Green Acres School in Rockville | Military Town Advisor

Posted: August 6, 2025

My kids and family have loved Green Acres School. It is such a gem of a school where they nurture and challenge the student. The teachers my kids had were phenomenal. They were so knowledgeable and I felt like we worked as a team to help raise amazing human beings. Not only do they teach the students academically, they excel in helping kids from a social-emotional perspective. They teach the kids how to be a good friend, to work through conflicts, and to advocate for themselves and others to make a difference in this world. Additionally, I love how my kids got lots of outdoor time playing and learning on their 15 acres campus. The class sizes are small and I appreciated that they were able to differentiate teaching to the appropriate level of each child. I really did love our time at Green Acres and recommend it!

Posted: March 19, 2024

Having been through lower and middle school I can say without a doubt how grateful I am that my child attended GAS. Everyone hears about the horrors middle school in general and here, its the exact opposite. The school allows kids to be kids without the pressure of having older ones around. They become leaders and self-advocates and have solid social circles. And the academics are deceivingly tough. Most students found that after leaving for high school they are placed in advanced classes and seem much more prepared than their peers. I know some parents are so concerned about whether their child will get into their high school of choice, but I promise that if you trust the process, you will reap the benefits. So happy to have been part of the Green Acres community. Its a fabulous school.

Posted: February 12, 2024

Both of my children have had an awesome experience with Green Acres. The teachers are warm and build strong connections with their students. The new Head of School is a very strong leader with a clear vision for the school, the families are engaged and friendly. The school is small. Students are known by all of the staff. It was important to our family to have the oldest students on campus be middle schoolers (vs. high schoolers). Each school we visited had a different feel to it, and Green Acres was by far the one that felt the best suited for our family.

Posted: February 2, 2024

Green Acres is an incredible diamond in the rough! My child immediately took to the school from the very first visit and has felt supported and empowered ever since.

From carpool mornings greeted with smiling staff and sometimes live music to morning coffees for parents at drop-off, it truly is a community centered school that welcomes not just the child but the entire family.

I was new to the notion of progressive education and it has provided the best learning environment for my child. There is such immense collaboration between teachers for each unit of study and the enthusiasm for learning is like none Ive seen before. My child wakes up excited to go to go to school and be challenged.

I am super impressed with the new Head of School and the strategic direction of Green Acres. There is immense care and thoughtfulness in the evolution of the school. My child has truly thrived and we are grateful to have found such an amazing school in Green Acres.

Posted: February 2, 2024

Our experience at Green Acres has been magical.

Midway through elementary school, we moved our highly anxious daughter to Green Acres. (Her old school only went through second grade.) We hesitated, because we were already invested in the "progressive school" network in the area and quite frankly, hadn't heard great things about Green Acres. We heard the classes lacked structure, the administration was a mess, the kids ruled the school without supervision.... We heard a LOT.

But here's the thing: GAS won't be the right school for everyone. Always check your sources, because when we did, we realized so many of the negative things we heard about GAS came from parents who moved their children to much more academically traditional environments. So it was never going to be a great fit.

As a family, we place a high value on progressive education and decided to take a chance on GAS.

Without exaggeration, I can say sending our daughter to Green Acres was the best gamble we've ever taken. From the first day of school, the other kids basically took her under their wing. She had friends right away, teachers she loved and who were easy for me to work with. (We have exchanged a LOT of emails over the years, and have always found the faculty and administration to be super responsive and very understanding.)

Some of the things our daughter has learned:
- She's learned her voice matters. Even if adults around her don't share the opinion, she feels heard.
- She's learned that there's more than one right way to complete many assignments. This actually makes the work MORE challenging, but also prepares the kids for real life problem solving.
- She's learned to be confident in her opinions, poised in sharing them, intellectually curious even when she disagrees.
- She's learned that her classmates will support her through rough times, from small things like making a mistake in a talent show, to bigger life challenges.

And something WE learned:
Middle school doesn't have to suck. Who knew? Somehow Green Acres has created the impossible here, where the work is challenging but creative and engaging, and the kids have the tools to work out those complicated friendship situations that middle school brings. If we could have had only four years at GAS, knowing what I know now, I'd pick the middle school.

No school is perfect, and no school is perfect for everyone, but Green Acres has certainly been pretty close to perfect for us and so many other families.

Posted: January 27, 2024

Our child went to Green Acres for a few years, and we would never recommend Green Acres. We found it to be too small, with limited academic and extracurricular opportunities.

Teachers, staff, and administrators at Green Acres did not seem organized and lacked the social-emotional skills and training to support students of varying academic, social and emotional abilities. They were quick to blame individual kids for systemic issues at the school. Classroom management was poor, and outside time for middle school kids is not monitored as it should be, both of which leads to highly unproductive behavior among the students.

For parents interested in Green Acres, you should ask many questions about classroom management and overall supervision. In addition, we highly suggest you ask about the schools financial standing (income statements and other financial information) and how the school plans to address the loss of income from lost rent related to the Diener School move. Finally, we suggest that interested parents talk with doctors or others who know a lot of school aged kids. The problems at Green Acres are well-known in these circles. There are many great public and private schools in Montgomery County, and we highly suggest that you look elsewhere. We did, and we are thrilled with our childs new school.

Posted: May 19, 2023

Differentiation & responsiveness:
We joined this school to ensure a smaller classroom size and more attention for our gifted child. While the class size was small this year, the teacher and school administrator were not responsive to my repeated requests for extra engagement or enrichment. Instead, they cited and explained how their current program already included differentiation and stretch work. While I appreciate that even in a small class the teacher must balance their efforts, I found their approach to my requests to be dismissive while full of pleasant words rather than engaged and transparent about the situation.

Class size:
The class size next year is doubling in the next grade level without warning for those parents who chose to stay and announced after their contracts were signed and admission elsewhere more difficult. The remaining parent group is struggling to determine their options since many of them also joined Green Acres for a smaller class size.

Culture:
I have been told that particularly for lower grades the value of the school is in the culture and community more than in the education. The entire staff and faculty are kind and enthusiastic in dealing with the kids and they make a very good culture for the kids at Green Acres. They have a very good outreach program for families and parents to get engaged with the school.
Unfortunately given the way they handle some of the more serious practical aspects of running a school this ends up feeling like they have a very good marketing and communications strategy more than a very good culture for the adults.

Features:
They have an excellent playground. While the adjoining stream featured strongly in their advertising about its potential use for science class, my child's class will have only gone once for the entire school year.

Overall:
We have chosen not to return next year, and it seems that they are losing a full 25% of students from our grade.
We will have larger classes in our local public school but our child will be able to make neighborhood friends and we have heard they also have a good culture.

Posted: November 14, 2022

As a parent of a 7th grader and a Green Acres graduate now in college, I have appreciated how Green Acres "walks the walk" on teaching and learning, and supporting "the whole child." A comprehensive and balanced academic curriculum goes hand in hand with developing athletic and artistic skills, while paying individualized attention to children's socioemotional development. Green Acres alumni not only have mastered school subject material, but they have acquired fundamental communication, self-advocacy and problem solving skills to serve them their whole lives. Green Acres provides a nurturing environment for children to learn and grow into their best selves.

Posted: November 6, 2022

2022-2023 School Year. My daughter is a 7th Grader at the school, and has been there for four years. We have been thrilled with the educational experience she has received. The school has helped her grow and mature as a learner, to challenge her while also providing a safe and supportive learning environment. We were looking for a school that would allow our daughter to really develop a love of learning, and to push her to explore her boundaries as learner, while also providing small class sizes and a warm and caring environment. We found what we were looking for at Green Acres. The campus is a special place, embedded in woods that make a wonderful learning and playing space. The teachers overall have been good. And the parent community is a good group. I highly recommend the school.

Posted: June 27, 2022

As an alum myself, Green Acres was first on our list for our sons. The incredible hands on learning experiences that address the whole child are incredibly unique. The school is a positive and strong contrast to the public school system. Children are encouraged to learn, ask questions, and explore. Although the community took a hit with the isolation associated with COVID the school is coming back strong with lots of plans to redevelop the strong family community.

Posted: May 7, 2021

Our son has discovered his own love of learning at Green Acres. The teachers, who are enthusiastic, kind, sophisticated, and fun to be around, can take the time to focus on each child in the classroom and meet them where they are at in all their developmental needs. The communication with parents from the teachers and staff is consistent, caring and cooperative. Without a doubt the best school for children who need individual attention, a creative environment, and a smaller community. I believe in this progressive way of teaching; a caring community committed to exploring new ways of including and diversifying ideas of learning for our future generations. In fact we have just enrolled our youngest knowing that he will get the attention and education he needs.

Posted: December 4, 2020

I went to Green Acres for 8 years and each year was better than the next. We were constantly pushed to be our great seat selfs in and out of the classroom. I loved every teacher I had and the staff cares so deeply for the children at the school. My education was amazing and set the framework for me to be an amazing student. Not only are academics challenging, teachers are so supportive and accommodate if something isnt working. The importance of organization and time management are also taught which helped me an unbelievable amount. I really couldnt think of a better place to grow up that Green Acres. Everyone is so supportive of what ever you do and wants you to thriving in school and socially. I miss Green Acres every day!!

Posted: November 27, 2020

Green Acres has been the most valued experience of my life. The progressive learning, dedicated teachers, and accepting philosophy shaped me. I find myself connecting my time at Green Acres with my day to day life as a student and growing adult. I credit this school for more than educating me but for building me for who I am today. Green Acres nurtured my curiosity, compassion, integrity, and drive.

Academically, everything stuck with me. I was completely supported and assisted throughout my years there. I learned to effectively communicate with my teachers. As a minority, I felt equal, accepted, loved, and reassured in this community. As the reality of the world came as I got older, I was able tackle these challenges due to my foundation. As an individual, Green Acres instilled the desire to constantly question and better myself. This is a community that provided a healthy foundation with tools for life.

Posted: November 24, 2020

An awesome school that focuses on leadership and effective problem solving under any environment. The staff along with the incredible campus makes a for an incredible school.

Posted: January 23, 2020

It's developmentally appropriate. It's about expanding thinking and not busy work. And the volume of homework is in balance with reality.

Posted: January 23, 2020

The teachers give personalized attention to the whole student. They are attune to social and emotional well-being as well as making learning fun. The academics are strong.

Posted: January 23, 2020

Green Acres offers an entire experience for a child. Their academic journey is coupled with their social and emotional growth. They school inspires kids to be life long learners. My son is excited to get to school every day and complains when it's the weekend because he enjoys being there. He has developed a sense of empathy and compassion about social matters that he takes to heart. He's interested in the world around him. This is due to Green Acres providing the right environment for him to thrive and learn. He has grown in confidence and is unafraid to speak up and ask questions. He self-advocates.

Posted: December 12, 2019

If we were designing a school from scratch for our daughter, we'd end up designing Green Acres. It's a place where our daughter, like every student, is genuinely known, respected, and treated seriously by everyone. At Green Acres, that comes standard: many of the school's traditions, all of its clubs, and even a surprising number of academic units can trace their origin to a student's question or suggestion or interest. Last year's talent show is a good example: two students independently suggested one; each was asked to meet with school's head (a request that the students greeted with joy, high seriousness, and a touch of pride); each was soon planning and organizing with help from adults as appropriate; each ended up emceeing, to a packed house, an hour of acts. This sort of student-led, school-supported activity is classic Green Acres, and it nurtures sturdy, thoughtful, responsible kids.

We are also very pleased with the level at which she's challenged academically, but more important, we think, are the habits she's developing. Now in fourth grade, she typically comes through the door in the afternoon and announces that she wants to start her homework. She works through math problems with determination, not tears; she asks for help with curiosity, not whines. She reads ravenously. And all of this is unprompted by us - it comes from here. We give the school a huge amount of the credit for cultivating, without anxiety, genuine love of learning, and we look forward to what the next four years will bring.

Posted: December 3, 2019

Green Acres is a wonderful school. Our children are in Kindergarten and 2nd grade and they both love it. We've had 4 different teachers over the past 3 years and all of them are creative, patient and truly interested in the children and the way that they learn. Our kindergarten teacher was able to suggest extra support to help our daughter thrive and excel. These teachers are extremely talented and engage with the kids on a social, emotional and academic level - all three equally important for children at that young age. They know the both of our children's hobbies, favorite sports teams and musical interests just as well as they know their learning styles. We've been very impressed with our experience at Green Acres.

Posted: November 25, 2019

Green Acres has the best teachers! The quality of teachers is clearly a top priority of the school. As a parent, I continue to be impressed year after year with my children's teachers. They are what make the school so special.

Posted: November 25, 2019

Green Acres is among the best to work with when bringing outside professionals into the school. The teachers and learning team are committed to serving the needs of each individual student. We have always been supported with every professional who pulls our child out or pushes into the classroom.

Posted: November 25, 2019

There is no other school like Green Acres. Its mission to empower kids and help them reach their full potential is as strong as ever. The teachers at Green Acres are incredible. They are master teachers who make it their mission to get to know each kid, as well as, they excel at forming strong relationships with the parents. It is a strong community that fosters strong and lasting relationships. I am so lucky to have my kids at this school.

Posted: November 25, 2019

Homework is nonexistent or minimal in the lower grades and in the upper grades, it's meaningful and used as a signal to the teacher of what the child has learned. If kids don't understand their homework, they self-advocate in school the next day in order to learn what they need. They don't feel everything needs to be perfect, just a learning opportunity. In the upper grades, most major projects are divided between in-class and homework, so the students get used to the kind of demands high school will place, while also receiving teacher support.

Posted: November 25, 2019

Green Acres balances the developmental stages of each child with a challenge for the children to grow in respect, compassion and maturity. In the classroom by teaching age-appropriate social and emotional skills and in modeling for children what respect looks like, the adults in the school place character development at the forefront. Everyone is on a first name basis, from the youngest 3s class student to the head of the school. The diversity, equity and justice programming challenges adults and children alike to grow as a positive force for change in the world.

Posted: November 25, 2019

The current head of school is a visionary leader and educator who loves and appreciates children, and has made hard choices - sacrificing his own job - in order to set the school on the right path for the future. The long-serving administrative leaders are experienced, insightful and committed to the school's success. The board of trustees meets monthly and each trustee serves on 3+ active committees, meaning they work on multiple projects simultaneously and are devoted to the school's success. The school is going through a transition with a new head of school in 2020-2021, but with the number of years of experience in the leadership team and senior admins, I'm sure it will continue to be effective.

Posted: November 25, 2019

Every student with a learning difference receives an individualized plan and teachers are supportive of movement in the class or the need for quiet time that some students may have. If your child has a severe learning difference and can't be effectively served, the compassionate staff will help you find a better fit and advise you throughout the process. It's a testament to the community that several parents whose children were counseled out keep their other child at Green Acres and/or continue to come to school events and even volunteer.

Posted: November 25, 2019

The school leaders and counselors are constantly on the look out for teachable moments and trouble brewing that they need to quash. Often, the students in the older grades self-police -- or at least identify when there is an issue, and ask adults for help managing the conflict. Sometimes, parents take longer to understand when their child is part of the dynamic involved in the bullying -- this was the case with me, but I've learned that in those earlier grades, my child often underreported their role and blamed others. Now that I have one child in high school, I see how working through those earlier conflicts and personality differences serves the kids so well - they are all still very close with their Green Acres classmates, even those who weren't friends at the time.

Posted: November 25, 2019

At Green Acres, my children developed a deep and intrinsic love of learning, confidence in themselves, and the self-knowledge and skills to advocate for themselves in high school and beyond. My recent graduate was extremely well-prepared academically for one of the region's most rigorous high schools and current student greets every school day with excitement and purpose. I'm periodically reminded and awed by how the teachers and staff treat each child with respect, love and appreciation and how well they truly know them - sometimes better than we parents do! An amazing school and community.

Posted: February 28, 2019

The Head of School's has presided over a steady decline in enrollment of approximately one-third the student body, from a little over 300 to a little over 200, including faculty children and non-paying students. Over the same period, other private schools have held or increased enrollment. As a result, the school has been shedding its accomplished teachers, and hiring younger teachers whose skills may most generously be described as average. This year's graduating class is down to 18 students. And there was a recent layoff of one of the truly greatest lower school teachers -- someone whom the Head of School touted and even continues to tout to prospective parents. We feel fortunate that our child will soon be out of the school, having had the benefit of the wonderful teachers. Please think very carefully before signing on to a progressive education in a school that is on the verge of collapse. It is circling the drain.

Posted: February 28, 2019

The Head of School is utterly ineffective in this, among many other, regards.

Posted: February 28, 2019

We are pleased with the teachers, and incredibly displeased with the school "leadership".

Posted: February 18, 2019

Start homework at the right age to facilitate continued joy of learning and pride in taking responsibility. Never had to nag my son to do homework. And not focused on excessive testing like many schools today.

Posted: February 18, 2019

We had great teachers every year. They got to know our son well and he was very comfortable learning and growing. There are some real icons and masters of their subject that will be hard to replace when they move on.

Posted: February 18, 2019

Absolutely. A real strength here. Focusing on the whole child is a real strong suit of Green Acres.

Posted: February 18, 2019

Strong philosophy and good vision. Some changes over the last few years that need to gel a bit more.

Posted: February 18, 2019

The approach is very individualized and nurturing so good for learning differences. Maybe not for extreme learning challenges as the school also faces pressure from parents to remain academically competitive.

Posted: February 18, 2019

Community and individualized approach engenders respect among peers.

Posted: February 18, 2019

We had a great experience. My son thrived and grew academically, socially and as an individually. The nurturing environment was perfect and he graduated a confident teen who is doing well in high school. I am indebted to Green Acres for the amazing experience for my son.

Posted: January 25, 2019

The most incredible school and community I have ever encountered

Posted: August 30, 2018

Much better on paper than in reality. No support for kids with special needs.

Posted: May 2, 2018

With multiple children at the school for two years, we can only give the school an average rating. All of our teachers have been wonderful and it is clear that they care deeply for their students. The campus is quite nice and the project based learning curriculum is engaging. On balance, however, we've been disappointed with the school's response to both a persistent bullying issue as well as the inability to recognize special learning needs for one of our children. We expected more given the investment equation.

Posted: January 16, 2017

Green Acres has been an excellent school for each of my three kids. My son was well prepared for the competitive DC high school school that he now attends, and my two daughters continue to thrive at there. There is a real comradery among the girls in their classes. Class sizes are so small that lesson plans can be individualized to address student strengths, and teachers can teach kids how to write one-on-one. Homework encourages student ownership, so kids feel proud of their accomplishments and our family life is peaceful without homework battles.

Posted: January 16, 2017

Neal Brown is an exceptional head of school, as are the upper and lower school heads.

Posted: January 16, 2017

Green Acres is exceptional because of its focus on social/emotional development as well as academics.

Posted: January 16, 2017

My children have developed close relationships with many of their teachers. The teachers really get to know your kids and become partners with you in their development.

Posted: October 31, 2016

I have two kids who graduated from Green Acres after attending for 9 and 10 years, respectively. Green Acres helped inspire a love of learning in my kids, instilled in them the importance of service and community, and bolstered their confidence to speak out for themselves and what is right.

Posted: October 31, 2016

The teachers really care about the children and get to know each one individually so that they can help them thrive.

Posted: October 31, 2016

Posted: October 10, 2016

I've had two kids at this school since they were in Kindergarten, with one still there in the middle school and the other graduated into high school. Both have had teachers that have encouraged them to flourish academically and individually. And both have truly enjoyed going to school--not just seeing their friends, but learning new things. Thanks to Green Acres, my oldest was admitted to a very competitive high school and is thriving there.

Posted: September 29, 2016

My children have been at Green Acres since PreK and have absolutely thrived over the past several years (in both lower and middle school). They love going to school and are excited for each new day. The teachers are very attentive and nurturing and provide a comfortable environment for them. The academics are presented in both traditional and nontraditional ways. Most importantly, they learn how to apply concepts to everyday life and often come home with insights and connections that just amaze me. They are taught to be inquisitive and active participants in learning. The teachers are phenomenal in integrating learning in all crevices of their day to day, including free play.

To address some of the negative comments about the school, all schools have circumstances that are not ideal and no school is perfect. There will be bullying, problems with academics, and teachers that may not click as well with certain children. Green Acres tackles these issues, and others, in the best way possible. They take each situation and look at the information, and determine various problem solving options. When my children have had negative experiences, we have collaborated with teachers and administrators as needed, but, ultimately, our kids have figured out a way to advocate for themselves to reach the desired end result.

Some families believe the academics are lacking. I believe that one of the main reasons for this perspective is that Green Acres kids are not conditioned to simply regurgitate facts and think about content in concrete ways. This inevitably will not translate well to tests etc which require rote memorization. Green Acres kids are taught to think more abstractly, which is a far more complex and advanced way of processing information. The teachers are incredibly skilled and passionate and this enthusiasm is clearly transferred to students.

In reference to outside tutors, kids work at their own pace, whether they need extra time to conquer a concept or need to be challenged. All needs are accommodated. However, if there are specific deficits which go beyond the scope of the curriculum and teacher capabilities, the school helps the family determine the appropriate resources.

We have been so thankful to the school for creating an environment where our kids are continually evolving as thinking, caring, and creative individuals.

Posted: September 29, 2016

Green Acres teaches kids how to do homework. They start homework in 3rd grade with kids reading every night. Each school year introduces more grade appropriate assignments. Students are taught how to manage their time and prepare for assignments due daily or weekly, or by semester. Most kids are not taught how to "do" school and consequently have significant struggles down the road. Green Acres is very calculated in their approach to homework, which by no means, indicates it is not challenging its students. As a result, Green Acres kids are better prepared down the road and have a much more stress-free academic experience than kids at schools which unnecessarily overload students. This allows for deeper learning, unclouded by the unrealistic demands of conventional homework assignments.

Posted: September 27, 2016

Teachers and administrators alike are totally focused on the well-being of every child. My children gained a love of learning, how to advocate for themselves and what it means to be a part of a community.

Posted: April 18, 2016

These teachers get to know each and every child, I cannot say enough about how wonderful tho experience has been so far for our family.

Posted: April 18, 2016

There is a reason behind everything this school does, everything is deliberate - the children are so busy learning and doing all day long, the amount of homework is consistent with what is APPROPRIATE at each grade level.

Posted: April 18, 2016

see previous review, see previous review, see previous review, see previous review, see previous review.

Posted: April 18, 2016

3rd generation Washingtonian that attended all private schools, co-ed and then all-girls.Mother of a current Green Acres 1st grader, I'm happy to write a review of this exceptional school.Environment is challenging, stimulating and the teachers do a wonderful job of focusing on the social and emotional health of children, the importance of which cannot be emphasized enough. Faculty/staff work simultaneously with parents to enrich each individual child's experience.Son has flourished, self-confidence has grown, he's engaged academically,loves school.Hands-on approach to learning is what's absent in other area schools, but it is a core element of the Green Acres program and philosophy. The fact that the school ends in 8th grade is an ADVANTAGE I feel prospective families need to understand this: your child changes each year, so the student they are in 3rd grade will grow and evolve by Middle School.Green Acres does such a fantastic job with their Middle School kids, preparing them WELL for the next chapter : how to self-advocate, how to organize, how to approach teachers, how to work collaboratively as well as independently. All you need to do is look at where the 8th grade class has been accepted, and that these children have options.Other area schools actually seek out Green Acres 8th graders. Finally, I want to address the importance of a school that ends in 8th grade. I understand that many families do not want to switch schools at high school time for reasons such as "they won't have as good a chance of getting in if we wait for high school" or "we want a school that goes 3-12 and it is easier," the admissions process in 9th grade is different - MANY vacancies open up as schools EXPAND their classes in 9th grade so keep that in mind. I personally know multiple families whose children started at schools beginning in 3rd grade and they thought they were all set until 12th grade only to discover, that sure enough, the high school was not a match and they wound up transferring.Talk to current families as well as parents of graduates, tour the school and spend time on campus especially observing classrooms, meet the Admissions folks, and by all means, stop by and meet the Head of School, Neal Brown!

Posted: December 7, 2015

Kids aren't given homework until third grade but they are expected to read every night. I think it is so ridiculous to say a pre-k-8th grade student isn't given "enough" homework. They should be playing outside or in other child directed activities. My daughter comes home and builds towers and other cool structures, makes forts outside, reads independently for an hour etc. These activities are much more impactful than sitting down and doing worksheets. There is plenty of time in high school to spend hours on homework, let kids be kids.

Posted: December 7, 2015

My daughter has made leaps and bounds at Green Acres. Her reading has progressed incredibly fast and she is much more willing to take risks in learning than she was at her previous school. Her teacher really knows her and her personality as the small class size allows for the kids to have a lot of one on one with their educators. I can't speak to the comments on bullying as we haven't encountered that specifically but I will say that when my daughter has had conflicts with her peers, her teachers have assisted appropriately and quickly. I have spent a fair amount of time helping in her classes and haven't seen over-the-top rude behavior toward teachers as some have written. In fact, a couple of times when students weren't being as respectful as they should, it was nipped in the bud. SO, bottom line for us is her strides in all academic areas and overall happiness with the school has made our family big supporters!

Posted: November 7, 2015

This school has low quality teachers and an administration that donot believe parents or try to curtail bullying. The children are rude to their teachers and they do not learn the basic skills needed to succeed in life. My son now goes to a different school and his entire life has changed. He had to catch up on the academics because Green Acres teaching was so inferior. Thank goodness we moved him in time for him to have a nurturing environment with children who are respectful to their teachers and each other, and are held to a high moral and academic standard. I do not recommend this school.

Posted: November 7, 2015

Posted: December 1, 2014

This is a wonderful experience for students. We both went to traditional schools growing up and did very well, but our experience taught us "stuff", not how to learn. Children thrive in this setting become masters at the craft of doing things while getting a deeper meaning in all subjects. Our student is often collaborating and cooperating with other students to accomplish individual and group goals. Additionally, Green Acres teaches students to be thoughtful citizens of the world. I could go on and on, but what makes us really happy is that our child is excited to go to school everyday, not just to see friends, but to see the teachers who are loving masters of their craft.

Posted: November 11, 2014

I do not recommend Green Acres School. The academics are weak. The administration is defensive and punitive. My son left and now is thriving and engaged in a community that welcomes and values him. He has kind and caring friends and faculty that respects him. The children at Green Acres are disrespectful to their teachers. Green Acres School tolerates bullying and even blames the victim & the victim's parents, while denying that it is occurring in the first place. The curriculum is not challenging and the kids have way too much free time on their hands. They are not actively engaged in learning and the children do not cultivate good values.

Posted: July 28, 2014

My child really enjoys the school and looks forward to returning after summer break. We are lucky that he has not needed "extra help" like many of our friend's kids. As other reviewers described, the heavy reliance on outside tutors is a costly and ridiculous downside of the school. A teacher friend explained that part of the problem stems from low teacher morale and being overwhelmed by an endless series of new initiatives put forth by myopic administrators. Instead of spending time and effort on planning and teaching, the teachers spend time on dubious attempts to enhance the school's brand.

Posted: April 22, 2014

Green Acres has been a challenging, nurturing environment for my three boys. I could not be happier with the quality of the teaching and the richness of the curriculum. Best money I ever spent.

Posted: April 17, 2014

As a parent with 2 kids at Green Acres, I could not be happier with how my kids are developing, mentally, emotionally and scholastically. My kids are excited to learn, and come home almost every day to tell us something that they did at school that day. Green Acres has endowed them with a love of learning and has fed their inquisitivness at every turn. The academics are age appropriate and tailored to the child, giving kids a chance to learn at a proper pace and never feel stressed or pressured. Given the state of education in this country at the moment, I realize how lucky I am to have my kids in a place like Green Acres. I send my kids off to school every day knowing that they are growing and learning in a nurturing and progressive environment. I'm not sure what else you can ask for!

Posted: January 29, 2014

While Green Acres had been a nurturing environment for my daughters for several years, I must give it a poor rating. The ideals of a progressive education are only exercised in the admissions process. In reality, they are talked about but rarely seen in the classroom. The only problem is when many of the kids do not learn, the administrators and "learning specialists" put more pressure on the parents to supplement their child's education. It's true that the curriculum is integrated, but the academics are weak and the mere fact that over half of the primary students (I cannot speak to the middle school) are recommended to have tutors to learn to read means that something has gone afoul in the curriculum. Concerned staff encourage more support (and more money for the parents) yet rarely complete their promises for individualized instruction. It's a vicious trap that leaves many parents wondering why they pay upwards of $34,000/year yet need to employ tutors on a long-term basis.

Posted: December 1, 2013

My daughter is in her 10th year at Green Acres and my son is in his 8th year. I cannot say enough good things about the school. The environment is incredibly nurturing and it has enabled my children to thrive. The classes are small (often 12-14 students in an academic class) and the teachers know each student so well that they can tailor the instruction to each child's needs. Teachers challenge students in a way that is exhilarating rather than stressful. As a result, the students emerge as self-confident and poised young adults, fully prepared to meet the new challenges of high school. Students are taught the importance of tolerance and inclusiveness from day one, and, in my experience, any bullying-type behavior is nipped in the bud. I have never seen a group of girls less cliquish than the girls in my daughter's grade, and the boys in my son's class are equally inclusive. In short, Green Acres is a gift that my kids will carry with them for the rest of their lives.

Posted: December 1, 2013

I currently have two girls attending Green Acres and I couldn't be happier! Their teachers know them as individuals and are valued for their contribution. Academic subjects are presented in a way to encourage thought and spark imagination. The teachers and staff actively work with the students on their social and emotional health and interactions with others. I feel like this is a strong community for the whole family.

Posted: December 1, 2013

I've been a Green Acres parent for over 5 years. I'm extremely happy with the schools and feel extremely fortunate to be able to send my kids there. In particular, my two kids have very different personalities and learning needs. The small class sizes at Green Acres allows the teachers to my know my kids deeply and to respond to their specific needs and challenges. Overall, the teaching philosophy aims to be low-stress, but high challenge and my kids are thriving under this approach. I've also found the community to be quite open and responsive. Let's face it, kids can sometimes do silly things, and when that happens adults need to step in and guide them. During my time with Green Acres, whenever I've had a question or concern, I've always felt comfortable making a phone call or sending an email to Green Acres teachers and administrators, or to other Green Acres parents. I've always been listened to and always gotten the problem resolved. If you're looking for a school that will help your child grow to meet their potential, I strongly urge you to give Green Acres a good look.

Posted: December 1, 2013

Our son is loving his 5th year of education at Green Acres. Both emotionally and socially, he has grown way beyond what we were told he could do and are so proud of him. We are multi-racial and same sex family and we have never felt so welcome anywhere. Green Acres is a wonderful little island that has stood strong for 80 years against the stream of stress-and-test schooling. It truly is the place to be.

Posted: November 13, 2013

Children are allowed to bully. Academics are very weak. Administration is highly unsatisfactory. Many families leave every year due to these three problems. They are under-enrolled for good reason.

Posted: June 27, 2013

I have been a parent at Green Acres now for 11 years. It is the best progressive education school in the region, and has become a leader nationally as well. My daughter is thriving in public high school -- totally prepared, and then some, for 9th grade. She has done extremely well in academics (all honors classes), and is socially aware and able to lead and self advocate. This is all because of her years at Green Acres. My son is now in the middle school at Green Acres. The improvement we have seen in his academics over the years -- reading, math, science -- and more importantly, his confidence -- is all because of the staff at the school and their empowering him to be his very best. Thanks Green Acres; I would not want my kids any other place!

Posted: May 15, 2013

My boys left Green Acres and went to another private school. They were bullied. The administration did not intervene, despite multiple, respectful requests. Now, my children are thriving at another private school. The academics at Green Acres were far inferior to those at the boys' new school. When they started, they were behind in mathmatics, science and writing. The middle schoolers at Green Acres have too much free time on their hands, and they do not respect their teachers or classmates. Now, our children are actually learning in a warm and inclusive school, which has excellent academic & social standards and truly teaches kids to be kind and resilient. Green Acres, unfortunately, did not do this, despite its mission statement to the contrary. I do not recommend this school.

Posted: May 3, 2013

I agree with all the 5 star reviews. Amazing school, warm, nurturing, family-like promoting excellent values, ethics and curiosity in learning. My kids beg to go to school every day (even after going to the dentist when offered to skip the rest of the school day). Teachers are awesome!

Posted: April 18, 2012

My son graduated from Green Acres (8th grade) last year. Green Acres left him extremely well-prepared for high school. More importantly, he is an engaged and passionate learner who is knowledgeable and articulate about current events, politics, history, ethics, educational policy, and a range of other subjects. Now that he is in a more traditional learning environment (public high school), he is realizing what a gift 3 years of Green Acres was....the opportunity to explore and discuss and experiment was just fantastic for him. He is also realizing how rare and special it was to have teachers and peers who are like family. Green Acres really fosters meaningful connections with people. My only complaint about the school (other than its price) is the lack of economic diversity. The vast majority of students are very wealthy and that gave him a somewhat warped idea of what is "normal" in terms of life experience and possessions. I am glad he is back in public school so he has a true understanding that "everyone" does not have their own laptop and "everyone" does not travel regularly to Europe!

Posted: October 22, 2011

Here we are 10 years later....we have a child that went from PreK through 8th grade at Green Acres. He is so well adjusted, loves to learn, respectful of adults and his peers, ready to question, discuss and engage and overall so ready for High School and its own challenges. Thanks a million Green Acres. You are a class act!

Posted: April 23, 2011

This is the best progressive independent school in the area. WIth a true commitment to the principles of John Dewey in its educational philosophy and to the infusion of the most recent child development and educational research, it is an amazing place for children to thrive. It has a beautiful campus (outdoor education is utilized as often as possible), amazing teachers that the school does a terrific job of supporting through staff development and other opportunities, small class sizes, a focus on social/emotional development as well as strong academics, and a commitment to diversity and social justice.

#	Name	Type	City	State	Distance
1	White Flint	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Rockville	MD	0.9 mi
2	Old Farm	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Rockville	MD	1.2 mi
3	Forest Knolls	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Silver Spring	MD	5.8 mi
4	DuMont Oaks	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Silver Spring	MD	6.4 mi
5	The Willoughby	Condominium/Townhouse	Chevy Chase	MD	6.5 mi
6	Norwood	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Olney	MD	7 mi
7	Lakelands	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Gaithersburg	MD	7.4 mi
8	Takoma Park	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Takoma Park	MD	7.5 mi
9	Hillandale	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Silver Spring	MD	7.6 mi
10	Iverly	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Silver Spring	MD	7.8 mi
11	Fox Farm	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Great Falls	VA	11.9 mi
12	Leeway Overlee - N Arlington	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Arlington	VA	11.9 mi
13	Falls Church City	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Falls Church	VA	12.2 mi
14	Water's Landing	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Germantown	MD	12.7 mi
15	Shreevewood	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Falls Church	VA	13 mi

#	Name	City	State	Distance
1	Silver Spring	Silver Spring	MD	6.6 mi
2	White Oak	Silver Spring	MD	7.6 mi
3	Kentlands	Gaithersburg	MD	8.1 mi
4	Arlington	Arlington	VA	9.9 mi
5	Georgetown	Washington	DC	10.6 mi
6	Falls Church	Falls Church	VA	12.1 mi
7	Washington DC	Washington D.C.	DC	12.1 mi
8	West Falls Church	Falls Church	VA	12.9 mi
9	Capitol Hill	Washington	DC	13 mi
10	Vienna	Vienna	VA	13.1 mi

Base	Distance
Walter Reed Medical Center	3.8 mi.
Fort Myer	12.1 mi.
Henderson Hall	13 mi.
Pentagon	13.1 mi.
Defense Health Headquarters Falls Church	13.8 mi.
Marine Barracks Washington	13.8 mi.
Fort McNair	13.8 mi.
Washington Navy Yard	14 mi.
Coast Guard Headquarters DC	14.3 mi.
Mark Center Alexandria	15.4 mi.
Bolling AFB Joint Base Anacostia	15.8 mi.
Fort Meade NSA	20.7 mi.
Andrews AFB	21.1 mi.
NRO Chantilly	21.3 mi.
Fort Belvoir	23.8 mi.
Coast Guard Curtis Bay	31.1 mi.
Fort Detrick	31.3 mi.
Indian Head Naval Base	32.3 mi.
US Naval Academy	34.3 mi.
Annapolis Naval Station	35.1 mi.
Quantico Marine Base	39.9 mi.
Dahlgren NSWC	49.3 mi.

Green Acres School

Rockville, MD 20852

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Rockville, MD 20852

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