Fields Road Elementary School

1 School Drive

Gaithersburg, MD 20878

School District

Montgomery County Public Schools
Grade

PK, K-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:11
Type

public

School Map for Montgomery County Public Schools

GreatSchools Rating

The school rating calculation is based on four ratings: the Student Progress Rating or Academic Progress Rating, College Readiness Rating, Equity Rating, and Test Score Rating each designed to show different facets of school success. Learn more about GreatSchools Ratings

Reviews

Submitted by parent on November 21, 2023

We have three years of experience at FRES and every year it gets worse. My kids love their teachers and they're making progress academically, but the violence is insane. Kids throw chairs at teachers. Fights on the playground are a regular occurrence. Teachers are called names and are prevented from presenting the material by unruly kids who there are zero resources to handle. Someone apparently brought a knife to school! In elementary school! And everyone literally had to shelter in place last month because some kid was rampaging through the halls. The worst thing is that the administration doesn't seem like they could possibly care less. No discussions on this issue, very little communication to parents (I think the only things I've seen from the admin are the communications about the shelter in place and the knife - nothing at all about the ongoing problems or any efforts to solve them). Teachers have left in droves already, and I'm sure we will see more of them exit this year. Who could feel good about teaching in this environment, with no support? I'm disgusted and seriously looking at homes elsewhere so we can get out of this school. No kid deserves to have to try to learn in this environment. MCPS should be ashamed for letting this happen.
Submitted by parent on July 28, 2020

2/10.At the school, it always felt like there was some kind of breakdown between staff, administration and parents that clearly affected the learning environment. Our personal experience with our own child's significant learning disability being constantly refuted ignored, alone gives this school a low rating.I am not surprised that this school's rating has dropped over the past couple of years. Too many teaching staff seemed to be apathetic or beaten down by whatever what was going on behind the scenes at the time our children attended there, which sometimes was reflected by unsubstantial/lack of quality education that was offered (of course there will be a % of teachers at the school that are decent, but too many are letting them down overall). I do honestly hope this will change and action is taken soon, because this is a disservice to all the students that need support whether that is those from disadvantaged backgrounds, those with educational needs or ESL students.
Submitted by parent on July 20, 2020

10/10 FRES has been an amazing kindergarten experience for us. Mrs. Maguire specifically exceeded all our expectations during such a transitional year with online learning and covid. The school did an outstanding job with the transition and keeping staff and students accountable in a fluid, open, and understanding method. I am proud to be a FRES family.
Submitted by parent on July 20, 2020

Excellent all around. A great place to prepare a kid for the world.
Submitted by parent on July 06, 2020

Excelente enseñanza para todos los estudiantes. Muy buena atención y comunicación de los maestros.
Submitted by parent on May 18, 2018

Excellent. Small classes and good student to teacher ratios, a great CAP program for students who need it and teachers who really care about the students.
Submitted by other on May 01, 2017

Fields Road welcomes everyone! The staff is receptive to parents and students. Every student has a chance to shine in this school....the teachers are highly effective at recognizing differences and teaching for all cultures. Everyone is embraced and encouraged to be themselves. A great school for personal and academic enhancement.
Submitted by parent on May 01, 2017

I had a child spend his entire elementary career at Fields Road and now I have another one that is in Kindergarten. I have always been impressed with the teachers and faculty at this school as well as the overall school spirit. The school feeds into a great middle school and high school and my kids have met great friends throughout and we have made friends with many of the wonderful parents from Fields Road.
Submitted by parent on March 09, 2017

Fields Road Elementary School is a great school. I absolutely love the principal, staff, and teachers. They all do a phenomenal job and genuinely care for the students and the community. The curriculum is effective and well-rounded. The best part is the support, encouragement, and interest from the school and the community; there is a great balance and equal partnership between the two.
Submitted by parent on March 05, 2017

I currently have children in K & 1st. The class sizes are amazing - k-2 can not have more than 18 kids in a class, which is ideal for kids just entering grad school. From my experience, the teachers are amazing - they go above and beyond for the kids and take personal interest in their well-being. The administration is equally stellar. Mrs. Williams is no-nonsense with the kids best interest at heart. Ms. Ricca (new in 2016-17) is always friendly, approachable and my kids really enjoy her. PTA is heavily involved - constantly seeking to raise funds for school improvements; creating new opportunities for afterschool enrichment (some classes are free and are taught by volunteer teachers and parents). The school has also brought in Mad Science, TIny Chefs, Music programs, etc to enrich the kids. I am a strong advocate of Fields Road Elementary School
Submitted by parent on February 24, 2017

The teachers, support staff and PTA are wonderful at Fields Road. Class sizes are small and the students get a lot of attention from and interaction with the teachers. The community is very supportive of the school and we have a lot of dedicated and caring parents involved in the PTA and other school activities which creates a welcoming environment. I can't say enough good things about FRES; it is our hidden gem in Gaithersburg!
Submitted by other on February 24, 2017

Our kids have had wonderful teachers every year at Fields Road. I have been impressed with the amazing sense of community and responsiveness from the administration over the years.
Submitted by parent on January 19, 2017

I have had two children at FRES and both have had wonderful experiences! The teachers are warm, loving and very in tune to each individual student and their academic and emotional needs. The PTA is very active and helps create a strong community feel!
Submitted by parent on December 12, 2016

I have had two children at this school and they both have had positive experiences. The staff has been supportive through a variety of typical issues that arise with kids and the teachers have been amazing.
Submitted by parent on December 10, 2016

My son is in his 5th year at FRES, and we have been so impressed with every teacher he has had!! We feel that most of the teachers and staff go out of their way to give the education and emotional support our kids need. Overall, a very welcoming and competent environment for kids!
Submitted by parent on December 10, 2016

I am a long time parent at Fields Road with one child still currently at this school. Up until two years ago I would have given this school 5 stars, but the change of principal has very negatively impacted this school. Many of the teachers are good or even excellent and very clearly care about their students, but the administration has gone downhill. As a parent I receive almost no communication from the school making it hard to keep track of simple things such as picture day much less more important events such as parent information nights. The past administration used to send a weekly very brief newsletter detailing upcoming events. The new administration sends something perhaps once a month, which is not enough. The former principal used to interact frequently with students and parents through simple things such as helping out front during arrival and dismissal on a daily basis. She also was front and center at the majority of school and PTA events making sure everyone kept a respectful tone. The new Principal is rarely visible and school events have devolved into more chaotic and less respectful affairs. There also seems be very little quality control or oversight of substitute teachers. Some of the substitutes are very good but others are very rude or even insulting to the children and despite repeated parental complaints they continue to work with the students. The playground time is rife with bullying ranging from simple insults to very nasty name calling and physical assault. The solution to this problem too often is taking away items for the kids to play with outdoors and making recess less fun and so perpetuating the cycle of bullying since there is less for the kids to do. The kids need more supervision and more activities to keep them busy. The front office itself is unwelcoming. It is very hard to gain access to the school to pick your child up for a doctor's appointment or other reason. Often you can spend up to five minutes just waiting to get buzzed into the building and then rather than feeling welcomed you feel as if you are an unwanted interruption. I very much hope that the new administration improves and brings back what used to be the welcoming, communicative and warm tone of this school.
Submitted by parent on December 10, 2016

When looking for a house in the greater Washington region, for the right school, we specifically targeted this Gaithersburg neighborhood to attend FRES. And we are incredibly pleased with the decision.The school leadership goes out of its way to include parents (PTA) and community leaders in the success of the students. They're doing it right.
Submitted by other on December 10, 2016

I have had two children go through Fields Road Elementary. The teachers and staff are dedicated and caring. The PTA is active an insures thatvthe kids and staff are supported. Our family has had overall great experiences at FRES.
Submitted by parent on June 11, 2016

I feel that Fields Road is an underappreciated school. The teachers at our school are wonderful: attentive to students, going the extra mile when necessary and are ready to listen if there is an issue. The para-educators are focused and also are there to help our students succeed. As a parent at this school from 1st grade and up, I have had the opportunity to work with many of the staff and have always had a positive experience with all of my childrens teachers.However, I would be remiss if I didn't comment on the review from May 19th. I have had the opportunity as a parent to work with the Media staff. I have shelved books and worked at the Book Fairs every year my children have been at FRES. I was surprised by the comments made. I am wondering if the parent ever spoke with the Media staff about this issue? The staff are approachable and are willing to work with parents. I have been there when parents have come in and the staff have listened and been attentive and have worked with these parents to make their childerns experience positive. I can also attest to the condition of the library books from a shelving perspective. Yes, some of the books are worn, and put together with tape and glue, but the students can't wait to have these popular books back on the shelves. In talking with the staff, the budget is not what a parent might think it is. Fines are collected and books are purchased from these fines so that students have the materials that they need and want. A lot of the books are purchased at the Book fairs. I have also been there during checkout and the policy is that if you have a late book, you cannot check out. While I cannot put myself in this parents shoes, I just felt that I needed to give my perspective.
Submitted by parent on May 19, 2016

My child's classroom experience has been great, and we adore the staff. Yes, my child got bullied and pinched by a classmate in Kindergarten, but learning how to deal with difficult people is an important skill to have. My child got through it and has had a positive experience at FRES since.I rate my experience at FRES 1 star because there are NO quality control practices in place in the media center for the library books. Be forewarned that the media center staff do not take tattered books out of circulation (by design perhaps to increase library funds?). They will allow your child to borrow a book that looks like it went through a tree shredder. If your child was the last one to touch a book that was already in horrible condition and the pages fall off the binding when she returns it, then she will be suspended from borrowing more books, a letter will be sent home, your child will have a miserable rest of the day, and you will have to pay for the original value of the book. Don't get me wrong; if my child were one to destroy and desecrate library books, then I welcome the fines. It's only fair. However, my kids respect books and are avid readers. Yet we were fined and my child humiliated because media center staff have dismissed any responsibility to check the condition of the books upon return. As added bonuses, the fine came out of our school fundraising budget, so FRES missed out on some funds from us that year, and my child skipped some fundraising social events.My lesson from all of this is to look over the condition of the books the day my child brings them home and immediately return them to the media center if the condition is questionable/ not acceptable. My wish is for the media center to establish improved fundraising strategies and have a better quality control system in place.