My child is in kindergarten at Flora Singer and we love the school. Wonderful principal and teachers, amazing building. The PTA and parents are incredibly active. Parents recently organized a Science Fair which at least 80 kids participated in.

I was talking with friends who have children in elementary schools in Bethesda. They have 25 kids in a K class and the schools are older and have many portables. My child has 18 in K class in a brand new building at Singer. My friend's reaction "wow."

Anonymous wrote:Why can't people just ask
what is the learning environment like at a school ?
what is the class size?
how responsive is the administration?
how do teachers implement the curriculum?
What is the neighborhood community like...parent involvement?
Are these not the things that give you specific and helpful information about the school experience?
Asking about ESOL and FARMS gets you stats...that lead to assumptions...that well...basically may or may not be true and doesn't give you a window into what the real experience of the place may be.
It really is sad...

Because most people are not interested in being as PC as you.

Farms and ESOL rates give you an idea of how involved parents are in terms of PTA, volunteering in classrooms on a regular basis (ie at our school there are tons of sahms who volunteer once or twice a week, but that doesn't happen at the title I school where my friends kids go), and other things like "will there be a bunch of SAHMs that I can reach out to fir back up child care?" or "will there be lots of classmates for playdates or carpool to sports practice?" etc. I know I will get flamed here for saying that, but it's true. I have friends and family at title I schools who regret that they don't have that at their schools (but they are otherwise pleased with the basic education thus far).

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Does anyone know the FARM and ESOL rate at Flora Singer?

That info wouldn't be out until late spring, since this is the first year. Though it's probably worth saying that if you want to ask, you probably don't want to know, and probably shouldn't send your kids there. Looking at the schools it pulled from (OTES and ______?) could give you a decent idea.

I'm just wondering because I live in Forest Estates and know that there is a huge disparity between the families in my neighborhood vs those that live in the apartments on Georgia Avenue or nearby.

I support a diverse environment, but have a friend who's son goes to Jackson Road Elementary School and there are no white people in his class - 70% hispanic, 20% african american and 10% asian. A lot of class time seems to be spent helping the ESOL students, which results in less time for other students.

PP, if you live in Forest Estates, then why don't you ask your neighbors whose kids go to Flora Singer, rather than your friend whose son goes to Jackson Road ES? Ask the people who have direct experience, not some anonymous forum, and not some FARMS stats?

My kids go to Flora Singer, and we love the school and the teachers. We have a HHI of over 200k and are one of many families that go to that school who do. The class sizes are small. First and second grade classes have about 17 students. The teachers are happy to be in a brand new facility and the parents are active in the school. Talk to your neighbors.

My neighbors kids are still at Oakland Terrace because it was decided that kids of a certain age would be able to finish their rather than starting new at Flora Singer. Those who are starting K had to go to Flora Singer. I believe the neighborhood also got divided up so certain streets stay at OT.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Does anyone know the FARM and ESOL rate at Flora Singer?

That info wouldn't be out until late spring, since this is the first year. Though it's probably worth saying that if you want to ask, you probably don't want to know, and probably shouldn't send your kids there. Looking at the schools it pulled from (OTES and ______?) could give you a decent idea.

I'm just wondering because I live in Forest Estates and know that there is a huge disparity between the families in my neighborhood vs those that live in the apartments on Georgia Avenue or nearby.

I support a diverse environment, but have a friend who's son goes to Jackson Road Elementary School and there are no white people in his class - 70% hispanic, 20% african american and 10% asian. A lot of class time seems to be spent helping the ESOL students, which results in less time for other students.

PP, if you live in Forest Estates, then why don't you ask your neighbors whose kids go to Flora Singer, rather than your friend whose son goes to Jackson Road ES? Ask the people who have direct experience, not some anonymous forum, and not some FARMS stats?

My kids go to Flora Singer, and we love the school and the teachers. We have a HHI of over 200k and are one of many families that go to that school who do. The class sizes are small. First and second grade classes have about 17 students. The teachers are happy to be in a brand new facility and the parents are active in the school. Talk to your neighbors.

12:04 PP here -- We are a Flora Singer family...and my point EXACTLY!
Our HHI is about the same...and I was a FARMS kid!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Does anyone know the FARM and ESOL rate at Flora Singer?

That info wouldn't be out until late spring, since this is the first year. Though it's probably worth saying that if you want to ask, you probably don't want to know, and probably shouldn't send your kids there. Looking at the schools it pulled from (OTES and ______?) could give you a decent idea.

I'm just wondering because I live in Forest Estates and know that there is a huge disparity between the families in my neighborhood vs those that live in the apartments on Georgia Avenue or nearby.

I support a diverse environment, but have a friend who's son goes to Jackson Road Elementary School and there are no white people in his class - 70% hispanic, 20% african american and 10% asian. A lot of class time seems to be spent helping the ESOL students, which results in less time for other students.

PP, if you live in Forest Estates, then why don't you ask your neighbors whose kids go to Flora Singer, rather than your friend whose son goes to Jackson Road ES? Ask the people who have direct experience, not some anonymous forum, and not some FARMS stats?

My kids go to Flora Singer, and we love the school and the teachers. We have a HHI of over 200k and are one of many families that go to that school who do. The class sizes are small. First and second grade classes have about 17 students. The teachers are happy to be in a brand new facility and the parents are active in the school. Talk to your neighbors.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why can't people just ask
what is the learning environment like at a school ?
what is the class size?
how responsive is the administration?
how do teachers implement the curriculum?
What is the neighborhood community like...parent involvement?
Are these not the things that give you specific and helpful information about the school experience?
Asking about ESOL and FARMS gets you stats...that lead to assumptions...that well...basically may or may not be true and doesn't give you a window into what the real experience of the place may be.
It really is sad...

The reality is that FARMS and ESOL have a lot to do with it. Looking at the data here http://mdreportcard.org/ it is clear that more students at certain schools are scoring at advanced levels than at others. Try the elementary school comparison tool and you will see.

What I am saying is that stats do not give you the whole story...
You need to find out what is happening on the ground...
How are the teachers...
How do they implement the curriculum
A school may have kids testing into Harvard, but the reality is that all the parents are supplementing with Kumon.
But go ahead...keep being afraid of folks who don't make a $200,00 HHI
A family of 4 (2 parents, 2 kids I would assume) making $42,000 qualifies...
You do realize that is about the average HHI in money parts of the country...
That only makes them "poor" in here...and for a lot of people assumed to be ignorant and not supporting their kids in school
Still I say...sad

Anonymous wrote:Why can't people just ask
what is the learning environment like at a school ?
what is the class size?
how responsive is the administration?
how do teachers implement the curriculum?
What is the neighborhood community like...parent involvement?
Are these not the things that give you specific and helpful information about the school experience?
Asking about ESOL and FARMS gets you stats...that lead to assumptions...that well...basically may or may not be true and doesn't give you a window into what the real experience of the place may be.
It really is sad...

The reality is that FARMS and ESOL have a lot to do with it. Looking at the data here http://mdreportcard.org/ it is clear that more students at certain schools are scoring at advanced levels than at others. Try the elementary school comparison tool and you will see.

Why can't people just ask
what is the learning environment like at a school ?
what is the class size?
how responsive is the administration?
how do teachers implement the curriculum?
What is the neighborhood community like...parent involvement?
Are these not the things that give you specific and helpful information about the school experience?
Asking about ESOL and FARMS gets you stats...that lead to assumptions...that well...basically may or may not be true and doesn't give you a window into what the real experience of the place may be.
It really is sad...

Flora Singer only pulled from Oakland Terrace, so google Oakland Terrace at a glance and you will get a good idea. I think it would be quite different than Jackson Road.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Does anyone know the FARM and ESOL rate at Flora Singer?

That info wouldn't be out until late spring, since this is the first year. Though it's probably worth saying that if you want to ask, you probably don't want to know, and probably shouldn't send your kids there. Looking at the schools it pulled from (OTES and ______?) could give you a decent idea.

I'm just wondering because I live in Forest Estates and know that there is a huge disparity between the families in my neighborhood vs those that live in the apartments on Georgia Avenue or nearby.

I support a diverse environment, but have a friend who's son goes to Jackson Road Elementary School and there are no white people in his class - 70% hispanic, 20% african american and 10% asian. A lot of class time seems to be spent helping the ESOL students, which results in less time for other students.

Anonymous wrote:Does anyone know the FARM and ESOL rate at Flora Singer?

That info wouldn't be out until late spring, since this is the first year. Though it's probably worth saying that if you want to ask, you probably don't want to know, and probably shouldn't send your kids there. Looking at the schools it pulled from (OTES and ______?) could give you a decent idea.

Anonymous wrote:Does anyone know the FARM and ESOL rate at Flora Singer?

no too busy enjoying the quality education and don't have time ti figure out who cannot afford lunch.

Does anyone know the FARM and ESOL rate at Flora Singer?

There are already a lot who have posted good things on here. It sounds to me like the only negative any one has listed is the unexplained departure of a K teacher, which could have been for any number of reasons. I'd say the responses have been overwhelmingly positive.