Drew Model Elementary School

I have 2 kids in the Montessori program and could not be happier with the quality of their teachers. Drew has an incredible faculty. Both my kids are excited to go to school every day and totally thriving. The librarian and library are excellent, and the school has a fantastic arts program bolstered by a relationship with the Kennedy Center. The Montessori program is a welcome alternative to traditional education with mixed-age, diverse classes where each child learns at her own pace and the teacher never has to teach to the middle of the class. There is far less homework than in a traditional school, and the Montessori math materials that teach even complicated math concepts through concrete beads, checkerboards, and blocks mean students really understand the concepts rather than simply memorize math equations. Housing the Montessori program within a traditional school is not ideal, but the building and grounds are spacious and kept up relatively well. Because it is a county-wide school, there is less cohesiveness and parent involvement than there might be in a neighborhood school, but since the PTA was established 3 years ago, parent involvement is improving each year.
--Submitted by a parent

Drew has an interim principal and will be getting a new one Fall 2012 as Ms. Relford the old principal departed December 2011.
--Submitted by a parent

Don t like the way some of the new teachers at Drew handle things with their students. wish things could change bt at this moment we don t recommend drew to any one anymore.
--Submitted by a teacher

Our child is attending the Montessori program at Drew as a first year student. We have been impressed by her development and constant motivation to learn new lessons. The staff is amazing...from when the children enter onto to the school grounds to the follow-up call from the office making sure your child is missing a day from school with your permission. Great place to have a child start their education and develop life friends.
--Submitted by a parent

Drew is a unique county-wide school offering both a Montessori program and traditional graded program. We feel fortunate to be a part of the Drew and Montessori community. It is wonderful to have the option of Montessori education in the public school system. We also appreciate the school's diversity. The programs at Drew are thriving and growing because they are in such demand in the county. In my experience, the teachers are dedicated, creative and well-qualified, and the administration is responsive and caring. The Library and its staff are top-notch. The PTA has a small but very committed group of parents and is actively working to increase parent involvement (frankly, this a challenge for any school that draws children county-wide with a large percentage of bus riders). A school is more than just test scores, so if you are interested in Drew I highly recommend looking beyond the numbers. Ask to see the data of test scores by program, and in particular look at the improvement in scores in the last several years. I am completely confident that my children are getting a first-rate education at Drew.
--Submitted by a parent

One very impressive aspect of the Drew total education program is the unique integration of special eduction students with those in the Montessori classroom. On a daily basis, the Montessori children host one or two of the Special Education students, accompanied by a teacher or an aide, I have observed this process for three years, and I salute both the Special Ed as well as the Montessori teachers for making this an incredible learning experience for all. And thanks to the Principal for fostering this kind of an environment.
--Submitted by a parent

My granddaughter recently transferred to Drew in order to participate in the Montessori program Drew offers. She is very happy there and we are impressed by what we see and hear.

Albeit, the Montessori philosophy/program is wonderful for many children(!) (And this is the main attraction for Drew), the school academic curriculum is lacking in expectations of achievement in core studies as well as in competition. There is a lot of focus on what otherwise are extracurricular activities, in the classroom. Teachers, when they stay, are wonderful and always have their doors open to parents. The PTA is new and growing strong.
--Submitted by a parent

Drew houses an incredible public Montessori program for children ages 3 through 5th grade; there is also a popular traditional program in the school. My children attend the Montessori program and the Montessori teachers are top notch. When choosing elementary schools, I observed at nearly a dozen public and private schools in the area, and Drew was by far my favorite. The children are actively engaged in their learning at this school and the teaching is very individualized and child centered. It is an excellent school, in a beautifully renovated building, with large playgrounds, an amazing arts program, and some of the best teachers in the D.C. area.
--Submitted by a parent

Not sure why shool ranking is low....This school is definately deserve good ranking...my kids are in Montessori program and they are loving it
--Submitted by a parent