Please tell me whether Georgetown Prep is a pressure cooker?

[MOCOS]

We are considering a number of schools and have been impressed with the atmosphere at GP. We heard, however, their AP classes are super hard to get in, and extremely difficult to get a good grade in AP. And that their regular class is like a honors' class and the teachers are hard graders. Does this mean, if a student want to be a decent student with mostly As, it will be very stressful? We want to take a few APs, not over the top, but will that make it too stressful for an average child? Thank you so much - sincerely looking for perspectives from experienced family.

[Anonymous]

Did you already tour, apply and get in? I'm confused, because GP has a specific reputation and feel and I don't know how you wouldn't pick up on had you done all that.

[Anonymous]

MOCOS wrote:We are considering a number of schools and have been impressed with the atmosphere at GP. We heard, however, their AP classes are super hard to get in, and extremely difficult to get a good grade in AP. And that their regular class is like a honors' class and the teachers are hard graders. Does this mean, if a student want to be a decent student with mostly As, it will be very stressful? We want to take a few APs, not over the top, but will that make it too stressful for an average child? Thank you so much - sincerely looking for perspectives from experienced family.

I don't get the "we". Are you taking the classes with your kid?

[MOCOS]

Toured, applied, got in and trying to make a decision. I say "we" referring to our family. My son's feel is that they work pretty hard, but could not judge whether it is too stressful of an environment. He is up to challenge but not looking for a pressure cooker. Hence we did more research and found the info about their AP classes, and such. He really likes the school from what he saw and experienced during the visit and shadow day but that does not give enough to see if it would be too much pressure for him. He is a decent student, not a super star. Thanks.

[MOCOS]

Anonymous wrote:Did you already tour, apply and get in? I'm confused, because GP has a specific reputation and feel and I don't know how you wouldn't pick up on had you done all that.

Can you please elaborate?

[Anonymous]

What are his other options? Why does he like Prep?

[MOCOS]

Anonymous wrote:What are his other options? Why does he like Prep?

Other options are Gonzaga, Landon. He is a relatively quiet kid and did not think the GZ vibe is a good fit for him. Impressed with Landon but heard its academics is pretty challenging. Was hoping GP is just at the right level, where the kids will get pushed, but not too much. Again, he is up for challenges, but want to avoid pressure cooker.

[MOCOS]

MOCOS wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What are his other options? Why does he like Prep?

Other options are Gonzaga, Landon. He is a relatively quiet kid and did not think the GZ vibe is a good fit for him. Impressed with Landon but heard its academics is pretty challenging. Was hoping GP is just at the right level, where the kids will get pushed, but not too much. Again, he is up for challenges, but want to avoid pressure cooker.

Reason for liking GP - teachers are very welcoming and use fun methods to teach (observed during shadow day). Students talks to each other nicely and overall orderly in classrooms and other settings, which he prefers. Also likes the sports there - he plays a few of the sports that GP has to offer, and talked to the coaches and got a very good vibe.

[Anonymous]

MOCOS wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What are his other options? Why does he like Prep?

Other options are Gonzaga, Landon. He is a relatively quiet kid and did not think the GZ vibe is a good fit for him. Impressed with Landon but heard its academics is pretty challenging. Was hoping GP is just at the right level, where the kids will get pushed, but not too much. Again, he is up for challenges, but want to avoid pressure cooker.

Current parent here. Prep is extremely challenging, but worth it in the end. Depending on where your son went to middle school and how he manages his time, it could feel like he's going from middle school to mini college. All of the classes are rigorous and your son will be very prepared for any university he attends. On the contrary, the boys seem to love it. They're really supportive of each other and I personally believe it was the best decision for our son.

[Anonymous]

Current GP family.
I feel the curriculum can be moderate or hard depending on the classes the students take. The honors and AP classes are hard but I don’t think they are harder than comparable privates from what I’ve seen from my son’s friends.
I wouldn’t say the school is a pressure cooker but it’s not a walk in the park either.
Our son is also a quiet kid but he’s not super athletic and he found a nice group of friends. Contrary to the school’s reputation of only attracting jocks ( and there are many ) there are all types of different kids there. Best of luck in your decision

[Anonymous]

My so. loves Prep. The classes are hard and you have all classes daily so there is no room for a blow off night. You son will be well prepared for college. It is difficult to get in AP classes but that would be anywhere. My son loves the school. The teachers are supportive and the atmosphere is kind and welcoming.

[MOCOS]

Anonymous wrote:

MOCOS wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What are his other options? Why does he like Prep?

Other options are Gonzaga, Landon. He is a relatively quiet kid and did not think the GZ vibe is a good fit for him. Impressed with Landon but heard its academics is pretty challenging. Was hoping GP is just at the right level, where the kids will get pushed, but not too much. Again, he is up for challenges, but want to avoid pressure cooker.

Current parent here. Prep is extremely challenging, but worth it in the end. Depending on where your son went to middle school and how he manages his time, it could feel like he's going from middle school to mini college. All of the classes are rigorous and your son will be very prepared for any university he attends. On the contrary, the boys seem to love it. They're really supportive of each other and I personally believe it was the best decision for our son.

Thank you so much for the insight. He saw that everyone there is supper supportive of each other which he loves. When you say extremely challenging, does that mean a ton of homework and demanding schedule, hard to get a good grade, and/or anything else? Do kids feel stressed out? I think some pressure is good but overly stressed-out children is not good. We had a prior experience on his other siblings, so really want to avoid super stressful environment, but without going the route that are too easy.

[MOCOS]

Anonymous wrote:Current GP family.
I feel the curriculum can be moderate or hard depending on the classes the students take. The honors and AP classes are hard but I don’t think they are harder than comparable privates from what I’ve seen from my son’s friends.
I wouldn’t say the school is a pressure cooker but it’s not a walk in the park either.
Our son is also a quiet kid but he’s not super athletic and he found a nice group of friends. Contrary to the school’s reputation of only attracting jocks ( and there are many ) there are all types of different kids there. Best of luck in your decision

Thanks for the insight. Super helpful. He definitely did not get the "jock" feeling, on the contrary, he felt the school is more orderly than some of the other schools he visited. Quiet study time in the library, students talking and helping each other in corner, etc. He is drawn to that environment. He plays sports a lot but not a super athlete either. He tends to be a perfectionist and wants things to be perfect and get stressed out when he is not at least moderately successful academically. Hence we are really weighing GP vs. GZ. We know people at GZ that are super happy but describes an environment that does not seem to be the best fit for him. It seems academically it will be easier there. Hard to balance and make a call for a kid that is super sensitive to environment and stress. I truly appreciate you sharing your experience.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Current GP family.
I feel the curriculum can be moderate or hard depending on the classes the students take. The honors and AP classes are hard but I don’t think they are harder than comparable privates from what I’ve seen from my son’s friends.
I wouldn’t say the school is a pressure cooker but it’s not a walk in the park either.
Our son is also a quiet kid but he’s not super athletic and he found a nice group of friends. Contrary to the school’s reputation of only attracting jocks ( and there are many ) there are all types of different kids there. Best of luck in your decision

This -- it's not like St. Anselm's were the most challenging courses are the only option; you can pick and choose and take some challenging, some less challenging in areas that aren't your strength, etc. There are leveled options.

[Anonymous]

Thank you for asking this question. We are in the same boat. DS loved it there and so did we but I think he's going to get his butt kicked next year if he goes. This might not be a bad thing but I also have a kid who wants/needs a life. I just want to make sure he's not doing 6 hours of homework a night or failing out his freshman year.
P.s. I also like to believe that if a kid is accepted, the school thinks they can do the work. Fingers crossed....