Belmont Elementary School

We have had a good experience with most teachers at this school. However, the administration as of late is very lacking. They say they support emotional well-being yet let bullying runs rampant; even after several instances of reporting it. Many parents have experienced this and are upset about it.

Sherwood Elementary School sure has changed over the years. Ever since the current principal took over, Sherwood has gone downhill quick. It used to be such a cheerful sunny place, with a glowing reputation that continued for years. Historically, Sherwood was always in the 8-9/10 range. Now, things are very different. The current 7/10 rating is a huge stretch. Slowly but surely, all the best teachers have left. Staff morale is down. Families who are able are leaving en masse- and it's not because of the pandemic. The teachers aren't teaching, and the students aren't learning. There is little classroom control, and equally, little to no consequences for the children who repeatedly misbehave. It's not safe. There is no homework, and little accountability is placed on the students academically or otherwise. The main focus is on the test scores. Children are not getting the academic, social, or emotional support they need. Parents on the whole are unhappy. All of this is directly related to the administration. It all comes down from the top. Sadly, Sherwood is no longer the safe, sweet thriving little school it once was. Sherwood Elementary School sure has changed, and sadly, it's not for the better.

Our experience at Brooke Grove was SUPERB! We were coming from another section of MoCo and were blown away by the teachers, the level of engagement, and the quality of teachers. What a FABULOUS community school!

Julia Brown School Olney is exceptional! I cannot say enough good things about the place. I wasn't quite sure what to expect when we moved our daughter from a traditional daycare to the Montessori environment, but JBS exceeded whatever that expectation was. We knew it was the right fit the minute we walked into the school facility for a tour. It was clean and calm, with big well-lit classrooms that didn't feel cluttered and overstimulating. We noticed immediately that there was a sense of order and a good system, and that the children looked happy and well taken care of. My daughter loved the place from day one! She felt at home and looked genuinely happy in a way that felt visibly different from her previous daycare. She loves all her teachers and has made so many friends. She always looks forward to going to school. We're so glad we decided to keep her at JBS for the kindergarten program. She's learned so much in a short time--academically, socially, emotionally and various life skills. JBS nurtures while also encouraging growth and independence. They strike that balance so well! All the directresses and assistant teachers are absolutely wonderful too! Very experienced, and not as much turnover as other daycares in the area. It's clear to see the teachers love their jobs and they're good at it. Ms. Hunter is an amazing administrator for the school; she's also fantastic at her job!One other thing worth mentioning is the community of families at the school-- from all walks of life. Everyone is genuinely kind.Honestly, I cannot say enough great things about JBS-Olney. If you're hesitating... please stop. You can't go wrong! I highly recommend.

School is not what it used to be. Stay away. Don’t waste your money.

My family's time at this school was, to put it simply, a mistake. The educational standards are alarmingly low. It appears that students are just being pushed through the system, regardless of whether they can read or pass basic tests. Our experience suggests a lack of accountability, as standardized testing was skipped. The leadership is a major concern; the principal does not seem equipped to handle the challenges of the school. The school's physical state is also troubling, the building is old and run-down, and we were particularly concerned about the presence of mold. Despite a growing student body and significant community fundraising, the school always seems to be short on funds. On top of that, security is a serious problem, with unauthorized individuals often entering the school's playground. This school is reactive, not proactive, and the children are the ones who suffer for it. I would strongly advise parents to look elsewhere.