Fort Smallwood Elementary School

We didn’t have a great experience with our lo in kindergarten at the fort. She was held back in subjects due to other children not being able to advance. Her teacher was often absent even after the unbelievable amount of days the school is closed for “professional development”. Once all schools were closed, the teacher and the school didn’t even try to help our lo stay connected and in the class-they asked us to go pick up paperwork for school at meal drop sites after saying it’s not safe for them to stay open. Happy that we moved to be in a better school for our lo.

After having our second child, my wife and I chose to move to Pasadena from the greater Washington DC region because of the area's family oriented reputation. We could not be more thrilled with that decision and with Fort Smallwood Elementary. We met with Principle Sembly shortly after our oldest child was accepted to the Severn school, to decide whether it would make more sense to enroll her in public or private school. Having attended both a public and private schools myself while growing up, I wanted to keep all options on the table. Upon meeting Principal Sembly, the choice to enroll our oldest at Fort Smallwood was an easy one. His dedication to student academics, along with his passion for educating them was obvious. As a mixed-race couple, we asked him difficult questions about race and the student population, which he answered both frankly and thoughtfully. Moreover, the vision that he discussed with regard to academics and EGATE programs are promises that he has kept and fulfilled. Additionally, we cannot say enough about the teachers and staff at the school. All of the primary and enrichment teachers (e.g. gym, art, etc.) are amazing. It's clear that they truly care about the students and the relationships that our oldest has developed with them is something that we are thankful for.

Our twins have attended this school for the last three years. Year over year we have watched them grow in not only their academics, but also in the friendships they have made with the other students in the community, as well as strong connections with their teachers, assistants, and even their bus drivers. The school is tucked away off of the main road in a wooded neighborhood, and I am comforted knowing they are safe as the school policy enforces strict ID requirements for anyone coming in the building. Throughout the year there are lots of different events that engage parents and families to be a part of the school, such as the Race for Education, Father/Daughter Dance, Muffins with Mom, as well as several holiday parties. I feel that my kids are getting a quality education with access to the latest technology and learning standards. They are safe, happy, and look forward to going to school each day. Highly recommend this school and it’s faculty!

If your child has a disability, this is not the school you want your child to attend. Teachers and administrators are ill-equipped to work with special needs students. Even the special education teacher is poorly equipped and applies incorrect approaches for my child's specific disability. Also, I registered and paid to be part of the PTA yet, it's already mid-November and I have never heard from them.