| Date | Who | Comments |
| 7/19/2012 | parent | Our son attended Lafayette from K-4. He received the best marks possible each year. DCPS tests these kids to death and our son consistently scored at the top of his class. Unfortunately, we had an unpleasant wake up call when we moved to Md and he began grade 5 in Montgomery Co. His new teachers reported that he was very behind his new classmates. We noticed that he was struggling. We were so surprised because according to DCPS, he was at a 7th grade level in reading and 6th grade level in math. We assumed that he'd be placed in the gifted and talented class in Mo.Co. Apparently, DC standards are very low compared to most US school systems. A very tough break for a kid who was accustomed to being one of the smartest in his class. His confidence was shattered. I guess Lafayette and a few other NW schools may be the creme of the crop in DC, but in a school system that is consistenly rated one of the worst in the country, what does it mean to be one of the best in the city? Google DCPS ranking/ ratings. You'll find a plethora of information about DCPS being the worst school system in the COUNTRY. We saw what we wanted to see at the expense of our kid. |
| 7/15/2012 | parent | Reading these comments, you might wonder why there is such disparity between the rave reviews of some and the disappointment expressed by many others. My explanation: 1. Lafayette has many talented, motivated, and kind teachers on its staff. If your child is lucky enough to end up with several of these teachers in a row and you don't experience the alternative, you might legitimately wonder what all the fuss is about. Unfortunately, even more of the school's teachers are not strong, and some are downright bad. 2. Parent "leaders" and the principal persist in denying problems and dismissing conflict. For whatever reason, they discourage discussion of opportunities for improvement and marginalize parents who raise issues. As a result, everyone--parents, students, other teachers--knows who the "bad" teachers are, but the principal doesn't do anything about it. 3. Lafayette students perform well on standardized tests due to their socioeconomic advantages, not because of anything the school does. To attribute that success to the school is tempting, but a mistake. |
| 7/9/2012 | parent | Lafayette school is a good public school in DC. Parents are very involved and the school is a center of the neighborhood. Crowding is a problem as it has become very popular in recent years. |
| 6/11/2012 | parent | It is tough to write about our positive experience when reading the angry reviews posted in this forum. I can't imagine that parents would fabricate negative experiences, but similarly, these reviews don't square with the happy kids and generally happy parents I see every day at pickup and drop-off. My head is not in the sand - I've heard the complaints about certain teachers, and even the principal (who seems excellent to me although I've not had any substantial interactions with her). In my opinion, the problems do seem "normal" and in line with the types of problems found at private schools and suburban public schools. If Lafayette is your neighborhood school, it is a fine option. No school is perfect, and this one is certainly not even close. It is definitely a big school, but you can have a small school feel if you are present and involved on a regular basis. I hope that potential parents will give Lafayette a chance, and hang out at Broadbranch Market after drop-off for a few days and chat with current parents to get a feel for the pros and cons. |
| 6/6/2012 | parent | Tough to know how to respond to some of these disgruntled parents without knowing what grade their kids are in, or what the context is for their comments. Both of my kids have excelled at Lafayette. My 2nd grader is at a 5th-6th grade level in Math and Reading. My 5th grader is leaving Lafayette at an 8th grade level in Math, 7th grade in Reading, with amazing experiences in competitive sports, art, music, leadership, and conflict resolution. Of course some teachers are better tha others - that's life. No parent depends solely on their kid's teachers to make sure they learn, and yet I haven't made any herculean efforts with my kids outside of the classroom, and no tutors, etc. Sorry if some kids are faling through the cracks, but the numbers speak for themselves and Lafatte is a top 3 elementary scool in the DCPS and on par with the better public schools in Montgomery County, MD. |
| 5/30/2012 | parent | Abysmal education. Thank goodness this school year is ending soon. Our Child learned very, very little at Lafayette. The entire year was chaos, lack of communication, poor teaching, absent teachers, minimal homework...a general mess. Most parents in our child's class agree that this year was a total loss for their kids. Nice neighborhood, involved parents but the school has tanked due thanks to a mass of bad or teachers who are "over it" with their profession. There is only so much a parent can do at home afterschool and on weekends to compensate. Now we get to spend our summer scurrying to catch our child up. |
| 4/28/2012 | parent | NOT a good school or investment in your child. If you are a smart parent, go enroll your kid at Janney or something. Lafayette's standards are terrible and dysfunctional. I'm being serious, you will not end up happy at lafayette unless you are VERY lucky with teachers each year. |
| 3/27/2012 | parent | Our children do not fall thru cracks at Lafayette, they fall into sink holes. Unless your child is placed with a competent, caring home base teacher, you can pretty much assume that you, the paren(s) will be your child's primary educator for the year. My best estimate, having been a Lafayette parent for 7+ years, is that 60% of the teachers are decent to great and the other 40% are fair to terrible. These same undesirable teachers return year after year after year with the same below average results. It isn't just the classroom teachers, either; Special Ed and ESL teachers are no better. The children and their educations are not top priorities at Lafayette. The school is terribly over crowded. Lafayette is made to accommodate roughly 500 students but there at over 700 in attendance. The fire code sign about capacity in the cafeterioum (the cafeteria & auditorium are one shared space) is ignored as it is over capacity on a daily basis. If it we're for the parents, their "voluntary" contributions and parents association, Lafayette would be considerably worse. There s a lot of shame to go around at Lafayette. |
| 3/25/2012 | parent | It breaks our hearts to admit this but Lafayette has truly declined in the past 5 years. The main topic at after school pick up amongst the many parents is the very poor quality of teachers and pitiful principal leadership. Each grade has 4 teachers divided amongst about 100 children. Generally there are 2 good teachers for each grade and two horrible teachers. It is luck of the draw each fall when kids are assigned to a teacher. The bad teachers never leave and are not fired, regardless of how poor their students perform. When any of my children have been placed with the underperforming teachers, my wife and I spend the entire school year teaching our kids the basic material they should have learned during the school day. It is a huge burden but we can't let our kids slip behind. We often wonder why we pay such high taxes in this neighborhood- for what! Every Lafayette family we know is fortunate to have one stay at home parent or tutors. Without that luxury, Lafayette test scores would be considerably lower. This year, Our son and his classmates joke that there teacher is the dead guy from "Weekend at Bernie's"- physically present- mentally absent. |
| 2/26/2012 | parent | My husband and I are very involved in our kids education. I have the luxury to be with our kids each day after school. Our kids get undivided attention during homework time. . Without this daily help, our kids, both who have tested as above as above average IQ, would slip thru the LARGE cracks at Lafayette. More often than not, my kids struggle with their homework because they did not learn the lesson during class time. Ultimately, I end up teaching the concepts/skills necessary for them to do well. 50 of Lafayette teachers are wonderful. The other 50% are an absolute disgrace. These lousy teachers do the absolute minimum required, which Involves barely showing up. Lafayette had gone downhill in all aspects over the last 8 years. It is over crowed, the principal is ineffective, she puts band aides over catastrophe discipline issues and turns a blind eye to some clearly horrid teachers. This year, there have been some very serious discipline problems at Lafayette. Not general elementary school problems but Senior High school level problems. Many issues get brushed under the carpet and there is quite a bit of CYA going on at Lafayette. |
| 2/14/2012 | parent | The strength of Lafayette continues to be the quality of the parents who choose to send their kids there. We all know that can comprise 50% of the equation for a good education. To pay $15,000-$35,000 for an uncertain marginal benefit that a DC private or parochial school might offer over a quality public elementary school like Lafayette is nice for the uber-wealthy, but not anyone else. To the parent who claims 50% of Lafayette kids have paid tutors after school, that is a gross exaggeration. It's probably 5-10% if that. The school is crowded, and like any school, there are very good teachers and some who are not so good. But my 2nd grader has been there for 3 1/2 years and is at a 5th-6th grade level in both math and reading. If you are an active parent, your child can flourish at Lafayette, and you'll have plenty of money to spend on tutors, activities, and summer camps to further their education if you want, and still come out way ahead financially. |
| 11/19/2011 | parent | I have had three children attending Lafayette. My fifth grader had a terrible year last year. The class was unruly and they were all punished " sitting heads down" all the time even though the offenders were always the same. Ubelievable. My second grader was in a class with 27 kids last year. Every Friday my child brought her math book home and we went over what she should have learned in school. The teacher didn't have time for all of them. Third grade is great, as always. HSA is great, parent involvment great, lots of activities after and before school. The open classrooms are not a good learning environment. My older kids are now in private school and there is a huge difference. more focused students and no need to punish them. |
| 8/28/2011 | parent | This site states, under test scores and stats that there is 1 full time teacher per 14 children at Lafayette Elementary. That stat is not correct. My child is in a class with 1 full-time teacher and 25 kids. No aide, nothing. Worse than that my child's class is shoved in a windowless, poorly vented corner of the building with no walls. The hall next to my child's "classroom" is a well traveled corridor, so the children are constantly distracted. Luckily, we were assigned to one of the good teachers this year- luck of draw. With over 700 kids under the age of 11 in the building, my kid feels like a sardine. Also, keep in mind that Lafayette's better than average test scores may be explained by the fact that at least 50% of the children have private tutors after school which are paid for by parents. That considered, means that Lafayette on it's own isn't as good as it used to be. |
| 8/24/2011 | parent | For the 2011-2012 academic year, Lafayette has over 700 children enrolled in up to grade 5. Classes have up to 26 children and only 1 teacher to control the class in open classrooms, no walls. Even the smartest, most focused elementary school kids will be a easily distracted. Lafayette is too small and can't adequately accommodate 700+ kids. Yet another DCPS that bites the dust. Too bad. After a less than positive year at Lafayette, we enrolled our child in a private school where she is in a class of 19 children and 2 Full Time teachers, dedicated to her and her 18 classmates all day, everyday. |
| 3/15/2011 | parent | We have two daughters in this school (one in Pre-K and the other in 4th grade) and they love it there. Every teacher they have had were great as is the principal, assistant principal and staff (from front office all the way to custodial staff). Everyone pitches in at this school. The HSA keeps finding committed parents who work to keep the school great. Keep up the great work Ms. Main! |
| 8/18/2010 | parent | Lafayette WAS a good school until focus and funds shifted from grades 1- 6 to pre K and Kindergarden. So much money is alloyed for pre K and K that Lafayette has not had a grade 6 for a couple years an children in grades 2-5 are jammed into open air spaces divided by cubicle partions. The principal, Ms. Main is great for the average student but she does not handle conflict well. It is sad to see what was a great school turn into your average, less than desirable DCPS. Too bad for the parents who attempt to make Lafayette a good experience for heir kids. ps each grade has approx 4 classroom teachers. 2 out of 4 are great and the other 2 leave much to be desired. You never know if your child will get a competent teacher or not...it is a roll of the dice. |
| 5/13/2010 | parent | Lafayette Elementary's location has a lot to do with its so called reputation. For one any problems in the school are never handeld they are pushed aside. The principal hates confrontation with anyone so never deals with problems. And although some students are taught a peace class it does not reflect on how some of the students treat each other and adults in the school. The HSA is great parent organization and is basically what holds the school together. |
| 6/14/2009 | parent | I just wanted to offer a counter to the 'bad school for smart kids' statement. I have a very bright girl who has found the school challenging and motivating. Thanks to the regular particpation of parents in supporting 'writing workshops' my daughter has blossomed into a profilic young writer. She also excels at math and science, and has developed a passion for history. There are a few duds in the teaching pool, but most of them are dedicated to the school and the kids. The school also makes a real effort to discourage exlusivity - cliques, clubs and so on, and, of course, bullying. The fourth graders also have a 'peace' class that teaches them to negotiate conflict through play-acting. In sum, I feel very fortunate to have children in this school. |
| 4/4/2009 | parent | This school was so bad for smart kids. Nothing was challenging. |
| 9/10/2008 | parent | Lafayette is a unique learning environment -- ethnically and demographically diverse students, with active parent participation, a no-nonsense but fair principal, and dedicated and caring teachers. |
| 8/7/2008 | parent | I have one son who graduated last year and one who is there now and I just love Lafayette. What a great environment for the kids. |
| 4/21/2008 | parent | We have two kids at 1st and 5th grades. We came from abroad where both our children attended excellent private schools. When we moved to DC we fell in love with the neighborhood and decided to try the DCPS system in spite of all the negative/conflicting information about it. Lafayette has been very good to our children, specially the younger one. Of course there are some bad teachers or difficulties related to funding some activities. Still, the community works together in a friendly and positive environment and accomplishes a lot each year. We had good support for our kids regarding the acquisition of English as a second language. After only 1 year our kids are totally proficient. Ms. Main is always committed to improve the school and is accessible at any time she is in the school. |
| 4/14/2008 | parent | Lafayette has a great positve feeling! Interested Teachers, faculty and staff are helpful, pleasant and communicate well. The Principal, Ms. Main knows her stuff. |
| 4/8/2008 | parent | A wonderful overall experience and environment for the kids. The supplemental Arts and Science Fund (LASF) provides a full-time science teacher and music teacher. The teachers are caring and dedicated. The kids are open to different kids and different cultures. |
| 2/26/2008 | parent | Our child is in his first year at Lafayette, and the teacher is barely adequate. Other teachers in his grade seem very good, but the problem is that when you get the 'bad' one you get no support from the administration. Ms Main, the principal, does not deal well with parents who have issues with the school - even with ample justification. |
| 2/20/2008 | parent | Sorely disappointed with the school and pulled our child out. Quality of teachers is inconsistent. Much of the reputation of the school is a product of hype generated from the parents association which is divorced from the reality of the situation. |
| 2/15/2007 | student | Great school, fun classes, happy students. Simple as that. |
| 3/29/2005 | parent | The school is amazing. It is much more like a private school in quality of teaching and parental involvement, curriculum enhancememts, and extra-curricular options. In the low grades the ratios are close to those in private schools. The only thing that reminds us this is part of the DCPS system are occasional facilities issues like outdated carpet or the need for a fresh coat of paint in the gym. When DCPS fails, the PTA usually takes care of the problem from its own funds. We feel very lucky to be sending our kids to Lafayette. |
| 1/2/2005 | parent | Lafayette by far is one of the best elementary schools in the metropolitan area. The parents are extremely envolved. We have an excellent PTA which pays the salaries of the art and music teachers. Lafayette's scores equal and surpass their counterparts in Montgomery County. The community is strong and diverse, with many of the most well educated families in the area. Many families are pulling their children from local private schools to become part of the Lafayette community. Our teachers are dedicated and proud to be on staff. The principal Ms. Main is one of the best. A jem. |
