West Meade Elementary School

I have heard great things about the teachers here, however given my experience and hearing about a few other parents experiences in my neighborhood, I can't believe this principal still has a job here. I found her to care more about boisterously announcing the power of her position and exerting a bullish nature towards these small children instead of being an exemplary leader.
—Submitted by a parent

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

My Daughter attended Pre-K( Ms. Loverde)class here and I absolutly loved her teacher and how much she learned, I was very sad to leave. Her teacher was very helpful and my daughter looked forward to going to school each morning. The staff in the office is a bit rude and the principle is not nice to adults but is good with kids, but she is very strict. This school had its problems like its politacally correct holidays and a bit strict on things that were any fun that I remeber from being a kid but it is a very secure school and I felt my daughter was safe when she went there. I think with any school Parents need to be involved and try to help our schools to be better either by volenteering to help when they can or contributing in some way to the teacher.
—Submitted by a parent

My son is new to this school and is very unhappy. From day one the secretary at the front office was rude and standoffish with us. The curriculum is much further behind the one from his previous school. His teacher is great, but the leadership in the office needs a serious overhaul. We will be looking at private schools for next year. And I advise other parents not to move on post if they don't have to.... there are much better schools in the area.
—Submitted by a parent

I rated this school as excellent because it has alot of support. Although the turnover rate is high, we live on a military base and that is not because of the school it is the needs of the military. The PTA is minimal because of that reason, and the programs for special-needs is awsome. They follow the students, and the support from the principal with what the students need is highly met, as long as the parent is proactive, she does not like wishy-washy parents. The teachers are helpful with the students and is supported by the guidance team. As for afterschool tutors or support because we are all military at this loction it is private, offered at CYS for military personnel with transportation to and from school for before and after and is definatley helpful. As for my child, the grades, socialness, and abilities have soared thanks to the help.
—Submitted by a parent

This is not the school for your child if you're the type of parent that wants to be involved with your child's curriculum. It is frowned upon by the school principal. She has been rude many times toward parents and some of the children. I've witnessed this first hand, until she is removed from this school it will continue to get a bad name. It's unfortunate that parents dread their children attending. Although, it has beena pleasant experience with some of the teachers, it's dishearting to know that our children are being exposed to such a negativity (the principal) . It's time for a new principal with better people skills. It's time for change, but you will find out what I'm talking about if your child goes to this school. Don't say , I didnot warn you.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter loves the school & love the teacher Ms. Loverde
—Submitted by a parent

I have seen an increase in Parent involvement at West Meade. While there are areas to improve on my son loves attending this school. The school system could use an update on how to better deal with a mobile community. A mobile community is no reason to not excell. My two older children attended schools overseas where families knew they would be rotated within so many years and the schools were wonderful and the PTSA was awesome.
—Submitted by a parent

I had a Special Needs Pre-k child from 06-07. While the teacher was ok, the ot/pt/speech therapies we're at minimum. The principle has very little regard to parent feelings. And parents are not welcomed to drop in, or participate in anything. I felt it was more like a day care than a school for progress. They say it's lack of funding, if this is how the military's children is treated then I am ashamed.
—Submitted by a parent

My child attended 2006-2007 at West Meade and they do not offer any afterschool programs or tutoring sessions for children that are having problems with particular classes or subjects, which does no justice for the children. They need to rethink their extracurricular programs and prioritize the important needs of the children education well-being. I was truly unhappy with the level of education my child receive while attend West Meade School. Every child learns differently, but you need to make sure that every child is receiving a good education, despite of their level of learning.
—Submitted by a parent

School is very small for size of enrollment (250+). PTA is trying its best, but parent involvement is low do to high turnover rate (50%+). Teacher quality is fair, but no extracurricular activities except school safties.
—Submitted by a parent