What DC private high schools are good for a very bright but anxious girl?

[Anonymous]

Bright but anxious. Sounds like every teenage girl I grew up with

[Anonymous]

If you are talking about a girl with a clinically significant level of anxiety (i.e., someone who shuts down when overwhelmed by academic or social stress), that's one thing: in that case, you would be looking for a school with very small classes, a simplified schedule, and a faculty experienced in dealing with kids with emotional quirks. Parkmont and Nora come to mind here.

If you are not dealing with that level of anxiety, I would echo some of the suggestions here: schools like Field or Burke. And I would also keep in mind the possibility of getting your DD into a therapy group for teens with anxiety.

[Anonymous]

Burke and Sandy Spring Friends

Both are very accommodating.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why not send you DD to a professional who deals with anxiety? Life will be filled with stimuli that provides feelings of discomfort.

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Will she be at Whitman otherwise?

I think this is the Churchill poster.

[Anonymous]

Field and Sandy Spring Friends would be the best two. Field is hugely expensive and SSFS is in the middle of no where so Burke is good alternative.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why not send you DD to a professional who deals with anxiety? Life will be filled with stimuli that provides feelings of discomfort.

OP here. She does see a professional, and it has helped a lot. Even so, I wonder if a HS that is widely considered to be a pressure-cooker will be an unnecessarily miserable experience. Thanks for the suggestions.

[Anonymous]

Agree with some of the above suggestions (Burke, Field, Sandy Springs), and would also add St. Andrew's to your list. My DC with some anxiety flourished there and developed confidence. Each of these schools fit the bill as you posed the question, but they are all different in other ways -- don't lose site of the basics -- curriculum, size of school, size of classes, your child's extra-curricula interests/options, urban vs. suburban, etc. Good luck.

.

[Anonymous]

Lots of bright but anxious boys and girls at all the selective high schools. Those qualities often go together. Learning to manage anxiety is a huge part of growing up. Using anxiety to work harder/smarter/faster is a common personality trait of many successful academics and intellectual-types. Bubbly cheerleader/jock types can be the ones that peak in high school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Lots of bright but anxious boys and girls at all the selective high schools. Those qualities often go together. Learning to manage anxiety is a huge part of growing up. Using anxiety to work harder/smarter/faster is a common personality trait of many successful academics and intellectual-types. Bubbly cheerleader/jock types can be the ones that peak in high school.

There's a big difference between the kind of kids you are likely referring to & kids whose anxiety is an actual psychological condition. Attending a pressure cooker school could be very harmful for the latter.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:She's currently in a MS that leads to a notorious pressure-cooker HS situation. Wondering if we should consider other options. Thanks.

Madeira.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:She's currently in a MS that leads to a notorious pressure-cooker HS situation. Wondering if we should consider other options. Thanks.

Madeira.

Apologies -- I didn't see the DC parameter when I replied.

[Anonymous]

JeeZ why send an anxious kid to any DC private. Want a cure? Send her to a good public school.

[Anonymous]

Holton.

[Anonymous]

Mclean