Seven Locks Elementary School

A+++++++++++. Our family is incredibly fortunate to have found SLES. I credit the teachers and staff for helping to mold my amazingly wonderful daughter and preparing her for her MS experience!

Rough time in 2nd grade (poor luck of the draw with teacher assignment), but excellent experience in 3rd. Tammi Hawes is a hardworking, strong educator who supports appropriate differentiation. We like the new principal. He is very present, runs a tight ship, and does not kowtow to parents (appropriately so). Wonderful PTA and enrichment activities, nice parents. Small neighborhood feel and not overcrowded like so many other nearby schools.

Most of the teachers are good. We had a bad 2nd grade experience but the teacher was supposed to be good but not a good match for my daughter who has some learning differences. She didn't want to be bothered.Not impressed with services for kids who learn differently-had to hire outside counsel to get much action but that could partly be the county. Third grade teacher, Michael LeFlore, is excellent. Do what ever you have to do to get him! Principal Carl Bencal was fabulous but moved to a school in Clarksville. New principal is ineffective and disengaged. Shows no emotion and little concern for student well being and progress, does not act on problems including severe bullying, and is "phoning it in and going through the motions until he can retire!" Would love to see smaller class sizes but, again, this is probably mandated by MCPS. PTA is very active and most parents are very nice. I work full time and never felt guilted by the stay at home moms. See lots of dads at activities, including ones that happen during the school day. Since most of the families are doing ok financially the PTA has money to purchase Chromebooks for all of the students, provide additional field trips and playground equipment, and free childcare during back to school night. One advantage is the school is small so most of the kids know each other, at least by sight.The after program, Kids Co, is great! this the fourth year my child has been there and loves it. Very organized and lots of sports activities and clubs. Have dance parties open to the entire school.Mostly a good school, just appalling lack of leadership and concern my new principal, and mediocre fore kids with different needs.

Seven Locks student to teacher ratio is too large. Placing a teacher 's aid in the classroom to support the teachers would make a significant difference. While it is important to address all student skill levels, the kindergarten curriculum does not consider children who may already be reading and whose mathematical skills are above the kindergarten level. I believe that all students deserve to be challenged, cultivated academically and not waste an entire school year. I am starting to see why American schools are rated 17th in the world for education on some reports, because we do not allow our children to reach their full potential.