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What elementary school in DC is the strongest academically?
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Anonymous
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My understanding is that Beauvoir has revamped the math curriculum in the last two years. In answer to OP's question, I don't know if there are great differences in terms of academics (you could ask for ERB scores for third grade if you wanted to compare), but there are enormous differences in other aspects which may be important to you and your child, including diversity, outplacement (do you want to have to go through the process again?), parent body inclusion, etc.
Which school did you like best? In which one did you feel your child would be happy and thrive? |
Anonymous
| From the choices you have listed, I would say Beauvoir. I don't have a child there, but many of my friends' children are there and they love the school. Most of their sons have gone on to St. Alban's and are excelling there. Good luck with your choice! |
Anonymous
| Can I ask what the average parent uses as a gauge for "good academics"? |
Anonymous
Other than the maths deficiency I [i]would* agree with you. * If only it weren't for the sexual scandal thing, of course. [/i] |
Anonymous
| pp, I agree. Seems like all the DC schools are limping along in Math. |
Anonymous
You're tacky and you know it. |
Anonymous
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Beauvoir and strong academics are not three words I would put in the same sentence.
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Anonymous
| Math sucks everywhere in this town. I wish someone would organize to overthrow the tyranny of Everyday Math & Investigations... |
Anonymous
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Agreed on Everyday Math. Dreadful.
What about writing? I really find writing instruction to be subpar at many public and private elementary schools. Discreet writing instruction is the key to much academic success. GDS probably has one of the best writing programs in town. |
Anonymous
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Everyday Math builds good conceptual foundations. It is frustrating to parents who already know the short cuts for solving problems, and forget what it is like to build the understanding. It is also frustrating to parents who see their children are quick calculators, and believe they are not being challenged. Quick calculators are not necessarily good problem solvers.
Everyday Math, however, jumps around alot. The idea that continually revisiting a concept is as good as being thorough the first time does not work for all kids. It's not all bad, but like every math program must always be tweaked by the people wsworking with it. |
Anonymous
| I agree that Everyday Math is not 100% terrible but the spiraling, with its short units, shortchanges mastery. It's not how the rest of the world learns Math, which emphasizes depth (mastery) over breadth. |