Shipley's Choice Elementary School

310 Governor Stone Parkway

School District

Anne Arundel County Public Schools
Grade

K-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:15
Type

public

School Map for Anne Arundel 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 07, 2024

Run if you have a special needs child. The school can’t accommodate.
Submitted by parent on October 04, 2024

There are some fantastic teachers here. But there used to be many more. Many have left since COVID and things have not been the same (though I’m sure that’s the story everywhere). We had two teachers in particular that were awful: kids in an extremely hurtful and unprofessional manner, and they are still there years later. But the real warning I have to give is the fact that this is an extremely clique-y environment; that permeates from the parents down to the kids. This really becomes evident in the later years of the school experience. If your kid is the preppy/sporty type you should be fine, but I would seriously reconsider if your kid is anything else.
Submitted by parent on August 29, 2023

It was such a negative first impression I’m writing a review for the office staff only. We were buzzed in from outside and told to wait in the lobby. Ten minutes later, a staff member stuck her head out of the office door to tell us they will call us when the teacher is ready. They were entirely unwelcome. Not a single one of the 4 staff members in the office smiled at us, welcomed us, or even looked at my two young girls. I was asked for my ID without a hello and instructed where to go for the parent teacher conference and left to find our way alone. I was disgusted by them. Fortunately, the teacher left the BEST impression possible and it’s only because of her that I feel comfortable sending my little 4 year old to this school.
Submitted by parent on November 14, 2022

My experience has been a mixed bag. Some teachers have been incredible! The experience truly is evident in their teaching style.I would say that I have had quite a few teachers with less than 3 years of experience mixed in. Mr. Luettgen, Mrs. Wright and the retired Mrs. Queen are some of the best teachers.Certain grade levels had more like a 20:1 ratio vs the lower grade levels 15:1. When you get a phenomenal teacher it doesn't matter as much, but the county as a whole has taken a hit on staff availability.Diversity is few and far in between (students as well as the teachers). I will saywhat bullying and issues I have encountered were infrequent. A couple of students on occasion would get away withphysical actions on a verbal warning.Overall the school does promote unity & shows commitment and the overall faculty is great.I love the programs they offer and appreciate how active the parents are in regular opportunities that better the school.They also have a very active school counselor that will speak to the classrooms on a consistent basis to promote kindness and general appropriate behavior.
Submitted by parent on November 09, 2021

I can't speak to what the school was like in some of the older reviews I've seen here, but Shipley's Choice Elementary is a fantastic school with amazing teachers. My kids have enjoyed their time here and made lots of new friends along the way. There is an active PTO that hosts lots of events for all ages, and the administration is very attentive to the needs of students and parents. Admittedly, there is not a lot of diversity at this school, but one can hardly blame the school itself for that fact - it's in line with the greater Severna Park area. My one area of concern would be regarding bullying. I have personally seen children singled out by their peers, and no meaningful correction has been evident by the school. We are on our way out, but I highly recommend this school and neighborhood to anyone looking for a change.
Submitted by parent on June 03, 2021

Having put 4 kids through I have to say it’s just ok. There are a few great teachers, thank goodness. The stars are for them. Obviously, reflective of the area, it lacks diversity of any kind. Racial, economic, religious etc. This is a very cliquey neighborhood the competition between parents is real and unpleasant. It appears that a lot of them view their children more as commodities or accessories to a lifestyle than as people. If you aren't one of the select (not sure how one achieves that status), you never get picked to chaperone. They insist it’s fair but trust me, it is not. The principal is very rigid and not approachable. The front deskstaff is horridly unwelcoming and just plain rude making visiting the school so incredibly awful that I avoided it as much as possible.
Submitted by parent on September 10, 2020

From the administration to the teachers down to the PTO volunteers, SCES has been an overwhelmingly positive experience for our two kids (and family as a whole). We moved to the neighborhood sight unseen, and having a school that serves the immediate neighborhood seems to bring everyone closer together.
Submitted by parent on January 31, 2018

Excellent. The parents are more involved than in any other community I’ve seen, and the school demonstrates that they care for each individual child.
Submitted by parent on October 20, 2017

This school is an utter delight. I'm so glad my kids were able to go there. The makerspace program for 4th and 5th graders is AMAZING.
Submitted by parent on September 16, 2017

Great. We love the school and staff.
Submitted by parent on April 23, 2017

My daughter attended Kindergarten at Shipley's Choice Elementary for the 2015-2016 school year. Bottom line: you get an amazing private school experience for a public school price. My daughter had Ms. G for her teacher and loved her. Ms. G is a fantastic teacher who knows how to inspire children. She definitely helped my little girl transition into a school environment and learn so much. The Shipley's Choice neighborhood is a close-knit group, since so many of the locals have grown up and stayed here. As a newcomer to the neighborhood in 2015, we didn't have the instant friends everyone else had, but the neighbors are friendly and my daughter ended up making plenty of friends and went to more than her fair share of birthday parties.I know my daughter is going to love her time next year in 1st grade!
Submitted by other on June 22, 2015

My family will be new to this school, from out of state. When I made initial contact, the voice on the other end of the phone was short, disinterested, and not very helpful. I haven't yet called back, I already feel unwelcome.
Submitted by parent on September 16, 2013

We weren't happy there. Very cliquey and if you don't fit in, you don't fit in and are basically excuded from a lot of social events. Kids learn from their parents and our son had a miserable time as he got older when his old friends decided they didn't like him anymore. We have encountered rudeness (from parents and children), exclusion, fakeness (when they want $$ for PTA, etc.). I tried to get involved and interacting with some of the parents made me feel like I was back in high school again. The worst part about it is, you can't just ignore all of this. The community is so intertwined you can't ignore when you aren't invited to parent hosted social gatherings or if your child isn't invited to a birthday party. We moved into another district and are much happier. If you are into cliques and are accepted you will probably be happy here. Otherwise be prepared to go thru high school again.
Submitted by parent on August 12, 2013

It is a decent school. No diversity. Parent involvement is over the top and not in a good way. Very cliquey. Wasn't a good fit for us but others love it. We moved and are happy with our current choice.
Submitted by parent on July 21, 2013

Our son just finished Kindergarten at SCES, and we could not have been more pleased with his introduction to public schooling. The teachers and staff at SCES are wonderful, and the varied programs that are available for after school enrichment were a pleasant surprise. Our family is looking forward to many more enjoyable years as part of the Shipley's family!