Sidwell v. NCS - 4th grade

[Anonymous]

DD is in 2nd grade and will be applying to schools next year (for entry in 4th). We live in Cleveland Park right between Sidwell and NCS, so are focused mainly on those schools but will also apply to a few others (and yes, I know Sidwell would be in Bethesda at first). I'm interested in everyone's take on which would be the better fit, particularly in the elementary and middle school years, assuming she could get in. Academically DD should be able to keep up at either school -- she has scored in the 99th percentile in both math and reading on all six standardized tests given in 1st and 2nd grade. She is a voracious reader, is very funny and thoughtful, and really loves history and science. But she is also shy, sensitive, slightly anxious, and young for her grade (June bday), and although she has tried lots of extracurriculars (sports, theater, has played an instrument for two years, etc.), she hasn't found any activities that she loves & in which she has particular talent. In other words, we have no idea what her "thing" will be in high school, so we don't really care which school has better athletic facilities or high school arts offerings -- we're focused almost exclusively on (1) academics and (2) her happiness/becoming a kind and confident person. DH and I don't feel strongly enough about single-sex education to make it the deciding factor, and we're pretty sure she could do well in either environment.

Many of her closest friends go to Beauvoir and will be going to NCS, but we don't think that means it is necessarily the best fit for her. But I'm saying that because when she tours NCS she is going to see lots of friends which might have a big impact her opinion. We don't know a soul at Sidwell. By reputation Sidwell seems like it will have more diversity (race, religion, and socio-economic) and is less likely to have a "mean girls" vibe in her formative middle school years, but I worry about what people say on this board about the lack of teacher/admin support / lassez-faire vibe there. All indications are that DD still needs coddling for a few more years, and DH and I have extremely demanding jobs and need the school to play a very active role. Thanks.

[Anonymous]

*laissez-faire

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DD is in 2nd grade and will be applying to schools next year (for entry in 4th). We live in Cleveland Park right between Sidwell and NCS, so are focused mainly on those schools but will also apply to a few others (and yes, I know Sidwell would be in Bethesda at first). I'm interested in everyone's take on which would be the better fit, particularly in the elementary and middle school years, assuming she could get in. Academically DD should be able to keep up at either school -- she has scored in the 99th percentile in both math and reading on all six standardized tests given in 1st and 2nd grade. She is a voracious reader, is very funny and thoughtful, and really loves history and science. But she is also shy, sensitive, slightly anxious, and young for her grade (June bday), and although she has tried lots of extracurriculars (sports, theater, has played an instrument for two years, etc.), she hasn't found any activities that she loves & in which she has particular talent. In other words, we have no idea what her "thing" will be in high school, so we don't really care which school has better athletic facilities or high school arts offerings -- we're focused almost exclusively on (1) academics and (2) her happiness/becoming a kind and confident person. DH and I don't feel strongly enough about single-sex education to make it the deciding factor, and we're pretty sure she could do well in either environment.

Many of her closest friends go to Beauvoir and will be going to NCS, but we don't think that means it is necessarily the best fit for her. But I'm saying that because when she tours NCS she is going to see lots of friends which might have a big impact her opinion. We don't know a soul at Sidwell. By reputation Sidwell seems like it will have more diversity (race, religion, and socio-economic) and is less likely to have a "mean girls" vibe in her formative middle school years, but I worry about what people say on this board about the lack of teacher/admin support / lassez-faire vibe there. All indications are that DD still needs coddling for a few more years, and DH and I have extremely demanding jobs and need the school to play a very active role. Thanks.

My daughter started NCS in 4th grade coming from Beauvoir and the lower school at NCS is warm and nurturing as you say you are looking for. Very little homework. My daughter really enjoyed her years. It was an easy and nice transition for her.

[Anonymous]

Honestly, I think she’d do well at either and either would do well by her, at least for the first few years. As with any school that goes to 12, if your child enters fairly young, keep an open mind about transferring out for 7th or 9th if the school no longer seems like a good fit as your child develops both as a student and as a person with interests and talents not obvious in K or 2nd or 4th.

[Anonymous]

Both are excellent schools. I'd tour NCS without your child, and if you like it then bring her to the open house and see what she thinks. Not sure of the process at Sidwell, but sure you could do something similar. We liked both schools but felt that the Lower School at NCS seemed like a better fit for our child who thrives on structure. We have friends who felt more comfortable at Sidwell, you just don't know til you go on a tour and info session.

Regarding mean girls -- this can pop up at any school in any grade. It's fair to ask at both schools how they would handle it.

Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DD is in 2nd grade and will be applying to schools next year (for entry in 4th). We live in Cleveland Park right between Sidwell and NCS, so are focused mainly on those schools but will also apply to a few others (and yes, I know Sidwell would be in Bethesda at first). I'm interested in everyone's take on which would be the better fit, particularly in the elementary and middle school years, assuming she could get in. Academically DD should be able to keep up at either school -- she has scored in the 99th percentile in both math and reading on all six standardized tests given in 1st and 2nd grade. She is a voracious reader, is very funny and thoughtful, and really loves history and science. But she is also shy, sensitive, slightly anxious, and young for her grade (June bday), and although she has tried lots of extracurriculars (sports, theater, has played an instrument for two years, etc.), she hasn't found any activities that she loves & in which she has particular talent. In other words, we have no idea what her "thing" will be in high school, so we don't really care which school has better athletic facilities or high school arts offerings -- we're focused almost exclusively on (1) academics and (2) her happiness/becoming a kind and confident person. DH and I don't feel strongly enough about single-sex education to make it the deciding factor, and we're pretty sure she could do well in either environment.

Many of her closest friends go to Beauvoir and will be going to NCS, but we don't think that means it is necessarily the best fit for her. But I'm saying that because when she tours NCS she is going to see lots of friends which might have a big impact her opinion. We don't know a soul at Sidwell. By reputation Sidwell seems like it will have more diversity (race, religion, and socio-economic) and is less likely to have a "mean girls" vibe in her formative middle school years, but I worry about what people say on this board about the lack of teacher/admin support / lassez-faire vibe there. All indications are that DD still needs coddling for a few more years, and DH and I have extremely demanding jobs and need the school to play a very active role. Thanks.

Sidwell lower school has a lot more homework according to friends who have children in both schools just fyi.

[Anonymous]

If you’re in Cleveland park, maybe you should consider Maret too.

[Anonymous]

At NCS we have found the teachers are warm and encouraging. Some are quite strict which was a surprise. We do not find the division head, Becca Jones, warm or welcoming. The girls are fine and any cliques present are due to previous parent social relationships.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DD is in 2nd grade and will be applying to schools next year (for entry in 4th). We live in Cleveland Park right between Sidwell and NCS, so are focused mainly on those schools but will also apply to a few others (and yes, I know Sidwell would be in Bethesda at first). I'm interested in everyone's take on which would be the better fit, particularly in the elementary and middle school years, assuming she could get in. Academically DD should be able to keep up at either school -- she has scored in the 99th percentile in both math and reading on all six standardized tests given in 1st and 2nd grade. She is a voracious reader, is very funny and thoughtful, and really loves history and science. But she is also shy, sensitive, slightly anxious, and young for her grade (June bday), and although she has tried lots of extracurriculars (sports, theater, has played an instrument for two years, etc.), she hasn't found any activities that she loves & in which she has particular talent. In other words, we have no idea what her "thing" will be in high school, so we don't really care which school has better athletic facilities or high school arts offerings -- we're focused almost exclusively on (1) academics and (2) her happiness/becoming a kind and confident person. DH and I don't feel strongly enough about single-sex education to make it the deciding factor, and we're pretty sure she could do well in either environment.

Many of her closest friends go to Beauvoir and will be going to NCS, but we don't think that means it is necessarily the best fit for her. But I'm saying that because when she tours NCS she is going to see lots of friends which might have a big impact her opinion. We don't know a soul at Sidwell. By reputation Sidwell seems like it will have more diversity (race, religion, and socio-economic) and is less likely to have a "mean girls" vibe in her formative middle school years, but I worry about what people say on this board about the lack of teacher/admin support / lassez-faire vibe there. All indications are that DD still needs coddling for a few more years, and DH and I have extremely demanding jobs and need the school to play a very active role. Thanks.

You should also apply to Maret and Aiden Montessori. You can’t count on admission to Sidwell or Beauvoir.

Where does she currently attend school?

[Anonymous]

OP - she’s in DCPS. We are applying for 4th so Beauvoir is not an option, and I’m hesitant to try Aidan since it would guarantee a move again three years. We will look at Maret, but I just know it’s advantageous to have a “first choice” and focus on that / communicate that.

She is happy in public but we would like her to be in private for late elementary and middle school because of the smaller class sizes and hopefully more individualized attention. She has always seemed overlooked / very low priority because she is a strong student and shy - the report cards and teacher conferences are always just, “She’s fine! Look at her test scores.” But those scores are due in part to supplementing we have always done at home. She has two younger brothers and we need to focus on them and can’t keep up the pace with her / would like a school that takes a little of the personalized attention off our shoulders.

Thanks for all the helpful responses.

[Anonymous]

You apply where you can and see where she gets in. If you have choices, then do tours and ask questions.

[Anonymous]

First - you should apply to more schools if you don't want to return to DCPS. Options include St Pats and Nat Pres, (both of these will help with exmissions later) and Maret and GDS if you are leaning k-12.

To your original question - we know a family that moved from NCS to Sidwell because they didn't like the overt culture that focused on material belongings, status, and one-upmanship. I'd argue that Sidwell students have this too but the school itself does try to dampen it in how they operate. They had been at Beauvoir/NCS from PK - moved in 7th. They were happy with the move (but Sidwell is far from perfect).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DD is in 2nd grade and will be applying to schools next year (for entry in 4th). We live in Cleveland Park right between Sidwell and NCS, so are focused mainly on those schools but will also apply to a few others (and yes, I know Sidwell would be in Bethesda at first). I'm interested in everyone's take on which would be the better fit, particularly in the elementary and middle school years, assuming she could get in. Academically DD should be able to keep up at either school -- she has scored in the 99th percentile in both math and reading on all six standardized tests given in 1st and 2nd grade. She is a voracious reader, is very funny and thoughtful, and really loves history and science. But she is also shy, sensitive, slightly anxious, and young for her grade (June bday), and although she has tried lots of extracurriculars (sports, theater, has played an instrument for two years, etc.), she hasn't found any activities that she loves & in which she has particular talent. In other words, we have no idea what her "thing" will be in high school, so we don't really care which school has better athletic facilities or high school arts offerings -- we're focused almost exclusively on (1) academics and (2) her happiness/becoming a kind and confident person. DH and I don't feel strongly enough about single-sex education to make it the deciding factor, and we're pretty sure she could do well in either environment.

Many of her closest friends go to Beauvoir and will be going to NCS, but we don't think that means it is necessarily the best fit for her. But I'm saying that because when she tours NCS she is going to see lots of friends which might have a big impact her opinion. We don't know a soul at Sidwell. By reputation Sidwell seems like it will have more diversity (race, religion, and socio-economic) and is less likely to have a "mean girls" vibe in her formative middle school years, but I worry about what people say on this board about the lack of teacher/admin support / lassez-faire vibe there. All indications are that DD still needs coddling for a few more years, and DH and I have extremely demanding jobs and need the school to play a very active role. Thanks.

Why isn’t GDS on your list? Tenleytown is no more than a 10 minute drive up Wisconsin Ave.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:First - you should apply to more schools if you don't want to return to DCPS. Options include St Pats and Nat Pres, (both of these will help with exmissions later) and Maret and GDS if you are leaning k-12.

To your original question - we know a family that moved from NCS to Sidwell because they didn't like the overt culture that focused on material belongings, status, and one-upmanship. I'd argue that Sidwell students have this too but the school itself does try to dampen it in how they operate. They had been at Beauvoir/NCS from PK - moved in 7th. They were happy with the move (but Sidwell is far from perfect).

So tacky to out this person. Not your story to tell. Very identifying and quite frankly says more about Sidwell parents than anything else. It was not too long ago that Sidwell parents contacted college admissions writing comments against fellow students so there is always that....

[Anonymous]

Longtime BVR/NCS parent here. NCS LS is a great place. We had no issues with the head of LA as someone mentioned above, but I had no reason to interact with her beyond normal interactions. She’s pretty no nonsense and friends who had kids with issues didn’t like that, to be honest. The mean girl issue seems pretty class dependent. My daughter’s class is, for the most part, kind and supportive of each other but other classes may vary. If you know people already (and like them!), I think that’s a positive. We have been very happy w NCS and I think living in the neighborhood is a huge bonus (we don’t live within walking distance but it sure would be nice)!