Facilities in elementry schools
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Anonymous
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Does facility (such as a better maker space) really matter for elementary-level educations? We are particularly interested in NPS and BVR. Anyone could comment on the facilities at these two schools? According to the virtual tours, BVR seems to have a fancier playground, brighter classrooms, and more "modern" activities designed for the children. NPS seems to have a warmer environment and softer religious education. But these impressions could be biased by seeing only pictures...
Thank you in advance! |
Anonymous
| BVR saved us during the pandemic b/c of the space capacity to safely spread out 400 kids. The rooms are ample enough that each class of 10 felt like they were in a classroom even if one had been makeshift into a classroom from an office or in three of the portable classrooms they housed on campus. My DD was not in this particular room but I understand the HOS office even became a classroom for 10, and many of the specialist classrooms (art, science, Spanish) did too. Because specialists taught virtually to mitigate exposure it was the smartest plan and worked well. In a non-pandemic year just stepping into the building makes you feel welcomed and know that your children are safe. The spaces are inviting, building well-kept, green spaces abound, and classroom sizes are double the size of what I find in many other schools. Don't have an NPS perspective so cannot compare. |
Anonymous
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+1 for BVR. I love the parent community at BVR. We also really appreciate that so many classes can use the outdoor space. We have seen such a huge leap in our child's learning this year from last (1st at BVR), and I think all those outdoor and activity breaks really help the little one's focus. I have never set foot in either school so cant speak to how indoor spaces might be better at one compared to the other. I really couldn't be more impressed with the Principal Cindi Gibbs Wilborn who is outside many if not most mornings at drop off, participates in Chapel, and really sets a positive warm tone for the community. I think it is tough on the outside looking in understanding the religious aspect but we have found chapel really inclusive of multiple faiths and traditions and very geared to small children with signing and spelling key portions of songs. We really worried there would learn a bunch of dour church songs in music before starting but have found it to be very joyous and heartwarming.
Principal Gibbs Wilborn in action during Covid: https://vimeo.com/event/35376/videos/41082300 Thanksgiving Chapel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9-KR9FmrHDE |
Anonymous
| NPS parent here who chose NPS over BVR. BVR has the nicer facilities but there was something we liked more about NPS especially after chatting with the teachers and speaking to current parents. |
Anonymous
| Facilities do matter. When my DC were in PK and K they were in a school with 2 toilets in each bathroom. Coed. They hated it and refused to go to the bathroom as in the other toilet there could be a boy, or a girl. The toilets had a small divider but no door. This was WIS. |
Anonymous
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Another very happy bvr family. The facilities are without peer, and they matter to the kids, who can't get enough of the playground, olmstead woods, three courtyard, the art room with sky lights, the light-filled library with a crow's nest....
To echo a previous poster, Cindi is fantastic, and the community is very warm. |
Anonymous
| Our child was accepted to both Beauvoir and NPS for pre k. We chose NPS due to the clarity we had on their academic approach, an appreciation for the traditional manner of teaching, and the culture and warmth of the community that we experienced after speaking to current families. Both schools are excellent and I do think Beauvoir has “fancier” facilities, but we were drawn to NPS foe the reasons mentioned above and have been extremely pleased with our experience so far. Our child loves school and is thriving! |
Anonymous
| A “feel good” everyday space matters more than a maker space. Maker spaces are over-rated at the elementary level. As long as the kids get some kind of art/science/building/ hands-on construction activities it’s enough. If those projects are embedded in curriculum even better. No comment on BVR vs NPS. |
Anonymous
| Echo echo BVR HOS. She is so approachable and leads with the kids coming first. |
Anonymous
| Teachers and staff are far more important than facilities. |
Anonymous
Luckily the teachers and staff at bvr are wonderful |
Anonymous
Beauvoir is kid Heaven. Our DC had to miss a single day in 1st grade due to mild fever and cried so hard about having to be picked up early |
Anonymous
| Oh stop it |