Determining a program that is a good "match" for your child (independent or private schools)

[Anonymous]

I would go with progressive over the big 3. I wouldn't worry as much about what I was getting for my money.

[Anonymous]

From what I've heard and read Green Acres, Burgundy, and Lowell seem very similar. If anyone has any additional information on how the three are different please share. I know that Burgundy Farms is in VA, Green Acres in MD, and Lowell in NWDC. The first two go through 8th grade, Lowell to 6th. What else?

[Anonymous]

big 3: sidwell, GDS (georgetown day), beauvior

[Anonymous]

sorry, last post about big 3 in response to pp who asked what they were, not in response to pp about progressive schools (burgundy, green acres, lowell).

[Anonymous]

22:04 and 22:07: wondering since progressive programs in area do not go thru 12th, would transition be hard for kids? what if progressive seems good match while they are younger but then by default they have to go to more traditional programs for jr high and/or high school? are there any schools that lean toward the more progressive approach? it seems that GDS (and maybe maret) might be a little more flexible in their academic approach than some of the other independent high schools?

[Anonymous]

I have heard good things about Burgundy, mainly that the kids love going to school every day. It's setting is a nice contrast to the city - camp-like. I don't know how difficult it is to get in (read: selective) or what happens when kids graduate and go on to other schools.

[Anonymous]

Yes, this leads me to a Q in general: how do the progressive schools "stack up" academically to the others? What about their reputations, how are they viewed in the scheme of things? Meaning, how do the progressive schools rate AMONG progressive schools as well as how do they rate across ALL the independent schools?

[Anonymous]

I have asked that question in other threads and got little feedback.

[Anonymous]

I have been wondering this as well, so we can't be the only 3 or 4 parents!!!

We can look at the lists the progressive schools give us in terms of WHERE their kids go on to middle or high school, but that doesn't tell us is the kids were able to smoothly transition into a more traditional program and if they were well-prepared academically and emotionally.

Please, if there are parents out there whose progressively educated kids have gone on to schools like Sidwell, GDS, Maret, etc., how was the transition and how are they doing emotionally and academically? And can you share with us which of the progressive schools they attended? (PLEASE note that I realize there is more than just their school to prepare them - obviously we as parents need to do our part - but I am speaking strictly from the point of view of whether the progressive schools do a good job of preparing their students to do well after they graduate from Burgundy Farms, Lowell, Green Acres, etc.).

[Anonymous]

2:04 and 22:07: wondering since progressive programs in area do not go thru 12th, would transition be hard for kids? what if progressive seems good match while they are younger but then by default they have to go to more traditional programs for jr high and/or high school? are there any schools that lean toward the more progressive approach?

I have been told by employees at two progressive elementary schools that graduates and their families do well/like Edmund Burke and The Field School in the District (among other schools, of course, but these in particular). I live somewhat near Burke and see the teens all the time, and they seem cool. Of course I have no idea what they are doing in math class.

[Anonymous]

Please, if there are parents out there whose progressively educated kids have gone on to schools like Sidwell, GDS, Maret, etc., how was the transition and how are they doing emotionally and academically? And can you share with us which of the progressive schools they attended?

I think there are very, very, very few readers of DCUM who actually have children old enough to have gone through elementary and graduated to jr. high. Which is a shame, because this would be great information to share. You could do what I do, and aggressively poll your neighbors, even those you don't know very well

[Anonymous]

Hi, I am on of the PPs... in response to 15:52, I wish I HAD neighbors who have sent their kids to one of the progressives so that I could ask! It seems like everyone around who has their kids in private schools have them in the usual suspects (GDS, Maret) and then some in the smaller schools like Sheridan, Capitol Hill Day, Wash Int'l. I know of one family who has their child in Lowell currently and she seems to have some concerns about whether it is strong enough in terms of the academics. I don't know anyone who has sent their child to Green Acres or to Burgundy Farm Day School. Sometimes I feel like an outcast investigating these schools as opposed to Sidwell, GDS, etc.

[Anonymous]

Keep in mind, very few people who have paid for a private school will say anything negative.

[Anonymous]

Parent of older children here. We looked at a LOT of schools, from very traditional to very progressive, because we wanted to get a sense of the schools and not go by hearsay (inlcuding DC Urban Moms chatter). Most of the schools had something to recommend them (they better, for that kind of money). My recommendations: Go visit as many schools as you can, including ones you think you might not be interested in; you may be surprised. Talk to neighbors and friends, especially people who are longtime DC residents. Consider things like ease of commute (no minor matter; you have to run over to the school for lots of stuff), parent body (we loved Sidwell's staff, but thought the parents were obnoxious), sports/arts/music offerings (Edmund Burke has a fabulous arts program; Landon is great for sporty boys). How do you feel about an open campus for older students? Is a cafeteria a must? Try and picture if your child and you would fit in and be happy there. We were pleasantly surprised by schools we hadn't seriously considered, and not as impressed by some we had high expectations for. But bottom line: please chill out. It's not life or death. Your child will find somewhere good and will be OK. I can't tell you how many parents I know who had their heart set on one or two schools; their kid got in somewhere else, and now they're as happy as clams. Take a deep breath and don't panic. And be glad you have the luxury of this dilemna.