Allanwood

Our experience at Bel Pre Elementary School in Silver Spring, MD was very negative. In practice, this school is not inclusive of children with special needs, which aligns with what other families have already pointed out in their reviews.The main issue is the leadership. The administration lacks transparency and does not demonstrate a genuine commitment to ensuring that all students receive appropriate support. There is a clear lack of resources, and even more concerning, a lack of willingness to properly allocate or utilize them. In addition, there are several safety issues that leadership never acknowledges or resolves, eroding trust from families and negatively impacting children wellbeing. There appears to be a pattern where disabilities are approached and managed as behavioral issues, rather than being appropriately supported through specialized services and accommodations. This approach avoids accountability and results in students not receiving the support they need to succeed.Communication with families is inconsistent, and concerns are often ignored or minimized. Instead of collaboration, the approach feels evasive and uncommitted.While some teachers try to do their best within these limitations, there are others who follow directives from leadership, even when those decisions end up negatively impacting students.Overall, I would not recommend this school to families looking for a truly inclusive environment, adequate support, and responsible leadership.

Best counselor, I found it the way I was recommended!

I simply don’t understand some of the poor reviews on this site…Our experience with Barrie is excellent. The community is diverse and caring. Academics are challenging and project-based.We plan for our daughters to attend through Middle and Upper School.

Winchester is a hidden gem. Our son has been going for two years now, and we’ve seen such a positive change in him—he loves being there! The teachers and staff are warm, genuinely connect with him, and have adapted to his learning needs. Since switching from another school, he’s been much more vocal and excited about what he’s learning. We love that the curriculum includes not just academics, but also social skills, cultural appreciation, and kindness. They also have a great summer camp! We really appreciate how open they are to feedback, their flexible schedule, and the overall caring, understanding environment. It feels like it’s being run by other parents who really understand what families need. We highly recommend it!

The teachers are the beating heart of the Upper School and they are amazing! They are dedicated and gifted professionals and almost every one goes above and beyond to make learning engaging, to seek out extra enrichment activities, and to support students when they struggle. I see the care they put into their daily lessons and the emphasis on getting students not just to memorize the "how" and the "what" but to truly understand "why this matters." They are all here because they want to be. I also see my child gaining confidence through interacting with their teachers, learning the give-and-take of seminar discussions, learning how to respectfully advocate for themselves or ask for clarification or even the occasional extension. These skills help prepare them to engage with college professors and future bosses. I am confident my child is getting an individualized and top-notch education and I know they are well-prepared for college.