Private Schools with Good Classroom Structure

[Anonymous]

Our child has been attending a progressive K-8 for the past few years. There are many things we have liked about it, but at this point, we are considering whether it would be better to find a school with a more traditional approach and better classroom structure.

We spend so much time and money trying to fill gaps left by the school. The need to constantly monitor and step in to make sure things don't go off the rails has become draining. We don't mind being involved, but would like to be somewhere that we will feel more confident that things are also being handled at school.

Any recommendations for schools to consider?

[Anonymous]

Can you describe what you mean by “good classroom structure”? The majority of private schools are fairly traditional, so just saying “more traditional and structured” doesn’t narrow it down much. What don’t you like about your current school? What specifically are you looking for in a new school?

[Anonymous]

Where do you live? And how old is your kid?

[Anonymous]

I’m assuming you are at FCS or a similar school. You will probably enjoy the traditional structure of a small catholic school.

[Anonymous]

Progressive schools have less structure which can be good or bad depending on the child/family.
If you are in Virginia, and would like to look at K-12, Flint Hill and Potomac are good at classroom structure.

If you want to switch to a K-8: I believe some K-8 schools such as Norwood, Langley has traditional classroom setting with structure. I don't have experience with them so I cannot speak for sure.

The key is, if you are looking for structure, stay away from too progressive schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Where do you live? And how old is your kid?

+1

[Anonymous]

What type of gaps are you talking about?

[Anonymous]

We need more info. Help us help you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What type of gaps are you talking about?

Classes at the progressive schools are sometimes (or mostly) child-led. While children can get deep into topics they are interested about, this method can leave gaps in the curriculum where some areas are untouched. Time and coverage of each topic is not as structured as in traditional schools, where the teacher leads the class and time-spent / depth of learning is determined by the curriculum/teacher.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We need more info. Help us help you.

This. Are you in MD, DC, or VA, OP? What grade is your DC in?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What type of gaps are you talking about?

Classes at the progressive schools are sometimes (or mostly) child-led. While children can get deep into topics they are interested about, this method can leave gaps in the curriculum where some areas are untouched. Time and coverage of each topic is not as structured as in traditional schools, where the teacher leads the class and time-spent / depth of learning is determined by the curriculum/teacher.

Yep. This happens all the time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Where do you live? And how old is your kid?

+1

We live in DC. Second grade.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Can you describe what you mean by “good classroom structure”? The majority of private schools are fairly traditional, so just saying “more traditional and structured” doesn’t narrow it down much. What don’t you like about your current school? What specifically are you looking for in a new school?

We would like something more teacher driven and where there are clearer lines and expectations. Probably also more repetition on key subject matter content for skill development.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What type of gaps are you talking about?

Classes at the progressive schools are sometimes (or mostly) child-led. While children can get deep into topics they are interested about, this method can leave gaps in the curriculum where some areas are untouched. Time and coverage of each topic is not as structured as in traditional schools, where the teacher leads the class and time-spent / depth of learning is determined by the curriculum/teacher.

I’ve had a kid in progressive schools for the last 13 years. I’ve never seen anything like that.

And in second grade? Second grade is about learning how to learn.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What type of gaps are you talking about?

Classes at the progressive schools are sometimes (or mostly) child-led. While children can get deep into topics they are interested about, this method can leave gaps in the curriculum where some areas are untouched. Time and coverage of each topic is not as structured as in traditional schools, where the teacher leads the class and time-spent / depth of learning is determined by the curriculum/teacher.

I’ve had a kid in progressive schools for the last 13 years. I’ve never seen anything like that.

And in second grade? Second grade is about learning how to learn.

And even that is somehow not what we hoped for.