E Halbert Rd
Bethesda, MD 20817

My son has attended 1st grade this year and I have nothing but great things to say about Burning Tree! He came in as a “new” kid this year, but had great friends by the end of his first week which was such a relief. Class sizes are small, his class is 16, which allows all the kids to work together and easily get their needs met. His teacher, Mrs. Luzi, is amazing! She looks for every opportunity to collaborate with the kids which started with them creating class rules and procedures including the use of Glow notes (which highlight something great our kid did) and Grow notes (which share something our kid could use some help with). For their birthday she creates a giant poster with a drawn portrait of them surrounded by kind notes from each kid. She also hosts a student of the week program which includes a fun activities each day to share something about themselves, then at the end of the week they get a bound book that includes a letter and drawing from each student. He needed speech and had an IEP so I’ve had the opportunity to meet with the entire special needs team throughout the year and I continue to feel so grateful for the care and attention that this staff gives to their students. Each specialist really got to know my son well and figured out the best ways to support him. Even the principal, front office staff and nurses have all shown nothing but kindness and a desire to care for and support our kids in whatever they need.The PTA is also a great support system in this school. They host several fun events for the kids and families including a beginning of the year picnic which was our first opportunity to meet a lot of the parents of the friends he had made. My son is testing well above his grade level and absolutely flourishing. We all feel like we really lucked out being able to be a part of this excellent school!

Grade inflation is rampant here - meaning a student who coasts looks on paper the same as an engaged student who does their best, which is unfair when they’re competing for the same college spots. Seriously, at graduation they ask students with a 3.8 or higher to rise, and 3/4 of the kids stand!

It is confusing and alarming that the minority African American students are only 4% of the total student population, yet their suspension rate is 6% which is near the state average of 7%. It does not make sense that their equity is high when they are suspending so many African American students.