Why Beauvoir?

[Anonymous]

I am wondering why (on this board) Beauvoir seems to be focused on so much more than any other school. I have been in this area for a while and my perception is that all the private schools have their share of wealthy, connected families - whatever stereotype you want to apply - why is it that everyone attacks Beauvoir for being so elitist or snobby? Seems like they all have their fair share of these types?

[Anonymous]

Beauvoir, and by extension NCS/STA, because no other school in the region has the same mystique or cachet. To be sure, others schools out there, both private and public, can provide a substantially similar quality educational experience. But none has the connotation or metaphorical value. To say that one is at Beauvoir is saying so much more than you are receiving a top notch education. If you are a member of the upper echelons of WASPish society, this is simply the tried and true way of maintaining one's status and perpetuating the species. If you are not a member of this class, it is one of the few ways of gaining, if not the keys to the kingdom, then at least a foot in the door.

[Anonymous]

there are private schools that seem virtually devoid of the snob-factor: burgundy farm comes to mind as one.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:there are private schools that seem virtually devoid of the snob-factor: burgundy farm comes to mind as one.

I honestly think those who choose Beauvoir are attracted by the snob factor. It's the case of birds of a feather, or a haven for wanna-bes, or simply shrewd otherwise un-snobbish parents who seek to infiltrate this bastion of the Establishment to ensure that their DC understands, befriends, and ultimately conquers "The Enemy."

[Anonymous]

PP: That was pretty funny. And believe me, it takes a lot to get a genuine smirk otta me.

[Anonymous]

I have also been wondering about this, OP. When we first came to Washington, I remember meeting a woman who was fairly high up in the Clinton White House at a toddler class. She was instructing me about the private schools in DC and stated flatly that she would never apply to Beauvoir because "they" didn't want people like "us." This, from a woman who could have picked up the phone at any time and had her call speedily returned by any inhabitant of the globe. I nodded sagely, while not having a clue about who "they" were and why they didn't like "us."

Being clueless, we did apply to Beauvoir, and got in. My kids have had a wonderful education. We don't have connections or serious money. And if "they," whoever they are, don't like "us," they certainly seem to hide it well. And I still don't know why that powerful woman let her imagination run riot and thought the way she did.

Beauvoir is run by professionals who give a lot of thought about the needs of young children. We sent our children there because we think that the school's educational philosophy matches our own. I know that there are other great schools in the area, and that we coiuld also have been happy if our children had gone to one of those instead. I also know that there are several private schools whose philosophy does not match ours, and where we would not send our children. But we don't think that parents who choose those other schools are somehow deficient or have character flaws. So, why is it permissible to make sweeping generalizations about the character of parents in our case? Especially when many of the posters have no first hand experience of the school and are clearly relying on inaccurate information.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have also been wondering about this, OP. When we first came to Washington, I remember meeting a woman who was fairly high up in the Clinton White House at a toddler class. She was instructing me about the private schools in DC and stated flatly that she would never apply to Beauvoir because "they" didn't want people like "us." This, from a woman who could have picked up the phone at any time and had her call speedily returned by any inhabitant of the globe. I nodded sagely, while not having a clue about who "they" were and why they didn't like "us."

Being clueless, we did apply to Beauvoir, and got in. My kids have had a wonderful education. We don't have connections or serious money. And if "they," whoever they are, don't like "us," they certainly seem to hide it well. And I still don't know why that powerful woman let her imagination run riot and thought the way she did.

Beauvoir is run by professionals who give a lot of thought about the needs of young children. We sent our children there because we think that the school's educational philosophy matches our own. I know that there are other great schools in the area, and that we coiuld also have been happy if our children had gone to one of those instead. I also know that there are several private schools whose philosophy does not match ours, and where we would not send our children. But we don't think that parents who choose those other schools are somehow deficient or have character flaws. So, why is it permissible to make sweeping generalizations about the character of parents in our case? Especially when many of the posters have no first hand experience of the school and are clearly relying on inaccurate information.

Well said.

[Anonymous]

Beauvoir is run by professionals who give a lot of thought about the needs of young children. We sent our children there because we think that the school's educational philosophy matches our own. I know that there are other great schools in the area, and that we coiuld also have been happy if our children had gone to one of those instead. I also know that there are several private schools whose philosophy does not match ours, and where we would not send our children. But we don't think that parents who choose those other schools are somehow deficient or have character flaws. So, why is it permissible to make sweeping generalizations about the character of parents in our case? Especially when many of the posters have no first hand experience of the school and are clearly relying on inaccurate information.

Thank you! I completely agree.

[Anonymous]

Beauvoir, and by extension NCS/STA, because no other school in the region has the same mystique or cachet

But - WHY? Why do these schools have a mystique or a cachet? When did it all start? Maret. SIdwell, GDS, etc are all expensive with great facilities and with high profile families involved, etc. All have excellent academic reputations. Why does Beauvoir seem to elicit such an oooh and ahhhh response when mentioned? Is there one specific thing about this place that makes it just soooooo much more desirable? If I had to guess - I would say the location....if I am going to spend gobs of money on private school - it seems a bit more justified if I can drive up that long drive past the Cathedral and all the beautiful flowers everyday! Like paying more for a house with a view of the ocean or something......

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Beauvoir, and by extension NCS/STA, because no other school in the region has the same mystique or cachet

But - WHY? Why do these schools have a mystique or a cachet? When did it all start? Maret. SIdwell, GDS, etc are all expensive with great facilities and with high profile families involved, etc. All have excellent academic reputations. Why does Beauvoir seem to elicit such an oooh and ahhhh response when mentioned? Is there one specific thing about this place that makes it just soooooo much more desirable? If I had to guess - I would say the location....if I am going to spend gobs of money on private school - it seems a bit more justified if I can drive up that long drive past the Cathedral and all the beautiful flowers everyday! Like paying more for a house with a view of the ocean or something......

I actually don't think it has more "cachet" than Sidwell. People get just as worked up about that school too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So, why is it permissible to make sweeping generalizations about the character of parents in our case? Especially when many of the posters have no first hand experience of the school and are clearly relying on inaccurate information.

FINALLY something from an actual PARENT at Beauvoir!

I've been wondering like OP, too. How could there be so many opinions about a place that doesn't have that many students? A few actual parents I know there don't seem to be as militant - one way or another - as parents at any other school. Is there some cabal perpetuating the "mystique"? (DC loves a good conspiracy...)

Ironically, one Beauvoir parent with brown hair and an "ethnic" last name told me she got REVERSE snobbism (if that's possible). At a school event, a parent commented snarkily to her about "all the wasps running around" indicating a group of kids with blonde hair. Uh...several of which just happened to be HERS.

Jerks come in all forms

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Beauvoir, and by extension NCS/STA, because no other school in the region has the same mystique or cachet

But - WHY? Why do these schools have a mystique or a cachet? When did it all start? Maret. SIdwell, GDS, etc are all expensive with great facilities and with high profile families involved, etc. All have excellent academic reputations. Why does Beauvoir seem to elicit such an oooh and ahhhh response when mentioned? Is there one specific thing about this place that makes it just soooooo much more desirable? If I had to guess - I would say the location....if I am going to spend gobs of money on private school - it seems a bit more justified if I can drive up that long drive past the Cathedral and all the beautiful flowers everyday! Like paying more for a house with a view of the ocean or something......

It speaks to us in a way no other area school (yes, even Sidwell) cannot. It says Establishment. It says Aristocracy. It says Power.

The naysayers says it speaks Elitism with a capital E, and is one of the few remnants of a nearly extinct species of Washington Cave Dweller.

And it is no doubt this Elitism (smacking of all sort of other despicable "isms") which both attracts and repels. The irony is that while very few now at Beauvoir would qualify as true old-school WASPs, nearly everyone I know there on the one hand proclaims the power of Democracy and has a sincerely egalitarian world view, but on the other hand wants nothing more than to become an accepted member of, or at least be embraced by, the Elite. Beauvoir, and afterwards NCS/STA, is one of the few ways, bloodlines aside, that one can gain entry into this fabled state of grace.

[Anonymous]

Why is everyone so emotional about B? Good question. It is because we are focussed on young children and emotionally involved in their every little portion of their life. And Beauvoir is deals with our young children -- and only young children -- and hence is our emotion extends itself to it.

By the time, your kids are in 4 or 5th grade, your interest and involvement in the school will diminish signficantly -- whether you want it to or not. When my eldest daughter went to her first school (not B.), I was very involved in all things pre-k, KG, 1st and 2nd. By 4th grade, I was still very involved but not as much emotionally. As your child gets older, parents mature as well (or at least hopefully).

Beauvoir is for the young -- whether it is for the young child or the relatively new parent.

My second child is at Beauvoir but I think I'm more mature the second time around and can't really get excited by the school (though I like it) and instead focus on whether my son is happy, engaged, and learning.

I hope this gives you some insights into the Beavoir mystique.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The irony is that while very few now at Beauvoir would qualify as true old-school WASPs, nearly everyone I know there on the one hand proclaims the power of Democracy and has a sincerely egalitarian world view, but on the other hand wants nothing more than to become an accepted member of, or at least be embraced by, the Elite. Beauvoir, and afterwards NCS/STA, is one of the few ways, bloodlines aside, that one can gain entry into this fabled state of grace.

Curious - how many we talkin' here? Sounds like bloodlines/child marriage to an aristocrat would work faster. (OK, I'm assuming this post was a joke.)

PP on maturity of parents was useful. thx

[Anonymous]

Actually I do NOT think that post was a joke. I think its incredibly accurate. My children go to different independent school and we are very happy with it, in fact completely happy. So, it really made me laugh when a woman I know told a mutal friend (who's kid are at B) that she wanted B and only B since its "The Establishment school" in Washington. Dead seriously. Mutual friend and I laughed our a--es off. I admit, I am a total WASP, but frankly I just don't feel the need for that type of validation, although I consider B a wonderful and lovely school. I think some people just need it. It makes them feel good, important, connected, whatever. Others pick B because its the best school for their child and/or family. Pretty typical array of reasons actually.