West Meade Elementary School

The teachers are great! The office staff is just not very child friendly! The office has been so rude to my family over the last 4 months! I have family staying with me for medical reasons until my husband comes back from school. At least once a week I get a call saying that my nephew isn't allowed at the school. (When myself, my husband, my sister and once with my sister and myself brought over papers to the school approved by housing...were told that they never received the papers for anyone) It's a joke, and I'm not laughing! But hey the Bus Drivers are AMAZING!!
--Submitted by a parent

This school has undergone major changes beginning 2011-2012 school year due to the opening of a new elementary school on post. West Meade Elementary is now West Meade Early Education Center and only houses kindergarten and below for the entire Ft. Meade post. Approximately half of the staff members are new to the school, and old members had to interview and be re-hired; all teachers are now young-learner focused. Administration is no-nonsense and can seem abrupt. The building is old, but updates can be found throughout; smart boards in every room, new playground equipment, and materials. In response to recent comment regarding lunch money... the district decides to feed students with no lunch money a jelly or cheese sandwich and water, not the school. Also, all schools in the district participate in an online lunch mgt. program where parents can track their balance, make deposits online, and receive email alerts when funds are low. Regarding the comment about Curriculum, again, is determined by the district and these teachers follow it. Overall you will find West Meade to be a typical public school with common disappointments, and benefits.
--Submitted by a parent

My son is attending school here this year, the work is way behind what he was doing last year, there is no attempt to challenge him mentally. He was injured at school requiring 7 stitches and the school and the school did not contact us directly, but called the police to come get us despite having many phone numbers and email addresses for us. He ran out of lunch money one time, in stead of a advanced warning or a days credit they gave him a jelly only sand which and a empty cup. The principal makes her self unavailable to parents, they make every attempt to keep parents out of the school. and i have not met one parent there who is satisfied with the place.
--Submitted by a parent

My son is finishing the second half of his 1st grade year at West Meade, we transferred from Seoul where he went to SAES. The curriculum here is a joke! In his previous school they were spelling 2 syllable & compound words, they had Spanish, the mathematics where much more challenging... and they kids were in school for 40 minutes less. They are reading books at the kindergarten level in class. I have tried speaking to the teacher and staff but as others here have said, it gets you no where. I am seriously considering homeschooling because the academic programs are so poor at this school! I am unable to find out if it is AACPS that is sets the curriculum or the school. If you want your child to have a great start in school, look elsewhere!
--Submitted by a parent

Her 1st grade & 2nd grade years were outstanding. She was eager to learn & wanted more. That 3rd grade teacher was something else. She was/is a bully, negative & none supportive. Her style of teaching was aggressive & rough. She did not communicate well with us at all. My kid went from being an A student to C-D.. How? Why? We talk to the Principle, Couselor & the Board. No one did anything to help our child. The teacher was always negative no matter what. I was at the school like I should have been getting a pay check. The bottom line is, no teacher should be allowed to teach if they do not have the child's best interest at heart. If you have lost your passion for the job, LEAVE IT. But don't make the children loose their excitement to learn. That almost happened to our child.
--Submitted by a parent

All 3 of my children attend this school and while there are certain teachers I prefer to avoid, on the whole it is a great school. When parents make the effort to be involved the teachers have seemed to really appreciate it. As far as some negative comments that were made here, I suggest knowing the source before taking them as fact. Most teachers are very willing to communicate and enjoy being with the kids. They are not out to label and medicate, just to do what is right for all of the kids in the classroom.
--Submitted by a parent

I have mis feelings about this school. I love my daughters pre-k class ( Ms. Loverde) and my son's class ( Mr. B). The principal is not nice at all she never speaks to the parents and she always have a mean look on her face. The school does not ahve a warm feel to it.
--Submitted by a parent

My son attended 1st and 2nd grade here. 1st grade wasn't so bad but by 2nd grade the teacher, counselor and principal all ganged up against us. They were convinced my son had emotional problems and needed drugs and therapy. They made my life miserable and they mistreated my son until i agreed to have him tested. As soon as they got an IEP for him (and could draw extra federal funds) they backed off. I refused to drug him when i didn't see anything wrong with him - We moved thank GOD and he has started 3rd grade in Texas. 6 weeks into the school year he is thriving. The staff doesn't understand why he has an IEP - they have observed him and see no problems. His teacher loves him - this school is so awesome it really made me see how bad he was treated at west meade.
--Submitted by a parent

My sons teacher is amazing with him and all his classmates. My son comes home from school every single day excited.. what more could any Mom ask for?
--Submitted by a parent

This school is fabulous! I have 3 children in this school and they are thriving! We came from PG county and are so happy! I have heard parents complain, but unfortunately there is not a whole lot of parent involvement. The principal can scare people off... she calls it like she sees it! She doesn't allow any nonsense from children or adults!! I don't worry about my children when they are in school, it is a safe environment, and the nurse will call for any little visit, I love that!!! I have been kept well informed on my children's progress. I highly recommend this school!
--Submitted by a parent