Private Schools that Emphasize Critical and Independent Thinking

[Anonymous]

We're considering shifting our son to private school for middle school and high school. As a family value, we care about schools that emphasize independent and critical thinking rather than just "accepting" what one is told. We also value hard work and children learning that it is okay to go "against the mold" and pursue one's passions (e.g., it's okay to try starting a business before/instead of college; it's okay to make mistakes and pivot).

As we're starting to explore private schools, many of them tell us they promote independent and critical thinking. Do people find that is universal at private schools? Or are they just telling us what we want to hear? We're in Bethesda and we have easy access to the beltway and could go into DC and Virginia or stay in Maryland. Any private schools people recommend we check out?

Thank you in advance!

[Anonymous]

I don't think any school tells students to "accept what they are told" except may be for basic math.

[Anonymous]

Any school based on a progressive model is going to teach kids to think independently.

Burke
Field
GDS

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't think any school tells students to "accept what they are told" except may be for basic math.

Some are better than others on supporting individuality.

Considering location, I would suggest Burke, Field, St. Andrew's and St. John's for 6-12 plus Green Acres and Sheridan for 6-8.

[Anonymous]

Waldorf education is well known for supporting middle&high school students in building critical thinking skills and empathy. We are lucky to have WWS in Bethesda. Tours and admissions events are ongoing this fall with an open house on Nov 8.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Any school based on a progressive model is going to teach kids to think independently.

Burke
Field
GDS

They also have to know some basic math, science, literacy and history to think critically, which I believe most of American schools are lacking.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We're considering shifting our son to private school for middle school and high school. As a family value, we care about schools that emphasize independent and critical thinking rather than just "accepting" what one is told. We also value hard work and children learning that it is okay to go "against the mold" and pursue one's passions (e.g., it's okay to try starting a business before/instead of college; it's okay to make mistakes and pivot).

As we're starting to explore private schools, many of them tell us they promote independent and critical thinking. Do people find that is universal at private schools? Or are they just telling us what we want to hear? We're in Bethesda and we have easy access to the beltway and could go into DC and Virginia or stay in Maryland. Any private schools people recommend we check out?

Thank you in advance!

Catholic schools. Maybe. If you don't know the opposite, how can you critique it? Growing up in an authoritarian country is the single most important factor played in my critical thinking Not where you are handed over what is right or wrong in a daily basis.

[Anonymous]

Most private schools encourage critical thinking. Some public school teachers and families say that this makes private school kids seem entitled, so there’s that.

Bullis and Maret support unusual extracurriculars.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Most private schools encourage critical thinking. Some public school teachers and families say that this makes private school kids seem entitled, so there’s that.

Bullis and Maret support unusual extracurriculars.

I doubt a bunch of rich brats know critically thinking. They just know money can buy them anything and all they can do is to pretend they care about people who are less fortunate than them and then keep climb up.

[Anonymous]

I don’t think the school matters very much on this. Someone who’s going to be an entrepreneur is going to find a way to break out and do that. Someone who wants to follow along a very structured professional path will do that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Most private schools encourage critical thinking. Some public school teachers and families say that this makes private school kids seem entitled, so there’s that.

Bullis and Maret support unusual extracurriculars.

I doubt a bunch of rich brats know critically thinking. They just know money can buy them anything and all they can do is to pretend they care about people who are less fortunate than them and then keep climb up.

They think more critically than you do.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Waldorf education is well known for supporting middle&high school students in building critical thinking skills and empathy. We are lucky to have WWS in Bethesda. Tours and admissions events are ongoing this fall with an open house on Nov 8.

Waldorf schools are for antivax hippies. People should know that before they apply.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Most private schools encourage critical thinking. Some public school teachers and families say that this makes private school kids seem entitled, so there’s that.

Bullis and Maret support unusual extracurriculars.

I doubt a bunch of rich brats know critically thinking. They just know money can buy them anything and all they can do is to pretend they care about people who are less fortunate than them and then keep climb up.

Do you hear yourself?! Mark Zuckerburg was one of those rich brats at private school. I’m not sure that’s the lesson absorbed. And if you do your homework before spewing misguided opinions, you might realize that many many many successful entrepreneurs (Musk, Bezos, Gates….and many less well known) all fall into your rich brats category. As a matter of fact MOST successful entrepreneurs are rich brats…

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don’t think the school matters very much on this. Someone who’s going to be an entrepreneur is going to find a way to break out and do that. Someone who wants to follow along a very structured professional path will do that.

+1
The school just supports them and provides additional resources or access to mentors.

[Anonymous]

Waldorf schools are for antivax hippies. People should know that before they apply.

I’m not an antivax hippie. Neither, as far as I know, are the tech execs who also send their kids to Waldorf Schools according to Jonathan Haidt. Haidt says “The value of phone-free and even screen-free education can be seen in the choices that many tech executives make about the schools to which they send their own children, such as the Waldorf School of the Peninsula….Waldorf is probably right.” (The Anxious Generation, p249 on my Kindle version)