Anonymous
Post 08/27/2025 09:31     Subject: Elementary class sizes
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Not PP but guessing they meant “top ES” as in one of the sought after clusters/wealthier areas. Our real estate agent definitely oversold on the quality of our zoned ES.


PP here. Thanks for help me clarify. Yes, I mean the top-performing ES in a high-SES area. I think the reason for that many kids stuffed in one room is the low-bar for accelerated math. About half is determined to go this path with only one teacher, and the rest spreading between two classrooms.

My kid told me they added extra stools, but about 1/3 needs to sit on the carpet. Principal has submitted the request for an additional part-time teacher. She is not sure when we'll get one.


That's atrocious and something I bet the WaPo would cover.
Anonymous
Post 08/27/2025 09:15     Subject: Elementary class sizes
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:33 in 4/5 compacted math.


Does everyone see this as normal? There are umpteen gazillion posts about CES and magnets, but people just shrug their shoulders and accept it as fine if their 4th grader has 33 kids in their class?


This. I bought in MoCo because the schools were supposedly good, but the range of class sizes MoCo considers acceptable are ridiculous. Middle school class sizes are huge.
Anonymous
Post 08/27/2025 09:11     Subject: Elementary class sizes
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Not PP but guessing they meant “top ES” as in one of the sought after clusters/wealthier areas. Our real estate agent definitely oversold on the quality of our zoned ES.


PP here. Thanks for help me clarify. Yes, I mean the top-performing ES in a high-SES area. I think the reason for that many kids stuffed in one room is the low-bar for accelerated math. About half is determined to go this path with only one teacher, and the rest spreading between two classrooms.

My kid told me they added extra stools, but about 1/3 needs to sit on the carpet. Principal has submitted the request for an additional part-time teacher. She is not sure when we'll get one.


What does it say to your kids when you tell them they go to a "top ES" - that most kids don't go to good schools? That your kids are smarter and better than Black and Brown students that because of government actions attend schools with high poverty rates?
Anonymous
Post 08/27/2025 09:08     Subject: Elementary class sizes
Anonymous wrote:Not PP but guessing they meant “top ES” as in one of the sought after clusters/wealthier areas. Our real estate agent definitely oversold on the quality of our zoned ES.


PP here. Thanks for help me clarify. Yes, I mean the top-performing ES in a high-SES area. I think the reason for that many kids stuffed in one room is the low-bar for accelerated math. About half is determined to go this path with only one teacher, and the rest spreading between two classrooms.

My kid told me they added extra stools, but about 1/3 needs to sit on the carpet. Principal has submitted the request for an additional part-time teacher. She is not sure when we'll get one.
Anonymous
Post 08/27/2025 08:18     Subject: Elementary class sizes
Anonymous wrote:We have 40 4th graders in one 4/5 math class. Ridiculous right?


And did you complain to the school? That’s way over MCPS guidelines.
Anonymous
Post 08/27/2025 08:17     Subject: Elementary class sizes
Anonymous wrote:33 in 4/5 compacted math.


Does everyone see this as normal? There are umpteen gazillion posts about CES and magnets, but people just shrug their shoulders and accept it as fine if their 4th grader has 33 kids in their class?
Anonymous
Post 08/26/2025 21:41     Subject: Elementary class sizes
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Our school is petitioning the central office for an additional teacher due to higher than expected enrollment that exceeds the guidelines for class size. Is that likely to be approved?


Tough to say, but now's the time to do it. Each class at the grade level is "allowed" to be 1 over the maximum (so why is that the "maximum"?), and when the next student enrolls, pushing a class to 2 over, it's supposed to trigger another classroom allocation. Does that mean it's going to happen? Nope.


Central office needs that money for more videos about “kicking off a great year with new energy.” Your kid can sit on the floor if there’s not enough room for every kid to have a desk.
Anonymous
Post 08/26/2025 21:24     Subject: Elementary class sizes
Anonymous wrote:Our school is petitioning the central office for an additional teacher due to higher than expected enrollment that exceeds the guidelines for class size. Is that likely to be approved?


Tough to say, but now's the time to do it. Each class at the grade level is "allowed" to be 1 over the maximum (so why is that the "maximum"?), and when the next student enrolls, pushing a class to 2 over, it's supposed to trigger another classroom allocation. Does that mean it's going to happen? Nope.
Anonymous
Post 08/26/2025 21:03     Subject: Elementary class sizes
Anonymous wrote:24 in CES 5th grade - grateful.


29 in my kid’s 4th grade CES classroom.
Anonymous
Post 08/26/2025 21:02     Subject: Elementary class sizes
Anonymous wrote:You all make me happy we did private
Max sizes:
K: 9
1-3: 14
3+: 18

Upper school: some classes as large as 20 some as small as 5.


I’m really horrified by MCPS this year. 31 kids in my kid’s ES classroom, my MS kid has an average of 34 kids in each class. I don’t know how this school district spends money on all sorts of stupid stuff yet crams kids into classrooms like sardines. They can barely move around because there are so many desks.
Anonymous
Post 08/26/2025 20:58     Subject: Elementary class sizes
24 in CES 5th grade - grateful.
Anonymous
Post 08/26/2025 20:57     Subject: Elementary class sizes
You all make me happy we did private
Max sizes:
K: 9
1-3: 14
3+: 18

Upper school: some classes as large as 20 some as small as 5.
Anonymous
Post 08/26/2025 20:41     Subject: Elementary class sizes
Anonymous wrote:Our school is petitioning the central office for an additional teacher due to higher than expected enrollment that exceeds the guidelines for class size. Is that likely to be approved?


Depends how persuasive your principal is.
Anonymous
Post 08/26/2025 20:33     Subject: Elementary class sizes
Anonymous wrote:Not PP but guessing they meant “top ES” as in one of the sought after clusters/wealthier areas. Our real estate agent definitely oversold on the quality of our zoned ES.


Isn't that illegal?

https://www.nar.realtor/magazine/broker-news/network/how-to-handle-client-questions-about-schools-and-neighborhoods
Anonymous
Post 08/26/2025 20:26     Subject: Elementary class sizes
Not PP but guessing they meant “top ES” as in one of the sought after clusters/wealthier areas. Our real estate agent definitely oversold on the quality of our zoned ES.