Glenarden Woods Elementary School

Posted: July 27, 2025

Posted: July 27, 2025

TL;DR: While this school offers several real advantages, its overwhelming focus on grades and test scores had a deeply negative impact on our experience. I’ll always wonder if we should have kept our child at the neighborhood school.


Pros:

-An active PTA that works hard to build community.

-Teachers are generally trusted to teach without micromanagement.

-A better social fit for some “nerdy” kids.

-The building is new and well-maintained.

-The TAG coordinator is a gem - consistently kind and someone we could always count on.


Cons:

-Deep-rooted ableism. We submitted a detailed private neuropsych report requesting a 504 plan and were denied repeatedly in ways that go against IDEA/504. (Many special ed families report similar issues.) Our child’s doctor was stunned; she’d never seen a school push back this hard on a 504. Once we hired an advocate, the plan was implemented and followed, but families unfamiliar with special ed law may have their rights violated here.

-Toxic focus on test scores. The school's #1 MCAP score in Maryland is a constant presence. My child’s class was told things like, “You’re the #1 school, why are you acting like this in the cafeteria?” Testing week caused multiple kids, including mine, nightly meltdowns. My child also believed (incorrectly) that their TAG middle school placement hinged on 5th grade MCAP scores.

-Pressure around grades. There’s a strong push for Honor Roll and Principal’s Honor Roll. Students are lectured about “bad grades.” For already perfectionist kids, this reinforces that achievement matters more than learning or growth. Mistakes aren’t treated as opportunities, just failures.

-Lack of compassion. After a major family trauma, some teachers were kind while others gave my child a hard time for missing just two days. Later, when illness caused a weeklong absence, only one teacher gave adequate support. Despite documented executive function challenges, my child was expected to figure it out alone.

-Dismissive leadership. Concerns about academic pressure are brushed off. Parents and even students are told “everyone else is fine,” (not!) and it is all placed back on the child to cope.

-Transportation is a mess. On good days, my kid got to school 30 mins late. Often the bus just didn't show.


We’re continuing with the TAG middle school only because we hear it is less intense. (backwards, right?) The principal has just retired, and I truly hope new leadership brings a healthier, more balanced approach.

Posted: July 27, 2025

Posted: July 27, 2025

Posted: July 27, 2025

Posted: July 27, 2025

Posted: July 27, 2025

Posted: July 27, 2025

Posted: October 29, 2022

Posted: October 29, 2022

So honestly, this is a great school. I graduated from it 3 years ago now, and now, with middle school I can't help but feel that Glenarden Woods Elementary school was much better than my current school. So, the teachers there are fantastic, I remember that in one year we had like 3 teachers with PhDs. The attitude in the classroom is great. The school starts teaching you about social issues and bullying from the very beginning of second grade, which really engraves these concepts into your mind after 4 years. The teachers prepare you for middle school very well, especially in 5th grade. For the students who really want to get ahead of everyone else, there is accelerated math in GWES. You just have to take some test in 4th or 5th grade. Overall, the whole experience there is very positive and informative. I definitely recommend this school.

Posted: October 29, 2022

Posted: October 29, 2022

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Posted: October 29, 2022

Posted: May 9, 2022

This school is a very cool place. The only thing was the ICAL teacher, he was a bit extreme but, overall the school is pretty good.

Posted: May 9, 2022

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Posted: September 10, 2021

This school is wonderful. The building was remodeled recently and has a spacious media center, the classrooms all have updated tech and the building has a dedicated area for technology and group projects in addition to netbooks for all students that they take home everyday. The Language Arts curriculum is based on William and Mary Integrated Curriculum Model. The Math and Science classes (my son’s fav) is very hands on with multiple projects throughout the year. The children are encouraged to complete the age-appropriate Mensa reading lists and the school participates with the John Hopkins Center for Talented Youth program. The bullying is almost non existent. The teachers/guidance/principal nips it in the bud. Most of all- Your income does not predict your child’s success in this school. Socioeconomic limitations have been minimized at this school. 60%+ of the school is eligible for free/reduced lunch and GWES’s students performance regularly exceeds the most privileged neighborhood schools in other counties. If your child is an accelerated learner this school is 100% where they need to be.

Posted: September 10, 2021

Posted: September 10, 2021

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Posted: March 22, 2019

I don't know if this school stresses learning differences or not. I haven't noticed any special enrichment for certain children over others. I don't know if any children are pulled out to receive special instruction.

Posted: March 22, 2019

This school is not having bullies! Again, the principle is the bomb and loves the children. She is not playing around with mistreatment of her students in any way!

Posted: March 22, 2019

I rate this school a 6.8. It is great compared to other PG county schools, but can't sit on that. It is a very decent school, I will say. I don't worry about my child here. I was expecting stellar extra-cirricular clubs (where the teachers were consistent), awesome programs/concerts, in-depth topical studies in class, critical thinking skills, debate, etc. Haven't gotten that but it's not bad, it's just very decent. The vocal teacher is the bomb, very impressive. And most teachers are at least average. Others throw work at the students, which ends up falling in the hands of the parents to take care of. Honestly, that happens a lot. But my child is thriving here. Very positive energy in the halls and very positive principle.

Posted: March 22, 2019

Concepts are not thoroughly taught in class, leaving parents to teach. Amount of homework is too much, leaving little time for personal supplemental instruction for my child.

Posted: March 22, 2019

Some teachers are good, others seem to just be doing their job. I attended class one day and was very impressed by one teacher in particular who challenged the students to be orderly and learn. I've attended another class where the teacher seemed unenthused to be in a room full of intellectually amazing students and was unable to connect with them and get them excited to learn. Many teachers do not fully explain concepts and expect the children to self-teach or have the parents do it. Some teachers love the children but don't know how to get the children to really focus and understand the importance of what their learning. High test scores aren't enough. Being the best in PG County is not enough. My elementary school was public and nothing to rave about, yet, was much more organized, and had the kids excited to do well. Not the case here. Too much emphasis and glory on the test scores...again, that's not enough.

Posted: March 22, 2019

The principle is the bomb. Her character is in tact. She is stern and genuinely loves the children. I love her and my child does too. I stress values with my child and I know this school is going to help with that. There are projects that focus solely on character and there are parents strung all over the halls about how to properly treat one another. Grateful for that aspect of this school!

Posted: March 22, 2019

Leadership thinks they're effective and continually brag about test scores. But a look into the classrooms does not always convey this fervor. The principle is great as a person and she honestly cares. P.E. teacher is the bomb. Vocal teacher is the bomb. Some others are not the bomb, and they don't relate to the students enough to keep them engaged, but still give them lots of homework. It's been numerous times that teacher send home rubrics with SAT words on them that the children don't even understand. How can they complete a task when they don't even know the words in the instructions? Hell, it took me years before I even knew what a syllabus or a rubric was...that's a lesson in and of itself. But things like that are glossed over here and the grades are pushed. Even if it's the parents doing the projects for the children; it doesn't matter as long as the high marks are on the books.

Posted: November 12, 2018

My experience was great and it is a good place for my daughter to learn and it is very safe. I love this school!

Posted: November 12, 2018

Posted: November 12, 2018

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Posted: January 3, 2018

Posted: January 3, 2018

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Posted: January 3, 2018

Posted: January 3, 2018

Posted: January 3, 2018

My experience was cool an welcomed there

Posted: January 3, 2018

Posted: November 4, 2017

My daughter has only been there a short time, but it is drastically different than the school she left, and I mean that in a good way. Everyone is so supportive of the students

Posted: November 4, 2017

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Posted: February 2, 2015

I notice that most of the reviews for GWES are from 2008 or older, except for the most recent one. Now that it is a TAG center only, that is really the only helpful review for parents of TAG students trying to decide if they should leave their neighborhood school. I have a 2nd grader at GWES so it is our first year there, and in their temporary location, but we have been pleased with our decision so far. It is definitely more challenging and my 2nd grader isn't bored at school. They can do more projects and more involved work with a class full of TAG students. - it seems more hands on and less worksheets that we experienced in our boundary school. He likes moving between the teachers during the day and the 2nd grade team seems excellent. They are good at communicating by email with parents. I have noticed a great improvement in all of his work since he's been there, especially math, and he seems very happy at GWES which is the most important thing.

Posted: October 4, 2014

I don't know why there are not many reviews on this GREAT school. This is the second best elem. school in the STATE, based on MSA score. Beats every elementary school in Montgomery and Howard county that folks usually brag about :). It has several academic contests. oh, wait.. yes, they are the current Science bowl (science quiz) champions in PG county!! there were county STEM fair champions last year!! there are other clubs, what thay call, ROAR acitivites.. these are so many to say about it. I wish there is a similar middle school in PG county that my son can go go :(.

Posted: September 7, 2014

GWES is an exemplary school! The principal, Tag-coordinator, special team, and teachers have a wealth of experience and knowledge. I have a son in fourth grade and a daughter who just completed 5th and transferred to College Park Academy. I applaud the efforts of Ms. Bowlding and her team in adjusting students at the temporary new home at the Robert Goddard School. GWES represents the model for other schools to aspire. It is a wonderful school and would love to send my 3rd child in the next school year!