Baltimore Private for Middle School

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So I’ve had a child at both RPCS and Bryn Mawr. Bryn Mawr is just much much stronger academically. Really neat and creative classes, tons of writing. Welcoming kids. Really no comparison to Roland Park. That said, they’re getting a new middle school head next year, which should help. But really I’d do bryn Mawr without question if your daughter needs challenge.

Re all girls school, middle school is exactly the right time to do it. Read Carol Gilligan In A Different Voice.

I switched to ncs I’m seventh grade. It was dreadful socially and I lived within a mile of school. Can’t imagine what it would have been like with a two hour commute.

If your kid is happy socially at the school in Annapolis, I would leave her there and try to send her to enriching summer programs.

[Anonymous]

I had friends who lived in Annapolis and commuted to BMS when I was a student there. One had a second house in Baltimore to stay in over weekdays, though they also stayed in Annapolis periodically. Baltimore house was def the second house. The others commuted daily. Back then, it was long-distance if we wanted to call them, but we did. All girls went on to do great in life

[Anonymous]

Have you looked at going over the bridge instead? My daughter attends The Gunston School. The Kent School provides transportation and is in Chestertown. It's a great school with a solid reputation.

[Anonymous]

We chose to send our daughter from Annapolis to high school over the bridge for a few reasons. The academics are strong and the culture is a little more laid back. Definitely worth checking out if you are considered the north Baltimore private schools. The commute from Annapolis to Baltimore can be tough mid week. I much prefer going over to Centreville.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So I’ve had a child at both RPCS and Bryn Mawr. Bryn Mawr is just much much stronger academically. Really neat and creative classes, tons of writing. Welcoming kids. Really no comparison to Roland Park. That said, they’re getting a new middle school head next year, which should help. But really I’d do bryn Mawr without question if your daughter needs challenge.

Re all girls school, middle school is exactly the right time to do it. Read Carol Gilligan In A Different Voice.

This is really helpful, thanks. Our young kiddo just got into McDonogh (and its location is much more convenient for us currently), but am really interested in an all-girls education. Nice to hear the middle school timing may make sense--its what I've been thinking. Any chance you know of former McDonogh kids who transferred?

[Anonymous]

You maybe should think about garrison forest. I live in dc area but my daughter has been a boarder at gfs since 9th grade ( she is graduating this year). The boarding program begins in 8th grade. The school is all girls and has been great for my daughter/ even with all the challenges of the pandemic
bTW my daughter has come home most weekends because she does a sport near home on sundays

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You maybe should think about garrison forest. I live in dc area but my daughter has been a boarder at gfs since 9th grade ( she is graduating this year). The boarding program begins in 8th grade. The school is all girls and has been great for my daughter/ even with all the challenges of the pandemic
bTW my daughter has come home most weekends because she does a sport near home on sundays

Harrison is a good school but not nine for the academic rigor op is seeking.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Roland park is getting new head. Margaret Lofgren.
Amanda at BMS is not leaving, fortunately, as she is wonderful.

Another Bryn mawr parent and most people don’t agree with this. Amanda
should have been gone long ago for many reasons. The lower, upper and head of school are all strong though.

Why do you think so?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Roland park is getting new head. Margaret Lofgren.
Amanda at BMS is not leaving, fortunately, as she is wonderful.

Another Bryn mawr parent and most people don’t agree with this. Amanda
should have been gone long ago for many reasons. The lower, upper and head of school are all strong though.

Why do you think so?

She is horrible on racial issues ( she is personally responsible for situation with middle school theatre teacher that led to tri school protests last year, but that is only one of many incidents she handled poorly) and bullying issues. Personally know several families that left school over situations where she failed to intervene, including a member of the board. She favored her daughter and her classmates when they were in middle school. She does not like spirited girls and is much harsher with them than girls she favors. She is also very unpopular with middle school faculty. Really find it shocking that someone who has spent any time at middle school would describe her as lovely. My dd has attended since lower school and is now in upper, and I would unequivocally say she is a real weak link, and should be fired.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Roland park is getting new head. Margaret Lofgren.
Amanda at BMS is not leaving, fortunately, as she is wonderful.

Another Bryn mawr parent and most people don’t agree with this. Amanda
should have been gone long ago for many reasons. The lower, upper and head of school are all strong though.

Why do you think so?

She is horrible on racial issues ( she is personally responsible for situation with middle school theatre teacher that led to tri school protests last year, but that is only one of many incidents she handled poorly) and bullying issues. Personally know several families that left school over situations where she failed to intervene, including a member of the board. She favored her daughter and her classmates when they were in middle school. She does not like spirited girls and is much harsher with them than girls she favors. She is also very unpopular with middle school faculty. Really find it shocking that someone who has spent any time at middle school would describe her as lovely. My dd has attended since lower school and is now in upper, and I would unequivocally say she is a real weak link, and should be fired.

She is a frequent object of complaints on the Black at the Trischools insta.

[Anonymous]

Well, we are new to BM middle this year, but I’ve been very pleased FWIW. And I do know a number of the families who pulled their girls out. A couple of people went to great lengths to “warn” us away. We and DD are extremely happy with the middle school, teachers, other kids, etc. YMMV.

[Anonymous]

McDonogh, if the three schools you mentioned, is the only one with a five day boarding option for upper schoolers. It’s a good option for those With long commutes.

My kids go to Mcd - MS and US - and both have kids from Annapolis in their grades. There is 100% an “Annapolis bus” but I do t know where the pickup/drop off is. I love the school, but would not subject my kids to the commute unless There as a VERY good reason.

Not sure why you put MCD on this list if you want a single gender experience. Though I’m not sure how accurate “girls school” is in ANY description these days. Students populations at all of these schools Now includes non binary individuals and trans individuals.

You should just visit the schools and gauge the “vibe” yourself based on your kid and your family. They are slightly different culturally.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Roland park is getting new head. Margaret Lofgren.
Amanda at BMS is not leaving, fortunately, as she is wonderful.

Another Bryn mawr parent and most people don’t agree with this. Amanda
should have been gone long ago for many reasons. The lower, upper and head of school are all strong though.

Why do you think so?

She is horrible on racial issues ( she is personally responsible for situation with middle school theatre teacher that led to tri school protests last year, but that is only one of many incidents she handled poorly) and bullying issues. Personally know several families that left school over situations where she failed to intervene, including a member of the board. She favored her daughter and her classmates when they were in middle school. She does not like spirited girls and is much harsher with them than girls she favors. She is also very unpopular with middle school faculty. Really find it shocking that someone who has spent any time at middle school would describe her as lovely. My dd has attended since lower school and is now in upper, and I would unequivocally say she is a real weak link, and should be fired.

If the school, which is hardly a bastion of conservatism, retain her despite all these allegations, odds are pretty good that it is mainly hysteria rather than anything grounded in reality.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Well, we are new to BM middle this year, but I’ve been very pleased FWIW. And I do know a number of the families who pulled their girls out. A couple of people went to great lengths to “warn” us away. We and DD are extremely happy with the middle school, teachers, other kids, etc. YMMV.

What did they decide to leave? Academics or social issues?

[Anonymous]

Social - lots of “questioning” about sexual orientation etc I believe some people are not comfortable with that, and I don’t say that with any blame at all. It can be disconcerting. That said, I’ve had kids in many schools and I think this is how it is these days in middle schools, at least for a certain set of girls. To me, it shows how comfortable kids are at school that they can be so open about gender and sexual orientation.