Beauvoir or NPS?

[Anonymous]

Beauvoir 3rd graders will have had a lot more in person school days than NPS 3rd graders. I guess it doesn’t matter since NPS goes to 6 but I feel for the kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So if outplacement to STA/NCS wasn’t in play, how do the schools compare academically?

Academically, I would take NPS any day. BVR is too soft on kids, IMO.

That’s a very ignorant statement. Beauvoir is one of the few schools in the area that follows a developmentally appropriate curriculum. Young kids’ brains are not built for drill and kill. It’s a good way to make learning stressful and anxiety-ridden - one of the many reasons kids have so much academic anxiety these days.

I sent three children to Beauvoir, with very different personalities. They all thrived there. Beauvoir respects childhood and developmental stages, and gives kids a strong conceptual grounding through experiential learning. That’s what many call being too soft on kids. I’ll take it any day.

My DD went to Sidwell and DSes to STA. They all excel academically.

You said "one of the few schools". So what are the other schools that follow such curriculums?

Lowell, Sheridan, Washington Waldorf.

You think Beauvoir's curriculum is similar to these progressive schools?!

What I said was that Beauvoir follows a "developmentally appropriate curriculum." The curriculum for each of these schools is very different.

Beauvoir is not a progressive curriculum per se, but it is very much focused on teaching concepts through play and experiential learning, which is developmentally appropriate for the early grades. It's why some parents complain about it be "too soft" on kids, as if somehow being hard on children helps learning.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So if outplacement to STA/NCS wasn’t in play, how do the schools compare academically?

Academically, I would take NPS any day. BVR is too soft on kids, IMO.

I kind of agree. *shrug*

+1. "Everyone gets a trophy!"

You obviously know nothing about Beauvoir.

There are no trophies, which I think it a good thing. Kids learn to appreciate and value qualities like kindness and being a good friend.

One of my children is highly gifted, and he had no idea until he entered STA, where there is greater emphasis on grades and a more competitive environment.

Bvr also does a great job of meeting students where they are--all students develop a love of reading, but teachers will make sure each kid is getting books that are at their reading level so kids neither feel bored nor overwhelmed, depending.

As for outplacement, we went in not sure about ncs/sta, but that ended up being a good path for our kids. The bvr pipeline is valuable there; sta especially is very hard--very, very hard--to get into, ever. No guarantees from anywhere, even bvr, but bvr is the likeliest path unless you are the legacy kid of a big donor. Even then nothing is 100 percent.

We have been happy with the education both at bvr and sta/ncs for our kids.

I promise you that the legacy kid of a big donor to STA is a 100% guarantee admit.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So if outplacement to STA/NCS wasn’t in play, how do the schools compare academically?

Academically, I would take NPS any day. BVR is too soft on kids, IMO.

That’s a very ignorant statement. Beauvoir is one of the few schools in the area that follows a developmentally appropriate curriculum. Young kids’ brains are not built for drill and kill. It’s a good way to make learning stressful and anxiety-ridden - one of the many reasons kids have so much academic anxiety these days.

I sent three children to Beauvoir, with very different personalities. They all thrived there. Beauvoir respects childhood and developmental stages, and gives kids a strong conceptual grounding through experiential learning. That’s what many call being too soft on kids. I’ll take it any day.

My DD went to Sidwell and DSes to STA. They all excel academically.

You said "one of the few schools". So what are the other schools that follow such curriculums?

Lowell, Sheridan, Washington Waldorf.

You think Beauvoir's curriculum is similar to these progressive schools?!

What I said was that Beauvoir follows a "developmentally appropriate curriculum." The curriculum for each of these schools is very different.

Beauvoir is not a progressive curriculum per se, but it is very much focused on teaching concepts through play and experiential learning, which is developmentally appropriate for the early grades. It's why some parents complain about it be "too soft" on kids, as if somehow being hard on children helps learning.

Most k-3 schools and the lower division of k-6/8 schools are play-based or project-based now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So if outplacement to STA/NCS wasn’t in play, how do the schools compare academically?

Academically, I would take NPS any day. BVR is too soft on kids, IMO.

This is not a good comparison. I actually think NPS is soft and play based in the early years and does a much bigger jump in academics around 3rd grade. I think they are both developmentally appropriate for the early years. It doesn't make sense to compare the schools as BVR ends at 3rd grade and NPS ends at 6th grade.

I agree with this. All the Lower Division academics are play-based.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Beauvoir 3rd graders will have had a lot more in person school days than NPS 3rd graders. I guess it doesn’t matter since NPS goes to 6 but I feel for the kids.

They're fine, no need to worry. We are excited for a return to 5 days, but our child's homeroom teachers have been supportive throughout the year -- parent of an NPS 3rd grader.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My children went to Beauvoir, so I can’t comment on NPS.

Beauvoir was an amazing experience for three children with different personalities. Strong, developmentally appropriate curriculum without pressure or excessive and unnecessary homework. Good math curriculum that has been adapted from Singapore Math and other math-teaching approaches, but is tied to Commom Core curriculum. Fun science classes, emphasis on music, art, PE. 1:10 teacher ratio, with two teachers in every classroom.

Plenty of play time, creativity, and a joyful learning environment. The best playground of any NW private school. Sunlit classrooms. Olmstead Woods right next door. The current HOS is kind and competent.

My kids still talk about how much they loved Beauvoir. It was a great way to start their education. Beauvoir made learning fun, setting up a positive relationship to learning. Worth every penny.

—————————
Can’t agree more.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I love NPS, but if you are very into the Cathedral Schools it would be a no brainer for me to start the experience early and pick Beauvoir. My only concern would be if your child wasn't picked up to continue on, could be a little rough. Though some re-apply later and are re-admitted.

This happened to us. It was heartbreaking.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I love NPS, but if you are very into the Cathedral Schools it would be a no brainer for me to start the experience early and pick Beauvoir. My only concern would be if your child wasn't picked up to continue on, could be a little rough. Though some re-apply later and are re-admitted.

This happened to us. It was heartbreaking.

So usually how many children are "picked" to continue?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I love NPS, but if you are very into the Cathedral Schools it would be a no brainer for me to start the experience early and pick Beauvoir. My only concern would be if your child wasn't picked up to continue on, could be a little rough. Though some re-apply later and are re-admitted.

This happened to us. It was heartbreaking.

So usually how many children are "picked" to continue?

Read this thread this has been covered

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I love NPS, but if you are very into the Cathedral Schools it would be a no brainer for me to start the experience early and pick Beauvoir. My only concern would be if your child wasn't picked up to continue on, could be a little rough. Though some re-apply later and are re-admitted.

This happened to us. It was heartbreaking.

WOW! So where did your kid end up? As a parent, what do you feel was the reason?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So if outplacement to STA/NCS wasn’t in play, how do the schools compare academically?

Academically, I would take NPS any day. BVR is too soft on kids, IMO.

That’s a very ignorant statement. Beauvoir is one of the few schools in the area that follows a developmentally appropriate curriculum. Young kids’ brains are not built for drill and kill. It’s a good way to make learning stressful and anxiety-ridden - one of the many reasons kids have so much academic anxiety these days.

I sent three children to Beauvoir, with very different personalities. They all thrived there. Beauvoir respects childhood and developmental stages, and gives kids a strong conceptual grounding through experiential learning. That’s what many call being too soft on kids. I’ll take it any day.

My DD went to Sidwell and DSes to STA. They all excel academically.

You said "one of the few schools". So what are the other schools that follow such curriculums?

Lowell, Sheridan, Washington Waldorf.

You think Beauvoir's curriculum is similar to these progressive schools?!

What I said was that Beauvoir follows a "developmentally appropriate curriculum." The curriculum for each of these schools is very different.

Beauvoir is not a progressive curriculum per se, but it is very much focused on teaching concepts through play and experiential learning, which is developmentally appropriate for the early grades. It's why some parents complain about it be "too soft" on kids, as if somehow being hard on children helps learning.

Most k-3 schools and the lower division of k-6/8 schools are play-based or project-based now.

Don't know about "most" schools, as we compared Beauvoir only to Sidwell and GDS. Both schools had more traditional learning approaches and worksheets, admittedly this was 10 years ago, so perhaps they have adjusted their curriculum.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So if outplacement to STA/NCS wasn’t in play, how do the schools compare academically?

Academically, I would take NPS any day. BVR is too soft on kids, IMO.

That’s a very ignorant statement. Beauvoir is one of the few schools in the area that follows a developmentally appropriate curriculum. Young kids’ brains are not built for drill and kill. It’s a good way to make learning stressful and anxiety-ridden - one of the many reasons kids have so much academic anxiety these days.

I sent three children to Beauvoir, with very different personalities. They all thrived there. Beauvoir respects childhood and developmental stages, and gives kids a strong conceptual grounding through experiential learning. That’s what many call being too soft on kids. I’ll take it any day.

My DD went to Sidwell and DSes to STA. They all excel academically.

You said "one of the few schools". So what are the other schools that follow such curriculums?

Lowell, Sheridan, Washington Waldorf.

You think Beauvoir's curriculum is similar to these progressive schools?!

What I said was that Beauvoir follows a "developmentally appropriate curriculum." The curriculum for each of these schools is very different.

Beauvoir is not a progressive curriculum per se, but it is very much focused on teaching concepts through play and experiential learning, which is developmentally appropriate for the early grades. It's why some parents complain about it be "too soft" on kids, as if somehow being hard on children helps learning.

You keep saying this, as if you're trying to convince yourself. "Play based" is fine through K or 1st but at some point kids need real expectations. As a PP said, BVR is more of the coddling, "everyone gets a trophy" mindset. That may be fine and necessary for some kids, but I think children rise to the level expected of them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So if outplacement to STA/NCS wasn’t in play, how do the schools compare academically?

Academically, I would take NPS any day. BVR is too soft on kids, IMO.

That’s a very ignorant statement. Beauvoir is one of the few schools in the area that follows a developmentally appropriate curriculum. Young kids’ brains are not built for drill and kill. It’s a good way to make learning stressful and anxiety-ridden - one of the many reasons kids have so much academic anxiety these days.

I sent three children to Beauvoir, with very different personalities. They all thrived there. Beauvoir respects childhood and developmental stages, and gives kids a strong conceptual grounding through experiential learning. That’s what many call being too soft on kids. I’ll take it any day.

My DD went to Sidwell and DSes to STA. They all excel academically.

You said "one of the few schools". So what are the other schools that follow such curriculums?

Lowell, Sheridan, Washington Waldorf.

You think Beauvoir's curriculum is similar to these progressive schools?!

What I said was that Beauvoir follows a "developmentally appropriate curriculum." The curriculum for each of these schools is very different.

Beauvoir is not a progressive curriculum per se, but it is very much focused on teaching concepts through play and experiential learning, which is developmentally appropriate for the early grades. It's why some parents complain about it be "too soft" on kids, as if somehow being hard on children helps learning.

You keep saying this, as if you're trying to convince yourself. "Play based" is fine through K or 1st but at some point kids need real expectations. As a PP said, BVR is more of the coddling, "everyone gets a trophy" mindset. That may be fine and necessary for some kids, but I think children rise to the level expected of them.

I don’t think anyone’s trying to convince themselves of anything. Also, it is not true that beauvoir doesn’t have expectations—quite the contrary. You can till have expectations and provide a play-based, experiential, and fun learning environment.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
What I said was that Beauvoir follows a "developmentally appropriate curriculum." The curriculum for each of these schools is very different.

Beauvoir is not a progressive curriculum per se, but it is very much focused on teaching concepts through play and experiential learning, which is developmentally appropriate for the early grades. It's why some parents complain about it be "too soft" on kids, as if somehow being hard on children helps learning.

You keep saying this, as if you're trying to convince yourself. "Play based" is fine through K or 1st but at some point kids need real expectations. As a PP said, BVR is more of the coddling, "everyone gets a trophy" mindset. That may be fine and necessary for some kids, but I think children rise to the level expected of them.

I don’t need to prove anything, PP. You are the one just repeating an opinion that is not based in fact.

Talk to any halfway competent developmental psychologist, and they will tell you that rigid academic, curricula result only in more anxiety around learning, not more learning. These are consistent findings in studies that have compared play-based vs academic approaches in the early grades.