Most Rigorous Elementary School

[Anonymous]

My daughter attends one of the top private schools in DC. She is currently in Kindergarten, but I am not satisfied with their curriculum. The school presented itself as being very rigorous, which is why my husband and I chose it. However, it turns out they use the same curriculum as the public schools. No offense to public schools, but as a teacher myself, I know that they often adapt their curriculum to accommodate the lowest level in the class.

We were promised that our daughter would be challenged, but that hasn’t been the case. Given that we’re paying over $40,000 for a private school education that mirrors what public schools offer, we feel it’s not worth the investment. As a result, I’ve started homeschooling her in Reading and Math after school, and she’s been doing exceptionally well.

We are now looking for a more rigorous private school. If you have any recommendations, please share. Thank you.

[Anonymous]

What does rigor look like for you in kindergarten? Learning through play is still super important. Both private and public schools focus on teaching kindergarteners how to read and should be using a curriculum based on the science of reading (explicit instruction in phonemic awareness, phonics, and decoding), so using the same curriculum as public school isn't necessarily bad.

[Anonymous]

Please, oh please, be a troll!!!

[Anonymous]

Are you sure that's what they promised? In our experience, the top independent schools promise an age-appropriate curriculum that focuses on the wonder of learning, creativity, SEL, and character, not rigor and acceleration for Kindergarteners. The challenge comes later. This was consistently communicated at Sidwell, Beauvoir, Potomac, GDS, Maret.

You're looking for BASIS or Nysmith.

[Anonymous]

Try Montessori for that young....but eventually you need to bite the bullet and figure out how to offer your child academic stimulation outside of class if they want it - or find a magnet public or maybe a language immersion option.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Please, oh please, be a troll!!!

Definitely a troll. No kindergarten anywhere would describe itself as “rigorous”.

[Anonymous]

Must be a troll. No way would any sane parent be so cray

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My daughter attends one of the top private schools in DC. She is currently in Kindergarten, but I am not satisfied with their curriculum. The school presented itself as being very rigorous, which is why my husband and I chose it. However, it turns out they use the same curriculum as the public schools. No offense to public schools, but as a teacher myself, I know that they often adapt their curriculum to accommodate the lowest level in the class.

We were promised that our daughter would be challenged, but that hasn’t been the case. Given that we’re paying over $40,000 for a private school education that mirrors what public schools offer, we feel it’s not worth the investment. As a result, I’ve started homeschooling her in Reading and Math after school, and she’s been doing exceptionally well.

We are now looking for a more rigorous private school. If you have any recommendations, please share. Thank you.

This must be a joke. Your poor child.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My daughter attends one of the top private schools in DC. She is currently in Kindergarten, but I am not satisfied with their curriculum. The school presented itself as being very rigorous, which is why my husband and I chose it. However, it turns out they use the same curriculum as the public schools. No offense to public schools, but as a teacher myself, I know that they often adapt their curriculum to accommodate the lowest level in the class.

We were promised that our daughter would be challenged, but that hasn’t been the case. Given that we’re paying over $40,000 for a private school education that mirrors what public schools offer, we feel it’s not worth the investment. As a result, I’ve started homeschooling her in Reading and Math after school, and she’s been doing exceptionally well.

We are now looking for a more rigorous private school. If you have any recommendations, please share. Thank you.

[Anonymous]

In VA, there are schools like Nysmith, Basis McLean, Ideaventions, Edlin, etc. I did not even tour any of them so I don't have first hand experience or idea. But they market themselves to the "gifted" student population. Maybe look for a school that targets gifted population specifically, if that's what you are looking for. These types of schools provide academic acceleration.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:In VA, there are schools like Nysmith, Basis McLean, Ideaventions, Edlin, etc. I did not even tour any of them so I don't have first hand experience or idea. But they market themselves to the "gifted" student population. Maybe look for a school that targets gifted population specifically, if that's what you are looking for. These types of schools provide academic acceleration.

Agree with this list. Think most of the PP are overly judging OP just because the word “rigor” was thrown out there. OP could be simply expecting the kindergarten class to teach the alphabet sounds and some simple CVC words or start practicing finger counting math. Nothing wrong with that. Of course, OP could also be diabolical and want their 6 year old to start writing complete sentences. But we have no idea without more details.

[Anonymous]

If you are paying $40K for school, it should be for criteria you want. Nothing wrong with wanting an advanced curriculum.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you are paying $40K for school, it should be for criteria you want. Nothing wrong with wanting an advanced curriculum.

It’s kindergarten! Why the rush for advanced reading? Or to start advanced math. I’ve got friends who felt the same and ended up moving to another state so her DD could skip a grade and even then she’s youngest in class. Has had so many social issues in high school bc of age.

[Anonymous]

Our private school has families like you in k-2 who like clockwork start getting grumpy about “rigor” and apply out to other schools or go to test-in “gifted” schools in our area. And then inevitably they complain once their kid is at another school that it’s a bad social fit, their kid has no friends, the environment is too competitive, the other parents are too competitive, there aren’t enough specials or enrichment activities, etc.

At an elite or top private school, you aren’t paying for maximizing your individual child’s academic accomplishments. You are paying for a well-rounded education and social experience with the intent of creating a confident, self-motivated future HS or college student who works well with others.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you are paying $40K for school, it should be for criteria you want. Nothing wrong with wanting an advanced curriculum.

For $40K, I would want a developmentally appropriate curriculum.