Ascending v. Descending? Or just stuck?

[Anonymous]

My kids are six years apart. So doing search all over again (first child in a single sex school and second is different gender). Even just in 6 years, it seems like the reputation, vibe, and even physical plant has changed at most schools. But others seem forever stuck (looking at you, Maret). I don't want to slant the discussion with my own views, although Maret does seem like a time capsule from the 90s, with indoor athletic facilities from the 40s.

So what schools rising and which ones losing their luster?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kids are six years apart. So doing search all over again (first child in a single sex school and second is different gender). Even just in 6 years, it seems like the reputation, vibe, and even physical plant has changed at most schools. But others seem forever stuck (looking at you, Maret). I don't want to slant the discussion with my own views, although Maret does seem like a time capsule from the 90s, with indoor athletic facilities from the 40s.

So what schools rising and which ones losing their luster?

I agree. It seems like as Maret has shot up in the academic rankings to equal the likes of GDS, Sidwell, etc. it has paid less attention to its athletic facilities. I think they're building a new off-campus outdoor facility though.

[Anonymous]

GDS has a much better physical plant than it did 6 years ago.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kids are six years apart. So doing search all over again (first child in a single sex school and second is different gender). Even just in 6 years, it seems like the reputation, vibe, and even physical plant has changed at most schools. But others seem forever stuck (looking at you, Maret). I don't want to slant the discussion with my own views, although Maret does seem like a time capsule from the 90s, with indoor athletic facilities from the 40s.

So what schools rising and which ones losing their luster?

I agree. It seems like as Maret has shot up in the academic rankings to equal the likes of GDS, Sidwell, etc. it has paid less attention to its athletic facilities. I think they're building a new off-campus outdoor facility though.

Not much Maret can do with the physical existing space given the neighborhood restrictions. My kid is looking at playing bball and baseball there so while I do wish they had a gym that looked like Sidwell, I am intrigued with the new outdoor facilities.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kids are six years apart. So doing search all over again (first child in a single sex school and second is different gender). Even just in 6 years, it seems like the reputation, vibe, and even physical plant has changed at most schools. But others seem forever stuck (looking at you, Maret). I don't want to slant the discussion with my own views, although Maret does seem like a time capsule from the 90s, with indoor athletic facilities from the 40s.

So what schools rising and which ones losing their luster?

I agree. It seems like as Maret has shot up in the academic rankings to equal the likes of GDS, Sidwell, etc. it has paid less attention to its athletic facilities. I think they're building a new off-campus outdoor facility though.

Maret made it a priority a few years ago to slow their tuition increases, so they are now somewhat less expensive than the other top schools. Don't get me wrong, they are still plenty pricey, but you're looking at a few thousand dollars less each year vs. the others.

[Anonymous]

I feel like in the last six years admissions has gotten generally more difficult everywhere.

"Pressure cooker" schools are slightly less in favor over more balanced schools, especially as college results are trending towards hooks and legacies over school connections. However, applications are still way up at these schools as they are everywhere.

I feel like some schools are much more equity/social justice driven than six years ago. GDS lower school even names it in its curriculum guide.

Lower schools have different advocates based on science of reading vs Lucy calkins, progressive vs traditional, etc.

Middle school conversations tend to focus on how the school teaches/supports executive functioning, responds to bullying instances, and prepares for high school.

High school debates seem to be around whether the school allows diversity of thought, promotes balance, prepares well for college, etc.

Increasing tuition has skewed populations to resemble barbells even more.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:GDS has a much better physical plant than it did 6 years ago.

It’s squeezed into such a tiny space. I would like to know how they schedule the outdoor time during and after school.

[Anonymous]

Lower schools at the k-12 have lost their way with poor academics of core subjects, low expectations, and whack-a-mole *new* math and reading curricula.

[Anonymous]

The exact reason we did not go to our great public schools…

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:GDS has a much better physical plant than it did 6 years ago.

It’s squeezed into such a tiny space. I would like to know how they schedule the outdoor time during and after school.

I also find their gym to feel like a dungeon. Is it underground? Is that why?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Lower schools at the k-12 have lost their way with poor academics of core subjects, low expectations, and whack-a-mole *new* math and reading curricula.

I don't find this to be a k-12 issue as much of a point of contention at all lower schools

[Anonymous]

Landon rising dramatically. Headed back toward where they were quite a number of years ago. Main reasons:
Arrival of a great new headmaster a few years ago.
Current successful $50 million dollar fundraising, $30 million of which is updating and improving buildings and design of their large already nice campus.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Landon rising dramatically. Headed back toward where they were quite a number of years ago. Main reasons:
Arrival of a great new headmaster a few years ago.
Current successful $50 million dollar fundraising, $30 million of which is updating and improving buildings and design of their large already nice campus.

We considered Landon but last summer their summer academic class was terrible, to put it nicely. They need to up their teaching game. When we and other parents complained, nothing changed and they weren't responsive.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kids are six years apart. So doing search all over again (first child in a single sex school and second is different gender). Even just in 6 years, it seems like the reputation, vibe, and even physical plant has changed at most schools. But others seem forever stuck (looking at you, Maret). I don't want to slant the discussion with my own views, although Maret does seem like a time capsule from the 90s, with indoor athletic facilities from the 40s.

So what schools rising and which ones losing their luster?

I agree. It seems like as Maret has shot up in the academic rankings to equal the likes of GDS, Sidwell, etc. it has paid less attention to its athletic facilities. I think they're building a new off-campus outdoor facility though.

You really think Maret had shot up in the academic ranks to equal the likes of GDS, Sidwell, etc.?

If true, I guess I haven't been paying attention.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kids are six years apart. So doing search all over again (first child in a single sex school and second is different gender). Even just in 6 years, it seems like the reputation, vibe, and even physical plant has changed at most schools. But others seem forever stuck (looking at you, Maret). I don't want to slant the discussion with my own views, although Maret does seem like a time capsule from the 90s, with indoor athletic facilities from the 40s.

So what schools rising and which ones losing their luster?

I agree. It seems like as Maret has shot up in the academic rankings to equal the likes of GDS, Sidwell, etc. it has paid less attention to its athletic facilities. I think they're building a new off-campus outdoor facility though.

This didn’t happen at least not during the past six years.