Forest Knolls Elementary School

Posted: June 10, 2022

Posted: June 10, 2022

Posted: June 10, 2022

Posted: June 10, 2022

Posted: June 10, 2022

Posted: June 10, 2022

Posted: June 10, 2022

Posted: June 10, 2022

I want to give honest feedback to one particular first Grade teacher at this school. It has been truly the WORST year for my Son, who is in first grade at this school. One time the school instructed to put all the students on the online classes because of COVID constrain. During this time, we noticed our Son's teacher's teaching style. The teacher is focused ONLY on the kids who are participating actively and on those who like to answer all the questions. She is not making ANY effort on the students who truly needs a little extra help as my child or pushing them to engage in any activity with other classmates.

Today, My husband went on a field day activity at my Son's school and watched our child and his teacher from a distance. Our child played with the other kids for several minutes, and then when it was a different activity, he lost interest, stopped playing, and sat on the ground alone. The teacher is standing next to my child and has no motivation to ask him or push him back to the playing field.

Our Son disliked his school. Sometimes he refused to go to school as it was no longer his happy place, and it was a war to wake him up from his bed every day! We all know that a positive classroom environment is a primary reason kids want to go to school and enjoy learning. Unfortunately, our child is not lucky enough to experience this.

In overall, I don't understand how someone who might not be fit to be a teacher gets the credentials and a teaching position!! The lady got no interest in Children who needed a little extra help; when I say extra help, I am not saying help for a special child—helping a child who learns in different ways and paces! I wondered if the school evaluates the teachers and takes necessary actions. Just because she refused to provide him additional support and could not accommodate him in her classroom, our Son has been affected for the entire year! I will avoid this teacher AT ANY COST!!!

Posted: May 21, 2019

We have been happy with the homework. The school generally follows the county guidelines and teachers are very understanding and helpful.

Posted: May 21, 2019

Three of my children have attended this wonderful school and the teachers have all been amazing at teaching and communicating.

Posted: May 21, 2019

Kids learn positive behavior skills that are implemented in all aspects of their education. I have seen some great results in my kids.

Posted: May 21, 2019

Great principal and resources. This school really cares about their students and gives them many opportunities to learn and grow.

Posted: May 21, 2019

Posted: May 21, 2019

I haven't had a lot of personal experience, but bullying is addressed and there are methods shared to deal with problems kids may encounter.

Posted: May 21, 2019

The school, leadership and environment at this school are all interwoven and create an ideal learning environment for kids to learn.

Posted: August 12, 2018

Posted: August 12, 2018

Posted: August 12, 2018

Posted: August 12, 2018

Posted: August 12, 2018

My child just finished six years at FKES. The community of FKES leadership, teachers, and parents is active and works well together. The counseling team is also great and supportive. Our community is multi-cultural , and administration teachers work to support children as individuals and in their cultural backgrounds. The PTA sponsors a range of events for fun, learning, and/or to celebrate heritage-background of the students. There is a warmth/friendliness in the school community. Other pluses: it's a green school, nature trail out back, featured on NBC's Wake Up with Al Roker in 2012 or 2013, and had a dialogue with commander of International Space Station while the ISS hovered in orbit above the school for a few minutes. Latter developed by two of the teachers in coordination with NASA on behalf of the school, perhaps in 2014 (there are local news stories on it). Great field trips for the kids. There is also a great aftercare on site for the kids, run separately (Kids After Hours). My son excited for middle school, and we're glad to have such positive memories of FKES, the administration, teachers, and full staff.

Posted: March 22, 2018

Absolutely amazing teachers. We’ve been at the school for 9 years (3 kids) and I’ve only come across 2 poor teachers.

Posted: March 22, 2018

They certainly are trying. The PBIS system only works so well. But for the most part, it is effective.

Posted: March 22, 2018

Posted: March 22, 2018

Posted: March 22, 2018

Posted: March 22, 2018

It’s not FKES’ fault; it’s MCPS’ fault. Worksheets are a waste of time.

Posted: March 22, 2018

We absolutely LOVE FKES. The entire community is so supportive. It’s as if we live in a small town with a small schoolhouse, only it isn’t so small! The principal and teachers work so hard to make sure our children are loved each day, and this shows through in the work they do. Learning is easy and fun when you feel safe and loved. I wouldn’t choose any other school.

Posted: January 23, 2017

Posted: January 23, 2017

Posted: January 23, 2017

Posted: January 23, 2017

Posted: January 23, 2017

Posted: January 23, 2017

Posted: January 23, 2017

This is an average MCPS school. Face it folks, this is downcounty, not Bethesda. Some really terrific teachers and the small K-2 class sizes are not something you will find other places.

Posted: January 18, 2017

This is a terrible school. My kids went there & they allow kids to be bullied & do nothing about it when told & then blame the kid for reacting negatively to that kind of environment. Do not allow your kid to go here. This school should have a rating of 2 not 8.

Posted: June 30, 2016

We believe in a positive school climate where each student's needs are met. We also believe in teaching the whole child- academically and social/emotional.

Posted: June 30, 2016

The school is such a warm, welcoming place with great administration and staff. The school is very family orientated.

Posted: October 23, 2013

Forest Knolls Elementary is a great school with teachers and faculty that really care about their students. I have a seven year old there and I am in regular communication with his teacher (who by the way was also a student at FKES) about his progress and couldn't be happier with how he's doing this year.

Posted: May 10, 2013

It is a sad truth! Great schools are consistent with their outcomes inspite of what challenges they encounter. I am not sure why the previous parent spoke about the challenges with non-English speaking parents, when the county and MCPS is so diverse and embraces families regardless of what language a family speaks. Let me share an experience about a parent not located in the Forest Knolls Community who had their child in the same Collaborative Preschool for the Orthopaedically hanidcapped. This parent had to withdrew their child as staff were verbally abusing their preschool child. As there is no representation or advocacy for SN that begins at the school, one would never know the challenges SN parents face at the school and those who leave the school for the same reason this parent transferred her child to another school in MCPS. It is heartbreaking to keep hearing these same stories through the years and to know the administration and some of these staff members who are known to do this are still present. Great schools, especially one that is inclusive for children with special needs should not have these occurrences.

Posted: May 9, 2013

My child is a special needs student at Forest Knolls. He has gone there since he was 3 in the Collaborative Preschool (for Orthopedically handicapped and their typical peers). He is doing great. We have found lots of support in and out of the classroom for him. We have not had to fight to get every service. We are offered the services he needs. The classroom sizes for K - 2 are small because the school receives Maryland Focus Funds to reduce the size of classes. Many of the students have non-English speaking parents and that creates challenges. But overall the kids are getting a great education and are learning about all different cultures. I don't know why the previous poster talked about lack for support for SN. There is a SN committee with the PTA and if no parents want to join it then that is the parent of SN parents who are falling down on the job. My kid is learning lots and he gets extra services for having a physical disability. We get lots of support at this school and I invite other parents to check out the school.