Spring Hill ES vs private

[Anonymous]

Hi everyone,
Our child will be going to kindergarten next year. we are really torn between private school (Langley/Potomac) and our local public school (Spring Hill). our child is currently in a montessori school with class size of around 25 (with 1 teacher and 2 assistants). he is very smart for his age and a quick learner, but is a little shy (specially infront of us). Although Spring Hill is rated good, we are concerned about the class size as our child seems to do much better if personal attention is paid to him. wondering what other parents have to say about the curriculum and their experience at Spring Hill. also wondering if anyone has transferred their child into the FCPS AAP program from a private school. also curious to know what people think about the curriculums at private school vs public school.

[Anonymous]

Based on another well ranked school (not Spring Hill) I would say private would give your child a better education and smaller class sizes. If you are going to go public though soon after, it is nice to start in kindergarten just because this is the year the children get a lot of playtime together.

[Anonymous]

I think you will get a (slightly) better experience at the private school. However, Spring Hill is excellent, and many parents think the added advantages are not worth the extra cost.

FWIW, some parents put their child in a private school and move them when the AAP program starts (third grade).

[Anonymous]

The new full-day K program at Spring Hill is first rate. I had some heartburn about the class size (25 kids) initially, but the teachers are amazing!

If you have the cash to burn, sure, your child will have a smaller class and a nicer playground. However, I don't think that your child can do better academically or socially than Spring Hill.

Also, my child is friends with a diverse group of kids, something I highly value. DH is a physician and for what its worth, he is so grateful to have gone through public school. In his job, he needs to be able to communicate and show understanding for people from all walks of life.

So, yup I'm glad that we didn't spend +$25K on private school this year!!! That same $25K will fund the 529, a trip to Europe for our whole family and some fun extras.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The new full-day K program at Spring Hill is first rate. I had some heartburn about the class size (25 kids) initially, but the teachers are amazing!

If you have the cash to burn, sure, your child will have a smaller class and a nicer playground. However, I don't think that your child can do better academically or socially than Spring Hill.

Also, my child is friends with a diverse group of kids, something I highly value. DH is a physician and for what its worth, he is so grateful to have gone through public school. In his job, he needs to be able to communicate and show understanding for people from all walks of life.

So, yup I'm glad that we didn't spend +$25K on private school this year!!! That same $25K will fund the 529, a trip to Europe for our whole family and some fun extras.

We've had kids go through Spring Hill and I agree that it's a good school. But to say it's "diverse" would have to mean your kid knows some Asian kids or a random embassy kid or that a friend lives in an apartment (not in a typical McLean home). The "all walks of life" comment made me laugh.

[Anonymous]

I honestly think that Langley School's K is more diverse than Spring Hill.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I honestly think that Langley School's K is more diverse than Spring Hill.

Maybe, but I did not see any non White/Asian kids on a recent Langley tour (and certainly there are no non White/Asian kids in SH K last I saw).

[Anonymous]

There are several African American children and a few Hispanic children in the K class at Langley this year. And several various Asian children too. Every K class has non-white/non-Asian diversity in it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There are several African American children and a few Hispanic children in the K class at Langley this year. And several various Asian children too. Every K class has non-white/non-Asian diversity in it.

Thanks for chiming in. We're at SH, deciding whether to apply to Langley for a rising 1st grader (who knows if there will be any spots available and who knows if my son would be accepted).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There are several African American children and a few Hispanic children in the K class at Langley this year. And several various Asian children too. Every K class has non-white/non-Asian diversity in it.

Thanks for chiming in. We're at SH, deciding whether to apply to Langley for a rising 1st grader (who knows if there will be any spots available and who knows if my son would be accepted).

Little Langley ends at grade 8 so if you ant a local private try for Potomac. Parents can always supplement in elementary school so save the $ for high school unless you can get it over with once at Potomac. Kindergarten class sizes might be OK but based on this election I don't think anything will happen for those grades with 30 to 35+ and one teacher. That can be 2nd through 6th in elementary.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There are several African American children and a few Hispanic children in the K class at Langley this year. And several various Asian children too. Every K class has non-white/non-Asian diversity in it.

Thanks for chiming in. We're at SH, deciding whether to apply to Langley for a rising 1st grader (who knows if there will be any spots available and who knows if my son would be accepted).

You're welcome. I would hardly call Langley a bastion of diversity, but I think they make a good effort. I think they had a couple new kids in each of the 1st/2nd grades this year, so you never know. Good luck.

[Anonymous]

Yes, we haven't ruled out Potomac. I can only admit this because it's an anonymous forum, but DCUM has all but chased me away from considering Potomac. I actually don't think I want the HS and its reputation looming so large over my elementary age child. Langley doesn't have expansion years, only admits via attrition and Potomac's expansion year is at grade 4. So we're trying to guess if there's a good strategy about when to apply. One scenario is to try for Langley now and then if DS seems to need more of a Potomac, then apply there for 4th (and go presumably through 12, but could go back to public or Catholic for HS).

[Anonymous]

OP here. thanks everyone for the responses. We looked at Potomac school as well. great school but didnt look diverse. every class had 1-2 non-white kids. We are looking for more diversity. wondering how SH, Potomac and Langley rank amongst diversity in elementary school. laso would be great if any SH parent can comment on parent involvement, curriculum, language/sports/arts/music programs

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. thanks everyone for the responses. We looked at Potomac school as well. great school but didnt look diverse. every class had 1-2 non-white kids. We are looking for more diversity. wondering how SH, Potomac and Langley rank amongst diversity in elementary school. laso would be great if any SH parent can comment on parent involvement, curriculum, language/sports/arts/music programs

SH is an outstanding public on every level. As for diversity: zero AA; lots of Asians of all descents.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. thanks everyone for the responses. We looked at Potomac school as well. great school but didnt look diverse. every class had 1-2 non-white kids. We are looking for more diversity. wondering how SH, Potomac and Langley rank amongst diversity in elementary school. laso would be great if any SH parent can comment on parent involvement, curriculum, language/sports/arts/music programs

SH is an outstanding public on every level. As for diversity: zero AA; lots of Asians of all descents.