NCS going downhill?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am only talking about performance on the AP exams. I am not talking about "AP courses" and the like. I do not care about the courses. Anyone can sign up with a high school to take these AP exams, middle school students, homeschoolers and folk in regular courses. Those at the magnets and TJ have better performance by these metrics than the top area privates regardless of whether they take courses labelled AP or not. In fact, I know many who self-study (no formal courses) including middle school students. If you do not like the PSAT, SAT, AP exam metric we could examine other (e.g., Intel and Siemen's awards, USAMO, AIME, AMC, PISA, Physics, Chemistry, Computer Science Olympiads. Are there any other metrics you would prefer to use? Or are your metrics non exam oriented and focus on college matriculation rates, legacy and bank accouunt?

Don't think that's true and even if it were, it would only prove that the AP courses at the magnets do a better job of teaching to the test, while area privates do not focus exclusively on AP material.

[Anonymous]

You completely missed the point. Many magnet students take AP exams after studying on their own after school or in the summer. Many for courses not formally taken in school. Intelligent middle and high school students do not need a course to take AP exams...or didn't you know this? Teaching to the test then does not apply ... studying to the test does apply.

[Anonymous]

And that proves what, exactly? What are you trying so desperately to prove? I get it, you don't think much of private schools - fine, don't send your kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:NCS or the others.

All of these schools cherry pick the best students. As such the students are much better than the schools. The teachers are a tad laconic when it comes to reaching out to parents and/or pursuing students that have problems because they hang the "we have more applicants than we could ever admit" mantra over your heads. I challenge any one of the private school administrators to do a little analysis and show me how much better their students perform when normed for college educated parents and income. Is NCS getting better or worse? Who cares? And who knows? If they or any other private school practices the "Devil take the hindmost" approach they'll always get better. If your kid is a great student that will be reflected; if your DC isn't they'll get gone but don't look for too much help from the private schools because there's always another applicant.

Incoherent post.

[Anonymous]

Don't know whether or not it's going downhill, but every single experience I have there as an upper school parent confirms that something is very wrong. No warmth among the girls, awkward strained relationships, parents hardly know each other unless there from 4th, crushingly competitive environment. No joy.

[Anonymous]

The administrators will be out soon in full defense mode.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Don't know whether or not it's going downhill, but every single experience I have there as an upper school parent confirms that something is very wrong. No warmth among the girls, awkward strained relationships, parents hardly know each other unless there from 4th, crushingly competitive environment. No joy.

I think that beginning in jr year, there is no joy. I think jr year is tough anywhere but NCS seems to really be opposed to easing up on the brakes at the end of the year. I think the lasting impression for many is very negative.

[Anonymous]

For us, there was little joy in any of the years. As a new freshman my DD would naively sit at any lunch table assuming the girls would be friendly-- and would be completely ignored.

[Anonymous]

I'm not an administrator and I think everyone is over generalizing. My DD has found plenty of support and friendship there. Some of this varies from class to class and I know that there are some classes I am very relieved my DD is not in. Her class has plenty of warmth and support. She also has very caring and attentive teachers. I think the teachers are the best thing about the school -- tough, but very intent on bringing the girls along. My DD loves learning and I credit the school. I am not happy with the head of the school, who I think is disengaged, but otherwise I am very happy with NCS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For us, there was little joy in any of the years. As a new freshman my DD would naively sit at any lunch table assuming the girls would be friendly-- and would be completely ignored.

PP, I feel really sad for your DD after reading this. My DD is an alum and hates NCS. I'm just relieved that she found her joy again in college. As a parent, I'm totally guilty of subjecting my daughter to a school that wasn't a good fit for her, we should have pulled her out at the end of 6th grade. I thought keeping her at NCS was the best option.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For us, there was little joy in any of the years. As a new freshman my DD would naively sit at any lunch table assuming the girls would be friendly-- and would be completely ignored.

PP, I feel really sad for your DD after reading this. My DD is an alum and hates NCS. I'm just relieved that she found her joy again in college. As a parent, I'm totally guilty of subjecting my daughter to a school that wasn't a good fit for her, we should have pulled her out at the end of 6th grade. I thought keeping her at NCS was the best option.

I read an article in Bethesda Patch this week about the Whitman principal disciplining students for actions in the community. Suspensions from activities etc and it goes on their school record for college:
http://bethesda.patch.com/articles/administrators-students-react-to-whitman-suspensions

The atmosphere at NCS and other privates would be improved by similar standards. Once the student is in the midst of junior or senior year it's hard to transfer. It might not be NCS but rather [as in our case] the out of control students with very low morals and their parents in name only.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For us, there was little joy in any of the years. As a new freshman my DD would naively sit at any lunch table assuming the girls would be friendly-- and would be completely ignored.

PP, I feel really sad for your DD after reading this. My DD is an alum and hates NCS. I'm just relieved that she found her joy again in college. As a parent, I'm totally guilty of subjecting my daughter to a school that wasn't a good fit for her, we should have pulled her out at the end of 6th grade. I thought keeping her at NCS was the best option.

I am glad your DD is in a happier place now. All we can do for ours is look forward to her graduation. I really wish I had known. People did try to warn us when she was accepted, but I foolishly did not listen.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For us, there was little joy in any of the years. As a new freshman my DD would naively sit at any lunch table assuming the girls would be friendly-- and would be completely ignored.

PP, I feel really sad for your DD after reading this. My DD is an alum and hates NCS. I'm just relieved that she found her joy again in college. As a parent, I'm totally guilty of subjecting my daughter to a school that wasn't a good fit for her, we should have pulled her out at the end of 6th grade. I thought keeping her at NCS was the best option.

I am glad your DD is in a happier place now. All we can do for ours is look forward to her graduation. I really wish I had known. People did try to warn us when she was accepted, but I foolishly did not listen.

I really urge you to help your DD cultivate whatever interests she has away from the school.

[Anonymous]

OK, sock puppet. You have had your say (with yourself).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OK, sock puppet. You have had your say (with yourself).

No sock puppet here. I'm a different poster.