St. Mary's Elementary School

We moved from Orange County in California and we are overwhelmingly pleased with Jefferson Houston. We see our children thriving. The principal knows and greets all students by their first name! The classes are small allowing teachers to give attentive care. The electives are once a week! In California we were lucky if they had P-E or art twice in a month. And the middle school art program is phenomenal. We highly recommend Jefferson Houston.

I was happy with the school in 2020 during the pandemic, a weird time for all of course but the kindergarten teacher did an inedible job with the circumstances. My only reservation before was the principal but now with the new principal and new AP the environment feels refreshed and the enthusiasm is palpable.

Matthew Maury is now Naomi Brooks Elementary School. My child likes the school better than I do, but I’m happy she’s happy. There is very little communication between parents and teachers outside of teacher conferences. Now with Covid, you basically don’t step foot in the school. There’s opportunities for parents to be involved (which I am), but that involvement is PTA related and really doesn’t provide insight into what’s going on with your child. I’d say each year, you probably talk to the teacher less than 60 minutes total (and I attend everything). If your kid is average/high average, it seems that no one really encourages their strengths. If there are are concerns issues, they don’t seem to think outside the box, instead they stick to their party line. I don’t know everyone’s situation, but I think this is part of why I’m seeing many families leave for private school.

We have been thrilled with Belle View Elementary for our daughter. We are a military family and moved to the area as she was beginning second grade. She made friends quickly and has always been supported well by staff and teachers. Now in third grade she has had the opportunity to be part of advanced academics, student council, and other school programs. We have loved the family engagement and the activities run by the PTA as well as the school. I feel that the school is very safe, the staff are incredibly warm, and my daughter is honestly thriving.

The teachers and administrators here care about the students! The school is on the small side but it’s in really good shape and well maintained.

Potomac Crescent Waldorf School was the soft and nurturing landing spot my family aimed to find when sending our oldest child to school for the first time five years ago. My two other children have since begun their journey at this nature-based and screen free school as well, and we continue to wholeheartedly believe in the programs it offers. The teachers are dedicated and warm, and are specially trained in Waldorf education.

My child had an amazing experience at St. Paul's. The school sets a wonderful foundation for students and helps them prepare for kindergarten. I would highly recommend this school and I wish every student had the same experience as my child had in preschool.