Are there "normal" families at these top schools?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There are a few schools that are academically rigorous but are almost completely lacking in parent competitiveness.

At WES, we're rarely asked what we do for a living. We're there for the kids, and that's the focus. If you happen to make a nice professional contact, it's because you got to know the person first as a human. At a school function, I introduced my husband to a nice parent that I had met named John and we all chatted for a while. As we walked away, my husband said, you do know that that was the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, right? Well, no, I hadn't recognized him. And I LOVE that I didn't even know that he sends his kids there.

Anonymous wrote:


Let's be competitve about not being competitive, and drop names, too!

My kids go to a "top three" and we too, are, rarely/never asked what we do for a living. No Supreme Court justices, though. Oh, dear [grave pause] am I failing my children?

[Anonymous]

Sad that you didn't recognize him and sad that you disclosed a private fact about a public individual.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Someone on another thread was obsessing and conspiracy theorizing about how schools were evalutaing her "social status" and what, really, can you say in that case? (Other than get over yourself.)

I'm not that poster but, honestly, if you're the same poster on that thread who minimized her obviously heartfelt concerns, then you need to get over your own self. People do worry about these things, for whatever reasons, and they deserve respectful treatment. And yes, my kid got into a top three too, and yes, we're happy. You just seem like a dog with a bone.

[Anonymous]

Plus, you're misrepresenting her argument. "Conspiracy theories" didn't come into it, just normal questions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Sad that you didn't recognize him and sad that you disclosed a private fact about a public individual.

Is it a private fact? There was a long thread about where the Obamas will send their children recently.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There are a few schools that are academically rigorous but are almost completely lacking in parent competitiveness.

At WES, we're rarely asked what we do for a living. We're there for the kids, and that's the focus. If you happen to make a nice professional contact, it's because you got to know the person first as a human. At a school function, I introduced my husband to a nice parent that I had met named John and we all chatted for a while. As we walked away, my husband said, you do know that that was the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, right? Well, no, I hadn't recognized him. And I LOVE that I didn't even know that he sends his kids there.

Anonymous wrote:


Let's be competitve about not being competitive, and drop names, too!

My kids go to a "top three" and we too, are, rarely/never asked what we do for a living. No Supreme Court justices, though. Oh, dear [grave pause] am I failing my children?

No, you don't drop names. You just feel compelled to refer to your kids' school as a "top three" instead of using its name.

[Anonymous]

You should fit in OK. There are a ton of lawyer parents in elite private schools in DC. The older ones tend to be partners, the younger ones associates. If you get along with the people at your firm, you should be fine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sad that you didn't recognize him and sad that you disclosed a private fact about a public individual.

Is it a private fact? There was a long thread about where the Obamas will send their children recently.

Yes, it is a private fact.

Also, do you honestly think anyone on this board has factual information about where the Obamas would send their children. It's all speculation.

[Anonymous]

Who are all these disruptive people who come in and make wild accusations like "s/o on another thread is conspiracy theorizing" (I remember the thread and no, she wasn't) or "you're boasting about yourself"? You guys hijack what could otherwise be interesting discussions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Sad that you didn't recognize him and sad that you disclosed a private fact about a public individual.

My thoughts exactly. The PP could have made the point without name the person or the school. Also, how could you NOT recognize the freaking cheif justice. Did you not read the paper or watch the news at all during the confirmation hearings.

[Anonymous]

I've just read the entire second page of this thread and I've learned nothing except ... some DCUM posters don't like other DCUM posters.

We all know that there are plenty of human foibles on display at DCUM. But can't you just smile at them and then ignore? Why do you need to engage? Why attack, and force other posters to defend themselves?

I'm mad too, but it's more about the fact that my time was wasted reading this thread. And all the reasonable posters seem to have fled.

[Anonymous]

This forum fascinates me.

I'm AA and my wife is White. Our son attends the one of the top schools in pre k. I dont know if we fit in because I dont care. The only things that should be important are 1) my child's happiness, 2) the quality of the education, and 3) more of 1 and 2.

We have a pretty high household income but no family wealth. But we struggle to pay tuition, pay the mortgage and save for college and retirement.

We both work and quite frankly we didnt send our son to the school because we're looking for a socials circle. In fact, just the opposite is true. We get invited to more birthday parties, coffees, etc than we have time for. Our friend cup is full!

These schools are just like the larger world (which is why they are so valuable) for which we are preparing our children. There are cliques and clubs, snobs and blobs, fun-lovers and dullards. Some people start life on 3rd base, while others are held back. GET OVER IT.

[Anonymous]

Bravo. Well said!

[Anonymous]

First of all, people need to understand one thing: Schools like burgundy that are very different in their educational approach are not "second tier" or "second choice" schools for most of the families that apply. We applied there (and did not even consider schools like Sidwell) because we agree with the educational approach and thought it was a good fit for our child. Sidwell would not have been as good of a match, and their educational approach much too traditional in our eyes.

People have this misguided perception that schools like Burgundy are just repositories for kids who did not "make" the cut for the "top 3", when in reality it is for many of us it was our clear first choice. The beautiful woodsy campus, the West Virginia campus and trips, the progressive approach to learning all make this school extraordinary.

On one hand, I wish we could dispel this myth that everyone really wants their kids to get into Maret, GDS or Sidwell and that every other school is a second or third tier. On the other hand, I don't care that much because I know our child is happy and we are pleased and if others want to get caught up in the hype... well, so be it!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:First of all, people need to understand one thing: Schools like burgundy that are very different in their educational approach are not "second tier" or "second choice" schools for most of the families that apply. We applied there (and did not even consider schools like Sidwell) because we agree with the educational approach and thought it was a good fit for our child. Sidwell would not have been as good of a match, and their educational approach much too traditional in our eyes.

People have this misguided perception that schools like Burgundy are just repositories for kids who did not "make" the cut for the "top 3", when in reality it is for many of us it was our clear first choice. The beautiful woodsy campus, the West Virginia campus and trips, the progressive approach to learning all make this school extraordinary.

On one hand, I wish we could dispel this myth that everyone really wants their kids to get into Maret, GDS or Sidwell and that every other school is a second or third tier. On the other hand, I don't care that much because I know our child is happy and we are pleased and if others want to get caught up in the hype... well, so be it!

You obviously do care, otherwise you wouldn't have spent the time to post on a thread that has nothing to do with Burgundy Farm and rationalize your school choice.