Shady Side Elementary School

My daughter started 1st this year at Shady Side and I have been so impressed! I will admit I was a little concerned about the 'open class enviornment' until I saw that you can not tell the difference and there is no distractions (visual or auditory) because the partitions are almost to the ceiling. I love the way the school is centered around the huge library and I find the layout of the building very unique. The PTA is very organized and has alot of fun activities for the students and families. I am very happy and satisfied with this school and the quality of my daughters education and the art/music/PE program is outstanding as well.
--Submitted by a parent

This is a wonderful Elementary schoolo. The guidence counsler is great. So are the teachers activities are well thought out and discepline is very important.

I am the parent of a fifth grader here at Shady Side. I am also a volunteer and room mom. My child has been here since kindergarten and is doing exceptionally well in all areas. The teachers are wonderful and the staff is kind and caring. My other daughter, who is now a Senior at Southern High School, went to Davidsoville Elementary. I was concerned that my child now at Shady Side, was not going to get the quality education ,that the child that went to Davidsonville received. I was proven wrong! My daughter has thrived beyond my expectations, and has been a straight A student! She has been challenged by the teachers and the cirriculum. Shady Side is also very family oriented. It has nice homey feel. Thank you to allof the teachers and staff.....You are appreciated..more than you know! Mary Glumsic
--Submitted by a parent

The quality of academics is awesome. The kids start doing algebra in 4th grade. My daughter, at age ten, plays on the computer and makes power point presentations for me, which she learned to do at school. They go one field trips to Baltimore or Wash DC., or locally to study the Chesapeake Bay. 5th grades are taught drownproffing at a local pool, which is something all schools near water should do. Last year there was a Lewis and Clark presentation. Each grade participated and it was presented to the parents. It was oustanding. The place is packed. The level of parent involvement is higher than any other school in the county, but that is because this area is very community oriented.
--Submitted by a parent

Our daughter just started kindergarten at Shady Side Elementary this year and it is a great school. They involve the family of the child in their learning experience. Great teachers and the student's family is a sure recipe for success. When you add in the principal-Mrs. Waldeman-your child can't go wrong.
--Submitted by a parent

Shady Side is such a wonderful school. I am a parent of a 2nd and 5th grader and we just received our MSA test scores. Yahoo! In Reading for Grade 3 we scored 91.8%, in Grade 4 91.7% and in Grade 5 80.5%. In Math for Grade 3 we scored 90.7%, Grade 4 92.2% and Grade 5 76.1%. All these increased scores are direct reflections of our wonderful teachers and staff at Shady Side. What an awesome place for my children. Thanks to the Prinicpal, Linda Waldmann for running such a great school, parents feel welcomed and appreciated. Thank you, Cindy Galloway, PTA President
--Submitted by Cindy Galloway, a parent

I have two children in the school one in 5th and one in 1st grade. And I also have Day Care children of all ages that go there. I feel the teachers are great, and so is the staff. The school is small, and the classes are open quad's and that is a very hard way to keep a childs attention. The classes are large and there is not alot of one on one with a teacher. Unless your child has a problem, then help comes out of the wood work. My son has reading issue's and they have done alot to try and help him with it. You could not meet a nicer bunch of teachers anyware else but Shady Side Elementary school.
--Submitted by Bonnie Barry, a parent

Shady Side Elementary is wonderful. The Principal and teachers truly care about all of the students and encourage them to excel. The caring environment promotes learning. Students are encouraged to ask questions, urged to go to the next level. Our teachers always go the extra mile to help all students. Our teachers are always available to parents and students. We have a tremendous volunteer program that opens the doors between parents and teachers. Our teachers are involved and they care, that's what is most important in educating our kids. If teachers don't care, our kids won't learn. Shady Side has been terrific. I have a 2nd grade student and a student that is now in middle school. They are successful students due to the caring of their teachers.
--Submitted by Tina Hedler, a parent

As a current parent of three at Shady Side, I have found the school to be a perfect small town school. It has a huge community of caring people with over 230 volunteers! The principal is a very open and positive leader for this school. She has brought together the teachers, students and parents to make a safe and enriching learning environment for all students. Althought, small town in feel, the curriculum is the same as all Anne Arundel County Schools. The recently adopted Saxon Math program is, in my opinion, top notch. Exactly what a Math program should be, concentrating on mastering all basic skills needed for advanced math. Having spent 6 years in this school I am constantly impressed by the quality of it's principal and staff. I wouldn't send my children anywhere else!
--Submitted by Denise Norfolk, a parent

I am a parent of Shady Side Elementary and feel that we have great staff that are there to give our children the best education. Our teacher do everything in their power to ensure that every student has an oppotunity to reach their potential. Our volunteer programs are outstanding. I can not speak enought about our school and the teachers and staff.
--Submitted by a parent