Most conservative private school?

[Anonymous]

I appreciate the strong statement that Jimmy Carter made by sending his daughter to DC public schools. What kind of pressure would our DC officials feel to improve our schools if the Obamas went to pub school here?
A lot.
That one act - sending his own children to public school might have been a powerful event for national school reform.

Bingo. It is do as I say not as I do.

[Anonymous]

Amy graduated from brown and is happily married. Why the hating on her?

[Anonymous]

How bout just picking a school using criteria other than political affiliations? I know this is Washington, but do you think your 7 y/old really cares? Isn't school a place to be exposed to ideas and people different than you? Isn't this the lesson you should be teaching your child, that even in Washington, there are things more important than which political party most people belong to.

Only a Republican could think otherwise . . . Ha. ha.

[Anonymous]

Actually, no. Sending your child to a school where they are taught that everything that their parents believe and value is wrong is not exposing them to other ideas. Sadly, some of the more liberal schools do not do a good job of presenting both sides of an argument. As parents, we need to know what are children are being taught and it isn't wrong to want a school that doesn't denigrate our beliefs.

I guess only a Republican would think that....

[Anonymous]

Back to the original question (politic bashing aside). OP, it sounds like you want the politics of a Catholic school without the religion that goes with it. The only way to know is to step on campus. You can get a feel from websites, and I'd start there. (Too many conflicting opinions on this thread. Is your head spinning? Mine is.) I would start with the curriculum that you want for your DC, the type of school, and the location (how far are you willing to travel? What is a deal breaker?) Then start making appointments to stand on the campus. IME, you will know almost immediately once people start talking what is and is not comfortable for you. GL in your search. You will find the right school. It's out there. Signed, a Dem.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How in the world could you be a Republican? No longer the party of fiscal conservatism, that's for sure. The party has gone downhill fast. All the R's I used to know have switched parties.

I recommend you go to the Open Houses of the various schools in the area and you should get a good sense of the parents, current and prospective, and school culture. It's hard to predict what may appeal to you in person. If you find nice people, with an exciting curriculum for your child, you may find that that is a priority over how they vote.

I like you

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Actually, no. Sending your child to a school where they are taught that everything that their parents believe and value is wrong is not exposing them to other ideas. Sadly, some of the more liberal schools do not do a good job of presenting both sides of an argument. As parents, we need to know what are children are being taught and it isn't wrong to want a school that doesn't denigrate our beliefs.

I guess only a Republican would think that....

Sorry, I fundamentally disagree. We all benefit when our fundamental beliefs are challenged. At what stage that should occur is a different question, and worthy of debate. I would have no interest in sending my kids to a school that simply repeated my political, religious or cultural views. I also think that much of the public debate these days has nothing to do with facts. And, to be frank, while the Democrats are not free from criticism on this point, the Republicans, at the moment, are leading in this area. When the House Speaker fails to call to the mat a supporter who questioned whether President Obama was a US citizen, and when Republicans regularly call Obamacare socialism (even though its key ideas originated in conservative think tanks, and even though many of these same individuals supported Bush 2's prescription drug plan, a far more socialistic program), I lose almost all respect for the Republican leadership. There are some serious issues facing the US, and we should debate them, seriously and based on facts. BTW. I forgot, we should strengthen science education to better compete in today's world, while simultaneously including creationism in the curriculm. What a joke? The rest of the world is laughing at us. Sorry, I digress.

[Anonymous]

Precisely, preaching to our kids not teaching our kids.

[Anonymous]

Sorry, I fundamentally disagree. We all benefit when our fundamental beliefs are challenged.

I doubt you would feel the same way if your children were only presented with Conservative opinions and philosophy in the classroom

[Anonymous]

Back to original question. I have good friends who now send their kids to Holton but used to be at Flint Hill in Oakton. The family is very happy with Holton, but as Republicans they often comment that there were more people politically similar to them at Flint Hill than at Holton.

But...they say the academic rigor at Holton makes up for it.

[Anonymous]

What kind of "liberal philosophy" do you fear? Can you give some real-world examples? I'm not asking because I want to pick a fight; I really think understanding just how conservative you want your thinking will help answer your question.

Math: I don't see how that can be liberal or conservative in approach.

Science: Are you wanting creationism taught? Opposed to teaching of evolution? If the teacher says that global warming is a real issue, are you bothered? I'm not sure I see how science is too much of a politically charged subject at the middle school level.

English: Does it bother you that some writers were gay? Are you looking for someone who teaches Ayn Rand? It seems like Shakespeare is Shakespeare, no matter what your political leanings.

Art: Again, not really a political topic at that grade level.

History & Social Studies: This is where I could most easily imagine it making much of a difference. But still, most of the teaching is about history from 50-250 years ago, so modern political views don't enter much into the discussion.

What's your concern here? What do you want taught? And what DON'T you want taught?

Looking forward to your answer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

I appreciate the strong statement that Jimmy Carter made by sending his daughter to DC public schools. What kind of pressure would our DC officials feel to improve our schools if the Obamas went to pub school here?
A lot.
That one act - sending his own children to public school might have been a powerful event for national school reform.

Bingo. It is do as I say not as I do.

Give me a break it was 1976, just 8 years after the riots . A lot happened to put DCPS in the toilet in the next 40 years; Marion Barry patronage being one the big factors to hurt the DCPS system. DCPS in 2012 is very different than DCPS in 1976.

[Anonymous]

Interesting how OP never responded to the very well-reasoned question posted at 17:33. I guess OP isn't really interested in finding a school that is best for her child, with the most well-devolped and enriching curriculum. If that's the case, why is anyone even bothering trying to reason with this person. Just send her on her way . . . .

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Interesting how OP never responded to the very well-reasoned question posted at 17:33. I guess OP isn't really interested in finding a school that is best for her child, with the most well-devolped and enriching curriculum. If that's the case, why is anyone even bothering trying to reason with this person. Just send her on her way . . . .

Maybe because OP first posted 12/27/10...over a year ago????

[Anonymous]

No. Actually PP has a typo in it. The 17:33 post was actually made yesterday.