2025 rankings of best private schools in the DMV

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Genuine question: I always had the impression that NCS was a big three? Do I have outdated information? I haven’t paid close attention the last couple of years but I did investigate schools pretty intensely in 2019. Has it really changed that dramatically?

Also surprised to see Maret ranked so low (although I thought it was maybe overrated in 2019). My kid doesn’t go to either of these schools, and I have no particular investment in these ordering, but I am curious.

The Big 3 changes over time. Currently, it is Sidwell, BIM, and Madeira.

BIM is a public school and should be in public forum.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Genuine question: I always had the impression that NCS was a big three? Do I have outdated information? I haven’t paid close attention the last couple of years but I did investigate schools pretty intensely in 2019. Has it really changed that dramatically?

Also surprised to see Maret ranked so low (although I thought it was maybe overrated in 2019). My kid doesn’t go to either of these schools, and I have no particular investment in these ordering, but I am curious.

NCS is still a Big 3. Ask any college counselor or admissions director across the country. They know the school well. St. Albans would also be a Big 3 and tied for 3rd place would be a tie between GDS/Maret/Sidwell in that order.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Genuine question: I always had the impression that NCS was a big three? Do I have outdated information? I haven’t paid close attention the last couple of years but I did investigate schools pretty intensely in 2019. Has it really changed that dramatically?

Also surprised to see Maret ranked so low (although I thought it was maybe overrated in 2019). My kid doesn’t go to either of these schools, and I have no particular investment in these ordering, but I am curious.

The Big 3 changes over time. Currently, it is Sidwell, BIM, and Madeira.

BIM is a public school and should be in public forum.

No, BIM is private. You are confusing it with BASIS DC.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Genuine question: I always had the impression that NCS was a big three? Do I have outdated information? I haven’t paid close attention the last couple of years but I did investigate schools pretty intensely in 2019. Has it really changed that dramatically?

Also surprised to see Maret ranked so low (although I thought it was maybe overrated in 2019). My kid doesn’t go to either of these schools, and I have no particular investment in these ordering, but I am curious.

NCS is still a Big 3. Ask any college counselor or admissions director across the country. They know the school well. St. Albans would also be a Big 3 and tied for 3rd place would be a tie between GDS/Maret/Sidwell in that order.

Out of date.

The 2010s are calling you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Genuine question: I always had the impression that NCS was a big three? Do I have outdated information? I haven’t paid close attention the last couple of years but I did investigate schools pretty intensely in 2019. Has it really changed that dramatically?

Also surprised to see Maret ranked so low (although I thought it was maybe overrated in 2019). My kid doesn’t go to either of these schools, and I have no particular investment in these ordering, but I am curious.

The Big 3 changes over time. Currently, it is Sidwell, BIM, and Madeira.

BIM is a public school and should be in public forum.

No, BIM is private. You are confusing it with BASIS DC.

DP. No, I’m not confused. It’s a public school in McLean that charges tuition. There are parents who are stupid enough to pay for the same chain education that others are getting for free in DC.

[Anonymous]

https://basiscurriculumschools.com/home.php

Sounds like basis is a brand/curriculum, similar to how IB can be used in public, independent, or international. I wonder how much the education varies from school to school, does anyone know?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Genuine question: I always had the impression that NCS was a big three? Do I have outdated information? I haven’t paid close attention the last couple of years but I did investigate schools pretty intensely in 2019. Has it really changed that dramatically?

Also surprised to see Maret ranked so low (although I thought it was maybe overrated in 2019). My kid doesn’t go to either of these schools, and I have no particular investment in these ordering, but I am curious.

NCS is still a Big 3. Ask any college counselor or admissions director across the country. They know the school well. St. Albans would also be a Big 3 and tied for 3rd place would be a tie between GDS/Maret/Sidwell in that order.

Ok so you have BIM, NCS/STA, then a 3 way tie between GDS/Maret/Sidwell as your big3?

May as well do a big 6.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Genuine question: I always had the impression that NCS was a big three? Do I have outdated information? I haven’t paid close attention the last couple of years but I did investigate schools pretty intensely in 2019. Has it really changed that dramatically?

Also surprised to see Maret ranked so low (although I thought it was maybe overrated in 2019). My kid doesn’t go to either of these schools, and I have no particular investment in these ordering, but I am curious.

NCS is still a Big 3. Ask any college counselor or admissions director across the country. They know the school well. St. Albans would also be a Big 3 and tied for 3rd place would be a tie between GDS/Maret/Sidwell in that order.

Ok so you have BIM, NCS/STA, then a 3 way tie between GDS/Maret/Sidwell as your big3?

May as well do a big 6.

The only thing Big about BIM is that it’s a Big Scam. The public school where you pay tuition. So, I’ll call BIM Big Scam.

[Anonymous]

The Big 5 are like the Ivy League. Sure there might be slight variations within that group from year to year, but they'll always be considered at the top whether they actually deserve to be or not. It's the signaling that matters.

BIM is not a relevant player here.

[Anonymous]

BIM takes up so much room in your head.

Punching above its weight.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:BIM takes up so much room in your head.

Punching above its weight.

No, BIM is more like the sad and lonely outsider, with a questionable pedigree, desperate to join the “in crowd.” Give it up BIM, you’ll never be one of the cool kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Genuine question: I always had the impression that NCS was a big three? Do I have outdated information? I haven’t paid close attention the last couple of years but I did investigate schools pretty intensely in 2019. Has it really changed that dramatically?

Also surprised to see Maret ranked so low (although I thought it was maybe overrated in 2019). My kid doesn’t go to either of these schools, and I have no particular investment in these ordering, but I am curious.

NCS is still a Big 3. Ask any college counselor or admissions director across the country. They know the school well. St. Albans would also be a Big 3 and tied for 3rd place would be a tie between GDS/Maret/Sidwell in that order.

No mention of Holton or Potomac?

[Anonymous]

what is BIM

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:what is BIM

A scam.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:what is BIM

Basis Independent McLean. As the name says, it’s not public. Basis DC is a public charter school. The Basis “franchise” can be applied to different types of schools. BIM happens to be private.