Preschool at Langley or Country Day

[Anonymous]

Please tell me the pros/cons of each school for the 3-5 age range. I’m considering applying my child next year. I’ve heard of a few kids whose parents I know leaving CDS early and joining siblings at Langley for the 3s program. Curious why they would do that and not just stay at CDS for another year or two.

[Anonymous]

i've heard CDS is hard to get into?

[Anonymous]

People go to Langley if they want to go to Langley for elementary school. Those who go to CDS tend to go to Potomac, a DC school, or public.

[Anonymous]

We have been part of the Country Day School community for a couple of years, and our experience this past year has been less than satisfactory. The school has significant potential, particularly with its focus on free play, outdoor playgrounds, and social-emotional learning. However, we have encountered challenges with the administration’s level of support, especially this year.

There seems to be a lack of collaboration between the administration and parents when it comes to addressing our child’s needs, which has left us feeling unsupported at times. Additionally, we have noticed a concerning turnover rate among teachers, which can impact the consistency and quality of education.

We remain hopeful for positive changes next year with the new headmaster that will enhance the overall experience at CDS and better support both students and families.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:People go to Langley if they want to go to Langley for elementary school. Those who go to CDS tend to go to Potomac, a DC school, or public.

Lots of kids from Country Day go to Langley. Usually after finishing K and CDS, but plenty enter in JK and K as well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Please tell me the pros/cons of each school for the 3-5 age range. I’m considering applying my child next year. I’ve heard of a few kids whose parents I know leaving CDS early and joining siblings at Langley for the 3s program. Curious why they would do that and not just stay at CDS for another year or two.

Having two kids in the same school has its benefits. If the older sibling is at Langley, then moving the younger one there would work better for family logistics. Langley Preschool is also a good one. If the child stayed at CDS for longer, they would probably transition to Langley at K or 1st grade anyway since the older child is there, so the earlier the transition, the better for family logistics.

[Anonymous]

One other thing to keep in mind is that if you are interested in enrolling your child at Langley for k or 1st grade, they’ll have to take the WPSII test. They don’t have to take the test if they are already there since preschool. At least that’s the way it was a few years ago.

[Anonymous]

Have you ever heard of a kid going to Langley for PK3 and PK4 and then going to Potomac? Seems like there are so many kids from CDS applying to Potomac and with all the siblings, pro athletes, and stratospherically rich people at CDS - I don’t think many other kids would have a chance from CDS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:People go to Langley if they want to go to Langley for elementary school. Those who go to CDS tend to go to Potomac, a DC school, or public.

Lots of kids from Country Day go to Langley. Usually after finishing K and CDS, but plenty enter in JK and K as well.

Kids who go through K at CDS often repeat K somewhere else. Low success for those who try to enter Langley in 1st after finishing K at CDS.

To the OP, people leave CDS for Langley for the 3s because it's easier to get in from the start than compete later for K spots (and even fewer 1st grade spots). Plenty get into Langley K from CDS 4s, and same for Langley K from CDS K (to repeat), but very few from CDS K to Langley 1st.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We have been part of the Country Day School community for a couple of years, and our experience this past year has been less than satisfactory. The school has significant potential, particularly with its focus on free play, outdoor playgrounds, and social-emotional learning. However, we have encountered challenges with the administration’s level of support, especially this year.

There seems to be a lack of collaboration between the administration and parents when it comes to addressing our child’s needs, which has left us feeling unsupported at times. Additionally, we have noticed a concerning turnover rate among teachers, which can impact the consistency and quality of education.

We remain hopeful for positive changes next year with the new headmaster that will enhance the overall experience at CDS and better support both students and families.

CDS needs to find its footing once it gets a permanent new HOS again. Too much admin and teacher turnover the past few years. I share a lot of this opinion, including remaining hopeful. It's a wonderful school in so many ways.