Which of these 4 schools do you like best?

Anonymous wrote:
Not Shepherd. It is not a school for creative thought.

I couldn't find this further from the truth. Have you actually attended the school? I will add that all schools (even schools like IT) tend to become more academic once you hit 2nd grade.

Yes, and my child has also attended Shepherd past the second grade, which is why I feel confident making that statement. I think it's a fantastic school. But it is not a creative school. It is a school where your child's classroom assignments will all be based on very strict rubrics. It is a school where the academics are channelled, quite specifically, to align with a version of IB teaching that isn't really all about creativity. None of that is BAD, at all. But the OP asked for a school for a creative DD. Shepherd is not a good fit.

If you don't believe me, go down to the playground after school and ask some parents if they think the school is a good creative fit.

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02/21/2016 14:33

Subject: Which of these 4 schools do you like best?

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Anonymous

2-3rd grade is when school becomes more academic. There is more emphasis in getting reading and math down so that kids can start to read to learn and math foundations like knowing the multiplication table. Not sure how much creativity you can have when children first have to master the basics.

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02/21/2016 14:36

Subject: Which of these 4 schools do you like best?

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Anonymous

I'm the PP with a younger kid currently at Shepherd. I can't say for sure about the upper grades so take it with a grain of salt, but my general impression is that the upper grades lean more STEM-focused. (If there are any upper-grade Shepherd parents here, please correct me if I'm wrong.). Also, NW Saturday Academy meets at Shepherd, perhaps strengthening my impressions re: the STEM focus. That said, my kid is leaning more artsy and creative, but we wouldn't pull her out if she continues on that trajectory, since we love many other things about the school.

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02/21/2016 14:57

Subject: Re:Which of these 4 schools do you like best?

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Anonymous

Honestly, it's not all that STEM either. They don't have a science program separate from the main curricula at all--just mandatory science fair projects. Math is very standard worksheet stuff. Reading has a heavy non-fiction focus, and writing topics are also all fact and inquiry-based. Again... none of this is bad. They do have music and art.

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02/22/2016 17:09

Subject: Which of these 4 schools do you like best?

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Anonymous

Anonymous wrote:All of these options are long shots OP. What else are you considering?

They are but someone has to get in. I know someone who got into Key for 1st. It happens. She definitely won't get in anywhere if I don't apply.

The only other option that I would consider is keep her where she is which is fine but I'm not in love with the place.