Sidwell vs. Mont.Co.Public

[Anonymous]

DD got into Sidwell for K and we're excited, but the 30K tuition is daunting. Would love any opinions about Sidwell versus sending her to Burning Tree/Bradley Hills.

[Anonymous]

Honestly, I think Sidwell is better as they get older. The lower grades are not as hot as people seem to think. We have several friends there. Burning Tree is a fabulous public. If I were you, I would do public and look again in a few years at Sidwell or others. If she got in, I am sure she is bright, personable, etc. She will thrive likely anywhere and will be a good candidate for private down the road, should you choose.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Honestly, I think Sidwell is better as they get older. The lower grades are not as hot as people seem to think. We have several friends there. Burning Tree is a fabulous public. If I were you, I would do public and look again in a few years at Sidwell or others. If she got in, I am sure she is bright, personable, etc. She will thrive likely anywhere and will be a good candidate for private down the road, should you choose.

Not the OP, but thanks for that perspective PP. We're in MoCo as well and were a bit bummed about not getting into Sidwell. Our DC was accepted at another Big 3 about which we felt equally strong, though that probably has a better reputation at the lower grades.

BTW, congratulations OP. GL with your decision.

[Anonymous]

You should take into consideration the social aspects of starting at a school later... if your DC goes to public and then enters a school like Sidwell in 4th/5th/6th grade... he/she will be joining a class of kids that's already been together for 5-7 years. I personally did that myself (entered private in 5th grade), and it was not a cakewalk (not invited to b-day parties first year, etc).

Something to consider.

[Anonymous]

I posted on another thread that I know three families that turned down Sidwell for MoCo publics. These were older kids than yours, however, and all three had been accepted into a MoCo magnet for MS or HS. Magnet acceptance is an iffy thing, however, and even some very bright kids don't get in. If you live in Bethesda, however, your local MS and HS are pretty good too.

[Anonymous]

I really think that there is something odd about Sidwell's lower school, WRT academics. It has been discussed on other threads. I would not hesitate to use the public schools.

[Anonymous]

You should take into consideration the social aspects of starting at a school later... if your DC goes to public and then enters a school like Sidwell in 4th/5th/6th grade... he/she will be joining a class of kids that's already been together for 5-7 years. I personally did that myself (entered private in 5th grade), and it was not a cakewalk (not invited to b-day parties first year, etc).

Something to consider.

This can be true, and my post isn't meant to contradict this point.

The compelling counterpoint is burnout, as well as lifer syndrome. There can be a mental toll of attending the same competitive private preK/K-12.

[Anonymous]

I have some personal experience with this as well - entered Sidwell in 9th grade (many years ago). It was actually no problem as it was/is an expansion year and there were 15-20 new kids entering with me. And due perhaps to the lifer syndrome the Sidwell lifers were thrilled to have new blood. From what i know of current families the same is still true. So if you are entering in an expansion year I wouldn't worry about it too much.

As to the $30k tuition - keep in mind that tuition increases generally outpace inflation - my DDs tuition (not at Sidwell) basically doubled from PK to 8th grade. Her high school tuition (different school at a somewhat higher scale) is more than 3 times what her prek tuition was.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have some personal experience with this as well - entered Sidwell in 9th grade (many years ago). It was actually no problem as it was/is an expansion year and there were 15-20 new kids entering with me. And due perhaps to the lifer syndrome the Sidwell lifers were thrilled to have new blood. From what i know of current families the same is still true. So if you are entering in an expansion year I wouldn't worry about it too much.

As to the $30k tuition - keep in mind that tuition increases generally outpace inflation - my DDs tuition (not at Sidwell) basically doubled from PK to 8th grade. Her high school tuition (different school at a somewhat higher scale) is more than 3 times what her prek tuition was.

Thanks for the info above. Talking about your 9th grade experience helps me with a complication decision we are trying to make for my DD.

[Anonymous]

Not a pp on this, but I would add that there is both something special about being with kids for all of school, but the burnout factor is, can be very high.

MoCo schools are great, but Sidwell is great too. You have good options.

[Anonymous]

Our son was in MCPS through 6th grade, then entered Sidwell in 7th (an expansion year, but with slightly fewer entering students than in 9th). He had a great experience at his MCPS ES and is doing well at Sidwell both academically and socially -- he's now in the upper school. Our daughter is at the same MCPS ES now and is happy, learning every day and generally having the same great experience her brother had.

The major pros of going public for ES: 1) MCPS prepares kids well in the 3Rs; 2) in our experience MCPS teachers are excellent, devoted professionals -- can't say enough good things about them; 3) your kids will make friends in the n-hood, allowing them much more independence at an earlier age than kids in independent schools usually have b/c parents have to schedule and chauffeur them to playdates; and 4) even in affluent areas, most MCPS parents tend to be less ostentatious about their affluence than many independent school parents. (I know I'll get flamed for this, but please note the "most" and "many" qualifiers -- these are not absolutes.)

Cons of MCPS: 1) due to standardized testing MCPS curriculum barely includes science and history; 2) your child will have to deal with the challenge of entering a new school and making new friends at middle or upper school. This is not an insurmountable challenge that will leave your child scarred for life. Most kids who enter in middle school are just fine after the first year. If you enter in 9th, it's usually easier b/c the kids' social skills are more advanced and they're really interested in broadening their social circles. Keep in mind, too, that middle school is a time of social upheaval for many kids, so your child will be facing social challenges of this kind regardless of whether you go public k-12 or private k-12.

HTP; GL with your decision.