Dr. Sally K. Ride Elementary School

My son only went to Sally Ride for about 2 months... However, he learned more in those 2 months than he did at Brookhaven for the rest of the school year. Back in Sally Ride, he use to come home and tell me what he had learned, words I didn't even know the definition of sometimes. At brookhaven, he tells me he played with his friends outside, then I would say "and... what did you learn" He replies I don't know... every time. I'm not bashing Brookhaven, I'm sure they're a great school and there isn't much of a bullying problem like I noticed in most other elementary schools, plus the staff involvement is excellent, but I feel that they can push more with the learning.
—Submitted by a parent

This school is the best school ever! Teachers are very friendly . Principal is very kind and vice principal is soo good to everyone.
—Submitted by a parent

two of my sons have attended this school, I have been very involved with their learning and the PTA. I love the teachers and principals, they do an amazing job! the principal knows the name of all 550 kids and is very accessible both to the kids and their parents, the only thing that concerns me is the teachers aids, building services and lunch ladies... they are the stereotypical MEAN people. I've had to talk to my kids about how to handle that sort of behavior. Other than that, my children have grown so much, they are both at least one full grade level in math and english and are very excited about learning and being challenged, that I think is priceless!
—Submitted by a parent

Negative behavior (bullying) is bound to take place because the children are not kept busy and as a result their minds are definitely going to wander! I am also waiting very patiently for the last three years for the test results to show some improvement, but every single year the results have been disappointing.

This is a terrible school that has big problems with bullying, the teachers who are ignoring kids when they are complaining about the bullying. Most of the bullying is going on in front of the teachers. So the teachers just act like they don't see or hear anything.
—Submitted by a parent

The school building is fairly new so aesthetically it's very nice. They do offer opportunities for kids who are gifted to receive special instruction (a middle school teacher came to SKR each day to teach a separate math class). However, when my daughter went to a MCPS magnet school in 6th grade, I was told her writing skills were not as good as they could be. The middle school teacher stated that students coming from Sally Ride often lack in English/writing skills. Make sure to talk to your child's 4th/5th grade teachers if you have a GT or advanced student to make sure they are being taught more than just 'basic' writing skills. Hope this helped. :)
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter goes to this school, great teachers, great new principal, ect.. my daughter is doing better than ever this year, no complaints here! My son who is now 18 went to Sally Ride in th 5th grade and it was the best elementary school he ever went to.
—Submitted by a parent

I have no doubt that next year at this time that the school rating 4 out of 10 will be a much better number. Sally Ride has a new dedicated and determined Principal who cares a great deal about the school and students. The PTA is also excellent and has many good ideas on how to motivate our kids. I forsee good things for this school.
—Submitted by a parent