Conservative-friendly schools?

[Anonymous]

My kids are in public schools and I’m concerned about the level of political/ideological indoctrination they are getting. I’m not even particularly conservative myself by the standards of ten years ago, but am uncomfortable with the nonstop promotion of LGBTQ and also by history/social studies getting 90% swallowed up by lessons about racism, the civil rights movement, etc. Yes these things happened but they are not the only things that happened and you are actually not getting a good education in history or social studies if you think black-white relations in the US constitute all of human history.

We are considering private schools, but I’m concerned it’s going to be a similar story there. What private schools offer a more balanced approach and are open to ideological diversity? Would it mostly be the mid level Catholic schools vs the fancy schools? We are not Catholic or religious so I’m uncertain about those.

Thanks, and looking to get actual advice here vs starting a big political argument so won’t respond to posts that try to do that

[Anonymous]

Find a traditional curriculum or move out of the beltway. Only leftist public and private schools in urban areas are over-doing this’d and yes the opportunity cost is high.

[Anonymous]

Hi OP, I understand where you are coming from. I’m pretty moderate. It’s a strange place to be these days! There are aspects on either side of the great divide that resonate with me and others that don’t. It seems that if you aren’t willing to go all-in with the progressives on the one hand or with the faith-and-flag conservatives on the other, then you’re persona non grata. So be it. I will continue to think for myself.

I’m happy to share the school approach that has worked for my family. For the young years authentic Montessori (AMI) was great.

International school was an excellent next step. The overall environment was “retiree liberal” not radical progressive. There was an emphasis on being kind and respectful of others. No gender agenda. The atmosphere was not polarized along US political fault lines. The majority of student families were spectators of our system as they were foreign nationals. Some of the schools (French, German, WIS) have programs for students to acquire the second language at older ages.

Another place we liked via experience at their summer camps was The Heights. People on DCUM are VERY down on this school, but my son was incredibly happy being there in-person over the pandemic summers. We thought the faculty that we encountered were exceptional. I studied their curriculum and it’s fantastic. We are not religious. If you’re ok with being to the left of many/most families and out of the Catholic loop, then it could be a good choice.

Other options may be Mater Dei, Georgetown Prep, or St. Albans. I think that St. Albans is too intellectually rigorous to spend excessive time on political and social issues at the expense of actually educating students. This is just my impression. I don’t have first-hand experience with these schools or know about their all-girls counterparts.

Wishing your family all the best!

[Anonymous]

Fellow moderate here and I agree with pp about looking at Catholic schools. We are in a parochial K-8 and the families span the full range of backgrounds and beliefs and everyone just gets along. It reminds me very much of my public school education from decades ago.

[Anonymous]

Moderate democrat here, and we are at STA.

[Anonymous]

the nonstop promotion of LGBTQ and also by history/social studies getting 90% swallowed up by lessons about racism, the civil rights movement, etc.

It's difficult to take you seriously when you speak in hyperbole. "Nonstop"? "90%" This might be why your post has received such negative responses. I call troll.

And if you're not, I recommend moving out of major metropolitan areas as your unfounded hostility toward minority communities is no longer socially acceptable.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

the nonstop promotion of LGBTQ and also by history/social studies getting 90% swallowed up by lessons about racism, the civil rights movement, etc.

It's difficult to take you seriously when you speak in hyperbole. "Nonstop"? "90%" This might be why your post has received such negative responses. I call troll.

And if you're not, I recommend moving out of major metropolitan areas as your unfounded hostility toward minority communities is no longer socially acceptable.

+1

Turn off Fox. That’s not happening, OP.

[Anonymous]

My moderately conservative friends have been happy with their Catholic school. My Catholic liberal friends have also been happy with their Catholic school, so maybe the Catholic option is a happy medium? However, if you are not religious, then you are just swapping one form of indoctrination with another. Not necessarily a bad thing, but I'm not sure a truly unbiased education is possible. We considered Catholic schools as well and I had the impression that they are welcoming to families who are not religious, but obviously prayer is and faith is woven into the fabric of daily life at the school.

[Anonymous]

Definitely try GDS

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Moderate democrat here, and we are at STA.

+1. Our extended family has put kids through STA and SAES. Look at Episcopal schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Moderate democrat here, and we are at STA.

+1. Our extended family has put kids through STA and SAES. Look at Episcopal schools.

STA is not socially conservative, per se. The school has an annual diversity day and provides students with school time to attend affinity groups. Also, the Episcopal Dicoese of Washington is very supportive of the BLM and LGBTQ equality movements, as well as reasonable gun bans and control.

[Anonymous]

OP - it would be useful if you would share what grade level you are interested in and general area. My kids are in APS, and this is not an issue in lower elementary, so I would assume you are looking for a more conservative/heavily evangelical school

[Anonymous]

Oakcrest

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Moderate democrat here, and we are at STA.

+1. Our extended family has put kids through STA and SAES. Look at Episcopal schools.

STA is not socially conservative, per se. The school has an annual diversity day and provides students with school time to attend affinity groups. Also, the Episcopal Dicoese of Washington is very supportive of the BLM and LGBTQ equality movements, as well as reasonable gun bans and control.

Not OP but share their concerns though would use less charged language. We’re looking at the cathedral schools because after public we also just want a more traditional education. It does feel like everything is social emotional learning and obsessed w inserting a racial/privileged lense to EVERYTHING at the expense of rigorous academics. I’m supportive of BLM, LGBTQ and other progressive causes but the obsession of forcing it into every subject is just too much.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Moderate democrat here, and we are at STA.

+1. Our extended family has put kids through STA and SAES. Look at Episcopal schools.

I agree that Episcopal schools are very tolerant of divergent viewpoints but I would not label them conservative at all.