Green Acres School

1. Where are you located?
We are in North Bethesda, Maryland near Whit Flint Shopping Center. You can reach us from Old Georgetown Road, Route 355 (Rockville Pike/Wisconsin Avenue), Montrose Road and Tuckerman Lane.

2. What are the hours of your school day?
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday - 8:20 - 3:05; Wednesday - 8:20 - 2:20.

3. Is there bus transportation?
Yes! Click here for more information and stop locations.

4. Do you have an after school/extended day program?
Our Extended Day Program is available to all students until 6:00 pm with a drop in option. While we do not offer before school care, students may arrive as early as 7:50 am and will be supervised until they go to class.

5. What is the average class size?
12 students with one teacher.

6. Do you serve hot lunch?
Currently we offer hot lunch one day a week. We are considering expanding this option next year.

7. What is the Family Open House?
Our Family Campus Open House, Sunday, Oct. 23rd from 1:30-3:30, is a wonderful time to introduce you and your children to Green Acres. Students, current parents, staff and faculty are pleased to show you our classrooms and campus, talk to you about our programs and answer your questions. Join us for the information session at 1:45 followed by self-guided tours and a chance for your children to play on our extensive playgrounds.

8. Could I come to more than one Open House?
Yes! Sometimes it is helpful to come back to visit a second time to focus on another area of the school or to take another look at the grade that interests you most. Also, many parents take advantage of the three Open House formats to get a broader picture of Green Acres: our Sunday Open House, a School Day Open House, and the Wine and Cheese Event. Click here to register.

9. Could I bring my child to School-Day Open Houses?
Although you are welcome to bring your child, school-day open houses are geared toward adults. Touring our campus involves considerable walking and spending time in and out of classrooms. Young children may find it challenging to stay focused for a two hour tour.

10. When are applications due? Does it matter if I get my application in early?
It is important for your application to be received by the January 18th due date. It may be helpful to you to apply in the fall to have more flexibility in scheduling dates for a parent interview and student visit. Click here for more information.

11. What are your age guidelines?
Most Pre-Kindergarten students turn four by September 1 of the year they will be starting school, and most Kindergarten students turn five by that date. For applicants to Grades 1-8, students are admitted to the grade level appropriate for their development.

12. Do you require admission testing?
We do not require standardized admission testing. Thorough and careful staff observations and assessments made while students are working and playing in our own environment (both individually with teachers and as members of their potential class) provide solid information to help determine a good match between your child and Green Acres. You are welcome to submit admission testing if you have had it done, but we do not require you to obtain it. Please find required materials here.

13. How do the PK and K visits work?
Prospective students are scheduled for a visit in small groups with their visiting peers. The visit lasts for approximately two hours. It is a “mini” version of a typical day for Pre-K and K students. They engage in purposeful work and multiple activities with our teachers in a group setting during a structured choice time, group time and a P.E. class. Snack is provided that day. This special screening visit gives us an opportunity to assess our young students through a developmentally appropriate process.

14. How do I schedule the PK or K group visit?
We ask you to hold open both listed dates until close to the deadline. With information about each applicant we can balance the groups based on gender and birthday and make groups comfortable for each child. You will be notified about specific times for your child’s visit by January. During these group visits we request parents to remain on campus.

15. What about visits for applicants to 1st grade?
Students applying to Grade 1 visit for a full day in Kindergarten. They spend time with current students and transition in small and large groups throughout the day. They work on multiple math and literacy based activities with a homeroom teacher and participate in regularly scheduled Special Subject periods. Observations and assessments are made by our teachers during the student visit.

16. Why do the applicants for grades 2-8 visit for 2 days?
Older applicants benefit from a two day visit. Students are naturally apprehensive the first time they visit a new school and by the second day they are much more comfortable being familiar with their student buddies and other classmates, their teachers, and the structure of the program. They can be themselves more easily the second day. Over the two days, teachers have multiple opportunities to work with applicants individually to assess their fit academically and socially as the applicants work and play in our environment as potential members of the rising grade group. The results of this thorough process, together with the parent interview and information parents arrange to send about their children, provide the material we need to determine a successful match.