Is Maret a conservative school?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am just reading this post - I hate to bring back an old topic, but my question, related to this, is whether or not a conservative family would feel comfortable at Maret. We love what we have seen as prosepctive parents in terms of the focus on art, the creativity of the teachers and the warmth of the parents. We did immediately get the impression that Maret is liberal, without googling the board members or doing much research on that in particular. I am just wondering if our conservative values would isolate our child and if so, at what age would you say this would become an issue? My question is truly genuine and is geared more toward people with firsthand experiences at Maret and not for those who have "heard" things through the grapevine.

I think it depends what your conservative views are. If they expressly and verbally villify centrist or left leaning politicos, I don't think you will make many friends but you certainly won't be kicked to the curb. There is a wealthy family at our private who not only still sports the Palin bumper sticker but a sticker with a bullseye on Obama. Do I like it? No, but it's freedom of speech, and our private has an even mix of political views.

[Anonymous]

PP here. We do not attend Maret but have several family members whose kids have attended over the past ten years and have compared notes regularly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am just reading this post - I hate to bring back an old topic, but my question, related to this, is whether or not a conservative family would feel comfortable at Maret. We love what we have seen as prosepctive parents in terms of the focus on art, the creativity of the teachers and the warmth of the parents. We did immediately get the impression that Maret is liberal, without googling the board members or doing much research on that in particular. I am just wondering if our conservative values would isolate our child and if so, at what age would you say this would become an issue? My question is truly genuine and is geared more toward people with firsthand experiences at Maret and not for those who have "heard" things through the grapevine.

I went to Maret. Yes, it is mostly politically to the left - but there are Republicans there too. The school encourages open dialogue regarding all view points. No one was ever make to feel right or wrong, just encouraged to be respectful of all views and to develop an opinion. We had two kids in our class - one far left and one far right - who debated one another from 1st grade through 12th. They are still best of friends to this day.

[Anonymous]

Thanks guys - I am today's OP (not the OP of the entire thread). I love what you guys had to say, especially PP. I knew there was something positive that really struck a chord with me when I went on the school tour and hearing affirmation from you all is so encouraging. On to the next battle, which is getting in!!! Thanks again!

[Anonymous]

Today's OP....do the names James Carville and Mary Matalin ring a bell? Make it work!

[Anonymous]

Oh, of course, PP - today's OP here - I am sure that "we can all get along" but some environments can be hostile and I am not sure I can tell my child, if he is feeling isolated, to "just make it work." We teach respect and tolerance in our household for all beliefs and views (not all/most liberals or conservatives do that in their homes, btw). My issue is not my child getting "infected" with liberal cooties or being different; my only concern is whether or not my child will be ostracized/bullied for having conservative values. The people who responded above seem to have experiences indicative of Maret, as a school and student body, being tolerant either way. That was the concern, not whether or not my child is sitting next to a card carrying progressive. We actually think diversity in all senses of the word makes children/people better. We just don't want to be isolated, which I think is reasonable.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Seems that Maret is very conservative.

Maret is the only DC independent school that I'm aware of that has a LGBT prospective parent open house -- last year they posted the announcement on DCUM. If one calls that very conservative, well . . . seems like either your impressions are ill-informed or you're trolling.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Oh, of course, PP - today's OP here - I am sure that "we can all get along" but some environments can be hostile and I am not sure I can tell my child, if he is feeling isolated, to "just make it work." We teach respect and tolerance in our household for all beliefs and views (not all/most liberals or conservatives do that in their homes, btw). My issue is not my child getting "infected" with liberal cooties or being different; my only concern is whether or not my child will be ostracized/bullied for having conservative values. The people who responded above seem to have experiences indicative of Maret, as a school and student body, being tolerant either way. That was the concern, not whether or not my child is sitting next to a card carrying progressive. We actually think diversity in all senses of the word makes children/people better. We just don't want to be isolated, which I think is reasonable.

I wouldn't be so concerned about the kids. They go on with the day concerned about exams, sports, etc. It's adults that have the issues as indicated by your serious but well-meaning posts.

[Anonymous]

19:42 again. I'm sure you've looked at other schools that might have more of a political mix. Unsure of your child's sex or age but there's St. Alban's, NCS, Holton, Landon, WES, to name a few that have solid, conservative representation along with liberals....much more so than Maret, Sidwell, or GDS.

Again, respect goes both ways. Stop worrying. It will be fine no matter where DC goes.

[Anonymous]

DC just started Maret in the 9th grade. I have to say we have been extremely pleased with how warm and welcoming the students and teachers have been to her. She absolutely loves her new school. There doesn't seem to be any kind of political "vetting," by the way.

[Anonymous]

DC just started Maret in the 9th grade. I have to say we have been extremely pleased with how warm and welcoming the students and teachers have been to her. She absolutely loves her new school. There doesn't seem to be any kind of political "vetting," by the way.

[Anonymous]

DC just started Maret in the 9th grade. I have to say we have been extremely pleased with how warm and welcoming the students and teachers have been to her. She absolutely loves her new school. There doesn't seem to be any kind of political "vetting," by the way.

[Anonymous]

Sorry to post so many times! The website was doing something wonky.

[Anonymous]

Maret is a joke - I'm sorry, but last years incident of the 16 kids distributing pot at a K-12 - and the schools response with 0 expulsions - is not the sort of cohort I want to pay for. Leinency for drugs on campus and during school usage ...... not OK - and I'm a liberal.....

[Anonymous]

How many years is 'a few years ago?'

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Seems that Maret is very conservative.

Is this a spoof ?

Maret is politically to the left. If you need help figuring this out, go their website and google board member after board member until you get the full picture. Wealthy, intellectual and politically just. It is a fine community and a fine school. Well run by smart people. No, I would not necessarily call that being conservative. They arecareful about who thye admit though, in a good way.

A few years ago, they were very intent on raising the school's profile by admitting wealthy and high status parents. The middle school Ad was particularly known for her attention to status. I haven't had much contact with the school for 2-3 years, so I don't know how this is working out today.