Elementary Schools

[pelers]

They should really have some sort of class for parents to familiarize themselves with the educational scene here. I feel so overwhelmed! Where I grew up we only had two options: the one public school or homeschooling. No local religious private schools, charter schools, Montessori schools... public or home.

Where I'm living we are zoned for Lexington Park Elementary. With all the budget woes and everything I'm a bit leery of putting Junior Sprout in that environment. Increasing class sizes, decreasing teacher support, plus I just haven't heard a single good thing about the school. Hell, I haven't heard anything that could be taken as even a neutral comment.

So what are the rules on putting your child in a different school than the one they are zoned to? Which schools in the area do you think offer the highest quality education? Where are the enthusiastic teachers? Who has the best extracurricular programs?

If you sent your munchkins to a school other than where they were "zoned" which school was it and why?

 

[Chasey_Lane]

I think you are weighing too heavily on this. The county has the same curriculum, and the schools have to educate students just the same. If you raise your child right and stay behind them 100% of the way, there is no reason why they can't learn and get a good education for the school they are zoned for.

 

[maxima87]

They should really have some sort of class for parents to familiarize themselves with the educational scene here. I feel so overwhelmed! Where I grew up we only had two options: the one public school or homeschooling. No local religious private schools, charter schools, Montessori schools... public or home.

Where I'm living we are zoned for Lexington Park Elementary. With all the budget woes and everything I'm a bit leery of putting Junior Sprout in that environment. Increasing class sizes, decreasing teacher support, plus I just haven't heard a single good thing about the school. Hell, I haven't heard anything that could be taken as even a neutral comment.

So what are the rules on putting your child in a different school than the one they are zoned to? Which schools in the area do you think offer the highest quality education? Where are the enthusiastic teachers? Who has the best extracurricular programs?

If you sent your munchkins to a school other than where they were "zoned" which school was it and why?

Here is a review for you. My son attended LPES from Pre-K thru Grade 5. He was in the STEM program for Grades 4 and 5 there. I have nothing but good things to say about that school. The teachers (that we have had) have been caring and very supportive, and the support staff has been amazing. I was sad to transfer my daughter away from that school when we moved.

But then again, the learning starts at home. Maybe the folks giving the reviews weren't too supportive and proactive of their child's education themselves.

 

[getbent]

If you want your child to go to a school out of your zone, I believe you have to get permission from the principle of the school you're supposed to go to and the one you want to go to. Then it has to be approved by some dept. in the Board of Ed.

They have the right to say no. If they approve it, you will be responsible for providing transportation to and from school everyday. Then next year you get to ask permission all over again.

 

[stars24]

The paperwork is here. (Hope that works.) The 2nd page has all the approved reasons that you can request such a transfer.

 

[dash1975]

Maryland is kind of funny on zoning for schools. They list quite a few ways you can get a waiver to have your child attend a school outside their zone, but in all actuality the main reason for approval is if you have daycare in that area.

My wife is a teacher at Green Holly Elementary and I have heard nothing but great things about that school. My kids will be going to Elementary School in a year and we are hoping to get approval for our kids to go there. Should be able to since she teachers there. Just my opinion though.

 

[libertytyranny]

I think you are weighing too heavily on this. The county has the same curriculum, and the schools have to educate students just the same. If you raise your child right and stay behind them 100% of the way, there is no reason why they can't learn and get a good education for the school they are zoned for.

agreed. MD has excellent schools I will have no problem putting my child in any of them, wherever we happen to be living. If we were somewhere with terrible schools, like DC for instance, I would perhaps be a little more leery. But since the schools in MD are consistantly top rated..monster will go to whichever we are zoned for and I trust that with my guidance she will be perfectly successful.

 

[TGB]

They should really have some sort of class for parents to familiarize themselves with the educational scene here. I feel so overwhelmed! Where I grew up we only had two options: the one public school or homeschooling. No local religious private schools, charter schools, Montessori schools... public or home.

Where I'm living we are zoned for Lexington Park Elementary. With all the budget woes and everything I'm a bit leery of putting Junior Sprout in that environment. Increasing class sizes, decreasing teacher support, plus I just haven't heard a single good thing about the school. Hell, I haven't heard anything that could be taken as even a neutral comment.

So what are the rules on putting your child in a different school than the one they are zoned to? Which schools in the area do you think offer the highest quality education? Where are the enthusiastic teachers? Who has the best extracurricular programs?

If you sent your munchkins to a school other than where they were "zoned" which school was it and why?

So long as you are involved with your childrens education, they'll be fine. My kids are in the leonardtown district, but I know alot of kids graduated fron Great mills high and are on their way to becoming doctors, lawyers, etc.

 

[kwillia]

So long as you are involved with your childrens education, they'll be fine. My kids are in the leonardtown district, but I know alot of kids graduated fron Great mills high and are on their way to becoming doctors, lawyers, etc.

It's not the school as much as it is with how the child choses to apply him/herself in school.

 

[awpitt]

If you do get approval for transfer for reasons other than daycare, you will have to provide transportation to and from school.

 

[Sweet 16]

They should really have some sort of class for parents to familiarize themselves with the educational scene here. I feel so overwhelmed! Where I grew up we only had two options: the one public school or homeschooling. No local religious private schools, charter schools, Montessori schools... public or home.

Where I'm living we are zoned for Lexington Park Elementary. With all the budget woes and everything I'm a bit leery of putting Junior Sprout in that environment. Increasing class sizes, decreasing teacher support, plus I just haven't heard a single good thing about the school. Hell, I haven't heard anything that could be taken as even a neutral comment.

So what are the rules on putting your child in a different school than the one they are zoned to? Which schools in the area do you think offer the highest quality education? Where are the enthusiastic teachers? Who has the best extracurricular programs?
If you sent your munchkins to a school other than where they were "zoned" which school was it and why?

School zones are determined by the number of students living within a particular zone and they are redrawn as families move in and out to rebalance the school populations. Therefore, it has less to do with your personal preference than whether or not there are "extra" seats available over and above those allotted for students actually residing within the school zone. The schools also have to maintain a buffer for families moving into the school zone so they don't just give those extra seats away to anyone that wants them because they happen to be available. It can't hurt to research the different schools but ultimately, the decision is not yours, unless you have daycare issues or send them to private school.

 

[Pete]

Whatever you do, do NOT let your child take any peanut products to school. My son did and he is still in prison. He got 5 to life for some Lance "Toast Chee" crackers. We are hoping he can get parole before his freshman year starts.

 

[BadGirl]

Whatever you do, do NOT let your child take any peanut products to school. My son did and he is still in prison. He got 5 to life for some Lance "Toast Chee" crackers. We are hoping he can get parole before his freshman year starts.

I purposely place a teaspoon of peanut butter behind each of my child's ears every single morning.

I hope he doesn't land up in jail.

 

[Pete]

I purposely place a teaspoon of peanut butter behind each of my child's ears every single morning.

I hope he doesn't land up in jail.

That's how it always starts, just a little civil disobedience and then WHAMO! Someone is doing hard time.

We are having a "Free Boy" rally Thursday if you can make it.

 

[awpitt]

School zones are determined by the number of students living within a particular zone and they are redrawn as families move in and out to rebalance the school populations. Therefore, it has less to do with your personal preference than whether or not there are "extra" seats available over and above those allotted for students actually residing within the school zone. The schools also have to maintain a buffer for families moving into the school zone so they don't just give those extra seats away to anyone that wants them because they happen to be available. It can't hurt to research the different schools but ultimately, the decision is not yours, unless you have daycare issues or send them to private school.

...or move to a different zone.

 

[Sweet 16]

...or move to a different zone.

Yep, there's that too

 

[pelers]

Whatever you do, do NOT let your child take any peanut products to school. My son did and he is still in prison. He got 5 to life for some Lance "Toast Chee" crackers. We are hoping he can get parole before his freshman year starts.

I purposely place a teaspoon of peanut butter behind each of my child's ears every single morning.

I hope he doesn't land up in jail.

Thanks, everyone! I know I'm looking into this way too early but it's a good way to kill time without feeling like I'm TOTALLY slacking off

 

[Sweet 16]

Thanks, everyone! I know I'm looking into this way too early but it's a good way to kill time without feeling like I'm TOTALLY slacking off

It's NEVER too early to start thinking about your child(ren)'s education. Good luck!