Francis Scott Key Elementary School

Excellent School! Key School has knowledgeable and teachers dedicated to academic excellence, who are committed to help English and Spanish-speaking children learn the curriculum in both languages. The school is well managed and run by a superb Principal, who has advanced studies and understanding of child pedagogy, as well as innate leadership skills. The school provides additional support to children whose performance is above or below the academic norm. Overall, I have seen positive academic and linguistic results: Many happy, thriving and academically accomplished children who speak, read and write in both English and Spanish by 4th grade. Children who love the library and speak highly of their teachers. Parents who in general appreciate the responsiveness of teachers. Teachers who are prepared to give all the needed support to children. An academic and social community that works well together. As a parent, I highly recommend this school.
--Submitted by a parent

Bilingual, and great relations with the community...

The academics are not up to par. I'm contemplating taking my daughter out of the school as I don't think the academics are as rigorous as they ought to be. The teachers are okay. It seems to be a hit or miss, which is dissapointing. Not as great as I thought.
--Submitted by a parent

Even if the students were not learning to be bilingual, Key would be an excellent school. The academics are top notch and the school is wonderful for working parents. There are numerous activities (chess club, homework club, sports, and more) and the school offers an extended day program (after school care) that is well organized and fun. My son enjoys the after school program so much that he does not want me to pick him up early. In addition to all of this, all students learn to be bilingual -- English speakers learn Spanish and vice-a-versa. The fact that the entire school is bilingual is helpful in comparison to schools with smaller immersion programs. The immersion aspect can be more challenging for non-bilingual parents (try helping with science reports in Spanish), but it is well worth it.
--Submitted by a parent

Escuela Key is an excellent opportunity for non-spanish speaking families to send their children to learn spanish. By the end of fifth grade, the children are fluent in spanish. It can be challenging at times to wade through homework and projects in a foreign language, but it is well worth it. Also, the Montessori program is excellent and starts at age three. I had planned to put my son in private school, but he is now 10 years old and has been at Key since he was 3. He speaks fluent Spanish and can also write it. All of his math and science has been in Spanish since kindergarten. I would highly recommend Key. The level of parent involvement is very high. The extracurricular activities are numerous (chess club, extra Spanish, art, mad science, chorus, soccer, you name it). There exists a great support system within Key.
--Submitted by a parent

Try Ms. Kathy for Montessori - particularly strong and nuturing - private school quality in a public school. Her students always excell!
--Submitted by a parent

This school has a montessori pre-school program. The program was really well done. The class was quite large, but the classroom space was very well designed. We were very happy with the involvement of the teachers. This is a good program with a reasonable amount of parent involvement, particularly at the older ages.
--Submitted by a parent

Escuela Key is a Spanish Immersion School. All students take math, science and Spanish in Spanish and English, geography & history in English. By 5th grade, students can communicate effectively in two languages, a real boost in obtaining future jobs in the global economy.
--Submitted by a parent