Older moms, tell me raising kids in DC will be fun/exciting for them?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You sound very immature. Basically you’re saying high school is not fun if it’s not like “Friday Night Lights?”

Yeah, I sort of am wondering that. Basically, what is the culture of high school here? And growing up here in general?

The post that said you need to go to Loudoun for the experience you want is spot on. My DH grew up in Loudoun and it's much more like what you described and a world away from the schools up in DC/Arlington/FFX county/Alexandria (my kids are at an Alexandria private).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This may blow your mind, but you can have an awesome childhood without participating in ANY way in sports. I did. If there were football games I never knew about them. My friends and I had no idea about school spirit - if there was "homecoming" I didn't know about it.

I was busy doing my hobbies and interests with my friends. I had a great time in high school. There's more than one way to have fun, OP.

Same. And I went to a big public HS in FL (though not near Miami) so I know the kind of "culture" OP is talking about. I was never into that scene and went to the NE for college and never looked back.

OP will not find that scene here, and definitely not in private school. If you want a big boisterous HS scene where sports like football dominate, why the hell would you go for private? It will be the exact opposite.

Of course, like others have said, who knows whether OP's kid will want that HS experience that OP has such great memories of.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you're anything like me, you will be sorry you raised kids here. It is nothing like that dreamy, suburban upbringing you (and I) had. Especially at the NWDC privates. I have two high schoolers there now and they HATE it. My DD especially wishes she had grown up the way I did, and not the way her crazy, miserable faither, who grew up in DC and also went to one of the elitist privates did. If you can go back to Miami, you should. I would in a heartbeat, but my husband got us trapped here.

What do they hate about it?

Very intense. Very elitist. My DH told my son the other day not to mention to anybody the back up schools he's applying to (he's a senior), because it might give people the wrong impression. My son laughed in disgust.

[Anonymous]

OP here. I am not focused literally on football, I was just using that as an example of the culture of my childhood being very into traditional teenage and school activities. School spirit, ALL sports (like, is lax big here in the same way where people get excited to go cheer for their team?), cheerleading, dance, marching band, whatever....going to the movies/mall with your friends (whatever the present version of this is), having parties, sleepovers, going to prom, even getting into a little (innocent) trouble, dating, etc.

Like, lighten up and help me understand the culture of the lives of tweens and teens here. That's all I'm asking.

For what it's worth, my big high school was EXTREMELY cut throat and competitive in ALL ways, including academics. I'm not worried about that as much as I'm worried about a culture of sheltered, boring, insecure, awkward kids who don't like to have fun at a time that should be so much fun.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you're anything like me, you will be sorry you raised kids here. It is nothing like that dreamy, suburban upbringing you (and I) had. Especially at the NWDC privates. I have two high schoolers there now and they HATE it. My DD especially wishes she had grown up the way I did, and not the way her crazy, miserable faither, who grew up in DC and also went to one of the elitist privates did. If you can go back to Miami, you should. I would in a heartbeat, but my husband got us trapped here.

What do they hate about it?

Very intense. Very elitist. My DH told my son the other day not to mention to anybody the back up schools he's applying to (he's a senior), because it might give people the wrong impression. My son laughed in disgust.

I can answer this too. The schools (Big3) are intense. Endless homework. Kids come from all over the DMV (from Southern Maryland to Loudoun to Gaithersburg) so this impacts the sense of community.
Its the opposite of the big, happy high school experience that you see in the movies.

I also have kids who wouldn't choose again but at this point (10th and 12th) they're just going to ride it out.

If you're in the city, Wilson comes fairly close to what you're looking for. Lots of school spirit, diverse student body (the jocks, the artsy kids, the goths, etc) but you have the added dimension of racial and economic diversity that you don't have at a typical suburban high school.

[Anonymous]

Welcome to DCUM. Where the people are as nasty as they come. Very few people here in the DC area are from the DC area. Most of the nasty people on here come from places like NY, NJ, CT. They believe they are better than everyone else. They are rude. They are ridiculous. They hold states like Florida in contempt but vacation there and ultimately retire there to flee the consequences of their politics and weather. However, since you are here in DC, there are places you child can come of age that will be similar to Florida. Stay away from the BIG 3. The sports are terrible as are the parents. You van get that Friday Night lights experience in schools like Good Counsel, Gonzaga, SJC, DeMatha, and Bullis. There are people here who are normal. Don't be discouraged. Your child will have a great time in DC, but make sure you visit Florida often to escape this madness.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Welcome to DCUM. Where the people are as nasty as they come. Very few people here in the DC area are from the DC area. Most of the nasty people on here come from places like NY, NJ, CT. They believe they are better than everyone else. They are rude. They are ridiculous. They hold states like Florida in contempt but vacation there and ultimately retire there to flee the consequences of their politics and weather. However, since you are here in DC, there are places you child can come of age that will be similar to Florida. Stay away from the BIG 3. The sports are terrible as are the parents. You van get that Friday Night lights experience in schools like Good Counsel, Gonzaga, SJC, DeMatha, and Bullis. There are people here who are normal. Don't be discouraged. Your child will have a great time in DC, but make sure you visit Florida often to escape this madness.

typos from iPhone

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I am not focused literally on football, I was just using that as an example of the culture of my childhood being very into traditional teenage and school activities. School spirit, ALL sports (like, is lax big here in the same way where people get excited to go cheer for their team?), cheerleading, dance, marching band, whatever....going to the movies/mall with your friends (whatever the present version of this is), having parties, sleepovers, going to prom, even getting into a little (innocent) trouble, dating, etc.

Like, lighten up and help me understand the culture of the lives of tweens and teens here. That's all I'm asking.

For what it's worth, my big high school was EXTREMELY cut throat and competitive in ALL ways, including academics. I'm not worried about that as much as I'm worried about a culture of sheltered, boring, insecure, awkward kids who don't like to have fun at a time that should be so much fun.

But what you're not understand is that academics were FUN for my friends and me. MetMUNC was the highlight of high school for me. Working on the Yearbook Committee was awesome. Intel Science Competitions were talked about in awe. Geeky people can have fun. You are making it seem like only things seen in movies about American high schools are fun.

[Anonymous]

God I grew up down South and hated all the sports rahrah stuff. I didn't care about sports then and don't care about it now. We didn't have a theater geek group (because there was no theater or plays just football, basketball, cheerleading) but I would have been part of it had it existed. I moved away and found my people.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I am not focused literally on football, I was just using that as an example of the culture of my childhood being very into traditional teenage and school activities. School spirit, ALL sports (like, is lax big here in the same way where people get excited to go cheer for their team?), cheerleading, dance, marching band, whatever....going to the movies/mall with your friends (whatever the present version of this is), having parties, sleepovers, going to prom, even getting into a little (innocent) trouble, dating, etc.

Like, lighten up and help me understand the culture of the lives of tweens and teens here. That's all I'm asking.

For what it's worth, my big high school was EXTREMELY cut throat and competitive in ALL ways, including academics. I'm not worried about that as much as I'm worried about a culture of sheltered, boring, insecure, awkward kids who don't like to have fun at a time that should be so much fun.

OP, NO ONE is having fun in high school this year thanks to this damn pandemic

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I am not focused literally on football, I was just using that as an example of the culture of my childhood being very into traditional teenage and school activities. School spirit, ALL sports (like, is lax big here in the same way where people get excited to go cheer for their team?), cheerleading, dance, marching band, whatever....going to the movies/mall with your friends (whatever the present version of this is), having parties, sleepovers, going to prom, even getting into a little (innocent) trouble, dating, etc.

Like, lighten up and help me understand the culture of the lives of tweens and teens here. That's all I'm asking.

For what it's worth, my big high school was EXTREMELY cut throat and competitive in ALL ways, including academics. I'm not worried about that as much as I'm worried about a culture of sheltered, boring, insecure, awkward kids who don't like to have fun at a time that should be so much fun.

Listen if you want good academics, "traditional' activities, and a lot of activities/school spirit the answer is to get away from the city itself and go out to the more outer suburbs like Loudoun County.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I am not focused literally on football, I was just using that as an example of the culture of my childhood being very into traditional teenage and school activities. School spirit, ALL sports (like, is lax big here in the same way where people get excited to go cheer for their team?), cheerleading, dance, marching band, whatever....going to the movies/mall with your friends (whatever the present version of this is), having parties, sleepovers, going to prom, even getting into a little (innocent) trouble, dating, etc.

Like, lighten up and help me understand the culture of the lives of tweens and teens here. That's all I'm asking.

For what it's worth, my big high school was EXTREMELY cut throat and competitive in ALL ways, including academics. I'm not worried about that as much as I'm worried about a culture of sheltered, boring, insecure, awkward kids who don't like to have fun at a time that should be so much fun.

OP, NO ONE is having fun in high school this year thanks to this damn pandemic

Maybe your kids but those of us who have kids IN school and that play sport are having a blast.

[Anonymous]

It can be fun yes! This year is a blip (hopefully) and my HS Freshman is going crazy b/c they can't do "anything fun." They planned a Fake Homecoming (FOCO) but the Admin found out (along w/ us parents who said...um only 5 and must be outside)
I'm hoping next year will bring back more of the fun social stuff associated w/ our private.
MS on the other hand in private if you start there can be hit or miss. For our DD it was a miss socially so therefore it is making this year tougher b/c she has found some friends she enjoys

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What is it like to raise kids here long term? Do kids get a fun high school experience?

I grew up in suburban Miami. I had such a fun childhood. High school football games were epic. School spirit was off the charts. Artists/rappers repped Miami in songs. People went crazy for our sports teams. There was just so much culture, and people were so friendly and cool and chill and funny.

My husband and I both moved here straight from college. We've lived here 10-12 years. Have one kid. Just bought our first house. I love DC weather and we have great friends here, good jobs, etc., but I'm worried that raising kids here will be so dull and so unlike our childhoods (husband is from TX, same story I describe -- loved HS). Our kid is very little but we will probably go to public elementary school and then look at the NWDC private schools for middle and high school (which, again, is so different from my husband's and my big, public high school experiences, and we're coming to terms with that, too, but that's a different topic).

So tell me, how is it with kids here over the long term? Is high school a fun and exciting time? Like, is it fun and cool to "come of age" in DC? Is it fun to go to football games and school events?

I also grew up in suburban Miami and could not be happier that my kids are growing up in DC instead. I went to public school in Miami and my kids are in NWDC public schools which are way better than the schools I grew up going too IMO.

[Anonymous]

OP, I actually grew up here. It is not at all like you describe. I was a good student and kept to myself mostly. I studied hard, played sports, did lots of volunteer work, but did not have the typical high school experience you describe at all. It’s very competitive and that can make it uncomfortable at times for the insecure. College definitely felt like a relief to me, and I went to an extremely competitive college, but it was less repressive than my experience here.