Waterside Dr
Leonardtown, MD 20650

The school prides itself on its test scores. Unfortunately, that's the singular priority for administration. We've had students at Leonardtown for 7 years and what was a lovely school has been very negatively affected by high staff turnover since the current principal started. Discipline is incredibly inconsistent. Each of my kids has had a bully in their class, and little to no corrective action has ever been taken. The discipline is haphazard and blanket punishments means kids who are behaving suffer the consequences of those who are not. Meanwhile, kids with actual special needs are punished for behaviors they cannot control. I was told more than once that my child's ADHD and SPD issues might be solved with "better discipline at home." Parent input is welcome as long as it's hours and hours of volunteer time or effusive praise. Efforts to engage in addressing problems result only in the family being flagged as problematic. My neurodivergent child needed a 504 and it wasnt until he moved to another school that the staff put in the time and care to make it a useful tool for him. Blanket solutions were all Leonardtown could offer. Student initiative is discouraged. The 5th grade wanted to have an end of year ceremony, the principal said the school board banned them. I have yet to see this in writing anywhere and other schools are having them. A student put together a petition and before even reading it, the principal went into each 5th grade classroom and tried to convince the students they had been deceived by a classmate because "no one wants a ceremony." The petition had signatures from about 75% of the class. Students were afraid they'd get in trouble for signing the petition. For a school that preaches "above all else, respect," I've personally experienced very little of that from Leonardtown Elementary School.

I have had problems with bullying, and they do stuff about it. It doesn't always work but most of the time as long as you inform the administrators it does. And when the have fights they separate the kids in the ISI (In-School Intermission/Detention) so they both get the same amount of time, but on different days. The test scores overall are better than they say they are too. The teachers will definitely threaten to email parents if the students don't behave. They also encourage positive reinforcement. Overall, very good school. Especially compared to Esperanza which has a lot of fights and Spring Ridge which is where all the expelled Esperanza kids go.

Both of my kids attended and had very positive experiences. They were involved in multiple clubs, the marching band, and the Tech Center. Five stars from me!