Forum Index
»
Private & Independent Schools
Beauvoir
![[Post New]](/jforum/templates/default/images/icon_minipost_new.gif){kind=icon}
Anonymous
I did say that I may be wrong but decided to mention anyway. No harm done if that's not the case right? |
Anonymous
| Sorry, meant the 2144 cynical parent. To the former Beauvoir parent, your insights are very appreciated. Thank you for taking the time to do this. |
Anonymous
I don't think your are at all cynical. This very thought occurred to me as well. There has been negative press on DCUM about a number of schools and preschools "post admission decision". I can't help but think that some people will do just about anything to get their children into some of these schools, including trying to cast doubt into parents' minds to help move along the waitlist. If you have unanswered questions, your best bet is to get in touch with the admission folks and ask for contact information of current/alumni parents. |
Anonymous
| Well I suppose one never knows another's intentions, but good grief, what a world view. I am a half full kind of gal, and I just don't understand looking at things from your lens. I will stop judging now and sign off. |
Anonymous
We all wish the world were a nicer place but sadly not always the case. Life has made me cynical - some people stop at nothing to achieve their aims but I am sorry i upset you. Sleep tight. |
Anonymous
| Fair enough. And perhaps you ARE right. Just makes me sad to think. And, jeepers, I don't want my kids going to school with parents that do such things. I didn't mean to sound so harsh. |
Anonymous
|
I think many of one of the PP's ten points could apply to many different schools. I am a current Beauvoir parent who also has a child at another independent school. We went through the outplacement process with him and it was nothing compared to the Kindergarten process. There is no "good" time to go through the application process. Whether it's at K or 9th grade, it's unpleasant. The 4th grade placement from Beauvoir was a breeze and we didn't go on to STA by choice. We wanted to go elsewhere and were completely supported in that decision.
As a parent at another school I've had the chance to compare notes a bit. And, I think it's unfair to make those points about Beauvoir when they could easily describe the other independent school where my older child is now. Beauvoir's teachers have a one year contract, as does the Head. The school has a stated curriculum at each grade level that the teachers are expected to adhere to. The school is a structured environment - kids are not roaming the halls, it is quiet. You get pretty much what they advertise - it is a traditional approach to learning. My older child is at a more progressive school now. He made the transition there easily despite having to move quietly, in a line, for 4 years at Beauvoir. BTW, my child was not in the "top" of his class at Beavoir in terms of reading groups and assessments. However, he has been consistently lauded by his teachers at his current school for his writing and appeared to be more than prepared to handle the curriculum. |
Anonymous
|
Anonymous
|
To the person(s) who was interested in the "rewriting" of the Beauvoir math curriculum, I'm happy to amswer any questions you might have privately. Beauvoir is not rewriting the math curriculum per se, but there have been some fairly substantive modifications at most grade levels. Believe me or not, I know a fair amount about the Beauvoir math curriculum.
And for the record, a couple of other quick, random responses to questions/issues raised by people: Whether or not Beauvoir has a weak program I'll refrain from commenting on, but I will say this: The school(s) which most loudly prcolaims such weaknesses has a different approach and different set of math objectives/priorities than Beauvoir does. Beauvoir and NPS are not really all that similar (though they're certainly not radically different either) in my opinion. The Beauvoir experience is not a particularly Christian one. Chapel services are once a month, and as someone else mentioned, they tend to be about general moral/ethical topics and not so much about Christian-specific ones. There are a number of non-Christian students at the school who seem to feel quite comfortable, and the Cathedral itself markets and lives the motto of: "A House of Prayer for All." Just to give you a sense, the school chaplain is currently doing a series of chapel services on Beauvoir's Life Rules (Honesty, Respect, Kindness, and Responsibility). Third graders are writing and presenting the service on honesty. There is no religious education at Beauvoir, and there is no mandatory or "strongly encouraged" prayer really. The only thing that comes close is that some grades to a grace at lunch. These are moments of silence or fun, snappy graces (like the Adams Family or Johnny Appleseed graces) that don't mention Jesus. As an example: "We thank the Lord for giving, the things we need for living, for food for fun for friendship, we thank you now oh Lord." The children do learn the occasional chapel hymn in music class. These are fun songs that they all pretty much enjoy singing and are pretty light on the "doctrine." Popular ones include "I Sing a Song of the Saints of Gof" and "All Things Bright and Beautiful." You can google these names and find the lyrics. The school actively teaches students about the religious traditions of a variety of different faiths and cultures. Parents often come in to present on topics such as Diwali, Hanukkah, Rosh Hashanah, and Ramadan. Regarding diversity, about 1/3 of Beauvoir's students are non-Caucasian. Beauvoir has a special admissions process for siblings. I'm sure Margaret Hartigan, the admissions director, would be happy to discuss that with anyone who is interested. Hats off to the person who asked about the school's reading instruction. If you have specific questions you would like to ask I'm happy to answer them (if they relate to me) at the above e-mail address or forward them on to others who can. The vast majority of students seem to have plenty of playdates and receive all kinds of birthday invitations. (The teachers, too, sometimes!) Associate teachers play different roles in different classrooms, primarily based on their experience and comfort level. Most, perhaps all, of them do at least some active instruction -- and some do quite a bit. ***Please note that this post represents solely the opinion and observations of the poster. Helpful Beauvoir Post |
Anonymous
| OP here. I just wanted to thank everyone for the very insightful comments. I'm planning to contact both Beauvoir and WES early next week to ask several follow-up questions and then make my decisions. Thanks again! |
Anonymous
Dearest OP: So . . . how did it turn out? I was following this string with great interest. We were presented with the same issue several years ago. . . . R |
Anonymous
Not the OP but just curious which school did you decide upon when faced with the same decision??? |
Anonymous
|
OP here. We decided to go with Beauvoir. I talked to five parents of current Beauvoir kids (friends of friends, friends of neighbors etc.) and they all had wonderful things to say about the school and the welcoming environment. I specifically asked each parent about my perception that Beauvoir has a bit of a "snob" reputation - each acknowledged that there was that perception but added that they had not felt out of place or marginalized in any way. I then called the school and got wonderful feedback on my questions/concerns. Although it was a tough decision between WES and Beauvoir, we feel great about our decision to go with Beauvoir.
|
Anonymous
Hello OP we are also new Beauvior parents will your DC be in Pre - Kindergarten or Kindergarten???? |
Anonymous
OP here - our DC will be starting Kindergarten. And yours? |