Private school recommendations- northern VA

[Anonymous]

Hello, I am looking for a private high school for my daughter.
She is above average academically, likes science and math. She is very social and athletic, she plays on hockey travel team and that takes most of her free time.
We are looking for a school that is strong academically, but will not assign three hours of homework every day- we simply do not have time for that.

We strongly prefer secular school, but will consider religious school as well if it is a very good fit otherwise.

Thank you!

[Anonymous]

The main non-Catholic high schools in NoVa are Potomac and SSSAS (which is Episcopalian, but not super religious) and Flint Hill. Then there are the Catholics like Ireton and O’Connell. Then there are the smaller, less-mainstream schools like New School.

Flint Hill might be your best bet — but even then, depending on course load, you could see 3 hours of homework especially in 11/12 grades.

Basically, none of these schools is going to meet every part of your criteria (New School has less homework if a more progressive educational model is ok, but it won’t have particularly competitive sports; Potomac will have sports and academics but also a heavy homework load; SSSAS has a moderate to heavy homework load depending on course selection but is Episcopal, etc.)

[Anonymous]

OP, I think you and your daughter are in for a rude awakening. 3 hours of HW per night is not excessive, particularly for strong private schools. You’re going to have trouble finding what you’re looking for. Might I humbly suggest that the priority should be on her education?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, I think you and your daughter are in for a rude awakening. 3 hours of HW per night is not excessive, particularly for strong private schools. You’re going to have trouble finding what you’re looking for.

+1 to the quoted part above.

Better quality public HSs also will have a substantial homework load in the Honors or AP classes that most pre-college students take.

[Anonymous]

If you'd consider an online school, they can offer more flexibility for students who spend a lot of time on their sports. Bryn Mawr in Baltimore has an online high school that can accommodate high level athletes. I'm sure there are others too.

[Anonymous]

Thank you! Just to clarify- we are not looking for a school with competitive sports- she gets enough of this playing competitive hockey.
Sports will be done outside of school.
We want her to get a good education, but also have time for activities outside of school. Is doing 3 hours of homework every day the only way to get a good education? I mean, kids spend about 7 hours in school. 3 hours of homework on top of this plus homework on the weekend brings their academic workload to 55 + a week.
Is this reasonable to expect a teen to maintain this workload for several years?

[Anonymous]

Look for a school with a variety of level of intensity classes. Our kids go to Catholic high school and my uber-driven kid can take AP up the wazoo. My slightly less driven can AP in interest areas and take honors. My less than stellar student in regular college prep level. Homework time seems commiserate with rigor level and a little dependent on student.

I’ve found across my kids the hardest working spends the most time due to the demands of the harder classes and their personal achievement goals. Just the nature of the beast I presume.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hello, I am looking for a private high school for my daughter.
She is above average academically, likes science and math. She is very social and athletic, she plays on hockey travel team and that takes most of her free time.
We are looking for a school that is strong academically, but will not assign three hours of homework every day- we simply do not have time for that.

We strongly prefer secular school, but will consider religious school as well if it is a very good fit otherwise.

Thank you!

Many private schools in the area have a required sports or after school activity requirement. It's possible that your DD might be able to get an exemption but not guaranteed.

College admissions is very different than when we went through it. Heavy rigor and courseloads are required for admission to top schools. If that isn't a priority, public schools might meet your needs better.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thank you! Just to clarify- we are not looking for a school with competitive sports- she gets enough of this playing competitive hockey.
Sports will be done outside of school.
We want her to get a good education, but also have time for activities outside of school. Is doing 3 hours of homework every day the only way to get a good education? I mean, kids spend about 7 hours in school. 3 hours of homework on top of this plus homework on the weekend brings their academic workload to 55 + a week.
Is this reasonable to expect a teen to maintain this workload for several years?

5 or 6 classes with a half hour of homework each is 2.5-3 hours. Are you suggesting 30 minutes for each subject is too much?!?!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Thank you! Just to clarify- we are not looking for a school with competitive sports- she gets enough of this playing competitive hockey.
Sports will be done outside of school.
We want her to get a good education, but also have time for activities outside of school. Is doing 3 hours of homework every day the only way to get a good education? I mean, kids spend about 7 hours in school. 3 hours of homework on top of this plus homework on the weekend brings their academic workload to 55 + a week.
Is this reasonable to expect a teen to maintain this workload for several years?

5 or 6 classes with a half hour of homework each is 2.5-3 hours. Are you suggesting 30 minutes for each subject is too much?!?!

Many schools use a block schedule so only half the classes meet every other day, and they can stagger homework. That can help with the load. Also look for schools that have built-in study time during the school day on all or many days a week. Your kid has to be disciplined enough to use in-school time effectively, but if they are, that also helps a lot.

[Anonymous]

OP, check out The New School of Northern Virginia.

[Anonymous]

How difficult is the school she’s in now? Academic standards are high in NoVa schools overall. If she’s average in a meh school now she’ll struggle in NoVa. Also check commute times….

[Anonymous]

Flint hill 100%

[Anonymous]

We had a SA like this for HS but not hockey. It’s very difficult to get modified schedules and exemptions from homework. The public schools are much easier to work with. We thought private would be easier but teammates at public had it much easier to have the flexibility needed.
FH is a good place to start.
Good luck.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We had a SA like this for HS but not hockey. It’s very difficult to get modified schedules and exemptions from homework. The public schools are much easier to work with. We thought private would be easier but teammates at public had it much easier to have the flexibility needed.
FH is a good place to start.
Good luck.

Sorry, but what does SA mean in this context? The only meaning I’m familiar with is not at all appropriate here.