Which prestigious private high schools

[Anonymous]

I can think of literally dozens of my friends who went to public elementary (and sometimes middle school) and then went on to "prestigious" high schools (whatever the hell those are -- some of the most highly regarded schools aren't mentioned that often on this board). I can also think of dozens of my kids' friends who did the same thing (plus my own children). You people with young children need to get a grip. $250,000 for a "placeholder?" Ridiculous. Suppose you find after all this expenditure that the school that seemed perfect for a 5 year old isn't the right fit for a 14 year old? Maybe you are new to the area? If so, please don't get caught up in all the hype. Getting your pre-K kid into Sidwell won't be the ticket to the Ivy League unless your child does very well there, and it's a little early to know that, isn't it?

[Anonymous]

One of the most prestigious HS in our area is Thomas Jefferson HS in VA. Probably better than many private schools and harder to get into (since it's merit based and free).

Hopefully, all parents just try to do the best for their kids and encourage them to maximize their potential. Sidwell (or some other similar school) may be the right school or it may not but you will absolutely not know that until later. Of course, the chances of molding a child to be right for Sidwell may be easier if you start at Pre-K!

Have you read the book "The Overachievers"?

Good luck.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I can think of literally dozens of my friends who went to public elementary (and sometimes middle school) and then went on to "prestigious" high schools (whatever the hell those are -- some of the most highly regarded schools aren't mentioned that often on this board). I can also think of dozens of my kids' friends who did the same thing (plus my own children). You people with young children need to get a grip. $250,000 for a "placeholder?" Ridiculous. Suppose you find after all this expenditure that the school that seemed perfect for a 5 year old isn't the right fit for a 14 year old? Maybe you are new to the area? If so, please don't get caught up in all the hype. Getting your pre-K kid into Sidwell won't be the ticket to the Ivy League unless your child does very well there, and it's a little early to know that, isn't it?

The latecomers to private school don't get the full benefit of a private school education. The beginning is the most important part.

[Anonymous]

"The beginning is the most important part?" What a load of baloney. Most studies show that as long as small children are raised in homes where both parents are educated and the focus is on learning, the kids will do just fine no matter where they are. I for one was not going to spend $24,000 for my kid to learn how to fingerpaint and take turns. They learnt that just fine in DCPS and at home. And now they're doing just as well if not better than the kids who started out in pre-K at their private schools. And that's been the experience of many of my friends' children. Plus, they're grounded, tolerant, and comfortable with children from a variety of backgrounds.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:"The beginning is the most important part?" What a load of baloney. Most studies show that as long as small children are raised in homes where both parents are educated and the focus is on learning, the kids will do just fine no matter where they are. I for one was not going to spend $24,000 for my kid to learn how to fingerpaint and take turns. They learnt that just fine in DCPS and at home. And now they're doing just as well if not better than the kids who started out in pre-K at their private schools. And that's been the experience of many of my friends' children. Plus, they're grounded, tolerant, and comfortable with children from a variety of backgrounds.

I am convinced there are some who send their kids to privates precisely so they are not grounded and comfortable with children from a variety of backgrounds. They want to go to elite schools to feel, well, elite.

[Anonymous]

Yeah, it's not nice of me, but every time my kid does better than the elite type's "lifer" child at school I have a nice secret chuckle. Then I add up the money I saved one more time!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I can think of literally dozens of my friends who went to public elementary (and sometimes middle school) and then went on to "prestigious" high schools (whatever the hell those are -- some of the most highly regarded schools aren't mentioned that often on this board). I can also think of dozens of my kids' friends who did the same thing (plus my own children). You people with young children need to get a grip. $250,000 for a "placeholder?" Ridiculous. Suppose you find after all this expenditure that the school that seemed perfect for a 5 year old isn't the right fit for a 14 year old? Maybe you are new to the area? If so, please don't get caught up in all the hype. Getting your pre-K kid into Sidwell won't be the ticket to the Ivy League unless your child does very well there, and it's a little early to know that, isn't it?

The latecomers to private school don't get the full benefit of a private school education. The beginning is the most important part.

I am the OP, and this post makes essentially my point, but my my a bit snarky. I would rather not spend the money for just a placeholder when I have no idea what my son will want to do in 11 years. And I am not caught up in the hype b/c I would be applying now if I were. I just want to know the facts. It seems that, unfortunately, I will in fact be foreclosing some options now, and that is a bummer. I am sure I will survive, but still a bummer that I have to think about this.


One last thing, it is clear that there are some people who come to this forum just to blast people who send their kids to private schools. Why are you here?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I can think of literally dozens of my friends who went to public elementary (and sometimes middle school) and then went on to "prestigious" high schools (whatever the hell those are -- some of the most highly regarded schools aren't mentioned that often on this board). I can also think of dozens of my kids' friends who did the same thing (plus my own children). You people with young children need to get a grip. $250,000 for a "placeholder?" Ridiculous. Suppose you find after all this expenditure that the school that seemed perfect for a 5 year old isn't the right fit for a 14 year old? Maybe you are new to the area? If so, please don't get caught up in all the hype. Getting your pre-K kid into Sidwell won't be the ticket to the Ivy League unless your child does very well there, and it's a little early to know that, isn't it?

The latecomers to private school don't get the full benefit of a private school education. The beginning is the most important part.

I am the OP, and this post makes essentially my point, but my my a bit snarky. I would rather not spend the money for just a placeholder when I have no idea what my son will want to do in 11 years. And I am not caught up in the hype b/c I would be applying now if I were. I just want to know the facts. It seems that, unfortunately, I will in fact be foreclosing some options now, and that is a bummer. I am sure I will survive, but still a bummer that I have to think about this.


One last thing, it is clear that there are some people who come to this forum just to blast people who send their kids to private schools. Why are you here?

It's a sport around here I'm afraid.

[Anonymous]

learnt?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:learnt?

Innate.

[Anonymous]

One last thing, it is clear that there are some people who come to this forum just to blast people who send their kids to private schools. Why are you here?

I don't come here to blast people who send their kids to private schools. I send mine but I remain skeptical of the value given the high cost. However, since I don't live in Potomac, my options are more limited.

[Anonymous]

I'm going to disagree with the above posters. Each of the schools has grades in which they expand greatly. (4th, 6th, 9th are common, I think) As long as you apply for one of those years, I think it is reasonable to think you can get in from a public or no-name private. However, the selection standards also go up. So to get into Sidwell or GDS for high school, your kid had better be at the very top of his/her class.
I would not worry at all about preschool. Our children went to no-name local preschools and now go to a very competitive (at least according to this board) private school.

[Anonymous]

PS. The poster who said "the beginning is the most important part" was making a joke about Beauvoir's motto. Relax, people.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

One last thing, it is clear that there are some people who come to this forum just to blast people who send their kids to private schools. Why are you here?

I don't come here to blast people who send their kids to private schools. I send mine but I remain skeptical of the value given the high cost. However, since I don't live in Potomac, my options are more limited.

Thanks. This is OP, and the fact that I live in Potomac is another reason I don't want to jump on the private school route now. I understand why people who live in DC do worry about it more.

My local HS, Churchill, is great academically, but has veryvery large classes. 2100 students in the school, compared to 450 for Georgetown Prep. I have no idea now if my DS would be much better off in a smaller class.

However, the local elementary school in my district is pathetic. Essentially all temporary trailors -- still trying to figure out the whether academic quality is good, but from what I have heard so far, it is not.

[Anonymous]

OP - I have a three year old (and 8 month old) and live in the city of alexandria where the elementary school is fantastic but the high school and middle school not as good. Honestly, I really have not put much thought into what I'll do if we still live in the city and we don't think our boys should go to TC Williams. Then again, a lot changes in 10 years and TC may be great. And I want my boys to go to school with their friends...so who really knows.

If I were you, I wouldn't stress about it. I personally check out these boards b/c I am curious about what is going on w/r/t the private schools in our area in case we do at some point want to go the private school route (and let's face it, these boards are pretty amusing).

Don't get caught up into the whole DC elite private school competition. You will drive yourself crazy.

I'm a product of the NoVa public schools myself and think private schools are pretty overrated for the typical kid.