Potomac Elementary School

Two out of the five comments below stress how inaccessible the principal is. That is very true. Parents seem like a bother to her. She came back from retirement, and in my opinion, should have stayed there. She does not seem interested in what parents have to say, dismiss parental concerns, and is very, very defensive. Teachers are hit and miss. Some are great, some are mediocre at best - overwhelmed, unable to control their classes, and unwilling to take parental help. 29 students with one teacher are the norm, although you will also have 14 students in a class. Most instruction is dry and bland, mostly print-outs of repetitive problems - very turn of the 20th Century instructional technique. The Promethean Smart Boards are pretty cool, but are of little use if they simply are used to trot out the same old tired educational techniques. Where there is any imagination put into the core subject instruction, or attempts to make it more interesting, it is heavily slanted towards a very liberal, anti-industrial environmental agenda. Strongly considering moving my kid back to private school.
—Submitted by a parent

The teachers and MSA scores are very high. The children learn alot, and arts programs are above standards. The building itself is old and rundown, and I have noticed the PTA needs a lot more money than it should. The principal is not kind or caring, and the vice principal does not show up to many events. While the frequent performances are fun, they are stressed and too much time is taken out of instruction for them.

I would like information regarding this school. I am a new staff member and am interested in the community, parents and staff.
—Submitted by a teacher

Between the teachers, the standards, the love and care and the Chinese Immersion program it's the finest elementary school we've experienced.
—Submitted by a parent

I must disagree. This is one of the best schools in Montgomery County. I subbed in the county so I have seen most of the other elementary schools. Parents in this area think they can 'run the show' and the principal does a fantastic job of running the school without letting the parents step in too often. The kids are very bright here! I'm not sure where you would find much better!

Integrated arts reigns -- whether it's good for the students or not. 3rd grade 'opera' takes 100 instructional hours and children have fun, though get nothing academic out of it. Even the kids noticed how little math they were doing, that they never did social studies, etc. The school is also ruled by Chinese Immersion -- fun for the kids in it, doesn't actually work, judging by placement in high school in Chinese 2, 3 or maybe 4 after 8 years of immersion. Physical plant is a dump, very old, 8 portables, 1/3 of the bathroom facilities required by current code. Test scores very mediocre, should be tops given demographics. Instructional funding from county among the lowest, less than 1/2 what the top gets. Principal highly resistant to parental pressure to improve academics, refuses to meet with groups, will only meet with individuals.
—Submitted by a parent