non-religious private schools

[Anonymous]

I really am puzzled to what "impressed" means for PK3 and PK4, at those ages the focus should be on play based learning. When comparing HT to other schools in the same price range I would say it fares well. If you are deciding between HT and a $30K+ plus independent than I would expect it to less of a "wow" factor than the larger independent schools. I do agree that the PG privates are a step up from public school but the cost for them is relatively low to expect a ton of bells and whistles. I have talked to parents from HT, St Pius, and other schools and you will always get a mixed bag of reviews. No school is perfect.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I really am puzzled to what "impressed" means for PK3 and PK4, at those ages the focus should be on play based learning. When comparing HT to other schools in the same price range I would say it fares well. If you are deciding between HT and a $30K+ plus independent than I would expect it to less of a "wow" factor than the larger independent schools. I do agree that the PG privates are a step up from public school but the cost for them is relatively low to expect a ton of bells and whistles. I have talked to parents from HT, St Pius, and other schools and you will always get a mixed bag of reviews. No school is perfect.

Impressed as in the schools as a whole. When a parent asks about curriculum, we don’t want to hear about which country execs children attends. I could care less. Also, it’s should be play based but meanwhile they do a whole hour assessment for a 4 year old at HT like they’re Sidwell Friends or something but ok.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I called Excellence 2 times last year for a tour and never received anything from them, not a call, not an email...NOTHING!

Me too! Wow. This was so upsetting. I really wanted to like it, and I could not even get a call back? Red flag.
Agree re: early grades - dark basement feel. Did not like that

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I really am puzzled to what "impressed" means for PK3 and PK4, at those ages the focus should be on play based learning. When comparing HT to other schools in the same price range I would say it fares well. If you are deciding between HT and a $30K+ plus independent than I would expect it to less of a "wow" factor than the larger independent schools. I do agree that the PG privates are a step up from public school but the cost for them is relatively low to expect a ton of bells and whistles. I have talked to parents from HT, St Pius, and other schools and you will always get a mixed bag of reviews. No school is perfect.

Impressed as in the schools as a whole. When a parent asks about curriculum, we don’t want to hear about which country execs children attends. I could care less. Also, it’s should be play based but meanwhile they do a whole hour assessment for a 4 year old at HT like they’re Sidwell Friends or something but ok.

+1 it was unimpressive all around. Neither teacher nor administrator could speak with any specifics about the school's ECE philosophy. It did not strike me as play based at all. The teacher mentioned doing a letter of the week in alphabetical order. Not developmentally appropriate or sound early literacy instruction. There is a reason the enrollment is declining every year.

[Anonymous]

FYI to all who’s looking for private school options, although faith-based, I’ve heard nothing but great things about Grace Christian School in Bowie. Once all of this madness slows down and schools reopen, we will plan on taking a tour. I’ve scoured their website, spoken with parents of current and former students, and read several reviews along with message boards.