Field vs SSFS

[Anonymous]

Trying to decide btwn Field and SSFS for a middle schooler. Both schools seem warm and accepting, but are the academics that much strong at Field to warrant the price difference? Our main concern is the small grade size.

[Anonymous]

Considering how far apart they are distance wise I would go with whichever one is closer to your house. It's not worth driving an hour to get to either one.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Considering how far apart they are distance wise I would go with whichever one is closer to your house. It's not worth driving an hour to get to either one.

Surprisingly, it’s takes the same amount of time to get to both…

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Considering how far apart they are distance wise I would go with whichever one is closer to your house. It's not worth driving an hour to get to either one.

Surprisingly, it’s takes the same amount of time to get to both…

In that case, I'm sorry. I think they're on the same level academically.

[Anonymous]

FWIW, if you're equidistant between the two, you're probably in MC. Even if the drive is the same, I think you'd find most of the SSFS kids to be geographically closer to the school while the Field kids are largely in NW DC, very close MoCo and some from NoVa.

I think they're both great schools, but I don't think Field is so superior that it is worth the considerable price difference.

[Anonymous]

Are you heading one way or the other for other reasons?

Are you close to bus transportation to either?

[Anonymous]

SSFS is somewhat more diverse and more traditional (i.e. they have AP classes while Field does not). I don't think Field's academics are any stronger.

[Anonymous]

Has your child done a shadow day as an accepted student at both? If not, then call them both today to set them up. I think that there are some differences between these two schools. One is sports, if your child is active and athletic at all. SSFS has more to offer there, as well as more kids per grade so more friend choice but it is still not huge. That’s why social fit will be important at either so a shadow visit is a must to get a real sense of what classes are like, how kids behave with each other, the general sense of the community since at a shadow you are spending time with those who will be a grade above you not the rising 9th graders. There are lack grading systems at SSFS such as no penalty for late work. This bothers some kids who turn it all in on time. Not sure if it is the same policy at Field. Does one school have the science and math that your kid will need for upper grades? Do they offer AP classes? What do you prefer regarding that? These are the sorts of things to ask current families about you will learn more that way. Ask for names of people if you don’t know families at each already, or have friends or a friend there.
What is your kid like? Which school has clubs and extracurricular things they know they want to explore? Do college results matter to you?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:SSFS is somewhat more diverse and more traditional (i.e. they have AP classes while Field does not). I don't think Field's academics are any stronger.

Field has better college results given their size.

[Anonymous]

What is the price difference?

[Anonymous]

What does your child say about their thoughts on social fit at both?

If it's a coin toss after all considered....I'd go with SSFS for size and cost and AP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Has your child done a shadow day as an accepted student at both? If not, then call them both today to set them up. I think that there are some differences between these two schools. One is sports, if your child is active and athletic at all. SSFS has more to offer there, as well as more kids per grade so more friend choice but it is still not huge. That’s why social fit will be important at either so a shadow visit is a must to get a real sense of what classes are like, how kids behave with each other, the general sense of the community since at a shadow you are spending time with those who will be a grade above you not the rising 9th graders. There are lack grading systems at SSFS such as no penalty for late work. This bothers some kids who turn it all in on time. Not sure if it is the same policy at Field. Does one school have the science and math that your kid will need for upper grades? Do they offer AP classes? What do you prefer regarding that? These are the sorts of things to ask current families about you will learn more that way. Ask for names of people if you don’t know families at each already, or have friends or a friend there.
What is your kid like? Which school has clubs and extracurricular things they know they want to explore? Do college results matter to you?

There is absolutely a penalty for late work at SSFS, at least in upper school.

My kids both started in 9th at SSFS, but after talking to other parents, I wish they'd started in middle. It seems to be a great program, and the head of middle school is terrific.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Has your child done a shadow day as an accepted student at both? If not, then call them both today to set them up. I think that there are some differences between these two schools. One is sports, if your child is active and athletic at all. SSFS has more to offer there, as well as more kids per grade so more friend choice but it is still not huge. That’s why social fit will be important at either so a shadow visit is a must to get a real sense of what classes are like, how kids behave with each other, the general sense of the community since at a shadow you are spending time with those who will be a grade above you not the rising 9th graders. There are lack grading systems at SSFS such as no penalty for late work. This bothers some kids who turn it all in on time. Not sure if it is the same policy at Field. Does one school have the science and math that your kid will need for upper grades? Do they offer AP classes? What do you prefer regarding that? These are the sorts of things to ask current families about you will learn more that way. Ask for names of people if you don’t know families at each already, or have friends or a friend there.
What is your kid like? Which school has clubs and extracurricular things they know they want to explore? Do college results matter to you?

Has shadowed at both and seems to like both equally. 🤪

[Anonymous]

I just posted in the thread above about when we had to make the same decision. I will say that the middle school head, David Blake, is ah-mazing. He really gets middle schoolers and I haven’t heard of another school where people rave about the middle school this way. I mean - let’s face it - most of us consider those the lost years from our own lives.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Has your child done a shadow day as an accepted student at both? If not, then call them both today to set them up. I think that there are some differences between these two schools. One is sports, if your child is active and athletic at all. SSFS has more to offer there, as well as more kids per grade so more friend choice but it is still not huge. That’s why social fit will be important at either so a shadow visit is a must to get a real sense of what classes are like, how kids behave with each other, the general sense of the community since at a shadow you are spending time with those who will be a grade above you not the rising 9th graders. There are lack grading systems at SSFS such as no penalty for late work. This bothers some kids who turn it all in on time. Not sure if it is the same policy at Field. Does one school have the science and math that your kid will need for upper grades? Do they offer AP classes? What do you prefer regarding that? These are the sorts of things to ask current families about you will learn more that way. Ask for names of people if you don’t know families at each already, or have friends or a friend there.
What is your kid like? Which school has clubs and extracurricular things they know they want to explore? Do college results matter to you?

Has shadowed at both and seems to like both equally. 🤪

Then as parents I think you have to dive deep into the curriculum offered in upper school level since they will stay there for that, and see which curriculum you think is likely a better fit. And if cost is an issue for you then go with less expensive option because tuition will rise every year.