Gladys Noon Spellman Elementary School

Posted: January 28, 2019

My son gets homework consistently and knows the expectations.

Posted: January 28, 2019

Posted: January 28, 2019

Posted: January 28, 2019

Consistency is key for school improvement and Ms. Smith is consistent.

Posted: January 28, 2019

Posted: January 28, 2019

This is our first year and so far, we’re pleased.

Posted: June 4, 2018

Posted: July 12, 2017

Posted: July 12, 2017

Posted: July 12, 2017

Posted: July 12, 2017

Posted: July 12, 2017

Posted: July 12, 2017

Posted: July 12, 2017

Our experience has been fantastic!! The test scores do not reflect the great work that is going on in the school. This year the school had a huge surge in enrollment during the school year (~10% increase) with many students from Syria and Afghanistan. Most had very limited or no english. These students still have to take all the standardized tests and their scores skew the overall results. The staff at Spellman went above and beyond to address with this unexpected influx of ESOL students and parents. Don't let test score fool you, Spellman is a great school

Posted: April 14, 2017

We've been really impressed with Spellman this year. We have a first grader. Principal Smith is strong, the PTA is vocal and active, teachers are solid and overall, the school has a positive energy and you get the sense that things just keep getting better. There are unfortunately a lot of negative perceptions about PG schools as a whole, but I wish more people would take the time to visit their neighborhood school, talk to parents and teachers and get a true sense of what is going on. We were skeptical at first, too, but now we are so glad we gave it a chance. We are thrilled our child is happy and thriving.

Posted: April 14, 2017

Posted: April 14, 2017

Posted: April 14, 2017

Principal Smith is great. The definition of a strong principal.

Posted: April 14, 2017

Strong community. Students are respectful, diligent, kind.

Posted: April 14, 2017

Posted: April 14, 2017

Posted: February 11, 2016

My kids are doing very well in the school. The fourth and sixth grade teachers are great. My only concern is the sixth graders have to walk around with a ton of books in their bags. If this school continues to have 6th graders they need to put lockers inside. The best thing is to buy your child a roller bag with wheels. The sixth graders also have a massive amounts of homework including math and on the weekends. It can be good at times but, it stresses students out over time. The principle Ms. Smith is ok, but she seems a little dismissive to the students. As a parent I have seen it with my own eyes. And, what is it with teachers not letting students use the bathroom? My 6th grade son almost had an accident coming home from the teacher not letting him go. Same thing happend to him in the fifth grade, he asked to be excused to the restroom teacher said no, he threw up all over thr classroom floor. PTA IS EXCELLENT, I take my hats off to them. Other than that school is good, I just don't approve of the tons of books with no lockers and the teachers being strict about bathroom usage. I can't really complain about my son having too much HW because it keeps him off the video games, and his phone.

Posted: February 11, 2016

The teachers are pretty good. I feel like Some of the 6th grade teachers lack patients.

Posted: February 11, 2016

My son has way too much math Mon-fri and on the weekend. A break would be nice. They already have big winter packets, spring break packets, etc.

Posted: February 11, 2016

The school is good teachers are good. Its up to the parents to teach their kids honesty, fairness and integrity. Not the school

Posted: November 16, 2015

Posted: November 16, 2015

Posted: November 16, 2015

Posted: November 16, 2015

I absolutely like the new principal Ms. Brandy Smith. She's involved. She's humble. She's open to ideas and suggestions. My two kids are in 1st grade and I don't have any complaints. 6th grade teachers are involved and caring to prepare the kids for the real middle school.

Posted: November 16, 2015

The 2015-2016 school year started with a new principal at Gladys Noon Spellman. Although we were sorry, and a bit panicked, when we heard Ms. Holiday was leaving, Ms. Smith has been doing a fantastic job and is making improvements everyday! The school has added Pre-K and a permanent Art teacher to the faculty. My family is very happy with both the quality of the education our child is receiving and the culture of the school.

Posted: August 25, 2014

Both my husband and I grew up in Bethesda and went through the MoCo public schools. When it came to sending our own kids, we were admittedly a bit skeptical about sending them to PGCPS and Spellman. That said, my daughter is in 1st grade at Spellman, and we couldn't be happier. Principal Holiday is an absolute GEM - she never misses an opportunity to share a hug and a warm smile with the kids, plus she is very open and accessible to parents and families. Likewise, the teachers in our experience are top-notch. They are warm and caring while meeting the students' individual academic needs. Ms. Gilliard, the PE teacher, constantly wins awards and grants for her excellence in teaching and her innovative programs to promote healthy living. The PTA is doing great things to increase parental and community involvement. They host fun family events including outdoor movie nights on the field and a "Monster Mash" family dance for Halloween, and the monthly PTA meetings always include an informative parent workshop or outside speaker on various topics. I cannot say enough wonderful things about Spellman Elementary!

Posted: August 25, 2014

We've had such a great experience at Spellman. Over the past two years we went through the 504 and IEP process and truly felt like we had a team of support. We were especially grateful that his classroom teacher really pushed for the accommodations she felt he needed.

Posted: April 13, 2014

I was pleasantly surprised with the level of involvement and care given by principal and teachers. Moving to the area I was worry about public schools but I couldn't be happier. The school is great and offers amazing support to students.

Posted: January 22, 2014

It is wonderful! Our experience is limited to K and 1; both were fantastic and we wouldn't hesitate to keep our kids at Spellman longer!

Posted: September 25, 2013

Our daughter is now in 1st grade at Spellman. There have been a few bumps with the curriculum, but Principal Holiday has been personally available and has been very responsive to our concerns. Our daughter is now getting a tailored, accelerated education that reinforces her love for school and learning. The teachers and specialists are top notch. We are very very happy.

Posted: October 30, 2012

We are having a great year at Spellman. Parental involvement is on the rise with the new Room Parent program and PTA leadership. We are also excited to start the new after-school Spanish classes!

Posted: February 9, 2012

My son starting at Spellman this year and it has been great! We loves, as do we, his teacher. She is very caring and patient, yet very good at managing the students, which I see first hand as a parent volunteer. It appears to me that the principal, Mrs. Holiday, is very motivating and supportive of her teachers and staff and encourages them all do go above and beyond. The school has made great improvement under her watch. Another great aspect is that they encourage parent participation. I hope that others in the community will consider sending their children to Spellman. I definitely give them my parent approval.

Posted: March 28, 2011

Our child is doing very well at Spellman this year. The coursework is appropriate for her age and she gets to exercise her creative side through art and music class. The teachers, principal and other staff are very communicative and caring. She is looking forward to moving up to the next grade and making new friends next year. The PTA is in a 'building year' but I am optimistic for next year as there are several engaged parents with energy and great ideas.