Norwood vs. St. Patrick's vs. Sheridan

[Anonymous]

I don't understand 14:06 or 14:07. We are not waiting for a letter from Beauvoir.

[Anonymous]

You will likely get an offer from Norwood. If only because they are going through some difficult transitions right now.

You will not get an offer from Sheridan or St Patricks. They are not "back-up" schools and are more than knowledgable enough to suss out families (parents) like you. Both are very good and very competitive.

[Anonymous]

Don't know about the other two but we are very happy at Norwood. We chose it bc they have shown themselves to be very dynamic and adaptable. They switched math curriculums bc their previous one wasnt leading to the results they were looking for. Have removed underperforming teachers etc. Parental community is very close knit. We subscribe to their motto "how you lead your life matters".

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You will likely get an offer from Norwood. If only because they are going through some difficult transitions right now.

You will not get an offer from Sheridan or St Patricks. They are not "back-up" schools and are more than knowledgable enough to suss out families (parents) like you. Both are very good and very competitive.

I don't know about Norwood, but I agree that you probably won't get an offer from Sheridan or St. Pat's unless you have displayed a very high level of interest in them. For many people (more people than they have spaces for), these schools are first choices, not back ups. I would think that anyone who has spent some time looking at all three of these schools could tell how different they are and wouldn't need anonymous posters to tell them which one would be best for their child. For our child, it would have been St. Pat's > Norwood > Sheridan. For other kids, I could see how Sheridan would be the best fit.

[Anonymous]

Norwood was our first choice when we applied for K last year.

[Anonymous]

I know the obvious differences. But there are positive and negative aspects for each, and I am unsure how they balance out. None is a deal-killer or we would not have applied. I guess I am looking for parent perspective here, especially on teachers, community, academics, academic differentiation, administration, etc. . . While I know we may not get in to any, I'd rather collect the information and not need it than be faced with making an underinformed decision. As for collecting information on this board, I have spoken to parents I know at the schools, but sometimes people are more honest, especially sharing negative perspectives, on an anonymous forum.

Thank you for the helpful responses so far.

[Anonymous]

All are good schools, but I would pick St Patricks. On the margin, it has better academics and now has full capacity (due to recent zoning changes) through 8th grade. I would pick StP over Beauvoir or WES as well.

[Anonymous]

Each of these schools and the information you seek has been thoroughly discussed on these boards. You should search each school to get what you're looking for.

[Anonymous]

We did look at (and apply to) all three, although it was a few years ago. For us at that time, the order was Norwood > St. Pat's > Sheridan. This was before all of the tough transitions noted above.

What does your gut tell you, OP? Which seemed like the best place for your kid? That has to be the focus. If I had been ranking it at the time on other factors, like which AD seemed to most "get" my kid, Sheridan would have been at the top of the heap.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:But location and your family's values and lifestyle do play a role.

If you're in Potomac or most of Bethesda (north of Goldsboro) go to Norwood. CC, MD or west of River and Wisconsin, or Georgetown go to St. Patrick's. East of River and Wisconsin -- CC DC, Tenley, Friendship Heights go to Sheridan. It's that simple.

This is a ridiculous statement and just plain false

[Anonymous]

Norwood , no religious affiliation !

[Anonymous]

I agree with the comments re: St Pats and Sheridan not being able to be your "back up" Too many folks in line who want them as their first choice and Sheridan is known to have a VERY high yield, meaning the kids that they accept usually matriculate. They also give top priority to sibs. The current K class has 16 siblings in it. So the "real" number of open K spots is never 24 -- its more like 8-15 or so. Its a real family school. St Pats is a wonderful school in many ways as well. Admissions folks will know if its your first choice and they wont accept you if they think you are using them as a back up.

[Anonymous]

Totally go with your gut. Don't listen to others on anonynous blogs to help you make your decision. Norwood has been an incredibly sound choice for my children and we only ended up there due to our gut feelings. I can't think of a time when my children were let down by Norwood.

[Anonymous]

So, OP, where did your child get in?

[Anonymous]

First choice.