Are the "Big 3" still relevant?

[Anonymous]

It's not a ranking, OP. I think it's purely an invented term that was probably coined by a DCUM. In terms of national prominence, STA/NCS and Sidwell are probably the best known DC-area independent schools.

Is it relevant? It's probably relevant from a social-climbing perspective. If you're really just interested in the best fit for your particular child, it's probably not all that relevant.

[Anonymous]

sticky

[Anonymous]

GDS? Really? Isn't the big three about prestige?

[Anonymous]

The rankings were never relevant. And schools were never ranked. I mean, they've been ranked here at DCUM, and maybe there are other websites out there that do something similar. But those aren't real rankings and they are pretty silly if you ask me. The best school in DC is the one thats right for your child. Thats won't be the same for everyone.

And there is nothing new about the "many excellent school choices" in DC. I'm a native and I can tell you that DC has always had a private school culture for those that want it. There have always been a lot of private schools.

The independent schools in the area don't need justice. Yes, we would all be better off if people were less fixated but the schools are just fine.

This is all pretty silly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:sticky

So when you see the multiple Pepco threads, do you try to herd everyone into a single Pepco thread? Are you, by any chance, a border collie?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:GDS? Really? Isn't the big three about prestige?

No it is not about prestige to those that go to private school - it is imagined to be about prestige to those that don't.

[Anonymous]

Bragging rights only.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:sticky

So when you see the multiple Pepco threads, do you try to herd everyone into a single Pepco thread? Are you, by any chance, a border collie?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:GDS? Really? Isn't the big three about prestige?

No it is not about prestige to those that go to private school - it is imagined to be about prestige to those that don't.

And here we see the perils of generalizing....

There are many thoughtful parents who choose a private school because that school seems a better fit for their child than other private ir public schools.

And there are definitely many parents who go private for the prestige.

[Anonymous]

Relevant for what OP? If you want your kid getting into an Ivy (which really is much more prestigious than the "Big 3")...you don't need to worry about your kid going to a Big 3 because they can get into an Ivy any number of ways (URMs, legacies, athletic recruits, supestar perfect grades/tests/stellar recs/excellent Ecs

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There are many thoughtful parents who choose a private school because that school seems a better fit for their child than other private ir public schools.

And there are definitely many parents who go private for the prestige.

In my experience, it breaks down like this ... If you know and like the private school family, then surely they chose the school as the best fit. But if you don't know or don't like the private school family, well then obviously they chose the school for dirty, social-climbing reasons!

[Anonymous]

LOL, I'm well aware of GDS. I wouldn't have guessed that it was in the same "league" as NCS-STA and Sidwell.

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There are many thoughtful parents who choose a private school because that school seems a better fit for their child than other private ir public schools.

And there are definitely many parents who go private for the prestige.

In my experience, it breaks down like this ... If you know and like the private school family, then surely they chose the school as the best fit. But if you don't know or don't like the private school family, well then obviously they chose the school for dirty, social-climbing reasons!

Hopefully if it is for the dirty, social-climbing reason, then its a school that has some of the parties referenced in the "getting drunk at your kids school fundraiser" thread. There apparently are some real drink feasts out there!

[Anonymous]

The top schools in any area will always be relevant.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There are many thoughtful parents who choose a private school because that school seems a better fit for their child than other private ir public schools.

And there are definitely many parents who go private for the prestige.

In my experience, it breaks down like this ... If you know and like the private school family, then surely they chose the school as the best fit. But if you don't know or don't like the private school family, well then obviously they chose the school for dirty, social-climbing reasons!

So the way you see it, there are just NO families who do private for the prestige. Yeah, right.