Montpelier Elementary School

Posted: June 30, 2017

Posted: June 30, 2017

Posted: June 30, 2017

Posted: June 30, 2017

Class sizes are huge, teachers are stressed and overextended, Reading and Math resource teachers do absolutely nothing to help students who need extra help. Not a good experience even for the "average" student.

Posted: June 30, 2017

Posted: June 30, 2017

Posted: June 30, 2017

Posted: March 14, 2017

Posted: March 14, 2017

Posted: March 14, 2017

Posted: March 14, 2017

Posted: March 14, 2017

Posted: March 14, 2017

Posted: March 14, 2017

Great school, very strict, and education is good.

Posted: November 17, 2016

Moving here from Howard County I was nervous because of the reviews you hear about PG County schools but this school is a GEM! My daughter has had great teachers thus far. I can't say that for this year though but as with any school you will have some teachers that you just can't seem to get along with too much. My daughter has been challenged and the teachers seem well qualified. They have a very active PTO, they have always been responsive and if I have ever had an issue they have seem to find out how they can resolve it.

Posted: November 17, 2016

Posted: November 17, 2016

Posted: November 17, 2016

Posted: November 17, 2016

Posted: November 17, 2016

Most of the teachers are qualified and helpful, others don't really care or put the time in to make sure the students succeed.

Posted: November 17, 2016

I have my concerns with Homework, some grade levels do the right amount of homework while other grade levels OVER do it! Students should not have to spend hours finishing homework.

Posted: November 7, 2016

I know that the only reason why any parent would rate this school less than 4 stars is due to THEIR lack of involvement in their child's education. How is it that this school had nearly 30 students who were TAG identified in the the 2016 school year??? I was at the graduation for my child and at a 3.71 gpa TAG student and wasn't even in the top 15, goes to show the school is not the problem. That is proof that this school is better than average. To the previous negative posters here, you are the type of parent that expects the school to raise AND educate your child. You don't understand that both you AND the school are responsible for their academic (as well as other things) growth.

Posted: September 26, 2016

Posted: September 26, 2016

Posted: September 26, 2016

Posted: September 26, 2016

Posted: September 26, 2016

Posted: September 26, 2016

Posted: September 26, 2016

Very great experience with the teachers and administrators. My girls are thriving and love the environment.

Posted: July 10, 2016

I'm in the military and my child only attended this school for Kindergarten. Four grades later, my child and I both still remember Montpelier Elementary as the worst educational facility with the most sub-par, lackluster staff. The Kindergarten teacher we had was inexperienced and she seemed to lack basic skills needed to interact with that age group. There was a "counselor" who was known throughout the community as a rude and offensive quack. The school nurse was horrible as well. The principal and assistant principal at the time were severely inactive and unmotivated, there may as well have been wet scabs sitting in those positions, however scabs would have been more effective. Hopefully major changes have been made since 2011. If not, PLEASE DO NOT ENROLL YOUR CHILD IN THIS SCHOOL.

Posted: July 10, 2016

Fortunately my child was only at this school for one year. This is the worst teacher I've encountered thus far

Posted: July 10, 2016

Posted: July 10, 2016

My experience was my child's teacher was a lazy educator who expected all the children to behave as robots. A ridiculous color system was used for Kindergarteners who had "bad days" which had an adverse effect on multiple students

Posted: January 12, 2016

My experience with this school has been terrible. While there are some teachers that care, they are so stretched and overburdened that the average student doesn't get the attention they need. Even with a 504 in place, nothing is done unless the student is disruptive. Don't look for extra help because it doesn't exist. Even the principal doesn't respond and I've had to contact the PG County Administrative office to intervene. I'll be moving just to get out of this school district.

Posted: March 2, 2015

The children and polite, engaged, challenged and encouraged to express their creative side. Very pleased.

Posted: March 2, 2015

I love the Kindergarten curriculum. My daughter has been challenged this school year. I also love the Before and After care program.

Posted: December 19, 2014

Excellent in all ways.. Students are smart, engaged & challenged... Diversity is a plus! One of PG County's shining stars... :)

Posted: November 17, 2014

My daughter attended this school from K-5. She was ahead and consistently tested ahead and I was concerned that she wasn't being challenged until she tested into the tag program. At that point she was put in an accelerated program and she was definitely challenged. Upon leaving the school and entering a math and I.T. middle school she tested 2 grade levels up in math. She is currently in 8th grade taking 10th grade math and 9th grade science. I think this is because of her education at this school. There are certain staff members that could be nicer but the education my child received was fantastic. There are also some aggressive parents. People look down on PG county schools but my daughter us currently in class with children who went to private elementary schools and she is doing just as well as them if not better.

Posted: September 12, 2013

There are good and bad to the school. My child thrived while she attended this school and she continues to excel. The school offers the students various educational and fun competitions with fun rewards to motivate them academically. Some of the school staff need training and improvement in the area of communication or interpersonal skills with parents for the school environment. The school nurse Sheila Jordan is extremely rude for some unknown reason when she speaks with parents. Unfortunately, some of the office staff and the teachers are the same way. They speak to the parents as if they are reprimanding children. If a parent is not speaking with the staff in that manner, the staff should not behave that way. This is an unnecessarily condescending attitude and it is a shame that they don't recognize how unprofessional it is on their part.

Posted: June 2, 2013

This school is one of the best schools in the PG county area! The teachers and amdinistration are committed to the wellnness of each child and are dedicated to strengthening their craft through workshops, professional development courses and in house staff training! I love love love this school! If you want your child to learn and be supported emotionally and developmentally send them here!

Posted: February 28, 2013

I have two children attending Montpelier and likely a third one attending next year. When we first moved to the area, I was not planning on being here long enough to have to worry about sending any of my children to PG countly schools. I have one in 2nd grade and one in Kindergarten. Our experience has been extremely positive. I was very worried about the demographics of the school, as we are white, and hopefully not sounding racist, the majority of children are not white. Even as a minority in this school, I feel like both of my children are receiving a very good education. Could it be better, sure - what school can't achieve more. But as far as learning and development, they are both doing well. The school does require a lot of homework and reading. I will say that I feel that they are receiving just as good an education as most of my friends' children who attend private schools. The teachers, especially Mrs Seay, have been great so far. I would not have imagined that either one of them would have learned to read by the end of Kindergarten, but they have. They are excited about learning and Montpelier fosters that. Yes, we spent a lot of time on homework, but it's worth it!

Posted: January 23, 2013

if you want the true this school is awful. i have been going there for a while.the teacher are OK but surely NOT THE BEST.. But the worst of all is the uncleanness. THEY DO NOT EVEN HAVE SOAP IN SOME BATHROOMS.... you should only go to this school if you don't have the financial means to drive them any other place.

Posted: January 10, 2013

It is amazing how negative most of these comments are when the real problem is not the school but the parents themselves. How many of these complaining parents have actually tried to help their children attain there educational goal instead of leaving the entire burden and blame on the institution? The unfortunate truth? Not many. I've had the privilege of sending both of my children to Montpelier Elementary where initially it was my belief that the work load was too heavy for their age group but over time the adopted and performed wonderfully, however whatever success they enjoyed was a result of parental involvement to complement whatever they were being taught in the class room. KM.

Posted: June 27, 2012

My children went to this school for a short timeframe. My youngest was constantly bullied/hit/stepped on, etc. on the playground. The playground attendants would stay inside and leave the children a lone. When I tried to talk to the teacher about it, I got no where. When I tried to talk to the principal about it, I got no where. When a school does not care about a student who is being bullied, it is not a great school. As far as giving lots of homework to students, this does not mean the teachers are doing a good job or challenging the students. It means that they are unable to cover the coursework at school so the work is sent home.

Posted: June 19, 2012

I don't know if the comments below are based on facts or their opinions. I like to speak based on what I have personally experienced. My child has just completed first grade at Montpelier and I for one did not expect much from a public school. But this school tries to get the parents involved. They challenge my child by giving homework (a lot of it) that initially I thought was rediculous but low and behold, he/she starting getting "it". Ms. Wheil is not only hott if you as me, but caring and sharp for being so young. Ms. Seay gives excellent feedback and responds to emails/phone calls. She has no problem giving an honest opinion and answered my questions/concerns. My child liked both of them which in and of itself assists with his/her learning. On the other hand, the before and after care program is another story. I don't recommend it as it is hit or miss. The lady who is in charge is kind, but from what I have personally witnessed, it is more like a boot camp than an after care program. yes, the two ladies try to keep order, but they go about it the wrong way. They need training but at their age, I doubt they would be willing to take it.

Posted: December 23, 2011

My name is Tiara Thomas I went to Montpelier elementary and I wont ay that I hated it, but the school was a bit out of control. I do not feel like the administrators did enough to keep school as orderly and comfortable for the students as possible. However, I learned quite a lot there. Although, there were those teachers that you did not like as much, there were also really memorable ones who went above and beyond for their students like Mrs.Cherowitzo (who i love love loved!!) and Ms.Green (who no longer teaches there). I am a longly progressed alumni of montpelier and I am actually a freshman at North Carolina A&T state university studying chemical engineering. Montpelier elementary did something right because I was well prepared for middle school and have been a honor roll student for the longest. Good things do come out of good elementary school. No, Montpelier isn't GREAT but yes its good.

Posted: November 27, 2011

I attended this school for only one year and that one year wasn't a good one. Maybe because I was the only asian girl in my grade. My 5th grade teacher was alright but she wasn't the best. The class however was really disappointing overall. The class was a mess and it was not an environment that one could learn in. I'm glad I moved and switch schools.

Posted: July 25, 2011

I just want to show some positives for Montpelier. My girls have been going here for 3 years. I don't think it is the best school, however it is not as bad as stated below. We have always had great teachers like Ms. Wheil (sp?), Ms. Schultz, Ms. Turi, Ms. Smith, and Ms. Burgess. I must say we didn't like Mrs. Cherowitzo (sp?). Just because you don't like one teacher doesn't make the entire school awful. I love that we can work with the teachers direct through email and the grades/grade book are all online. The automated lunch paying system is sweet too. My girls have excelled and are now ready to move to the talent and gifted or honors programs. Parent involvement is key. There are bad parents and rowdy kids in every school. We had one bully incident but were able to work with the teacher on this one individual. Kids are kids and we parents have to understand that. The only issue I have with this school is lack of funds. It is very unfortunate that schools continue to lose money so we don't get the best facilities nor electives such as Art. Overall still a great elementary school. The Catholic schools in the neighborhood are NOT worth the costs.

Posted: April 8, 2011

Recently my husband and I had the opportunity to watch "Waiting on Superman." The movie is a heart wrenching depiction of how our public schools and public school systems are failing our kids. However, to the rescue are some amazing charter schools. The sad news is that there are limited slots for kids. Montpelier is one of those failing public schools that lacks progressive leadership that cares and will work tirelessly to make sure that the students all receive the best education. I have researched several public schools in the area and found that the schools that are doing extremely well; regardless of where they are located (poor communities/rich communities) do well because there is a leader who is creative, demands the best from staff, is caring and compassionate, available for the parents and not afraid to take chances. Sadly to say that Montpelier's leadership does not carry these attributes. Instead, the leadership's attitude is business as usual. As caring and dedicated parents my husband and I will get involved in the larger educational debate and advocate for improvements; but in the meantime we will move our child out of this school.

Posted: April 7, 2011

My daughter has been attending this school for close to one year and I'm very disappointed. Her teacher is very friendly and my daughter is happy with her however, the students in her class are very unruly and disrespectful. I have to agree that the parents are responsible for how their children behave but sometimes the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. I don't even know if some of these parents even care. I'm also not pleased with the set up of the classrooms. On a visit I noticed there was no where for the children to hang their book bags or their coats. Everything was piled together in a corner and the children have to dig through the pile to find what they need. Gym is held in the classroom?? Are you serious? And to my understanding the gymnasium that is used for the lunch room is very unkept. I'm having a hard time with her finishing out the year there and will be pulling her out to somewhere she can flourish and be challenged. From the looks of it, 2009 was their last "good" year.

Posted: November 16, 2010

Our child had an issue, which was only exacerbated by the poor attitude of the Guidance Counselor. Definitely recommend another school if top quality personnel are desired.