Strategy questions

[Anonymous]

I assume you are not looking at single-sex schools?

[Anonymous]

OP, I know you've ruled Burke out because of its urban campus but you might want to at least take a look at it. When dd asked to apply to Burke, I was worried that she wouldn't be pushed hard enough and was skeptical but we went forward with the process and she got in. Contrary to what I feared, I found that her teachers were for the most part both demanding and supportive. She has really grown into taking responsibility for her work -- and she was not a dedicated student previously. I attribute that to the environment at Burke.

Burke also has a lot of the kinds of things you're looking for -- e.g., diversity, a culture oriented towards the arts where people are encouraged to participate. I wish I could tell you more about sports because my dd is (unfortunately in my view) not very athletic but it sounds like it would suit your child.

However, I don't have experience with the middle school and the classes do seem to be awfully small. I'm glad dd was in a bigger place for middle school.

At any rate, I understand your concern about the campus and that it may be a deal breaker but I just wanted to let you know that a lot of the other stuff is there.

Good luck with your search!

[Anonymous]

I'm happy to look at boys schools, but not sure which to look at. Each one I think of I can point to a reason why I think it's not for us. I'm certainly open to suggestions, though.

As for Burke, I did go look but it just wasn't a fit in a lots of ways. I was quite frankly surprised, because I expected to love it based on everything I'd heard. I'm glad it went, because it really helped me solidify what I want for my son. It wasn't just about the physical plant, but I found the teachers to be very distanced from the kids throughout my visit in a way that wasn't a good fit for my son or, frankly, me.

I should add that I'm not in "desperation mode". There are a couple of public programs I think would be a good fit, and he can stay at his school through 8th. So, we're only applying to schools that we love.

[Anonymous]

Have you visited Field? It's not formal, but the academics are structured. It starts in Grade 7.

[Anonymous]

Consider Green Acres. Strong athletics and arts program. In 7th and 8th grade, students produce a musical-- all in house so you don't have to deal with after school rehearsals. The balanced academic curriculum pushes kids to thrive while giving them space to be kids. Sounds like it might be a good fit for your DC.

[Anonymous]

Take a look at Landon. I know it has a "jock" reputation, but I think they do a really good job with all sorts of boys, and they have a really strong music and art program. Everyone plays a sport in the afternoon, and I don't believe there are cuts in lower or middle school (except maybe for tennis or something like that). The campus is gorgeous, and they really give the boys tons of opportunities to burn off energy. It is more structured than the "progressive" schools however, and the parent body is very Potomac/Bethesda. They are making progress on the diversity front as well.

[Anonymous]

OP wants a school within DC proper!

[Anonymous]

PP -- OP said she looked at Bullis -- that's not even close to DC proper! Landon is much closer to the DC line than Bullis. I wouldn't spend the money on Bullis. A good public would be better.

[Anonymous]

Well since Landon was suggested, i will suggest St Albans too. Don't discount it without looking. It is in DC. Boys get to be boys and run around (yours liked sunshine). teh art/drama program is not usually showcased but it does not mean it is not solid. The Cappies (high school version of the awards shows) are almost always won by STA productions. There are 2 middle school plays, one in the fall (this year "Get Smart" last year was Shakespeare) and one in the spring for 7th/8th graders in conjunction with NCS. There are also very key "tech" roles for those who do not get parts or prefer tech. There is a great coed chorus (no tryouts) that meets for an hour on Fridays beyond the usual instrumental offerings. Plus the art program is equally excellent -- by the upper school they expand to both 2 dimensional art (2d) which of course exists in the lower school too, but they also have 3d art which includes things like ceramics, glass etching, modeling and just really cool sculptures etc.

Of course academics are not easy, but none of these schools are a cake walk. I love the smaller class sizes, the involvement of the teachers as coaches and mentors.

By the way, all sports are open to all -- except basketball (limited gym space) means there are tryouts, and sometimes, depending upon numbers, tennis. But if your son wants to play soccer, starting in 6th grade he is on the team. Same with football, lacrosse, hockey, wrestling, swimming, track, cross country, baseball and then in the upper school crew and golf. i am probably forgetting a few options. But being part of a team is so esteem enhancing for boys. I also respect the atheltic philosophy, esp in the middle school, where they care about developing all of the boys. Our kids all get chances to play, for the most part, whereas at other schools this is not always the case, and you see some kids on the benches and never getting in the games.

[Anonymous]

Hello OP. I LOVE your list of "requirements" ... really well thought out and I agree with you on nearly all of them. I second the suggestion to look at Burgundy Farm ... it has a very strong middle school program, a very cooperative and supportive environment, very open athletic program (not sure if it is completely "no cut" but I'm pretty sure if your child wants to play, he can), etc. My DC is currently in elementary school there and we love it. As for high school ... if you haven't checked out the Field School ... I highly encourage you to do so. It seems like the perfect match for your amazing list. I have not visited it personally yet but am eager to do so soon.

I found your comments regarding Burke very interesting ... although not as high on my list as Field ... it is one that also seems promising for my DC. So I agree with you that visiting schools in person is very important. A school is unlikely to post on its web site that "our faculty keep an emotionally cool distance from the kids!!!" Plus, observations like that are very subjective ... so please, no flames from Burke families!!!

[Anonymous]

Burke parent here - no flames, just a polite disagreement!

We actually chose Burke primarily for the close relationships between students and teachers, because that's how my MS son learns best. I'm not sure what you saw when you visited, but my child is known very well by his teachers (and known at least casually by teachers throughout the school). He eats lunch with them in their classrooms (along with high school students who drop by to see their old teachers), comes home with stories about their home lives, and sees them as sources of support when he has a problem. The school is more structured than one might think, with real expectations for learning and behavior, but they also are very good at meeting a student where s/he is and going on from there.

I'm not trying to say it is necessarily the right school for the OP's son - I do wish there were more opportunities to run around beyond daily PE - but I wanted to give a different perspective for others who might be considering it.

[Anonymous]

I have two children at Bullis and have been very happy with their experiences there both in and out of the classroom. Both started in 3rd with one in Upper School now and the other in Middle School. I have been very happy with their experiences in sports especially with the coach/teacher model in place. Both are interested in different aspects of the arts and shine in different academic and athletic pursuits. If I had to do it over again I would. We knew immediately it was the school community for us. Good luck.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Burke parent here - no flames, just a polite disagreement!

We actually chose Burke primarily for the close relationships between students and teachers, because that's how my MS son learns best. I'm not sure what you saw when you visited, but my child is known very well by his teachers (and known at least casually by teachers throughout the school). He eats lunch with them in their classrooms (along with high school students who drop by to see their old teachers), comes home with stories about their home lives, and sees them as sources of support when he has a problem. The school is more structured than one might think, with real expectations for learning and behavior, but they also are very good at meeting a student where s/he is and going on from there.

I'm not trying to say it is necessarily the right school for the OP's son - I do wish there were more opportunities to run around beyond daily PE - but I wanted to give a different perspective for others who might be considering it.

Yes, I was also surprised at OP's comment because one thing I noticed when I visited the first time and talked to a couple of faculty members was how when we were standing in the hallway they kept chatting with students walking by. It seemed like quite a warm place to me and now my kid loves it. But, hey, different strokes, etc. You have to go with what your gut tells you, OP.

[Anonymous]

12:36 again. Thanks to both PPs who have a kid at Burke, not just for the lack of flames!, but also for the interesting/useful input. I have always liked the tone of Burke's web site information and have heard good anecdotal things both at DCUM and elsewhere. I do hope to check it out in person before too long.

One thing I really appreciate about this area is the number of truly great schools (including many publics) that together offer so many different options. I would think anybody could find a reasonably good fit for their child here ... hopefully the difficult admissions process won't interfere with that too much!

[Anonymous]

I liked the teachers and administrators at Burke very much, and it had a warm friendly atmosphere that we loved. However, having an active, sporty kid, I really was bothered by the lack of outdoor space, and the small numbers of students in the early grades might work well for some, but not others. But I do know many families and kids who loved Burke. Like most places, it's not for everyone.