The Sycamore School in Arlington???

[Anonymous]

Anyone with more info on this school?

[Anonymous]

I know a family with a child there and they love it.

[Anonymous]

It's still pretty small (under 40 students) since it is only in year Two, but i know they have kids from 5th grade up to 10th grade currently. As the older kids age up they will obviously expand through 12th. My son really liked the "feel" of the school (wobble chairs and flexible seating options) and that's been a big take away for us as we have toured other private schools which are more basic desk seating. I also liked the way the teachers really talked about and explained the individual learning. I just went on another school tour which supposedly was similar, but maybe the teachers didn't do a good job explaining it... but it seemed more focused on their curriculum. I got the sense at the sycamore school they would allow the students some flexibility to explore topics of interest.

[Anonymous]

How is Sycamore doing now? Would love updates from 2020 before Covid and after. Considering for next year.

[Anonymous]

I know two families with kids there. They LOVE it. I didn’t realize that it was so small.

[Anonymous]

Went to an info session last year and it still seems very much new, but certainly up and running. It struck me as more of a school for kids who are not thriving in traditional school settings. We ultimately decided not to apply for our child. I could definitely see it being a good option for certain kids who are struggling or resistant to school. Definitely a very alternative feeling.

I do recall some mention of the lease at their current building expiring (or maybe it’s being redeveloped) in the near future and having to locate new space. Not sure the status of that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How is Sycamore doing now? Would love updates from 2020 before Covid and after. Considering for next year.

we are in our second year at the school. We made the choice not to send him to our local large middle school b/c we were concerned he would get lost b/c he is quiet and inattentive.

They have been open FT in-person since Aug 31. They collaborated with their teachers over the summer to get their input so everyone felt comfortable with the plan. They did allow a couple of teachers to be remote and some students are remote. My son has one of the remote teachers in two classes and it's really not a big deal. They have 2 teachers in every class so the remote teacher is paired with an in-person teacher.

Their reopening plan also included a plan to switch to remote learning from Thanksgiving to Mid January (end of the semester). As a parent, I embraced that plan at the time they announced it this summer, and of course, it looks brilliant in light of our current rising COVID rates and the impending holiday season.

I will say, it's a good school for kids who need smaller class sizes and more attention from a teacher. It is not a good fit if your student has learning needs that can't be addressed beyond smaller classes and executive functioning supports. It's not a special ed school and that's where there is sometimes a disconnect.

In terms of space, they have the current space for a few more years. They did look at space last year as I recall and did find some things that might work for them. I don't know where the process currently stands, but it's on their radar and will be addressed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How is Sycamore doing now? Would love updates from 2020 before Covid and after. Considering for next year.

we are in our second year at the school. We made the choice not to send him to our local large middle school b/c we were concerned he would get lost b/c he is quiet and inattentive.

They have been open FT in-person since Aug 31. They collaborated with their teachers over the summer to get their input so everyone felt comfortable with the plan. They did allow a couple of teachers to be remote and some students are remote. My son has one of the remote teachers in two classes and it's really not a big deal. They have 2 teachers in every class so the remote teacher is paired with an in-person teacher.

Their reopening plan also included a plan to switch to remote learning from Thanksgiving to Mid January (end of the semester). As a parent, I embraced that plan at the time they announced it this summer, and of course, it looks brilliant in light of our current rising COVID rates and the impending holiday season.

I will say, it's a good school for kids who need smaller class sizes and more attention from a teacher. It is not a good fit if your student has learning needs that can't be addressed beyond smaller classes and executive functioning supports. It's not a special ed school and that's where there is sometimes a disconnect.

In terms of space, they have the current space for a few more years. They did look at space last year as I recall and did find some things that might work for them. I don't know where the process currently stands, but it's on their radar and will be addressed.

Also a current Sycamore family, and I agree 100% with everything above. Their COVID plans have been transparent and well-communicated, and the in-person teaching and learning so far this year has been terrific. They have some teachers and some students who are remote, and they have accommodated both without too much impact. The planned switch to remote during the holiday period takes a lot of pressure off both families and teachers - people can choose to isolate or travel/see family without it impacting the school community (and without judgement).

As for choosing TSS for next year, it's important to know that yes, the school is very small (I think last count was 54 students grades 5-12), and the middle school grades have more students than the high school cohort. If your child needs a large pool from which to choose friends, or thrives on lots of extracurriculars and/or sports teams, this not the school for you. And importantly, the school is very progressive and non traditional. There are no grades (although the students are assessed according to a detailed rubric), no homework in middle school, and classes are not your typical English, History, Social Studies, etc. Instead the coursework is thematic - all subjects touched in under the umbrella of an over-arching theme with an "essential question"; students read books, learn history, geography, science, politics, etc all with answering that question in mind. It does not look or sound like a typical school. It's a great place if your child does best in a small environment, benefits from being able to move at his or her own pace, and you, as parents, are ready to embrace a nontraditional approach to learning.

[Anonymous]

I had never heard of TSS until the other day. Not super convenient for us but our rising 9th grader could take the metro. Would love some updated input from current families. My DC is gifted but struggles with anxiety and ADHD. He prefers a small class size but if the entire high school only has 40 kids, that might not work. Would love some input! Thank you!

[Anonymous]

I just heard about the school as well and would like to hear more from a current family. Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I just heard about the school as well and would like to hear more from a current family. Thanks!

Current TSS family here. The school is growing and thriving - still small (close to 60 students I think), though they plan to move to a new location next school year (closer to Rosslyn, still Metro accessible), which will give them even more room to grow. Small class size (10-15 students), often in mixed-grade cohorts (5/6, 6/7, 7/8, 9/10 etc). Some grades are split between cohorts (e.g. because there is a 5/6 and 6/7, some 6th graders are the older students in a 5/6 mix, some are the younger students in a 6/7 mix) which allows the school to create cohorts that are academically and developmentally/socially appropriate. Cohorts may stay the same or change year-to-year depending on needs. Curriculum is unique and varied - lots of room for curiosity and independence within the framework of expectations. No homework or grades, but that doesn't mean students are not challenged, and teachers' assessments are detailed and thorough. There are parent information sessions regularly and students can do a "shadow day" to check it out in person. No place is perfect - the small size means no sports teams, limited extra curriculars, etc. "Urban model" campus means no grassy areas - it's on the 3rd floor of an office building. That said, they go to public parks, take regular field trips, do community service, etc. It's a quirky place with a lot of heart - a good place for students who like a smaller environment with peers who are kind. The school is does well with anxiety, ADHD, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How is Sycamore doing now? Would love updates from 2020 before Covid and after. Considering for next year.

we are in our second year at the school. We made the choice not to send him to our local large middle school b/c we were concerned he would get lost b/c he is quiet and inattentive.

They have been open FT in-person since Aug 31. They collaborated with their teachers over the summer to get their input so everyone felt comfortable with the plan. They did allow a couple of teachers to be remote and some students are remote. My son has one of the remote teachers in two classes and it's really not a big deal. They have 2 teachers in every class so the remote teacher is paired with an in-person teacher.

Their reopening plan also included a plan to switch to remote learning from Thanksgiving to Mid January (end of the semester). As a parent, I embraced that plan at the time they announced it this summer, and of course, it looks brilliant in light of our current rising COVID rates and the impending holiday season.

I will say, it's a good school for kids who need smaller class sizes and more attention from a teacher. It is not a good fit if your student has learning needs that can't be addressed beyond smaller classes and executive functioning supports. It's not a special ed school and that's where there is sometimes a disconnect.

In terms of space, they have the current space for a few more years. They did look at space last year as I recall and did find some things that might work for them. I don't know where the process currently stands, but it's on their radar and will be addressed.

Also a current Sycamore family, and I agree 100% with everything above. Their COVID plans have been transparent and well-communicated, and the in-person teaching and learning so far this year has been terrific. They have some teachers and some students who are remote, and they have accommodated both without too much impact. The planned switch to remote during the holiday period takes a lot of pressure off both families and teachers - people can choose to isolate or travel/see family without it impacting the school community (and without judgement).

As for choosing TSS for next year, it's important to know that yes, the school is very small (I think last count was 54 students grades 5-12), and the middle school grades have more students than the high school cohort. If your child needs a large pool from which to choose friends, or thrives on lots of extracurriculars and/or sports teams, this not the school for you. And importantly, the school is very progressive and non traditional. There are no grades (although the students are assessed according to a detailed rubric), no homework in middle school, and classes are not your typical English, History, Social Studies, etc. Instead the coursework is thematic - all subjects touched in under the umbrella of an over-arching theme with an "essential question"; students read books, learn history, geography, science, politics, etc all with answering that question in mind. It does not look or sound like a typical school. It's a great place if your child does best in a small environment, benefits from being able to move at his or her own pace, and you, as parents, are ready to embrace a nontraditional approach to learning.

Current family here. All the above is still true, only difference is they've done away with remote learning (as most/all schools have), the school has grown to more than 60 students, and the High School cohort is now equal or bigger than the Middle School cohort.

[Anonymous]

The school is moving to Rosslyn next year, 1550 Wilson Blvd across from HB Woodlawn. I'm in that building every week, and there is a huge, underutilized parking garage underneath. https://www.arlnow.com/2022/10/14/local-private-school-plans-move-from-ballston-to-rosslyn-office-space/

[Anonymous]

I had never heard of this school either but it sounds interesting and could be a good fit for my rising 9th grader. How does graduation and college acceptances work if there aren't grades? Someone mentioned the narratives are extensive and thorough but are colleges ok with that?!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I had never heard of this school either but it sounds interesting and could be a good fit for my rising 9th grader. How does graduation and college acceptances work if there aren't grades? Someone mentioned the narratives are extensive and thorough but are colleges ok with that?!

It's a young school, only 6 years old. They have had three seniors graduate and all got into college, two more will graduate this year and there are 12 11th graders this year so I imagine the next year or two will be even more informative as far as college acceptance goes. To assess students the school uses Mastery-Based learning, which is a national program. Colleges seem to know what it is - the transcript is an extensive web-based portfolio colleges and universities can access.