FAQ: What is the "Big 3"? (or "Big 5", or "Big 10", etc)

[Anonymous]

If your kids like to play sports but aren't supertalented athletes or very competitive, they'll be fine. Everyone's encouraged to play and have fun. But if you have a kid who's really into sports, it may not be the place for you. Their teams are not very strong. But that's fine with them, it's not their "thing."

[Anonymous]

I think people disagree the most about the ranking of GDS. Some say it is right up there with Sidwell and the Cathedral schools, while others view it as much farther down the list. It's interesting, and I always wonder why. The school did not appeal much to me when I was applying my children, so we did not apply. Ended up choosing between Sidwell and StA.

[Anonymous]

We applied to GDS, STA, and Sidwell because we saw these three to the the academic leaders among private schools, but we ended up not choosing GDS only because their style was too liberal/progressive for us, including DS who did not feel comfortable with things like addressing teachers by first names. GDS might be right for another DC of mine in the future. Just as one indicator of strength: GDS has averaged more applicants getting into a certain top HYP school than Holton (which is also very strong) and Maret.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We moved here from elsewhere and were "unenlightened" enough to pick Landon over STA because we couldn't face the morning traffic. But our experience was a good one. Although we are nobodies--and lowly "land grant" graduates to boot, both our kids got into ivy league schools, neither played sports. Daughter went to the sister school. Those girls work their buns off over there, the boys would never do that! Her friends at NCS make the same claim relative to STA boys. Frankly I wish the girls would revolt. Some habitually stay up til 3 a.m. to study. You need to be young when you're young--

You say that NCS girls claim that STA boys don't study as hard? That makes me laugh. The STA boys study very hard, and they say that NCS is a cakewalk by comparison. The grass is always greener . . . .

NCS definitely has more of a work load and avg. girl studies more--have this from multiple STA faculty members who teach co- ordinate courses. Not saying one or other is smarter.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's not even near pretty-unanimously-agreed-upon at STA.

Have been at STA a lot and never heard one boy say STA studies more. Now, the little Masters of the Universe DO frequently assert that they are smarter.

[Anonymous]

Those of you confirmed what I had to say about the girls at the all-girls' schools having more work to do than the boys at brother schools-thanks. It is absolutely the case and I have no dog in this fight since I have kids of both sexes in the respective schools. Girls are simply more dutiful, and the schools pile it on. I am not sure they are therefore getting a better education; sometimes the work can be pretty mindless. One exception: one girl I know who had good grades at NCS in math enrolled in a math class at STA and was blown out of the water--her words--she decided the math courses at NCS were not as difficult. Only one girl's experience though. Holton really emphasizes the sciences, even has an engineering course--fantastic.

[Anonymous]

Having skimmed this entire thread I think a few people have too much time on their hands. Some seem downright mean spirited, and incredibly OCD with regard to their particular spin on school prestige and attending a "Big" school.

There is an absolute plethora of great schools in the Metro Area, private and public. Be proud wherever your child attends. But it's the kids stupid that get themselves into the universities of their choice. Not the schools. A school does not manufacture SAT's and grades or talent or character. The student does. So it happens that many inherently bright well-motivated affluent students concentrate themselves within a few small student body private schools (or TJ) and make the schools look great. But the credit belongs to each and every individual student. Not the schools! Skim the top 10%'s of any group and put them in one place and of course you have fantastic results. As a parent we should be more focused on the happiness of our child and their fit in the context of an educational environment, and less with prestige and self-gloating.

By a fluke accident our child does happen to attend one of these highly-regarded schools. We are happy for him that he is there, as we would have been for him at many other schools. But he would have done well anywhere. The credit belongs to him and his hard work, not to us, and not to the school. He brings his high SAT score and good grades to the school and the school should be grateful. This particular school has not manufactured his academic achievement any more than any other particular school would have. He did the work! It's misguided to think otherwise. On the other hand his school selection has improved his general happiness because it has been a good fit. This is what it's all about. For this we are grateful.

I am also sure most of the students in the mythical Big 3 would do well in any other school too, including public. I believe there's a way to get a good education in most schools - hopefully an education that inspires the student to be a good person who is of benefit to the world he lives in. Unfortunately from this thread it seems to me there are far too many parents concerned with their own perceived status than about their child being happy, working hard, and getting a good honest education wherever that may be.

This message does not apply to many of you. You know who you are, and the others know who they are. To those in the first category thank you for your erudite and enlightened comments. I learned a lot from you.

The notion of a local Big 3 is for the BIG HEADED. It is not a notion for the well educated.

[Anonymous]

Oh, come on, PP. It's just harmless fun for those who participate. Don't participate if it's not fun for you. When one pays $35,000 a year on a school, it's hard not to be invested in it. It's human.

[Anonymous]

16:07 - Propagating ignorance in a public forum is more than "harmless fun" and being dis-invited to participate when reasonable discourse is put forward is what might be expected from those who do not understand this. But I have had my say on this matter and now forever leave it to others to assess whether my 20:03 comments were of any worth... Life and time are too short for getting tangled in the weeds.

[Anonymous]

While I'm sure that you meant well, you sound woefully naive with your Kumbaya/Pollyanna attitude. You sound like someone who has had it pretty easy in life and who assumes that if we all just work a little bit harder, we all can have the same opportunities. So you mean that having financial resources, a supportive family, good professional/social connections, and a stellar education from a reputable school doesn't really matter? Yeah...right. Pardon me, while I go barf.

The truth is that all schools are NOT created equal. I live in a County where most of our schools rank among the worst in the entire state of Maryland. (I would love to move, but I can't afford it. I would love to send my DCs to private, but I can't afford that either.) While I would love to think that the kids in schools in Anacostia or PG County are getting the same advantages as those fortunate enough to live in Upper Northwest DC, Montgomery County or Fairfax County, we both know that is usually NOT the case. You can claim that "it doesn't matter" what school your child attends, but the fact that you went through the lengthy process of getting your child admitted to a Big 3 school (i.e. playdates, interviews, applications, testing) speaks volumes about your true beliefs.

Anonymous wrote:Having skimmed this entire thread I think a few people have too much time on their hands. Some seem downright mean spirited, and incredibly OCD with regard to their particular spin on school prestige and attending a "Big" school.

There is an absolute plethora of great schools in the Metro Area, private and public. Be proud wherever your child attends. But it's the kids stupid that get themselves into the universities of their choice. Not the schools. A school does not manufacture SAT's and grades or talent or character. The student does. So it happens that many inherently bright well-motivated affluent students concentrate themselves within a few small student body private schools (or TJ) and make the schools look great. But the credit belongs to each and every individual student. Not the schools! Skim the top 10%'s of any group and put them in one place and of course you have fantastic results. As a parent we should be more focused on the happiness of our child and their fit in the context of an educational environment, and less with prestige and self-gloating.

By a fluke accident our child does happen to attend one of these highly-regarded schools. We are happy for him that he is there, as we would have been for him at many other schools. But he would have done well anywhere. The credit belongs to him and his hard work, not to us, and not to the school. He brings his high SAT score and good grades to the school and the school should be grateful. This particular school has not manufactured his academic achievement any more than any other particular school would have. He did the work! It's misguided to think otherwise. On the other hand his school selection has improved his general happiness because it has been a good fit. This is what it's all about. For this we are grateful.

I am also sure most of the students in the mythical Big 3 would do well in any other school too, including public. I believe there's a way to get a good education in most schools - hopefully an education that inspires the student to be a good person who is of benefit to the world he lives in. Unfortunately from this thread it seems to me there are far too many parents concerned with their own perceived status than about their child being happy, working hard, and getting a good honest education wherever that may be.

This message does not apply to many of you. You know who you are, and the others know who they are. To those in the first category thank you for your erudite and enlightened comments. I learned a lot from you.

The notion of a local Big 3 is for the BIG HEADED. It is not a notion for the well educated.

[Anonymous]

OK 17:46 has presented a good reason to temporarilly come out of retirement and ply my weed cutter. I believe one good insult deserves another.

It appears that "Kumbaya/Pollyanna" is a mantra you like to repeat. I think you are a troll. Why else would you comment when your proclaimed circumstances disallow consideration of so-called better or Big X schools?

Nevertheless, you misread that I said all schools are created equal. I said one can get a good education in most schools. We have plenty of experience. In public schools you may need to be more hands on. But if your student can't get it done in public school, they will certainly not get it done in private. No school is a golden ticket or magic carpet. The student needs to be self-motivated and get inspired to do the work independently at a high level of excellence. There is no substitute for this. A motivated student with a supporting parent can be successful anywhere! I can also assure you there are more kids in higher education from public schools than from private. And many are ultimately more successful as people and in purse than the many spoiled and narrowly focused students matriculating from Big X schools, most who have never really personally experienced the difficulties and challenges of an average life.

But since you resort to ad hominem argument let me say this - don't presume to know the circumstances, background or opportunity behind people you don't even know and have never met. I won't even dignify your suggestions by responding, but I can assure you that you are woefully misguided in your perceptions. Having said that, if you are feeling envious of others and are wondering why your opportunities may not be as many as you perceive elsewhere look no further than the mirror.

Also, I suggest you limit transmission of your negative attitudes to your student, lest they end up with your same envy, resentments, and the circumstances you complain about. Education begins at home. Excuses hold everyone back. Make the best of the circumstances you have and move forward. Force yourself to be positive. Eventually it becomes habit.

And in future on this thread please try to exercise restraint in exposing your psyche and lowering the bar and yourself further than you already have.

I have nothing more to say about this. I do wish you and your student good luck getting your lives forward.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OK 17:46 has presented a good reason to temporarilly come out of retirement and ply my weed cutter. I believe one good insult deserves another.

It appears that "Kumbaya/Pollyanna" is a mantra you like to repeat. I think you are a troll. Why else would you comment when your proclaimed circumstances disallow consideration of so-called better or Big X schools?

Nevertheless, you misread that I said all schools are created equal. I said one can get a good education in most schools. We have plenty of experience. In public schools you may need to be more hands on. But if your student can't get it done in public school, they will certainly not get it done in private. No school is a golden ticket or magic carpet. The student needs to be self-motivated and get inspired to do the work independently at a high level of excellence. There is no substitute for this. A motivated student with a supporting parent can be successful anywhere! I can also assure you there are more kids in higher education from public schools than from private. And many are ultimately more successful as people and in purse than the many spoiled and narrowly focused students matriculating from Big X schools, most who have never really personally experienced the difficulties and challenges of an average life.

But since you resort to ad hominem argument let me say this - don't presume to know the circumstances, background or opportunity behind people you don't even know and have never met. I won't even dignify your suggestions by responding, but I can assure you that you are woefully misguided in your perceptions. Having said that, if you are feeling envious of others and are wondering why your opportunities may not be as many as you perceive elsewhere look no further than the mirror.

Also, I suggest you limit transmission of your negative attitudes to your student, lest they end up with your same envy, resentments, and the circumstances you complain about. Education begins at home. Excuses hold everyone back. Make the best of the circumstances you have and move forward. Force yourself to be positive. Eventually it becomes habit.

And in future on this thread please try to exercise restraint in exposing your psyche and lowering the bar and yourself further than you already have.

I have nothing more to say about this. I do wish you and your student good luck getting your lives forward.

16:07 here. Didn't you say in an earlier post addressed to me tat you had said your last word on this and would retire?

I did not "disinvite" you from the thread; I simply said that if the thread is not fun for you, there is no need to participate.

There's no need to respond. Really.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the morning chuckle! For someone who claimed to be above the fray, you sure are wallowing in the mud like a happy little piggie...

Anonymous wrote:OK 17:46 has presented a good reason to temporarilly come out of retirement and ply my weed cutter. I believe one good insult deserves another.

It appears that "Kumbaya/Pollyanna" is a mantra you like to repeat. I think you are a troll. Why else would you comment when your proclaimed circumstances disallow consideration of so-called better or Big X schools?

Nevertheless, you misread that I said all schools are created equal. I said one can get a good education in most schools. We have plenty of experience. In public schools you may need to be more hands on. But if your student can't get it done in public school, they will certainly not get it done in private. No school is a golden ticket or magic carpet. The student needs to be self-motivated and get inspired to do the work independently at a high level of excellence. There is no substitute for this. A motivated student with a supporting parent can be successful anywhere! I can also assure you there are more kids in higher education from public schools than from private. And many are ultimately more successful as people and in purse than the many spoiled and narrowly focused students matriculating from Big X schools, most who have never really personally experienced the difficulties and challenges of an average life.

But since you resort to ad hominem argument let me say this - don't presume to know the circumstances, background or opportunity behind people you don't even know and have never met. I won't even dignify your suggestions by responding, but I can assure you that you are woefully misguided in your perceptions. Having said that, if you are feeling envious of others and are wondering why your opportunities may not be as many as you perceive elsewhere look no further than the mirror.

Also, I suggest you limit transmission of your negative attitudes to your student, lest they end up with your same envy, resentments, and the circumstances you complain about. Education begins at home. Excuses hold everyone back. Make the best of the circumstances you have and move forward. Force yourself to be positive. Eventually it becomes habit.

And in future on this thread please try to exercise restraint in exposing your psyche and lowering the bar and yourself further than you already have.

I have nothing more to say about this. I do wish you and your student good luck getting your lives forward.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:When someone posts about the "Big X," he/she is usually referring to schools which are considered the "top tier". People will debate at length about how many schools are "Big X" schools (the "Big 3", the "Big 5," or the "Big 10.") There really is no way to rank any of the schools definitively. Some posters only consider the schools based in the District of Columbia in their definition, others include schools in Maryland and Virginia. Some only include schools that are K-12, while others include the schools that only go from K-8.

Some posters on this board believe that others try to promulgate a narrow "Big X" definition... like saying the "Big 3"... as a way to set apart their particular school from others in the area. The problem with this, on an anonymous board, is that there is no way to know whether there is true consensus about who the "Big 3" really is (or whether there are just a few vocal boosters who are advocating for their particular school. Is it the Cathedral Schools, Sidwell Friends, and GDS? Or perhaps Sidwell, Maret, and Holton. Or perhaps Potomac, Sidwell, and Cathedral. Or maybe for lower school it's Norwood, Langley, and Beauvoir? Or maybe for athletic inclined families it's Landon, Georgetown Prep, and SSSAS. You can see where this can lead.

In defining the "top tier", posters often point to outside publications that have tried to rank schools. These include:

The Washington Examiner - http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/local/40314672.html
Worth Magazine http://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/43718.page#295235 and
The Wall St Journal http://online.wsj.com/public/resources/documents/info-COLLEGE0711-sort.html

These 3rd party rankings are good evidence that it's hard to limit the number of schools that should be considered top tier. Each of these "rankings" would lead to a different interpretation of which schools really should be considered the "Big 3".

In addition, many posters will argue that certain public schools belong in the Big X discussion, particularly given that a school like Thomas Jefferson in Virginia has been ranked by US News and World Report as the #1 public high school in the nation http://www.usnews.com/articles/education/high-scho...ool-is-best-in-the-nation.html

The point that many posters usually end up making in these discussions/arguments is that the "best" school is really a subjective matter - and the best fit for one family might not be the best fit for another.

It's probably a good idea to avoid all of these "Big X" terms whenever you can, because they really gets some people upset and can quickly lead a discussion thread off-topic with debates about terminology and rankings. It's often best just to refer to specific schools by name, or to refer generically to "top tier schools" or something similar. If you search the DCUM archive, you can easily find a dozen threads with people fighting about these terms and their implications.

Are you kidding? The big three are HOLTON, SIDWELL, AND NCS

[Anonymous]

Damn. Repeats. When will the new season of Big 3 start?