Most Rigorous Elementary School

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you are paying $40K for school, it should be for criteria you want. Nothing wrong with wanting an advanced curriculum.

The price tag has nothing to do with “advanced” or “acceleration.” So tired of parents new to private schools who think that paying tuition means they are a customer and should get whatever they want.

This isn’t a strip mall tutoring center. What does the school’s mission state? That is what you are paying for, nothing more and nothing less.

[Anonymous]

Sounds like homeschooling and teaching her yourself might be your best option.

[Anonymous]

I grew up in a foreign country, and it is only in the US that people are like “oh no please no rigor for our child”! In many foreign countries, in K, kids learn cursive, how to read, how to write full sentences, addition and soustraction with numbers between 1 and 100, memorizing poems and someone even told me they memorize times tables in his country. If OP wants more rigor she should be able to find it in this free country.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you are paying $40K for school, it should be for criteria you want. Nothing wrong with wanting an advanced curriculum.

It’s kindergarten! Why the rush for advanced reading? Or to start advanced math. I’ve got friends who felt the same and ended up moving to another state so her DD could skip a grade and even then she’s youngest in class. Has had so many social issues in high school bc of age.

I agree, but why charging $40k for kindergarten?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I grew up in a foreign country, and it is only in the US that people are like “oh no please no rigor for our child”! In many foreign countries, in K, kids learn cursive, how to read, how to write full sentences, addition and soustraction with numbers between 1 and 100, memorizing poems and someone even told me they memorize times tables in his country. If OP wants more rigor she should be able to find it in this free country.

Not so much Europe. In Germany, the namesake of kindergarten, kids go into the “garten” to play. You should absolutely start your school if you think there is a market for a rigorous kindergarten around here. Most people with the means to pay $40k do not want your definition of rigor. Me included. But good luck! As you say, free country.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In VA, there are schools like Nysmith, Basis McLean, Ideaventions, Edlin, etc. I did not even tour any of them so I don't have first hand experience or idea. But they market themselves to the "gifted" student population. Maybe look for a school that targets gifted population specifically, if that's what you are looking for. These types of schools provide academic acceleration.

Agree with this list. Think most of the PP are overly judging OP just because the word “rigor” was thrown out there. OP could be simply expecting the kindergarten class to teach the alphabet sounds and some simple CVC words or start practicing finger counting math. Nothing wrong with that. Of course, OP could also be diabolical and want their 6 year old to start writing complete sentences. But we have no idea without more details.

I am certain that every private school (and public school) is doing that, at least.

[Anonymous]

A friend who lives in Frederick wants to put her daughter into a classical charter school. They provide the hardest curriculum in each subject. She told me they have over 900 people on their waiting list. I think the majority of parents are looking for a very rigorist school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I grew up in a foreign country, and it is only in the US that people are like “oh no please no rigor for our child”! In many foreign countries, in K, kids learn cursive, how to read, how to write full sentences, addition and soustraction with numbers between 1 and 100, memorizing poems and someone even told me they memorize times tables in his country. If OP wants more rigor she should be able to find it in this free country.

That school was preparing you for life in a culture and society that works very differently than that of this country and society. I say that as a 1st generation mom in a mixed family. Families who continually try to translate the formulaic approach to education that they grow up with that focuses only on academics and scores are going to continue to struggle and be disappointed by how things actually work here when it comes to college, the job market, and professional careers.

As my mom says, there is a reason she worked hard so we could grow up here.

[Anonymous]

OP you probably need to define rigor particularly when you are talking about lower ES. Additionally, paying for private school doesn’t mean you are going to get an individualized program. It’s just smaller classes which means you could get more attention if needed.

You might want to try a Montessori or Waldorf school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: In many foreign countries, in K, kids learn cursive, how to read, how to write full sentences, addition and subtraction with numbers between 1 and 100, memorizing poems and someone even told me they memorize times tables in his country.

I would not use the word "rigorous" but our small Montessori did most of those things in K and 1st grade, but "Times tables" were later. The 1st grade sentences were pretty simple, and they were taught the basic parts of speech starting in 1st grade.

ALL kids at that school were reading before Halloween in 1st grade. A few kids were reading at age 3. A lot of kids were reading in K. It helped that they started teaching letters, numbers, and then Phonics during the 2-yr old / Toddler year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: In many foreign countries, in K, kids learn cursive, how to read, how to write full sentences, addition and subtraction with numbers between 1 and 100, memorizing poems and someone even told me they memorize times tables in his country.

I would not use the word "rigorous" but our small Montessori did most of those things in K and 1st grade, but "Times tables" were later. The 1st grade sentences were pretty simple, and they were taught the basic parts of speech starting in 1st grade.

ALL kids at that school were reading before Halloween in 1st grade. A few kids were reading at age 3. A lot of kids were reading in K. It helped that they started teaching letters, numbers, and then Phonics during the 2-yr old / Toddler year.

This was our experience with Montessori as well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My daughter attends one of the top private schools in DC. She is currently in Kindergarten, but I am not satisfied with their curriculum. The school presented itself as being very rigorous, which is why my husband and I chose it. However, it turns out they use the same curriculum as the public schools. No offense to public schools, but as a teacher myself, I know that they often adapt their curriculum to accommodate the lowest level in the class.

We were promised that our daughter would be challenged, but that hasn’t been the case. Given that we’re paying over $40,000 for a private school education that mirrors what public schools offer, we feel it’s not worth the investment. As a result, I’ve started homeschooling her in Reading and Math after school, and she’s been doing exceptionally well.

We are now looking for a more rigorous private school. If you have any recommendations, please share. Thank you.

BIM.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I grew up in a foreign country, and it is only in the US that people are like “oh no please no rigor for our child”! In many foreign countries, in K, kids learn cursive, how to read, how to write full sentences, addition and soustraction with numbers between 1 and 100, memorizing poems and someone even told me they memorize times tables in his country. If OP wants more rigor she should be able to find it in this free country.

That school was preparing you for life in a culture and society that works very differently than that of this country and society. I say that as a 1st generation mom in a mixed family. Families who continually try to translate the formulaic approach to education that they grow up with that focuses only on academics and scores are going to continue to struggle and be disappointed by how things actually work here when it comes to college, the job market, and professional careers.

As my mom says, there is a reason she worked hard so we could grow up here.

DP here. A vast majority of our school system does NOT prepare our children if we are hoping for them to strive for the top jobs. Just look at all the top STEM and research positions, they are disproportionately people who grew up outside the U.S. If the child is smart to begin with, saying the parents should not try to maximize their academic learning makes no sense. I don’t think anyone is saying any kid should ONLY focus on academics.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In VA, there are schools like Nysmith, Basis McLean, Ideaventions, Edlin, etc. I did not even tour any of them so I don't have first hand experience or idea. But they market themselves to the "gifted" student population. Maybe look for a school that targets gifted population specifically, if that's what you are looking for. These types of schools provide academic acceleration.

Agree with this list. Think most of the PP are overly judging OP just because the word “rigor” was thrown out there. OP could be simply expecting the kindergarten class to teach the alphabet sounds and some simple CVC words or start practicing finger counting math. Nothing wrong with that. Of course, OP could also be diabolical and want their 6 year old to start writing complete sentences. But we have no idea without more details.

I am certain that every private school (and public school) is doing that, at least.

That’s just an example. Then let’s say 5-letter words with long vowel sounds. Still not unreasonable if a parent can tell their kindergarten kid likes reading and can pick it up easily.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you are paying $40K for school, it should be for criteria you want. Nothing wrong with wanting an advanced curriculum.

It’s kindergarten! Why the rush for advanced reading? Or to start advanced math. I’ve got friends who felt the same and ended up moving to another state so her DD could skip a grade and even then she’s youngest in class. Has had so many social issues in high school bc of age.

Reading in K is not "advanced."