Arcola Elementary School

1820 Franwall Avenue

Silver Spring, MD 20902

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 July 07, 2023

I have been really happy with my experience at Arcola Elementary. I've been very pleased to see how aware the school is of families' differing economic constraints and the efforts made to ensure all students have access to resources. For example, last year all students received a backpack with school supplies. This ensured that students had the materials they needed for a successful year, without drawing attention to which students had more need than others. I'm also excited to see how the PTA has grown this past year, particularly its impressive fundraising efforts. They were able to fund a lot of great programs and activities that benefited the children's learning. Also important-- the teachers are great! I really appreciate the communication I received from my daughter's teacher. Whenever I reached out with a question, I always received a prompt reply. Finally, I'm thrilled with the great introduction to learning my child received this past year. My child's reading and math skills have improved significantly this past year, and I can't wait to see what she learns in 1st grade.
Submitted by parent on April 23, 2023

The teachers are wonderful. The administration is absolutely awful. Children in a tier 1 school should be held to higher standards than all other schools. When it comes to communication with the parents, and concern over bullying, attendance, and general safety (children unaccounted for/unsupervised), the administration (NOT THE TEACHERS) is grossly unapologetically apathetic.I absolutely have no idea how this school's administrators receive accolades when children test well, but do not hold themselves accountable for the negatives listed above.
Submitted by parent on January 26, 2023

I am so thrilled to see the community response in our ever growing and active PTA. The teachers are all so incredibly passionate, and my children have loved growing and learning at the school. I am grateful that I am able to send my children to a culturally diverse school which has an innovative school year as well as having such a strong focus on mindfulness and personal responsibility.
Submitted by parent on January 20, 2023

Honestly, I was hesitant about Arcola because of their “score” on GreatSchools. I was completely wrong, and now understand how inaccurate it was to base your child’s experience on an arbitrary rating. My child is THRIVING and I’m so appreciative of the Arcola Admin, Teachers, and Staff! Due to COVID lockdowns, my child didn't really have the social and writing skills heading into Kindergarten. However, my child is now writing sentences, has a core group of friends, and I attribute that to my child's teacher and the school's emphasis on parent engagement. Another bright spot is that Arcola’s PTA was reinvigorated this year and it’s nice to see a stronger parent community forming. From the annual FunRun, to book fairs, teacher appreciation breakfasts, and other fun events, it’s amazing how much love the PTA shows to the school and the students. Finally, no school is perfect, so there are some communication challenges and minor administration/operations issues that the school continues working on, but it’s not for the lack of trying. I appreciate the hard work admin, staff, and teachers put in every single day with the resources they have at hand.
Submitted by parent on January 17, 2023

We are very happy at Arcola Elementary School. As a Title 1 school, their grade class sizes are smaller and teachers can actually spend 1:1 time with students that are above or below their learning levels. We have had some incidents with our child that needed to involve the counselor, and we are very happy to hear that their approach is similar to responsive parenting, which I really appreciate. I felt like my kid’s teacher and counselor were respectful of my child. Also, admin is easy to get in touch with, and we felt heard by them! My family and I have grown to love Arcola and have felt the community there.
Submitted by parent on January 12, 2023

We are very happy to be a part of the great Arcola Elementary School family. All the hard work of the teachers and staff can be felt in each and every school activity which translates to a positive atmosphere for the students. My daughter thrives and is doing exceptionally well with the help of her teachers. We love Arcola!
Submitted by parent on January 12, 2023

Arcola fosters a wonderful learning environment and experience for all students that walk through the doors. Communication issues may exist, but it’s not for lack of effort on the part of the administration in my opinion. Classes are smaller than most other schools because of its Title 1 standing which benefits each and every student. Teachers are committed to their students and there are resources available to every student and family in every socioeconomic situation. Bottom line: our family decided to postpone moving out of the area after our first few months at Arcola. Our daughter began Kindergaten there in 2021 and we’re eagerly looking forward to sending our son in 2026.
Submitted by parent on January 10, 2023

Arcola is a good school for students and families, as it does a great job of providing assistance and resources to meet the needs. There is an active PTA that provides support to meet the schools needs, and enrichment opportunities for the children. The schools Title I and innovative status bridge a gap for the community here. The school has around 30 extra days of instruction, while also following the traditional MCPS school calendar. The curriculum can use more work to better utilize the extra school time. Given the needs of the school, there are also staffing and funding challenges, but the school does a great job of ensuring needs are met.
Submitted by parent on January 10, 2023

My daughter enjoys attending Arcola. We had a couple of options but decided on Arcola. The staff, the PTA, the after school programs and the diversity in the school keep us returning. The school tries hard to get to know all the students while providing programs to keep them engaged. Keep up the good work Arcola!
Submitted by parent on August 23, 2022

El personal que atiende a los padres de el colegio arcola son unas señoras muy mal agentes discriminan y se hablan entre ellas en inglés como no lo entiendo aprovechan para mal hablar. Nunca hay quien uno nesecita muy negligentes en cada caso de cada estudiante. Todos o están de vacaciones y la excusa de ellas para su negligencia es falta de personal y mientras los niños en casa sin recibir educación.
Submitted by parent on March 19, 2020

Mis hijos están en esta escuela, pero ahora que he tenido el tipo de investigar más específicamente acerca del nuevo mundo programa innovativo me doy cuenta que nos han estado mintiendo en cuanto a la información que nos han dado del bn porque de este programa, la escuela está muy por debajo del porcentaje que debería tener a oo que va del año y es por eso que le han impuesto este programa , no es para que los niños aprendan nuevas actividades, este año son las únicas dos escuelas , es mentira que iban implementarlo en todas , creo que deberían ser claros e informar con la verdad....
Submitted by parent on September 05, 2019

Our oldest son has been with Arcola for Kindergarten and starting first grade. We enjoy the school resource including the Innovative School Calendar year, which starts 30 days early in July during summer to reduce learning regression during the summer time. And this year, they would be funded to pilot one of the first project-based STEM learning curriculum. As a parent, I feel excited about the school ability to apply novel teaching approach and philosophy. Looking forward to see the impact it will have on our school's children academic and social-emotional development.
Submitted by parent on July 20, 2018

Excellent. We love how the s hook has carnivals and dances and family events throughout the year. The school is a strong inclusive community. Plus FREE summer enrichment programs and FREE after school stem program.
Submitted by parent on July 19, 2018

My son is thriving here at Arcola. We value the diversity of the families, appreciate the friendliness of the administration and faculty, and I'm truly impressed how in such a large school it feels like a community.