Visited Beauvoir - was completely underwhelmed

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think this thread is about how these schools get built up into some kind of paradise when, in actuality, they are run by people who are human and teach kids, who are human. I am always like "wow, this is JUST another lovely school." I think it is going to rock my world, but eh. Just another school.

I think being on the Cathedral grounds has much to do with turning what may be "another lovely school," into something perceived to be so much more than that.

[Anonymous]

I interpreted OP's art comment to mean that the art was either a little more uniform or a little more accomplished than you'd expect -- in either case as if the school emphasized product over process. Some schools do but it's definitely the opposite of the current trend in early childhood education.

I had an art teacher (in private school, but that's probably irrelevant) who used to reach over our shoulders while we were working and add a tiny dab here and there. Very subtle, but it transformed our work. Of course it wasn't our work anymore.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So we visited Beauvoir and I was left wondering what all the fuss about the school was really all about. Yes, yes they have a beautiful building, loved the playgrounds, art room etc. but the classrooms looked a bit small for the number of kids in the room. And there did not seem to be much going on..... other schools we visited the kids were more busy with their 'work' - singing or writing, playing music, etc.

The displays on the wall looked just to contrived to me - the art work was just too good - is that really possible? But in the other schools, in the 4 year old classroom the art work was, well, more like scribbles, because that is what most 4 year olds draw! Can someone fill me in on that.

And then there was that chart on the wall with the curriculum for the year mapped out - how does that fit in with we respond to the needs to the children when it is clear that 'owls' or whatever is on the plan for the month regardless of whether it piques the interest of the kids or not?

And where did they find all those blonde moms - we saw at least a dozen volunteering there that morning. If we were to go there, would I be the only non-blonde and non-'diverse' mom!!! Please tell me there are other moms who work there. And also is there any sort of security check on the parent volunteers?

Maybe it was the parent who showed us around but I never got any sense that there was any depth to the curriculum, it all seemed so superficial, maybe she was just not very good - she didn't seem to know why making potatoes had anything to do with 'studying' South America! and there were a few other times where I wondered if she had any education at all herself.

Did anyone else have a similar assessement? Maybe I should try to visit again or go to an open house. Could I be that wrong about a school that everyone else is going gaga over?

I actually LOVED that the curriculum for the year was mapped out on the wall to be shared w/ parents. At our local DCPS the teachers wouldn't tell us BOO about what they did with our kids or what the plans were for the year. Once in four grades/years, we got an organized teacher who wrote a 1 page note to tell us about main themes/events for that month, but that was it. Then the teachers would complain how they didn't get any support from the parents and that the parents didn't reinforce what was going on at school. How would the parents know?

When I looked at the curriculum guide on the school wall at Beauvoir, I asked if Beauvoir parents could have/had copies (yes, of course), and it immediately gave me ideas for ways I could talk to my child about the school day and consider other family activities/trips that could reinforce in school learning.

I used to have a brilliant teacher who insisted that very little of value arises from chaos. She always insisted that one had to be organized and disciplined and then creativity and inspiration could bloom in fertile ground. Maybe the OP feels that the curriculum is too rigid, but I saw it as necessary organization to make things bloom.

[Anonymous]

Not only do we have a sense of what's going on from the curriculum map, we also get a summary of the week's activities, a link to about 50 pictures fom the classroom in the previous week, and a list of questions to ask or topics to bring up for conversation starters each week. I especially love the pictures.

[Anonymous]

I posted something on another thread a while ago comparing schools to restaurants. Have you ever had the experience of dining at a restaurant that has a fantastic reputation, where the chef is written up in magazines and newspapers, and where it's impossible to get a reservation, only to find that you didn't like the food? I certainly have. Does that mean the restaurant's reputation is underserved? Does it mean that all the people who like it are wrong? Does it mean that there's something the matter with me? Or does it just mean that the place didn't appeal to me as much as it evidently does to others, through no fault of mine, theirs, or the chef's? I would vote for the last of these interpretations.

If your visit to Beauvoir left you underwhelmed, then you should trust your instincts and not apply there. You have a better sense than anyone of what is right for your child, and your feelings are almost certainly on target. There's no need to trash the kids' artwork, the other mothers, etc. in order to justify your decision. Indeed, there's no need to justify your decision at all, as matters of taste are, well, to taste. Others will look at the school and love it, and their feelings are almost certainly spot on, too. Kids are different, and so are their needs. How nice for us that we live in an area with many private school choices (and many restaurants, too.) There's something out there for everyone as long as you are willing to look for it.

[Anonymous]

Most people in DC have very low standards when it comes to food.

[Anonymous]

OP, maybe you should think about comparing the DC private schools to the DC publics. This might be why so many make a big deal of the big 4. In MC and FC, the publics look a lot like the privates so there is little oooh and aaah as you see in DC.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Not only do we have a sense of what's going on from the curriculum map, we also get a summary of the week's activities, a link to about 50 pictures fom the classroom in the previous week, and a list of questions to ask or topics to bring up for conversation starters each week. I especially love the pictures.

This is one of the more impressive things I've learned about Beauvoir. Thank you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Not only do we have a sense of what's going on from the curriculum map, we also get a summary of the week's activities, a link to about 50 pictures fom the classroom in the previous week, and a list of questions to ask or topics to bring up for conversation starters each week. I especially love the pictures.

That is GREAT! Getting my DC to talk about her day at her DCPS is like squeezing blood from a stone. It really helps when I already know about something and can ask leading questions, but I've never had a DCPS teacher that provided much info about the classroom.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Most people in DC have very low standards when it comes to food.

Did you mean to say that "I have found that many popular and generally well-regarded restaurants in Washington have food that is not to my taste?" How interesting!

[Anonymous]

Most people in DC will eat stringy tuna and go yum, that was that best sushi I ever had. Or go to a place like Jaleo and think it's amazing.

[Anonymous]

... Or see nothing wrong with eating strawberries in December, and think that the produce that they buy at Giant is "fresh."

[Anonymous]

What horrible, proletariat people there are here in DC! Imagine that, being happy with what their city has to offer rather than turning up their noses and bemoaning their fates. And eating strawberries in December to boot. I'm amazed that people find a way to raise their children under such conditions! I mean this light-heartedly, but good grief, why devolve into insulting people's tastes?

[Anonymous]

You're right and didn't mean to get the topic too off track. To each their own be it schools or food.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:... Or see nothing wrong with eating strawberries in December, and think that the produce that they buy at Giant is "fresh."

Not only do I see nothing wrong with eating strawberries in December, I am thankful that we can. I think it is fantastic that modern farming & shipping technologies allow us to eat healthy and yummy fruits and vegetables all year round. Definitely wouldn't want to go back to our childhood days when the only fruit available in December was--hmm, can't think of any...