Where do Republicans go to school?

[Anonymous]

west virginia.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It matters. Political diversity is just as important as every other kind of diversity. It's not that there needs to be a huge representation of families of both parties, but there needs to be an acceptance of different views. This is where some of these schools differ. In some it seems that you are truly unwelcome if you are republican.

This is a bit deeper than simply voting Republican or Democrat. Schools have missions and approaches to social issues that matter very much to the schools, students and parent bodies. Sometimes families choose a school because of its academic reputation and notwithstanding that family's discomfort with the school's mission and approach to social issues. Sometimes they just don't know that much about the school's mission and approach to social issues. Then, when reality settles in (or they learn for the 1st time), some of those folks start complaining about the school and in rare instances expressing views that run quite contrary to the mission of the school. Its one thing to wonder about subject X from different perspectives, its quite another to be on the other side of the universe concerning subject X. One of the nice things about an independent school is that it gets to create its own community and discussion and differing perspectives within a certain range support that community, but disagreements that suggest a wholesale rejection of that community's world view don't really add to the community.

[Anonymous]

That is a very interesting perspective.

Which schools emphasize the mission of keeping discussion and differening perspectives within a range that conforms to school community standards? Are there schools that instead focus on academic excellence and debate and downplay the social mission part? Or, should I look more to public schools if conformity is not a value I want to encourage in DC?

[Anonymous]

They are all in Carroll County MD. My kids go to Gerstell Academy and McCain won the mock election by a clean sweep. My kids were one of the only kids who voted for Obama. My DD even got into a debate with another student about it. The kids came back to school the day after Obama won as President -Elect with frowns on thier faces.

[Anonymous]

They go anywhere they want. The Ruling Class is still that, we're just quiet about it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Try WES, St. Patricks, CHDS, Concord Hill, Langley

WES is conservative? Nah.

True, a few high-profile Republicans send their kids there, but they are outnumbered by Democrats. Students do attend chapel, but all faiths are honored. And the place is a little more old-fashioned -- no student is going to be encouraged to call the new First Lady "Michelle" as the GDS student did in the Post piece this week.

But the students' mock election came back with 73% for Obama. Surely that reflects the preferences of the parents?

If I had to characterize the school, I'd say that the families are politically progressive but have more traditional views about education. My children thrive there because they like/need the very structured approach that WES offers.

[Anonymous]

Compared to other private schools for which results have been reported, 73% for Obama is pretty low--lower than at Sidwell, Maret, GDS, or Beauvoir. So WES may in fact be one of the schools where Republicans feel more at home.

[Anonymous]

A GDS student referred to the first-lady-to-be as "Michelle?" (I missed that in the Post!)

Who the hell do these kids think they are?

[Anonymous]

Are you joking? (I hope you're joking.)

[Anonymous]

Statistically, Washington DC tends to be blue state by a wide margin. It is therefore not surprising that many schools would have kids that vote blue too...it's just the numbers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Statistically, Washington DC tends to be blue state by a wide margin. It is therefore not surprising that many schools would have kids that vote blue too...it's just the numbers.

Yes, but statistically higher income people tend to vote Republican, so it is surprising, given the fees.

[Anonymous]

Look at National Presbyterian School (NPS).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:That is a very interesting perspective.

Which schools emphasize the mission of keeping discussion and differening perspectives within a range that conforms to school community standards? Are there schools that instead focus on academic excellence and debate and downplay the social mission part? Or, should I look more to public schools if conformity is not a value I want to encourage in DC?

Yes, I think the vast majority (even the so-called liberal schools) focus on academic excellence and downplay the social mission part. I think that's sad, but for others that might be a good thing. Its important to distinguish (as your question/response does) among the mission of the school, the political ideology of the parents and the ways those things actually play out in the school. For example, I would say that Maret is probably seen as a somewhat liberal school, but I haven't seen that liberal perspective show up in the curriculum or in most day-to-day activities of the students. There are many others like Maret. Just do what feels right for your child/family.

[Anonymous]

The higher income = republican factor does NOT play in metro D.C. area. Sorry. If you want a Republican private school, leave the D.C. area.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:That is a very interesting perspective.

Which schools emphasize the mission of keeping discussion and differening perspectives within a range that conforms to school community standards? Are there schools that instead focus on academic excellence and debate and downplay the social mission part? Or, should I look more to public schools if conformity is not a value I want to encourage in DC?

Yes, I think the vast majority (even the so-called liberal schools) focus on academic excellence and downplay the social mission part. I think that's sad, but for others that might be a good thing. Its important to distinguish (as your question/response does) among the mission of the school, the political ideology of the parents and the ways those things actually play out in the school. For example, I would say that Maret is probably seen as a somewhat liberal school, but I haven't seen that liberal perspective show up in the curriculum or in most day-to-day activities of the students. There are many others like Maret. Just do what feels right for your child/family.

Completely agree... some schools are "liberal" and some are "conservative"... but it seems to be more about the parents than the curriculum. Even though some would say Maret is "liberal" we are fairly socially conservative and have not found any liberal bias in the curriculum at GDS with our 4th grader.