Parents/Families at these schools...

[Anonymous]

It would be nice to hear about the types of families at the following schools:

Stone Ridge


Sidwell


Maret


Bullis

[Anonymous]

If you go to the admitted student events and open houses you will get a good sense.

[Anonymous]

My mom described the Sidwell parents as "flinty-eyed."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My mom described the Sidwell parents as "flinty-eyed."

Flinty-eyed? What does that even mean?

[Anonymous]

Sidwell parent here...we are not a monolith. It's a fairly diverse community. I will say that I enjoy most of the parents I encounter, but there are some (as I am sure exist everywhere) that I try to avoid.

[Anonymous]

Actually the parent community matters. You end up interacting with them and their children will end up engaging with yours ( or not if it’s cliquish and think your family does not fit etc.)

[Anonymous]

It matters more in the early grades, when kids’ social events still have to include parents. It doesn’t really matter by HS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Actually the parent community matters. You end up interacting with them and their children will end up engaging with yours ( or not if it’s cliquish and think your family does not fit etc.)

Why do you end up interacting with them? Why is it different than public school? Are you joining a social club or a school?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Who gives a shit what the families are like? You’re not going to school, your kid is. God private school people are weird.

For younger kids, or all kids, it matters what the priorities are of families. If the parents are super materialistic, it plays out in their kids. If they want to get their kids all the fancy things, that is important. If they allow alcohol with kids, that’s something you want to know.

[Anonymous]

I care about parents a lot. I have to interact with them and my kids do as well. You pick schools like you pick neighborhoods so your child is safe and secure.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Actually the parent community matters. You end up interacting with them and their children will end up engaging with yours ( or not if it’s cliquish and think your family does not fit etc.)

Why do you end up interacting with them? Why is it different than public school? Are you joining a social club or a school?

You don’t get it if you are not in a top private. There are games 1-2 times a week you attend with other parents and events at the school 1-2 times per month at least in addition to these are the kids and families affecting your kids. It matters.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Who gives a shit what the families are like? You’re not going to school, your kid is. God private school people are weird.

Actually, it does matter. My DD was looking at all girls schools and often, the moms can drive who socializes with who and can influence the friend group. We visited three schools and found the following:

#1 - Lots of unemployed moms who hung around the school "volunteering" all of the time and basically, had their hand in all aspects of school activities, who their kid could socialize with, etc.

#2 - Most moms with great and impressive careers but also were members of country clubs and most socialization revolved only those families who were similarly situated.

#3 - Lots of educated moms with great careers - many of whom were wealthy but were still down to earth and welcoming to me and my kid. Volunteered at the school when asked but were otherwise very involved in their own personal lives/careers.

Guess which school we chose?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Who gives a shit what the families are like? You’re not going to school, your kid is. God private school people are weird.

For younger kids, or all kids, it matters what the priorities are of families. If the parents are super materialistic, it plays out in their kids. If they want to get their kids all the fancy things, that is important. If they allow alcohol with kids, that’s something you want to know.

Why is this different than public schools?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Actually the parent community matters. You end up interacting with them and their children will end up engaging with yours ( or not if it’s cliquish and think your family does not fit etc.)

Why do you end up interacting with them? Why is it different than public school? Are you joining a social club or a school?

You don’t get it if you are not in a top private. There are games 1-2 times a week you attend with other parents and events at the school 1-2 times per month at least in addition to these are the kids and families affecting your kids. It matters.

No different in a public school

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Who gives a shit what the families are like? You’re not going to school, your kid is. God private school people are weird.

Actually, it does matter. My DD was looking at all girls schools and often, the moms can drive who socializes with who and can influence the friend group. We visited three schools and found the following:

#1 - Lots of unemployed moms who hung around the school "volunteering" all of the time and basically, had their hand in all aspects of school activities, who their kid could socialize with, etc.

#2 - Most moms with great and impressive careers but also were members of country clubs and most socialization revolved only those families who were similarly situated.

#3 - Lots of educated moms with great careers - many of whom were wealthy but were still down to earth and welcoming to me and my kid. Volunteered at the school when asked but were otherwise very involved in their own personal lives/careers.

Guess which school we chose?

All three types of moms exist in public schools too