Small Classes Nurturing Atmosphere for Middle Schooler

[Anonymous]

Oh, and Sheridan is a small school but the classes are not small because they have one class per grade.

[Anonymous]

http://www.bullis.org/academics/college-counseling/colleges-attended-list/index.aspx

http://www.mcleanschool.org/upper/1539/

Comparing Bullis vs mclean college acceptances I have to disagree that Mclean and Bullis are in the same league.

while the OP is looking for MS, the level of college acceptances sets the tone for the academics of the MS.

[Anonymous]

Agree 10:27. Nowhere are they in the same league for college acceptances although only for middle school, I would look for "fit" as well as an easier commute.

[Anonymous]

While i cannot speak to Bullis, i would point out that Lowell like Sheridan and St Pat has excellent exmissions and really a stellar curriculum so not correct to say not rigorous although may be correct to say not pressured.

[Anonymous]

Burgundy Farm in Alexandria.

[Anonymous]

Try Green Acres. Every year there is a small number of new kids who come to the middle school, so 6th would work. It's small but not too small, and really focuses on things that matter in middle school like good relationships with caring adults, etc. Exmissions are fine, arts/science/technology is all really good. We've had a great experience there.

[Anonymous]

Field added sixth grade this year, so it is middle and high school. Burke is another good choice for a nurturing school that is middle and high school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Oh, and Sheridan is a small school but the classes are not small because they have one class per grade.

Are you a Sheridan parent? I am.

Sheridan gets knocked a lot on this board because of its big classes of 23 or 24. I didn't want my child in a class that big. If you investigate further, you'll find that nearly all of the classes are taught in half classes of 11-12. They have two homeroom teachers who break the classes into half classes for instruction. The non-homeroom subjects are also taught in half classes. Half the class is in science and the other half is in music. It makes for a complex schedule, but it also allows the students to work in smaller groups. Even in homeroom subjects, such as social studies, there are two full time teachers who work with smaller groups.

It has been a warm and nurturing environment for my DS. Every single adult in that school knows all the kids.

I know the outward appearance would lead one to believe that Sheridan has large classes compared to other privates. If you are looking for a nurturing and welcoming environment, consider Sheridan and the realities of how students are actually taught.

[Anonymous]

I am also a Sheridan parent. And based on what I know about other privates, the 24 kids in a class thing is not even unusual. Its just that other schools have more than one classroom per grade. For example, Sidwell's LS has 24 kids in a class with two full-time teachers -- they just have two classes per grade (I think 3 classes at grade 4). As pp said, at Sheridan, our kids are broken out into half groups to attend Science, World Language, PE, Art, Music and Library. And they are also broken out into smaller groups in homeroom.

I might add that the co-teaching partnerships are executed with such a high level of precision, cooperation and effectiveness. I have heard horror stories of bad co-teacher marriages in other schools where teachers fight in front of students and are verbally disrespectful to each other.

We have been overjoyed with Sheridan as a learning environment and community for our daughter. She has blossomed. We have found the teachers and administration to be collaborative and connected, caring and communicative. These children are thinking critically, learning how to solve complex problems and are socially and emotionally cared for and respected. We happily pay our tuition because we are getting a most incredible education for our daughter, and to boot, its been a kind and welcoming environment for us as parents. The academics are solid and the "exmissions" to high school are stellar. Definitely worth a look -- its an incredible school.

[Anonymous]

I was the one who referred to Sheridan having large classes and I was only answering OP's question. Its a wonderful school, I've heard only good things about it, but if a child needs small classes, Sheridan won't do. Breakout groups won;t solve the problem because the problem isn't just with academics. I have one child who went to a school with 22 in a class and did just fine. My other DC would never be able to attend in a class that size. Since thats the specific issue OP was asking about, it doesn't help her to suggest Sheridan, even though it is wonderful in many other ways.

Also, they have been known to oversubscribe and have more than 24 kids in a class. Since they can't add a classroom, if more kids accept admission than they antivipate, they end up with unusually large classes.

[Anonymous]

PP, I just don't see your point. My son is in grade 2 at Sidwell Friends. Sidwell has 24 kids in every LS classroom and its never spoken of on this board as having "large" classes. There are two full time co-teachers per class. Nevertheless, if the OP wants a class of say 16 kids, then I'd suggest McLean School, or Field. Or one of the underperforming MoCo public schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:PP, I just don't see your point. My son is in grade 2 at Sidwell Friends. Sidwell has 24 kids in every LS classroom and its never spoken of on this board as having "large" classes. There are two full time co-teachers per class. Nevertheless, if the OP wants a class of say 16 kids, then I'd suggest McLean School, or Field. Or one of the underperforming MoCo public schools.

Your diss of Moco public schools really does not help with the reputation of stuck up sidwell parents.

[Anonymous]

Sorry OP, are you looking in DC, MD, or VA?

[Anonymous]

I posted the comment about underperforming MoCo schools and I did not mean it as a diss. Its commonly known that MoCo does an amazing job at turning underperfoming schools into high performing schools, by putting a lot of resources into those schools -- including ensuring much smaller class sizes. I personally know of people who have gone to the past superintendant to ask for smaller class sizes in their high peforming school and were told that the district would happily allow their child to enjoy smaller classes, but they would have to switch to one of the other schools. So I apologize if it came off as a diss, but it really is rooted in fact. An underperforming MoCo school, but MoCo standards, is still an outstanding school by real world standards any day of the week.

[Anonymous]

*BY MoCo standards. Sorry for the typo.