about it are still there as well. There has been turnover with students leaving for other private schools, and some turnover with staff, but it is working well for us.

They give your child a trial day so both sides can see if it's a good match. They have a lot of time outdoors and movement, which is great for our kid, and so far (3rd grade), no homework, which has greatly increased our home quality of life. My child is definitely learning and has gone from "I hate math; it's too hard." to "I like math". This school curriculum is more advanced than PGCPS. So if you're really concerned with getting your child into an Ivy League school, this might not be the school for you, or it just might--if the kid can love to learn, be curious and creative, & get a positive learning experience not dominated by standardized testing.

Anonymous wrote:I’m curious on how people feel about this school now for upper grades (5-7)? Would this school work academically for a gifted kid?

The middle school is brand new and given the growing pains they had the first couple years for the lower grades, I’d be wary of sending any kid but especially a gifted one needed individualized challenges. The general overview looks ok but not great. https://www.silveroakscooperative.org/middleschool

I’m curious on how people feel about this school now for upper grades (5-7)? Would this school work academically for a gifted kid?