Mann to Private // Private to Mann

[Anonymous]

We are considering purchasing a home in-district to Mann. If we did we send our preschool and elementary school kids (who are currently at private) to Mann, with the intent of moving back to private for middle and high school.

Curious if anyone on this forum has taken that path. If you went from Mann to private middle school or private preschool to Mann, how was the transition? How would you compare Mann to the private school experience?

We love our private schools but with three kids, it’s hard to swallow the price of keeping them in private for 15 years (when factoring in preschool) and I’ve heard Mann is lovely. And the school website touts things like Reggio approach for PK and a commitment to Responsive Classroom, examples of things we’ve appreciated about the private experience.

Appreciate any advice or perspectives you can share!

[Anonymous]

OP here: while I am specifically curious about Mann, I would also be eager for any similar experiences with other WOTP DCPS elementary schools. If you’ve had a great experience with a public elementary school you’d recommend, I’d love to hear it!

[Anonymous]

Hi OP, wish that I could help you!
I don’t have that personal experience but know that when I saw Mann and then checked out the website years ago I thought, “Woah! This seems like a private school. Why didn’t we buy or rent in-bounds here instead of paying tuition?!”

By then, however, it was water under the bridge. We were settled elsewhere.

My key question these days would be whether the classrooms are peaceful and orderly such that the children and teachers can focus on learning? When disruptive students cannot be removed per the public school rigamarole then that’s a major problem.

If Mann draws exclusively from in-bounds (?) then I would imagine that the behavior is pretty good since educated and invested parents are involved. I’m fairly confident that there’s a well tread path between Mann and private middle and high schools. (Lucky you!)

[Anonymous]

I can’t comment on Mann but I would be concerned about giving up private school slots at a school you love and expect to apply from DCPS to private for middle and high school. Many people share that plan and as DCPS elementary has gotten better outside of NW, many parents across the city increasingly have that plan- DCPS elementary and then middle or high school private. The private slots haven’t increased. If you move into Mann, would also be comfortable with the public middle and high school options too in case it doesn’t work out for your kids. This is why in part we got in to pre-K and are staying through- insurance policy. Even if you are in a k-5 or a k-8, it’s much easier to apply to private from another private than DCPS.

[Anonymous]

Mann and Murch have similar programs (Reggio Inspired and Responsive Classroom, etc.), though Murch is much bigger. Plenty of kids, including my own from Murch, have gone from those elementary schools (and Deal MS) to private, and they seem to do as well in private as they did in public. The transition from elementary seems to be much easier than the transition from a huge school like Deal to private, but not for everyone.

After talking to many people who have spliced education up in various different ways, these two public elementary schools (not saying anything negative about others, I just have less information about others) are great at providing a strong foundation across the board.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I can’t comment on Mann but I would be concerned about giving up private school slots at a school you love and expect to apply from DCPS to private for middle and high school. Many people share that plan and as DCPS elementary has gotten better outside of NW, many parents across the city increasingly have that plan- DCPS elementary and then middle or high school private. The private slots haven’t increased. If you move into Mann, would also be comfortable with the public middle and high school options too in case it doesn’t work out for your kids. This is why in part we got in to pre-K and are staying through- insurance policy. Even if you are in a k-5 or a k-8, it’s much easier to apply to private from another private than DCPS.

This post reminds me: I now know more people who've gone through it all and have kids in college, and, reflecting back, an interesting number have said that if they had a "do over," they'd do private through middle school and move to public high school. Other have said you can go either way with elementary, but go private for middle school, and that leaves you with more options/better chances for high school, after you know what kind of student your child really is. Also, a note from friends whose kids have taken an unexpected turn for the worse: it started in middle school. The right fit in middle, which is not one size fits all, school seems to be pretty important in the social emotional development of kids.

[Anonymous]

We are close but out of boundary for Mann and nowhere close to getting in. But, at the time of applying for K, researched all options well, and say a big yes to your idea of Mann and then private. That's what we'd hoped to do. Now we are just a happy private school family in a K-12.

[Anonymous]

Just remember OP- as great as Mann may be, you’re still dealing with the DCPS curriculum.

[Anonymous]

I have worked in both settings. A local DC (big 3) private and Mann.
The teaching & learning at Mann runs circles around the private school where I worked. However, the sheer number of kids, even for a small public school, is a shock when compared to privates. 3 classes of 25 kids feels and looks a lot bigger than 3 classes of 15.
Also, a previous poster made a comment about disruptive students in the learning environment. I find this to be interesting. At the private school we had major disruptions- but the check(s) cleared so the family stayed.

[Anonymous]

Mann is lovely but do think about middle school and whether you will be able to go private again when you want to. Depending on the ages of your kids it might make sense to leave the eldest in private while starting the youngest at Mann.

[Anonymous]

Iti's a reasonable plan--just know that you may not be able to get private spots when you want them, in the schools you want.

There are about 10 spots for 6th grade at each of Sidwell, NCS, STA. So there is no way you can count on getting one of these. Now if you're fine with a K-8 or Field or Burke for 6th you'll be fine.

My oldest kid went to Janney and we applied for 6th and there was one kid admitted to a Big3 school and about 25 who tried. We applied again for 9th and were successful.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I can’t comment on Mann but I would be concerned about giving up private school slots at a school you love and expect to apply from DCPS to private for middle and high school. Many people share that plan and as DCPS elementary has gotten better outside of NW, many parents across the city increasingly have that plan- DCPS elementary and then middle or high school private. The private slots haven’t increased. If you move into Mann, would also be comfortable with the public middle and high school options too in case it doesn’t work out for your kids. This is why in part we got in to pre-K and are staying through- insurance policy. Even if you are in a k-5 or a k-8, it’s much easier to apply to private from another private than DCPS.

This post reminds me: I now know more people who've gone through it all and have kids in college, and, reflecting back, an interesting number have said that if they had a "do over," they'd do private through middle school and move to public high school. Other have said you can go either way with elementary, but go private for middle school, and that leaves you with more options/better chances for high school, after you know what kind of student your child really is. Also, a note from friends whose kids have taken an unexpected turn for the worse: it started in middle school. The right fit in middle, which is not one size fits all, school seems to be pretty important in the social emotional development of kids.

Interesting. I do not know a single person that would want to transfer into public highschool from a private. Public high schools are rampant with all sorts of issues. In fact I know a few there now desperately trying to transfer out and get into a private school and this is mid highschool years.

Yes elementary school wise Mann is known to be the best and people seem to be happy but difficult to get into a top private as there is a lot of competition.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just remember OP- as great as Mann may be, you’re still dealing with the DCPS curriculum.

This is false. Mann parent here. The school has large (complete?) latitude in adapting its curriculum. Teachers are explicit and will say at back to school night that they draw from aspects of various curricula including DCPS and other sources. I suggest touring the school- you can ask specific questions if you are curious.

It is an amazing school- my kids love it and are excited to go each morning. Most teachers have been there for many years and are really impressive (and kind) people. The PTA is fantastic and organizes lots of activities that not only raise money for things like the gardening and mindfulness programs but also foster a sense of community. Highly recommend!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Interesting. I do not know a single person that would want to transfer into public highschool from a private. Public high schools are rampant with all sorts of issues. In fact I know a few there now desperately trying to transfer out and get into a private school and this is mid highschool years.

DCUM would have you think that, for college admissions purposes, public HS is the place to be and not private.

[Anonymous]

I have years of experience with Mann, Stoddert, and Janney. The kids are lovely, smart, sharp, and ready to learn in all of them. I have not witnessed any disrespect or kids acting up. There's tons of support if any child needs help.
DCPS K is extremely rigorous. It's something I would avoid if possible unless rigor is what you want.
I went through one of the better school systems in EU where we played all day until age 7+. I'm all about playing longer and then hitting the books hard. The only reason not to send them there is the difficulty of getting back into private for middle.
Make your decision based on money and each child. Many of us don't have the option of private and it worked out well. We will hire help for middle school, but will definitely want a DCPC high school diploma.