Private School for Dummies

[Anonymous]

Op here. I'm sorry this has gone off target. We will do our homework in reaching out to schools, but I was just interested in some general thoughts about places to target. Regarding St. Andrews, we are not Episcopalian or Catholic, so not sure that would be a good fit for us. Also, coming from Mont County, I'm not sure I'd want DS sitting on Metro for an hour each way to get to Burke, GDS, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Burke and GDS both take a progressive education approach, which you might like. Ninth grade is a bigger entry year for both of them, with fewer openings in 8th grade. But lots of other good choices, if you have more on what you are looking for, and more about DC.

GDS is a pressure cooker; probably not what you are looking for.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Burke and GDS both take a progressive education approach, which you might like. Ninth grade is a bigger entry year for both of them, with fewer openings in 8th grade. But lots of other good choices, if you have more on what you are looking for, and more about DC.

GDS is a pressure cooker; probably not what you are looking for.

How can a school be known for it "progressive" educational philosophy and still be a pressure cooker? The two don't seem to go together in my mind.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Burke and GDS both take a progressive education approach, which you might like. Ninth grade is a bigger entry year for both of them, with fewer openings in 8th grade. But lots of other good choices, if you have more on what you are looking for, and more about DC.

GDS is a pressure cooker; probably not what you are looking for.

How can a school be known for it "progressive" educational philosophy and still be a pressure cooker? The two don't seem to go together in my mind.

Progressive in lower school but less so as students approach high school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My MS DS is actually an A student at a W feeder school, but he is anxious and stressed out of his mind. We are in Montgomery County and are looking for a nearby school with a small student teacher ratio, supportive environment, and not solely focused on STEM to the detriment of preparing a well rounded kid. My kid isn't sporty, but not a deal breaker either way. Any place like this exist?

Hi OP,

You might look at the Nora School in downtown Silver Spring. Very small high school, very supportive environment, still academic enough.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Op here. I'm sorry this has gone off target. We will do our homework in reaching out to schools, but I was just interested in some general thoughts about places to target. Regarding St. Andrews, we are not Episcopalian or Catholic, so not sure that would be a good fit for us. Also, coming from Mont County, I'm not sure I'd want DS sitting on Metro for an hour each way to get to Burke, GDS, etc.

St. Andrew's is an Episcopal school, but there are many families with kids there who are not Episcopalian, including many who are not of any Christian denomination. In general, the Episcopal church and schools are very welcoming and embracing of all faiths (and of questioning and searching.)

And, FWIW, OP, I got your reference in the thread title. For those who didn't, try to live a little more lightly.

[Anonymous]

Jeez …. let the "dummy" thing go already! Op, run, don't walk, to a "Field School" open house/tour this Fall. I think once you attend a visit and see the teaching style and the student body as whole you'll find it a very good fit based on your description of your DC. It has become very competitive to get into, but ninth grade has a huge amount openings.

[Anonymous]

GDS parent who does not consider it a "pressure cooker." But, as a school full of very creative, ambitious, smart students, they demand lots from themselves. Students who thrive in that environment -- exactly like the elite colleges and graduate schools they're headed toward -- do wonderfully.

My DC appreciates that the teachers are super supportive and accessible and really engaged with the students. But, she also is very grateful that most of her classmates take the work seriously and are interested in the ideas they are learning about. Yes, there are smarmy Tracy Flick/Eddie Haskell types (can't escape them in DC) and a few well-heeled slackers, but they are a minority. But, it is not full of the ne'er do wells who take education as one giant form to fill out with items to memorize and check off without any original critical or creative thought.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why would you ever title your thread "Private School for Dummies"? You said your kid is an A student, but suffers from anxiety. What is wrong with you that makes you think it's okay to suggest that he's actually stupid? Also, I'm not familiar with any private school in the area that markets itself as one for "dummies".

Maybe you need to look closer to home for the reasons for his anxiety and stress. Sounds like it's more than possible that it has nothing to do with his school...

+1

[Anonymous]

Try Field School, even though it's in DC it's a wonderful place where each kid will have a tailored program to suit their needs.

[Anonymous]

My quick summary after several years with both mcps public and private experience is this: the high-end private schools in the area are smaller but usually much higher pressure academically and athletically. A non-sporty boy with some anxiety is not likely to suddenly blossom at a school like Bullis or Landon. If you don't want Catholic and you don't want to drive into DC, that rules out most of the others.

[Anonymous]

Avalon

[Anonymous]

^^Sorry, sent too soon.

Avalon is Catholic, but you don't have to be to go there and you can opt out of the religious piece.
All boys, small, focus on a liberal arts education. Fantastic school for boys.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My quick summary after several years with both mcps public and private experience is this: the high-end private schools in the area are smaller but usually much higher pressure academically and athletically. A non-sporty boy with some anxiety is not likely to suddenly blossom at a school like Bullis or Landon. If you don't want Catholic and you don't want to drive into DC, that rules out most of the others.

Well that's helpful, but at the same time not. Do lots of kids Metro into the DC privates? How do they get there from the MD or VA burbs?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My quick summary after several years with both mcps public and private experience is this: the high-end private schools in the area are smaller but usually much higher pressure academically and athletically. A non-sporty boy with some anxiety is not likely to suddenly blossom at a school like Bullis or Landon. If you don't want Catholic and you don't want to drive into DC, that rules out most of the others.

Well that's helpful, but at the same time not. Do lots of kids Metro into the DC privates? How do they get there from the MD or VA burbs?

Vanpool, public transit or carpool with families who live nearby.