Great private schools that aren't hard to get into

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:NP here, and new to DCUM for this site to attract some of the most educated women around I have found it to attract some of the meanest too. Can't we all just get along? As soon as someone says something everyone goes into attack attack alley cat mode. Good lord what did college teach you just book knowledge? How about how to be a nicer person because you've been exposed to so many things? How to give and accept advice? I thought this site was about information sharing. Why cut each other up? If your child got into one of the Big 3 good for you, can you share advice on what I can do to help mine get in? Is it all about test scores? Should I help my child learn to interview better, who knows? Should I buy this book or that? I work around some really smart people and it's expected that the there would be cut throat folks in the workplace but not as many in the virtual friendship world. I really don't like it.

I'd have to bet it it wasn't anonymous half of the things said wouldn't be said.

The purpose of this thread is to shed light on schools that are more welcoming and inclusive, not to give advice on how to obtain admittance to the "big 3". I suggest you search other threads for the info you are seeking.

I'm not looking for one and you missed my whole point. I'm happy with the private school my 2nd grader attends. Once again, thanks for being so NICE and read it again.

[Anonymous]

In an attempt to get back to the real purpose of this thread...... both Browne and Burgundy still have openings available for this year. Both fairly laid back and inclusive schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:In an attempt to get back to the real purpose of this thread...... both Browne and Burgundy still have openings available for this year. Both fairly laid back and inclusive schools.

Depends on the grade level though; some are full with wait lists. If you're new in town, they are worth checking.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:St. Pat's is a good school and not competitive to get into. I know at least a dozen families that applied there this year and another 10 or so that applied last year that all got accepted.

St Pats can be very difficult to get into although it depends on several factors. They do seem to draw a large group from the immediate area (perhaps that explains the 10 families?) and they do seem to admit a certain "type" but one could be fairly certain in stating there are many more applications than acceptances. I think they would give you the numbers from the past 5 years, as any school would, if you called. One reason it can be very competitive is that it apparently has high numbers of sib applicants each year which speaks well of how pleased its current families are with the program. It doesnt really belong on this list, especially not in the last few years. Its an interesting school and seems to have a very knowledgable and articulate head who is taking it rapidly upward academically. Its probably a school to watch especially as its suppossed to be adding a highschool fairly soon.

I also don't think WIS belongs on this list. It too seems to pick a specific "type" and draw large numbers from a select demographic so saying you know X number of familes offered slots doesnt accurately characterize the competitiveness. Besides, WIS has several very "well known" families who certainly could have been admitted where ever they choose. There is a reason they would choose WIS - bilingualism is very important to the international set. In NW Washington circles, both WIS and St Pats are highly regarded and considered very good and competitive schools. They are not as competitive as Sidwell or the Ccathedral schools, etc... certainly, but in some groups they are equally desired.

[Anonymous]

I know I'm bumping an old thread, but I just found it and had to say THANK YOU. This is exactly what I was looking for.

If anyone has any additional thoughts of schools in NVA (I'm on the 95 corridor), I'd love to hear them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: I do wonder where people's breakpoints are for private school, and why, and how much variation there is. A few private schools seem worth it to me, but most don't.

During this period of No Child Left Behind and the Obama/Duncan educational initiatives, one of the most compelling reasons for opting for private school is an enriched curriculum. Unfortunately, at the elementary and middle school levels, DCPS schools, even those located in the most affluent neighborhoods, offer an incredibly weak curriculum. Compared to the curriculum of many private schools, what DCPS offers is anemic, repetitive, skills-heavy, and lacking in content and integration, especially in the areas of science, history, geography, and literature.

Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but I want to know what qualifies you to make such a broad sweeping generalization? This has not been our experience at all.

I have a child that attended DCPS elementary and middle schools. I'm a DCPS teacher. I've taught in several schools in different parts of the city. It's the same curriculum in every school I've taught. The NCLB mandates further degrade what is offered in DCPS.

But I'm interested in what your experience has been.

[Anonymous]

I just want to make a pitch for the McLean School in Potomac. My son is extremely intelligent (taught himself to read when he was 3) but really needed more attention and structure than most schools, private or public, provide. McLean has been fantastic -- tons of attention (there were 10 kids in his 3rd grade class and two experienced teachers) and really caring and nurturing atmosphere. The kids are good to each other. Somewhere along the line McLean got a rep for being a special ed school, which it isn't (it is a completely mainstream school, but good with kids who have mild learning issues), or for having kids with behavior issues (which are NOT tolerated -- McLean is stricter than any school I know). As a result, people overlook this gem, but I know that I and the other parents there feel it is a truly special place.