Ranking privates academic rigor

[Anonymous]

Go to niche and read reviews. There multiple threads already. https://www.niche.com/k12/search/best-private-k12-schools/m/washington-dc-metro-area/

[Anonymous]

All the schools are very comparable. Apply in all of them hopefully you get into one. They are all about $50k price tag. You may even need standby tutors to survive. The admission is very tough like you are applying to Harvard or Ivy league school. The one you get into will be your big 3. I applied to 21schools for my straight A son. We got into just 3. These schools may receive 40 applications for 3 slots. So don't raise your expectations. All of them are good this DMV. I hope you are full pay too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:All the schools are very comparable. Apply in all of them hopefully you get into one. They are all about $50k price tag. You may even need standby tutors to survive. The admission is very tough like you are applying to Harvard or Ivy league school. The one you get into will be your big 3. I applied to 21schools for my straight A son. We got into just 3. These schools may receive 40 applications for 3 slots. So don't raise your expectations. All of them are good this DMV. I hope you are full pay too.

Are there even 21 schools that one might reasonably apply to? That's bonkers.

Part of the issue here is that people on DCUM have trouble distinguishing quality, rigor and amount of work assigned. Quality (and depth of study) should be the key factor. It is possible to teach a subject to mastery without busy work and to work a deep and rigorous manner without grinding down the child. I'd look very critically (and did for our child) at the following from an academic perspective:
* What classes are required and offered and what are the prerequisites? Is the order sound?
* What is the philosophy around homework, testing, class discussion, project work, writing and grading?
* How many hours of homework are assigned per class per week?
* How long is each class session and how many days per week does each class meet?
* How is the academic year cut?
* What supports are available?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:All the schools are very comparable. Apply in all of them hopefully you get into one. They are all about $50k price tag. You may even need standby tutors to survive. The admission is very tough like you are applying to Harvard or Ivy league school. The one you get into will be your big 3. I applied to 21schools for my straight A son. We got into just 3. These schools may receive 40 applications for 3 slots. So don't raise your expectations. All of them are good this DMV. I hope you are full pay too.

Are there even 21 schools that one might reasonably apply to? That's bonkers.

Part of the issue here is that people on DCUM have trouble distinguishing quality, rigor and amount of work assigned. Quality (and depth of study) should be the key factor. It is possible to teach a subject to mastery without busy work and to work a deep and rigorous manner without grinding down the child. I'd look very critically (and did for our child) at the following from an academic perspective:
* What classes are required and offered and what are the prerequisites? Is the order sound?
* What is the philosophy around homework, testing, class discussion, project work, writing and grading?
* How many hours of homework are assigned per class per week?
* How long is each class session and how many days per week does each class meet?
* How is the academic year cut?
* What supports are available?

Also people just have to know their kids. Some kids really need a “rigorous” environment to thrive. Other kids may need a calmer, more nurturing environment, maybe some additional supports. Fit is important. Sounds like OP is looking for a more academically rigorous experience for her kid. If this is indeed the right fit, then the clear answer would be Sidwell, GDS, and the usual schools people are posting about here.