Where to start research on privates near NW DC for middle/high schooler?

[Anonymous]

We live in Mt. Pleasant and my child will be in 5th grade next year in a DCPS school. I think we'll apply to privates either to begin in middle school or in high school. I have so many questions, and don't know where to find answers. We want a day school no more than 30 minutes from Mt. Pleasant DC. We'd like small classes, an engaging curriculum and lots of attention from teachers. We want a kind, warm community with a culture focused on inclusivity. She wouldn't thrive in a mean/popular girl world. Our kid is above grade level, but not an academic superstar. She's probably in the top 25% of her class, but not the top 10% per her standardized test scores and the very vague grading standards. She excels at math more than writing/humanities. She has ADHD, so she's a procrastinator and would not do well in a pressure-cooker school. We can afford full pay.

With that context, here are my questions:

--Is it best to apply in "entry years?" Would that be 6th and 9th for the most part? I wasn't sure if we should try Deal for a year and then decide.
--we've heard about the Lab School, Burke, Field and Landon. Are there other schools we should research for a bright kid who probably would not thrive in (or get into) the most competitive privates?

We like Deal and JR as options, but, from what we know about where our kid will thrive, I'd like to at least explore private school.

[Anonymous]

Landon is a boys’ school - Holton Arms is the sister school your daughter could look at.

Lab might be overkill for just mild ADHD.

Field has a lot of folks here who love it and a lot of folks here who hate it, so be prepared for a wide range of responses! My kid didn’t like it because it didn’t “feel school like enough” - it’s in a former mansion. We weren’t very impressed by the science and art offers but we very impressed by the English teachers, but ultimately did not continue the application process.

I’ve heard good things about Burke but am not personally familiar with it.

As far as what year, it doesn’t hurt to try as soon as you’re interested, even if it’s a non-entry year, and try again in the entry year if needed. For some school 6th or 7th (or even both) as well as 9th are the main entry years. In other years you’ll have fewer applications but also be competing for just a few spot from attrition, most likely.

[Anonymous]

Landon is all boys, but the other schools you mention would make sense to consider. I would also consider St. Andrew’s, and if you end up applying only for high school, St. John’s. 6th and 9th are common entry years, but at some schools, it is 7th instead of 6th. The school’s website should tell you the entry years.

[Anonymous]

Where to start research? One place is the search tool on the the Association of Independent Schools of Greater Washington website: https://www.aisgw.org/find-a-school#/

[Anonymous]

You should also look at Bullis, St. Andrew’s, Stone Ridge—but all girls, catholic not sure if you want that?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Where to start research? One place is the search tool on the the Association of Independent Schools of Greater Washington website: https://www.aisgw.org/find-a-school#/

This is a good starting place. Some schools have tours or informational sessions over the summer. I would try to go to those if you might apply next year. The application process is time consuming and some fall open houses overlap. So, it’s helpful to narrow your list a bit before the fall/winter when you apply.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You should also look at Bullis, St. Andrew’s, Stone Ridge—but all girls, catholic not sure if you want that?

DP, but just to be clear - SR is all girls and Catholic. Bullis and St Andrew’s are co-ed, with St Andrew’s being Episcopalian.

[Anonymous]

Create an account in Ravenna (https://www.ravenna-hub.com/login), which is the online admissions system that most DC-area private schools use. They have a Directory, which will let you express interest in different schools, so you can start getting mailings, event notices, etc. from them.

Based on academics and location, I agree Burke could be a great option. I'd also look at Maret and maybe Bullis, but that's a significant commute.

[Anonymous]

Agree on Burke and Field being good options for what you describe. They get grouped together a lot based on size, location, and being independent non-religious schools but they have some key differences (I like them both, one was a better fit for my kid).

Definitely recommend some tours/open houses to learn more. I think that could help you get a sense of whether to apply earlier or try Deal first.

[Anonymous]

We loved the 6th grade at Burke for both our kids. It is a great small-ish, progressive school and well worth starting in middle school.

[Anonymous]

At least try public for a year. If it doesn't work out, WES is a good place if you want a K-8 rather than a K-12. Good for kids who thrive in relatively small environments (about 40 per grade in MS). Also a good pit stop if you are wondering about whether taking private to HS is what you want.

[Anonymous]

Go in 6th—usually easier to get in

[Anonymous]

Tours and open houses. That will start to chip away at the mysteries and confusion. The anonymous hate and love for each school you find in this forum should be taken with a fair dose of skepticism. Admission is always easier in 6th or 9th. But try to find something to love about multiple schools because the competition for spots is intense, but maybe less so in 6th than 9th.

[Anonymous]

Look at K8s like Sheridan and Lowell as well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You should also look at Bullis, St. Andrew’s

LOL no. Getting to Bethesda from Mt. Pleasant in 30 minutes is already hard enough. Potomac would be pushing an hour on most days.