DD Average Student - Looking for H.S. - Finishing School Vibe is Fine

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Look at Madeira.

The academics there would be a challenge and not sure the personality is a fit.

[Anonymous]

OP is in Laytonsville. Logistically, the options are quite limited.

[Anonymous]

Bullis if she wants coed. Interestingly enough, I had a daughter at Holy Child that seems similar to your child’s profile. Holy Child academics were a slog for her. Lots of memorization and busy work homework. Not enough fun nonacademic electives. The traditions and team building activities were fun, though.

[Anonymous]

My son has some similarities to your daughter, though he is sporty and is passionate about that. But I guess he is bubbly and has the male version of your daughter’s personality. He is at SSFS and loves it.

There is nothing further from a “finishing school” that I can imagine. It is a thoughtful place that cares about the world and learning. You just don’t need to believe that academics and academic achievement (or “achievements” of any sort) are the pinnacle of human experience in order to thrive there. If that sounds like a fit for your family take a look.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My DD is coming from a good K-8. She is a completely average student - not particularly motivated in any subject. She consistently pulls in B and C grades. She’s also not involved in sports at all and has not stuck consistently to other random extracurricular activities we have tried.

This Fall we will meet with her counselor about potential high schools. But I was wondering what are your recommendations for a student who is not at all a star and doesn’t stand out at anything academically or sports-wise.

She does however have a wonderful, bubbly personality and makes friends easily. I’m looking for a school where she would do well enough to get into college but obviously not a pressure cooker school. She’d probably do reasonably well in a finishing school type of environment, while although not necessarily academic, they will nudge you all of the way through while perfecting other skills that would be helpful in life, like public speaking, hosting, etc.

I hope this post is not odd. She’s one of three kids and just doesn’t have the same motivation or drive as my other two.

Are you open to boarding schools? You might want to look at some in MD or PA.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Look at Madeira.

The academics there would be a challenge and not sure the personality is a fit.

She would not be accepted to Madeira.

[Anonymous]

[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Look at Madeira. [/quote]

Why would you suggest this? It’s in VA and extremely rigorous. Better chance of getting into Holton and it’s much closer. [/quote]

Do you really think a B/C student can get into Holton?[/quote]

DP. Unfortunately, OP’s DD wouldn’t get accepted to either school. Or most DC area schools. They don’t want C students, especially if they don’t have anything going for them for extra curricular-wise. I have heard Holy Cross takes a wider selection of girls but I have no personal experience.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Bullis if she wants coed. Interestingly enough, I had a daughter at Holy Child that seems similar to your child’s profile. Holy Child academics were a slog for her. Lots of memorization and busy work homework. Not enough fun nonacademic electives. The traditions and team building activities were fun, though.

NP. Ugh - how recent was this? We were looking at holy child for our daughter. Did your DD eventually graduate from there?

[Anonymous]

Holy Cross, Good Counsel, Bullis, St. Johns College HS, and Field.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Look at Madeira.

The academics there would be a challenge and not sure the personality is a fit.

She would not be accepted to Madeira.

True. Was trying to be kind.

[Anonymous]

Madeira is not that competitive. Ease up.

[Anonymous]

SSSAS comes to mind, but that is in VA.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Madeira is not that competitive. Ease up.

- signed, parent of girl rejected

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Madeira is not that competitive. Ease up.

Madeira has more of a range of girls. It would be expensive for boarding. However it seems like the OP's daughter might struggle with the weird schedule.

It has gotten a little more popular in the past ten years, but might still be doable admissions wise for OP's daughter.

[Anonymous]

girls like this who I went to school with went to Holy Child. It was quite a long time ago, so things might have changed. I will also caveat and say that one of the girls I know who fits this profile also got shut out of everywhere and ended up going to her local public.