intown, blue igloo, little graces? looking for candid opinions of all

[Anonymous]

We attend Intown. It is a wonderful place. My kids love it. It's been there for over 35 years. The group is a non-profit, not commercial; tuition is used to pay for the director and teachers, the lease, and materials. It's absolutely wonderful to have a place to go (and no obligation to go unless you want to) five mornings a week where you know there are lots of fun activities for your child (many much more adventurous, messy, or creative that I'd ever try at home) and lots of friendly faces. The field trips and special events like puppet shows and musicians are also fun opportunities we might not have otherwise.

We have kids who range from one to three (Blue Igloo and Little Graces begin younger). When they first start, often the younger 1-year olds don't play together. But by about 18 months they do start to really enjoy the parallel play and recognize their friends. By 2, many really do socialize and by 2 1/2, there are lots of little conversations going on. Also, I see the younger ones learning from the older ones. They also learn quickly (even the little ones) how to take turns, how to share, and how to sit and participate during circle time. One of the unanticipated perks for us was that my oldest child was dropped off "on my own" a few times a week during her second year there; that made the transition to a drop-off preschool the following year very easy. Blue Igloo and Little Graces don't do drop-off, though.

On an average day we have about 2/3 moms and 1/3 nannies (we have also had stay at home dads from time to time). We have moms who work full-time, part-time, and stay at home. I think all feel welcome, whatever the arrangement- I've fallen into all 3 categories during my time there. We do create a real community with family picnics, moms and dads nights out, and cocktail parties. It's great to have a built-in network of parents in the neighborhood who are going through the same things you are - not for networking, but for advice and even just commiserating!

We aren't focused on networking to get into the next-step schools- that's the wrong reason to join a playgroup (especially if you never show up and only send the nanny)! However, we do have a program every year to educate families about their preschool options and the admissions process, and a lot of parents of Intown alumni share their experiences with the various schools and provide advice about choosing the right place. Many of the kids do move on to schools with one or more of their intown buddies, and this probably helps the transition.

As far as the big three are concerned, I've never heard that term before. None of the schools mentioned (GDS, Sidwell, Maret, or Beauvoir) start at 3 years old, so none would ever take a child right out of Intown or Blue Igloo. Therefore, that seems like a moot point.

So the playgroups may not be the right choice for everyone, but for families who want that option, don't knock it. My husband and I have loved being a part of such a great group almost as much as the kids have, and I'll be sad to leave when my last child graduates.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What?? There are playgroups for 1 & 2 yr olds that people actually pay money to join?! Please tell me you're joking. And one of the purposes is networking, and improving the odds of getting your lil' ones into "the Big 3". Ludicrous, in my opinion.

I can tell you that almost all the kids that went to Little Folks came from Intown. And Little Folks is a big feeder into Beauvoir, which is of course a huge feeder into St. Albans or NCS.

The whole thing sounded ludicrous to me too, all this networking, and I thankfully just landed into Little Folks (looked at a few preschools and was accepted there...I now realize miraculously). And I can tell you that little preschool probably was a big factor in launching my little one into the next school and the next (yes, the big three). It is difficult to tell a parent of a 2 year old or 1 year old that they need to think about this stuff now ("You should get your child into Intown!"). It DOES sound ridiculous. However, I can only say that in my child's experience, the "odds" of going to the next school that you actually may have wanted were significantly higher if you had gone through "the system" so to speak.

[Anonymous]

So now that we have exclusive playgroups feeding into exclusive pre-schools, feeding into exclusive elementary schools, feeding into exclusive junior high schools, feeding into exclusive high schools, feeding into exclusive universities, feeding into exclusive careers, feeding into exclusive country clubs....I definitely need an edge to compete. Is there anything I can do for my 1st trimester fetus to make sure he/she has a chance to get into this exclusive track? I already know breastfeeding produces off the chart IQs, and listening to classical music helps as well, but what else can I do? Is there a particular diaper brand I should be using? Specific toys (oops-forgot-no playing until baby calculus study time is over)? I am already reading the classics to the little one, but I know everyone does that. And after living this life exclusiveness, is there a retirement home or cemetery that us exclusive people can feel at home in?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What?? There are playgroups for 1 & 2 yr olds that people actually pay money to join?! Please tell me you're joking. And one of the purposes is networking, and improving the odds of getting your lil' ones into "the Big 3". Ludicrous, in my opinion.

I can tell you that almost all the kids that went to Little Folks came from Intown. And Little Folks is a big feeder into Beauvoir, which is of course a huge feeder into St. Albans or NCS.

The whole thing sounded ludicrous to me too, all this networking, and I thankfully just landed into Little Folks (looked at a few preschools and was accepted there...I now realize miraculously). And I can tell you that little preschool probably was a big factor in launching my little one into the next school and the next (yes, the big three). It is difficult to tell a parent of a 2 year old or 1 year old that they need to think about this stuff now ("You should get your child into Intown!"). It DOES sound ridiculous. However, I can only say that in my child's experience, the "odds" of going to the next school that you actually may have wanted were significantly higher if you had gone through "the system" so to speak.

Are you talking about this year? In other words, is your child already accepted to Little Folks for next year?

[Anonymous]

it sounds like her child went from little folks to another school so cannot have just been accepted for this year. i think she meant he "just" happened to end up there since she applied without realizing that it would help her child get into a private elementary.

[Anonymous]

To pp: thanks, I read it a few times but wasn't sure.
Thanks for clarifying.

[Anonymous]

Okay, I'm back and can answer. Indeed, my child went to Little Folks years ago, without having gone to Intown. But I know I felt like I was only one who hadn't gone there (I'm exaggerating...there were actually plenty who hadn't, but a lot who had, which is surprising given it's such a small playgroup).

[Anonymous]

To pp: thanks for explaining.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Two of the "big 3" are Sidwell & Georgetown Day School. Generally considered the best, most rigorous, most "exclusive" schools in the DC area. Certainly the hardest to get in to. For kindergarten, to give you an idea, Sidwell receives approx. 200 applications for 26 spots. Can't recall if the 3rd one is Beauvoir or Maret.

Actually the big 3 are Sidwell, NCS and St. Albans. That is not to say that the other schools are not very good. Many are good, in varied ways. But when it comes to the prestigious national reputation they are it.

[Anonymous]

From what I heard, there are two different "big threes". At middle / high school, the big three are Sidwell, NCS, St. Albans (and Sidwell in addition accepts at pre-k, the other two not until 4th grade).

The pre-K/K big three are: Sidwell, Beauvoir (feeds into NCS and St. Albans) and GDS.

So maybe poor GDS gets booted off the big three list once they hit fourth grade or something.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:From what I heard, there are two different "big threes". At middle / high school, the big three are Sidwell, NCS, St. Albans (and Sidwell in addition accepts at pre-k, the other two not until 4th grade).

The pre-K/K big three are: Sidwell, Beauvoir (feeds into NCS and St. Albans) and GDS.

So maybe poor GDS gets booted off the big three list once they hit fourth grade or something.

Gee, maybe there IS NO true BIG THREE? Since no one can agree anyhow....

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:From what I heard, there are two different "big threes". At middle / high school, the big three are Sidwell, NCS, St. Albans (and Sidwell in addition accepts at pre-k, the other two not until 4th grade).

The pre-K/K big three are: Sidwell, Beauvoir (feeds into NCS and St. Albans) and GDS.

So maybe poor GDS gets booted off the big three list once they hit fourth grade or something.

Gee, maybe there IS NO true BIG THREE? Since no one can agree anyhow....

touche

[Anonymous]

There may not be a big three or big four, but I don't think it's untrue to say that at the elementary age, there are a group of schools which are highly competitive and highly sought after, and the same at the high school/middle school age. Maybe it doesn't have anything to do with the education there (though I think it does, along with the student body they accept) but there are a recognized and small group of schools which are so competitive to get into, many people aim for them.

[Anonymous]

I'm all for planning in advance, but this system is so frustrating.
Also, I grew up around here and know many people from the reputed top level schools discussed on this board, and in my experience the lifers (kids who went to the school from kindergarten on) generally didn't wind up at the top of the class in high school. That's certainly only one data point and only one of many reasons parents opt for a particular school, but it was notable to me. In fact, of the five kids in my class who went to the top-ranked ivy league colleges, only one had been in private school before 8th grade. It may be because kids admitted later in life have already proven that they excel academically. I know that times have changed, but I'm wondering how much. Sitting in the parent shoes now I'm really wondering whether this craziness to truly worth it in terms of time, money, test prep and stress. I'm continuing to go through the process but I have an increasing feeling that this highly-tracked system may not be what is best for my kids or our family. I feel that I have let myself be sucked into this system and it's about time that I start doing a bit more of my own thinking and realize that my gut will tell me what's best for my family. This post is mainly venting, but I've been pretty disappointed with myself throughout this process.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What?? There are playgroups for 1 & 2 yr olds that people actually pay money to join?! Please tell me you're joking. And one of the purposes is networking, and improving the odds of getting your lil' ones into "the Big 3". Ludicrous, in my opinion.

I can tell you that almost all the kids that went to Little Folks came from Intown. And Little Folks is a big feeder into Beauvoir, which is of course a huge feeder into St. Albans or NCS.

The whole thing sounded ludicrous to me too, all this networking, and I thankfully just landed into Little Folks (looked at a few preschools and was accepted there...I now realize miraculously). And I can tell you that little preschool probably was a big factor in launching my little one into the next school and the next (yes, the big three). It is difficult to tell a parent of a 2 year old or 1 year old that they need to think about this stuff now ("You should get your child into Intown!"). It DOES sound ridiculous. However, I can only say that in my child's experience, the "odds" of going to the next school that you actually may have wanted were significantly higher if you had gone through "the system" so to speak.

Okay, you're saying that Intown is a feeder into Little Folks, which is a feeder into Beauvoir, which is a feeder into St. Albans or NCS. But since Intown certainly doesn't give out IQ tests to one-year-olds, then statistically there is no way that they are ALL the smartest and best and brightest children in DC. Some may be, but not all. So that makes me suddenly wonder if one could say the same for all kids who go on to LF, Beauvoir, NCS, etc.???

In other words, it's just connections and not necessarily brains - at least the way you've described it???

Feel free to correct me if I'm wrong. It's just the impression I'm getting from your post.