Greenbelt Elementary School

Greenbelt is doing a lot of things right and we had a successful kindergarten year. Our child is excited about going to school and learned to read well -- those were our two goals for year one. Any complaints I have are more related to the overall county administration of the schools. A few times there were incidents with substitute teachers, but the principal and classroom teacher responded immediately. It would be nice to see more arts and music enrichment, but there are some dedicated PTA members who work hard to provide those additional experiences. We have a new principal this year so we will see if things continue to run smoothly. I wish more local families would give our school a chance instead of private options. We have a good school and it could be great if more families from educated backgrounds and willingness to volunteer would take a chance on the neighborhood school.
--Submitted by a parent

My older son goes to this school and I am an involved parent. With over 600 students in the school, only about 10 (yes only 10 not even 10%) parents regularly attend the PTA meeting monthly. Only they show interest in their child's and school's development and other activities? I am surprised what the others do? may be many parents are not well-educated? Principal's involvement is excellent and she is friendly. I have experience with only a couple of teachers. one of the KG teacher was very dynamic and challenged the students well. the things that we hate now are: having substitutes in the class many times. insufficiently challenging the students. and insufficiently paying attention to students showing interest in studying. low standard peers in the class(lacks peer competition). insufficient teacher involvement in educating the child if he/she does not understand a concept after the testing is done. thats what teaching is, right? homework is far less. my son finishes his weekly homework on the 1st day and the on the rest of the week only reading.
--Submitted by a parent

How come children are given homework that they don't know to do? The teachers are not teaching or meeting the thresholds established by the county instead they forcing the work as homework on the kids and these kids are moving through the school without fully grasping the concept. No guidance is given to these children. Just lots of homework which I guess they expect them to be self thought and in the end tested. This school need academic reassessment they are not teaching on graded level as I've seen in other schools.
--Submitted by a parent

I rate this school half star There is an immense disparity among certain class of children which is impacting the academic progress. Teachers don t acknowledge or foster any level of communication with parents I ve written my concerns and never received an acknowledgement. I think this school is being rated blue-ribbon because of its community / class/ location. My three children have attended without much progress academically. It seems the academic progress is fully dependent on the parents. So why send children to school? My last child is still attending this school and is frustrated not knowing what is expected off him: other than read 20 mins daily. Learning is dependent on homework too much homework for 6&7 years old teachers are more out than in and so the child s academics are stagnant. No guidance and instructions on homework are provided.
--Submitted by a parent

The teachers and staff are excellent and dedicated. A core group of parents is strongly involved. As other reviews point out, the problem is the peer group of students who seem to come to school with no idea of standards of behavior and discipline. The staff did work to solve the bullying problem that my son experienced, but I was shocked to see the behavior that went on as early as the Kindergarten level. It's a good school, but demands a lot of viligence and attention from parents--above and beyond what you normally exercise as a parent
--Submitted by a parent

I think this school is good and progressing forward. The PTA is doing a great job. Teachers are good as well. I had no problem with my child, and Ms Holinsworth in 3rd Grade did a very good job.
--Submitted by a parent

My child is a fifth grader at GES and I am heavilty involved with the teachers and administrators . The principal has a 'zero tolerance' policy for bullying and bad behavior. Parents often blame the school and/or other children for their child's unruly behavior. What role does your child play? The teachers and administrators work dilligently with the students. As parents, we must enforce what is taught at school. Sure there will be times when the assignment may not be clear to both student and parent, but parents, we have a responsibility to actively engage the teachers. Private school is fancy for 'day care'. You pay for before and after care and to be taught religion. Teach your child how to deal with life and real life situations. The school is great academically and all other ways.
--Submitted by a parent

I have only experience one good teacher there at Greenbelt and that was the 2nd grade teacher. The others have no patience with kids. They are off work more than they are there. Every time I turn around there is a sub in the class. They send home piles of work when they been out all week. Then the parents have to be the teacher as well as the parent. I don't know how many times I had to re-teacher an assignment to my child. The last two years straight have been the worst I have experience.
--Submitted by a parent

I love this school. The teachers are great, very caring. And they really try to cover all the needs you have as a parent and student.
--Submitted by a parent

My family has had very good experiences at GES so far. My children's teachers have been innovative and creative. My children enjoy going to school every day. Their teachers have taught my children as individuals, worked with them and their needs (whether below or above grade level), and listened to me as a parent. I feel that the staff listens to my concerns and ideas. Parent involvement is on the rise, but could be greater. Overall, most of the staff is hardworking and dedicated to the school and the children.
--Submitted by a parent