Eldersburg Elementary School

This is a school where the connected members of PTA not administration runs the show. Certain families are who get to participate in things and have first notice of events like the famous play and trunk or trick night. The guidance department causes more problems than it solves. They care more about statistics and keeping the number of IEPs and 504s low than helping children. They know how to play a numbers game.

I dropped off my daughter’s medicine at the office and they refused to give it to her. When I came up to the school to talk to the principal about it he had a police officer waiting in the office. The principal just started at me and told me he did not care. Those were the only words that came out of his mouth. He just stared at me until I left . I don’t know how he is the principal, he could care less about the children.

Even with evaluations and doctor recommendations that our child receive and IEP, we had to fight tooth and nail with the current administration to obtain an IEP. Additionally, the school will not enhance her IEP goals to address the full range of her needs. The school refuses to address academic issues of our child by blaming everything on attention, even with reports and IEP recommendations from doctors. The school does a terrible job fostering community and parent engagement and the PTA is overly concerned with fundraising that is out of touch with teacher and school needs.

My oldest attended for 8 years.  Her brothers attended 4-6 years respectively.  It is time for us to transfer to another school with a high school (as SSCCA only goes through 8th). We have been extremely pleased with their education.  The classical model is a very good one.  Each year builds on the next.  They teach them memorization skills.  The informational songs and jingles they've learned will live in their heads forever. The children are taught public speaking from age 4.  They are encouraged to read every summer and it has turned all 3 into fantastic speed readers who genuinely enjoy reading now.  I can assure you that no teachers are there for "the money."  It is their vocational calling to educate children in a private Christian environment. In 7th (& 8th) grade, the children are taught logic and the fallacies of arguments which is great for critical thinking.  They are also taught an etiquette class where proper protocol is learned like leaving a party when it says it's over or bringing a hostess gift.  They are taught how to meet new people politely and introduce friends to each other.  They are even afforded dancing lessons and attend a formal event to practice their new skills.  They also keep tuition low.  It is by far the most affordable full day/week private option anywhere near here.  20% off the second child.  30% off the third, 40% off the fourth child and they max out at 50% off the fifth child and any kids after that. This sibling discount is unprecedented. We've forged great friendships at this school.  It is very nice to be surrounded by like minded parents and the nice children that result from that.