How do DC privates compare to private schools in London?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I agree with pp above. The top dc privates are very academically competitive academically. They are certainly more competitive than the British School or WIS. DC's top privates have excellent reputations abroad.

Well, coming from abroad, I can say that the only two local schools I had ever heard of are Sidwell and WIS, both very positively. I am sure some of the others are great...but "reputation abroad" is not one of their assets.

I have to agree with the PP above. The DC privates do not have as widely known reputation abroad as some would like to think. Sidwell is known since it is where a few American presidents sent their kids and WIS is known because it is an international school and has a highly regarded IB program. Many people who intend to send their kids abroad will look to a school which will be known and recognized by the universities abroad...

With regard to the British School of Washington, I have heard from a few Brits who have sent their kids there that it would not be a top choice. It does offer both the IB and British curriculum (of which I am blanking on the name right now…) in the upper grades, but I understand there are some issues with the administration and quality of teaching. Depending on the age of the OP's friend's kids they may not want to go there even if it is the same system that they will be returning to in England.

[Anonymous]

Schools accept students to a certain grade level. They don't just accept you, and then you choose what grade to enroll your child.

So I think this is a moot question. If your friends' child has already been accepted, they school has already decided which grade he/she will go into.

[Anonymous]

It's not that we're behind in the U.S., they just count differently in the UK -- they call kindergarten "year 1," "first grade" here is "year 2" there, etc. The last year of HS there ("sixth form") is year 13. Kids on both sides of the pond start school (kindergarten/year 1) at the same time and graduate from HS at the same time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's not that we're behind in the U.S., they just count differently in the UK -- they call kindergarten "year 1," "first grade" here is "year 2" there, etc. The last year of HS there ("sixth form") is year 13. Kids on both sides of the pond start school (kindergarten/year 1) at the same time and graduate from HS at the same time.

No they don't. Kindergarten=reception. They start reception at 4.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Schools accept students to a certain grade level. They don't just accept you, and then you choose what grade to enroll your child.

So I think this is a moot question. If your friends' child has already been accepted, they school has already decided which grade he/she will go into.

OP here. Not the case. A couple of the schools are flexible about which grade and stated in the acceptance letter that they are flexible and will be deferential. One school made an offer for a specific grade.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's not that we're behind in the U.S., they just count differently in the UK -- they call kindergarten "year 1," "first grade" here is "year 2" there, etc. The last year of HS there ("sixth form") is year 13. Kids on both sides of the pond start school (kindergarten/year 1) at the same time and graduate from HS at the same time.

The US is a year behind the UK schools. Kindergarten is called Reception in the UK. Year 1 is 1 and so on.

OP, if possible I would try and maintain grade not age particularly if your friends are going back to the UK

[Anonymous]

PP here. I moved from the UK to the US and the system is actually a year behind in terms of learning in elementary school.

So my DDs 4 year old peers are being taught all the things that she will be taught next year at age 5.

I dont know if things catch up in the later years but cant see how.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:PP here. I moved from the UK to the US and the system is actually a year behind in terms of learning in elementary school.

So my DDs 4 year old peers in the UK are being taught all the things that she will be taught next year at age 5.

I dont know if things catch up in the later years but cant see how.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I agree with pp above. The top dc privates are very academically competitive academically. They are certainly more competitive than the British School or WIS. DC's top privates have excellent reputations abroad.

Well, coming from abroad, I can say that the only two local schools I had ever heard of are Sidwell and WIS, both very positively. I am sure some of the others are great...but "reputation abroad" is not one of their assets.

Well I only know the name of one London high school and that I'd because a friend went there. It doesn't mean others aren't excellent.

[Anonymous]

Your friend's son is in 5th grade in the UK which is called Year 4 in the US (9-10 year olds).

My kids moved from the British to the US system (in a local DC private now). I agree that the early years are a bit slower in the US system, but by Year 3 (in the US), things have pretty much caught up. Especially if we're talking about a top private school in this area where all the kids will be bright for their age.

I would strongly advise your friend to put the child in with the same age group, so start Year 5 in a US private school next year.

If they want the kid to easily be accepted in British universities or transfer back, they should look at WIS (because of the IB). Maybe the British School if the IB is really important to them (but better to take a place at one of the top US privates if not).

I hope that helps.

[Anonymous]

Their kids were accepted and can also choose the grade?

[Anonymous]

Top London privates are highly competitive. School starts in the year a child turns 5 so one year earlier than in the US and the first year is called Reception. Kindergarten is the equivalent of the the British Year 1. Most children starting reception in London will have been at nursery school for 2 years and will start school at 4 with some math and reading knowledge. Some boys change schools at 7 and face exams at 6 to reach that goal. Girls change at 11 and take those exams at 10 in Year 6 ( grade 5 ) the average number of children competing for those places at 11 in the top London girls schools is about 800 per school and there may only be 40 places.
The UK state ( public ) school system does not begin to compare to the London private schools - they are 1 to 2 years behind. The first few years are far more pressured at London private schools than in DC.
The British School in Washington does not compare with top London private schools in the early years.