Great private schools that aren't hard to get into

[Anonymous]

14:00: and I know of 2 families who applied, and neither were accepted. I guess your friends have all the luck this year.

[Anonymous]

I think it would be more helpful if people explained why they thought a school was great rather than why that thought (or didn't think) it was hard to get into.

[Anonymous]

I hate comparing private school admissions to college admissions, particularly when we're talking about 4-year-olds. But I think there is a parallel: there are schools with highly competitive, competitive, and easier admissions, and for any child there will be reach schools, likely admit schools, and "safety" schools. And, as with college, there will always be an element of luck: some kids will be accepted at a reach school but not at a safety.

I agree, it would be more useful to hear about the elements that make a school great, rather than to quibble about which schools are highly competitive vs. competitive vs. easier.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: the competitive schools are desired for a reason ...

Yeah, but whether and how that reason relates to the quality of the education they provide is an open question -- as is whether they are the only local schools that provide this type of question.

God knows, lots of things that are coveted in this society aren't of especially high (or of uniquely high) quality.

[Anonymous]

this type of education, I meant. Sorry, multi-tasking!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I hate comparing private school admissions to college admissions, particularly when we're talking about 4-year-olds. But I think there is a parallel: there are schools with highly competitive, competitive, and easier admissions, and for any child there will be reach schools, likely admit schools, and "safety" schools. And, as with college, there will always be an element of luck: some kids will be accepted at a reach school but not at a safety.

I agree, it would be more useful to hear about the elements that make a school great, rather than to quibble about which schools are highly competitive vs. competitive vs. easier.

I have just read at least 3 posts in this thread stating why posters think the schools they are recommending are fine choices. One individual even provided links. I do not see a lot of "quibble" in this thread.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For those who are okay with Catholic schools, many of the schools offer first come first served admissions if there are not enough parishoners to fill the slots. Getting there early one morning is much easier than all the testing, playdates, essays, tours, etc.

But the competitive schools are desired for a reason ...

and I would argue that the #1 reason is snob appeal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have just read at least 3 posts in this thread stating why posters think the schools they are recommending are fine choices. One individual even provided links.

That's because I ( the first of the two posters suggesting it would be more helpful to focusy on why great vs. whether hard to get into) wrote two of those posts (including the one giving links)! I thought maybe giving examples would encourage subsequent posters to say something more concrete than "wonderful school." When that didn't work, I switched to asking directly!

[Anonymous]

Brookwood for girls, Avalon for boys. Catholic, excellent value, classical curriculum, rolling admissions, small classes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:WIS admissions are quite selective. We know many bright children from lovely families--including a few siblings of current students--who unfortunately did not get off the waiting list. In addition to the general balancing of siblings vs. non-siblings, boys vs. girls, and other considerations including diversity, they try to balance classes with a mix of all-international families, part-international families (one parent American, one not), and all-American-born families.

Interesting. I know three families that applied this year, and all three were accepted.

Spanish classes at WIS are highly selective, but French classes are easy to get in. WIS used to be more selective. I heard what happened is that the World Bank, which probably accounts for 30%+ of WIS families, changed their benefits a few years ago and is no longer covering private school tuition for most of the new hires, hence "the demand side" is getting soft.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For those who are okay with Catholic schools, many of the schools offer first come first served admissions if there are not enough parishoners to fill the slots. Getting there early one morning is much easier than all the testing, playdates, essays, tours, etc.

But the competitive schools are desired for a reason ...

Absolutely, unless we think the majority of DC parents are stupid and irrational.

People will never agree on exactly what these reasons are, but I suppose in addition of the general quality of education, it could also be because of some prestige factor, social networks, placement records for the next levels of schools (high school, college, etc), and so on.

[Anonymous]

The "majority of DC parents" aren't applying to "the competitive schools."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: it could also be because of some prestige factor, social networks, placement records for the next levels of schools (high school, college, etc), and so on.

Agree. A school is a package that goes far beyond the educational element. I don't have a school-age kid yet, but I would never choose a school only because of that. There is a reason for a top school to develop certain reputation and to become "coveted", so I would not ignore that. Some parents often take the moral high ground by ignoring other elements associated with schooling. Well, I would just say that they are fooling themselves.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The "majority of DC parents" aren't applying to "the competitive schools."

Then you should keep dreaming about the great advantages of the "non-competitive schools". The more people like you, the better.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The "majority of DC parents" aren't applying to "the competitive schools."

Then you should keep dreaming about the great advantages of the "non-competitive schools". The more people like you, the better.

Nasty.