Whetstone Elementary School

19201 Thomas Farm Rd

Gaithersburg, MD 20879

School District

Montgomery County Public Schools
Grade

PK, K-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:10
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 July 28, 2022

I have two children at Whetstone Elementary and have been impressed with services and level of attention provided to both of my children. The teachers are very much engaged and maintain register contact with my husband and I. One of my children is special-needs and requires special education, we have experienced nothing but outstanding support from from everyone that we have come in contact with.
Submitted by parent on June 09, 2021

My son walked to school from Kindergarten thru 5th grade, never with a problem. He had excellent teachers and was enrolled in their BarT before and after program too. The teachers and staff are excellent and extremely caring. My son made life long friends that he kept through middle and high school. Plus I went there as a child and didnthe same. Great school, great teachers, great staff, and great community!
Submitted by parent on September 01, 2020

My daughter is a 5th grade student and every teacher she's had since Kindergarten has been amazing. Mr. Anderson has to be one of my favorites, he's enthusiasm in teaching and energy is great! The school is definitely on the right track under Mrs. Woods guidance.
Submitted by parent on December 13, 2017

My son went 5 years and my daughter is currently going to whetstone. They have excellent professional staff . They are very respectful with the different cultures. They hear the parent's requests. It is an excellent school!
Submitted by parent on October 18, 2017

Teachers do their best and are dedicated, especially in early grades. The PTA has a few dedicated volunteers who create opportunities for students and raise funds to support the teachers.All of this is offset by a toxic administration, as noted below. Lip service is given to problems, without resolution. Multiple complaints about a teacher who is/was incompetent, verbally and emotionally abusive to children have been repeatedly ignored. This "teacher" has been allowed to continue in classroom settings. A culture of verbal abuse by aides is tolerated in non-instructional areas (playground, lunch room, other activities). Like many parents who are able to find other affordable options, we eventually removed our child from the school after a year of basically homeschooling so that child could learn, since the classroom environment was not conducive to learning. In another environment, child's self-confidence and academic progress soared. Our friends who remain are having to supplement academically and all are looking for magnet program options.
Submitted by parent on June 16, 2017

My daughter just finished fifth grade and had a wonderful time at this school. All of her teachers were top notch, really nurturing and took the time to get to know her. She had great friends and overall we are very happy with her learning progress and experience at Whetstone.
Submitted by parent on May 25, 2017

I went to this school many years ago and now my daughter goes to this school as well...and she loves it! Her teachers are supportive, helpful and quick to respond any concern I may have. The PTA consists of wonderful parents as well! and I believe this school is on the right track for improvements.
Submitted by other on May 16, 2017

Because my kiss come to this school and come back hapoy
Submitted by other on May 12, 2017

Teachers at this school are phenomenal and go above and beyond to help each student reach their full potential. The administration is toxic and they do not support the teachers. Teachers are stressed in doing all that they can to help the students in a poor school climate!
Submitted by parent on July 03, 2014

Re: concern regarding the administration, there will be a new vice principal starting in 2014-15 school year. Our experience w the administration and staff has been overall positive. We have experienced nothing but cordial and helpful responses to our questions.
Submitted by parent on June 09, 2014

Time for a change in leadership. When my family first moved to the Whetstone area, Great schools graded it a 6. Its now a 3 and based on my experience with the school, I am not surprised. The administration writes off the poor results on the local population mix and rationalizes away their results rather than doing anything innovative. Until there is a new Principal, this school will continue the direction its going. Great schools - can you get lower than a 1?
Submitted by parent on April 04, 2014

My children have attended this school for four years. Every teacher they have had has been EXCELLENT, and the administration actively works with parents.
Submitted by other on October 24, 2013

I think this school would be great if kids in the class would be made to stop hitting,and not just brush it off as that's the way he /she is. Why should my child suffer the consequences oh their bad behavior?
Submitted by parent on August 22, 2013

My son completed Kindergarten at Whetstone Elementary and is gearing up to start 1st Grade in just a few days. We were beyond satisfied with his teacher last year. She provided all of the support that he needed in order to thrive, was extremely responsive to our correspondence and genuinely cared about every single student in the class. We are happy and proud to be part of the Whetstone family and look forward to this next year and those that follow!
Submitted by parent on September 21, 2012

I Love this school and My child love this school. I don't have any issues with this school.
Submitted by parent on June 03, 2011

I didn't have space to clarify my comments about the standards based grading and reporting before. This system evaluates students on a scale of 4, 3, 2, 1 instead of the traditional A, B, C, etc. It has been piloted by Montgomery County in some of their elementary schools. As far as I know, Whetstone did not have the choice as to their participation in the pilot program. I think the A-D grading system provides better input for parents as to how their child is doing and how they compare to others.
Submitted by parent on April 26, 2011

There are very caring teachers, but they alone cannot make up for poor administration and unhealthy pressure and obsession over numbers rather than if a child is succeeding or failing. My child had to transfer from Stedwick; I was sad for her to transfer and my experience with this school makes it very apparent my sadness was founded.