Bullis, Norwood, Primary Day

[Anonymous]

Curious about admission status for the lower schools here…seems like a lot more WL and D than I’m used to hearing (from word of mouth).

[Anonymous]

Competitive year for PreK and K… at the play dates it seemed the applicants were boy heavy.

[Anonymous]

It depends on the year, but this year Bullis applicants were also high because of the brand new lower school building and playground.

[Anonymous]

The new lower school at Bullis has increased applications but so has wanting to get a child into a K-12 earlier than 6th or 9th grade, where admissions seem to be getting more competitive.

[Anonymous]

If you applied to all 3 for lower school I’m assuming it’s for K… primary day and Norwood have preK so there are less available spots for K, and like the others said, Bullis has just become more competitive.

[Anonymous]

So don’t expect to get pulled from Bullis waitlist? Seems to have become way more desirable in the last few years. Which schools tend to dip into their WL?

[Anonymous]

I would not expect to get off their waitlist. They seem to have no issue filling every spot. Not sure about the other schools, but I do think it’s not uncommon at many schools to pull from wait pool.

[Anonymous]

[quote=Anonymous]Curious about admission status for the lower schools here…seems like a lot more WL and D than I’m used to hearing (from word of mouth). [/quote]

Why do people go to these super expensive private schools? I feel a smaller less expensive schools have equal good quality of education for this age.

[Anonymous]

[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Curious about admission status for the lower schools here…seems like a lot more WL and D than I’m used to hearing (from word of mouth). [/quote]

Why do people go to these super expensive private schools? I feel a smaller less expensive schools have equal good quality of education for this age. [/quote]

We had our kids at a less expensive school upcountry and the education is NOT equal. My son started at Bullis in 4th grade and the quality of education was incomparable. He actually almost felt a little bit behind when he started. My other child was a late birthday and I kept asking less expensive private if we should hold her back. I was noticing she felt like she wasn't keeping up with the other students and they told me not to worry, that everything was fine. When we switched Bullis, it was found out that she has ADHD and Dysgraphia because her teacher at that school noticed the same things we did.

So while I am sure that a student can get a good education at a less expensive private, the more expensive privates tend to have better resources and experiences for the students. It's not for everyone and that's okay. Every family has to do what is right for them and for ours, Bullis was the right choice. No matter where you go, there will always be pros and cons, but it's up to each family to find what works best for them.

[Anonymous]

OP… have you toured Concord Hill? Their program is dreamy! Might be worth getting in a late application. It was our favorite place, just sadly too far away.

[Anonymous]

DD went to Primary Day. The other parents never included me into their groups (when I volunteered). The amount of hw was insane for K, but the teacher told me parents want more. I regret having spent those years there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DD went to Primary Day. The other parents never included me into their groups (when I volunteered). The amount of hw was insane for K, but the teacher told me parents want more. I regret having spent those years there.

Ugh, I’m sorry that was your experience. I knew it was academically rigorous but hadn’t heard to that extent. And hate that it was so exclusive.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DD went to Primary Day. The other parents never included me into their groups (when I volunteered). The amount of hw was insane for K, but the teacher told me parents want more. I regret having spent those years there.

Ugh, I’m sorry that was your experience. I knew it was academically rigorous but hadn’t heard to that extent. And hate that it was so exclusive.

Unfortunately those social dynamics exist at some level at most of these schools, but I haven’t had that experience at primary day, it’s been wonderful.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DD went to Primary Day. The other parents never included me into their groups (when I volunteered). The amount of hw was insane for K, but the teacher told me parents want more. I regret having spent those years there.

I think that’s okay, especially since the school only goes up to 2nd grade. You’re really not missing out on anything by not being included in those small parent groups.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DD went to Primary Day. The other parents never included me into their groups (when I volunteered). The amount of hw was insane for K, but the teacher told me parents want more. I regret having spent those years there.

From a current kindergarten parent and parent of recent graduates, Primary Day does not require homework in K. Homework starts in October of first grade and is generally 1-2 worksheet pages per night. This does ramp up to about 30 minutes plus reading time by the end of second grade but these students enter third grade knowing how to manage their time and manage homework, which are critical skills.