Friends Community School in College Park?

[Anonymous]

I did a search but there was nothing recent. Anyone with info and recent experience with this school?

Thanks!

[Anonymous]

I don't have any first-hand info, but good friends have had kids there for several years, and they really like it a lot. I've visited the school a few times for their kids' events, and it seems like a great place. There's also this old thread: http://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/35562.page#232761

[Anonymous]

It's great, but expensive...though probably less so than some other private schools.

Son got in, but we couldn't afford it even with the financial aid, which tops out at 50% of tuition. Friends of ours attend. I hear really good things.

[Anonymous]

OP here, thanks PP. I meant to post this in the Private School forum, oops! Thanks for responding.

PP how much is the tuition? It is not on the website (annoying) althoigh I have heard it is in the $12K range.

I am exploring options for my older DD who is very bright but emotionally behind her peers and struggles a bit in our public school. She would be a 4th grader next year. I am not interested in any of the high powered privates, I am looking for a sweet, gentle school environment that will allow her to blossom emotionally, but does not make me not afford my mortgage.

[Anonymous]

I'd have to look and see if I still have the paperwork. I'll check this week. They are really nice folks and definitely fit the description of what you're looking for. They even said they'd keep our paperwork on file if we were able to reconsider in the future.

[Anonymous]

I'd have to look and see if I still have the paperwork. I'll check this week. They are really nice folks and definitely fit the description of what you're looking for. They even said they'd keep our paperwork on file if we were able to reconsider in the future.

[Anonymous]

Thanks PP. If you can find the info, I'd appreciate it.

[Anonymous]

I have friends who have a child in K there and they like it. Tuition is around $14,000, I think. Also check out Grace Episcopal Day School in Kensington. It costs a bit more (about $18K) but is more diverse and it sounds like what you are looking for. Very warm and nurturing.

[Anonymous]

Thanks PP. The Friends School is actually very close to my work which is why I am considering it. We live in Virginia, but I work in College Park.

[Anonymous]

10:50 here. I can't find it. But you can ask for information from them and they'll send it to you.

[Anonymous]

we have two kids at fcs and love it, they are in the middle and upper grades. the tuition is around $15,000 depending on the grade. It's actually one of the least expensive private schools in the area, other than parochial schools. If you're looking for small class size, nurturing environment, a place where learning is fun and kids come home happy and want to go to school the next day..try FCS.

[Anonymous]

OP here, thanks PP!

I am curious about homework load. This is really the bane of our existence right now. If we moved to FCS, DD would have to commute with me which would limit her homework time.

Also, I have been reading the on-line newsletters and I am worried that since we live in VA that we would not really feel a part of the community (due to the distance). She would be in the before and after care though, so I suppose that could help. But evening activities would be hard for us to attend.

[Anonymous]

We live in DC and the kids spend some time commuting as well. They go to xday on some days though and that does help to feel a part of things. There are some afterschool/evening things but I really haven't felt like it's a problem. You can do much on the weekends if you want to get to know folks...fall fair, etc.. there are some midweek things like the camping trips and field trips. We take turns taking a day off to do those...it helps to get to know folks that way. This is only our second year and we love it.

[Anonymous]

oh and homework is not a big issue at all, particularly in the 3/4 grades. As they get older there is more, but nothing compared to what I've seen at other schools.

[Anonymous]

Why don't you try the MD public schools forum? That's where this thread really belongs.