Beauvoir for active child?

[Anonymous]

We're trying to whittle down the number of schools we apply to and are wondering if Beauvoir would be a good fit for an active boy? We're schedule to go to the open house next week. I'm sure I'll get a better sense then, but would also be interested in hearing from current parents. Thanks.

[Anonymous]

Bumping, as we are interested in this as well, albeit for an active girl.

When we visited, all the kids just seemed so... quiet. Chill, maybe? I have a well-behaved but life-loving kid who I don't want to get pegged as a troublemaker just because she's more exuberant than the rest. We're similarly thinking about crossing Beauvoir off the list for this reason.

[Anonymous]

B is not a school for active kids. Move on!!

[Anonymous]

Our very active daughter loves it at Beauvoir. Lots of outdoor time, age-appropriate work and play, lot of engagement with teachers and students. Our son, who is less active (read lovably nerdy) also loves the school. They both have friends with a wide array of personalities. Don't let the quiet walking in the hall fool you. That's just one of the ways they implement the "life rule" to be respectful.

[Anonymous]

Beauvoir Mom here. I am happy to answer your question, but what do you mean by "active" ? Can you elaborate ? There is a big difference between "active" and hyper-active,impulsive and bullying. I assume its the former,right ? The later would have trouble at ANY school .

There were many exuberant children in my DC's class when my DC was in Pre-K, but those kids all listened when the teacher was talking or when another child was asking a question or sharing ( maybe w/ a reminder or two) Hitting is not allowed. What else: intentionally hurting or threatening another child is not allowed.

Overall, the kids are given lots of time to run around ( two recesses a day plus drama, music, PE all twice a week) Lot's of channeling that creative energy, but within a structure that models values. For example, if a child has to go to the nurse, a child who is assigned to be a companion goes with them . This is to teach/model kindness and community. It is also a great way to channel the leadership potential of an exuberant five year old. I believe starting in KDG or 1st Grade the kids make their own class rules. They brainstorm and vote on what kind of class they want to have. Again, this models community and respect for each other. The kids all eat family style in the lunch room ( 8 to a table w/ a teacher) where they are again are encouraged to be respectful of each other, kind to each other. No bullying, no clicks, no outcasting of children. Plenty of time to shine as a leader, but yes they are expected to respect the quietness of the library when walking by, etc..

My child came away with the experience of grasping that he is part of a community and what that means. Hope that helps.

[Anonymous]

OP and others: do NOT make the mistake we made.

Did that get your attention?

DH and I were so convinced by reputations and stereotypes and one tour that had quiet halls and children engaged in learning at tables and in groups (we happened to look in only a couple of classrooms in which the same kind of learning was happening -- we've since realized that this was anomalous and that we should have looked in more settings)--that we decided "Not for our incredibly active DC -- she'll get thrown right out and be miserable and so will we." So we didn't apply for PK.

Fast forward a year. We realized we won't be able to enroll DC in public schools (won't go into that here -- reasons outside scope of question. ) We invest in a consultant who says "Why aren't you looking at Beauvoir?" We answer not for active DC, too stuffy, etc.,. Wise consultant doesn't push, but we go ahead and apply. DC is admitted; we check it out; we think long and hard. We recognize "hey, Beauvoir really is about the whole child and really is about engaging every facet of early and young childhood and has resources and opportunities and far more diversity than we had given credit for and all kinds of parents and gee, it's a really great place." DC wants to go to Beauvoir. We enroll (deliberately using "we" because the school has embraced our whole family).

DC has never been happier, is still amazingly active (I've observed DC in class and at recess and respectful but still gets all energy out appropriately); and is learning a mile a minute. DC is not the only child in this situation - I see LOTS of activity in all the classrooms and when I walk DC into school in the morning, *I* get jazzed and energized by the bustle and fun and sheer love of childhood and children learning. During school, DC's learning to channel behavior in an age-appropriate way; that had begun in a pre-school setting but has blossomed this year.

OP, I'm serious. We "drank the Koolaid" that said "Stepford children who are stuffy and made to be still" and missed out on a year (assuming DC would have been admitted PK) that could have been wonderful. I am sure there will be naysayers on this thread; so be it. Take the tour; do the playdate; and then do what we finally came to our senses and did -- go in with an open mind.

Good luck!

[Anonymous]

I have to echo PP. We went into Beauvoir with some hesitation about whether DS (and we) would fit into what we perceived as a buttoned-up culture. And it has been wonderful for our children and our family. All of DS's teachers do remark in report cards about how "energetic" he is, but they also seem to genuinely appreciate him as a student and an individual. It's a wonderful school and we feel fortunate that our children are there.

[Anonymous]

Beauvoir mom several times over, here.

If your child is mild mannered, follows rules, and has no problem with conformity, Beauvoir is perfect. It was perfect for our children who fit that mold. One did not. He was "active" in that he was energetic (though not disruptive) and had a wry sense of humor that was interpreted as smart alecky. Beauvoir seemed to want to smother his personality for the sake of conformity. He's now at STA and thriving. If STA is your goal, and you have an active boy, suffer hrough Beauvoir. If not, look elsewhere.

[Anonymous]

Another Beauvoir mom with an active child. I love the school, but if your child ever has trouble sitting through circle time or morning meeting at preschool, I think you should consider looking elsewhere.

[Anonymous]

I think the last two posts are trolls! Beauvoir mom here the school embraces all types of children and does a great job educating them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Another Beauvoir mom with an active child. I love the school, but if your child ever has trouble sitting through circle time or morning meeting at preschool, I think you should consider looking elsewhere.

Alternatively, you could ask yourself why a 2 or 3 year old should be required to "sit still in circle time" How about learning self -manahemnt one on one at home until KDG.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Another Beauvoir mom with an active child. I love the school, but if your child ever has trouble sitting through circle time or morning meeting at preschool, I think you should consider looking elsewhere.

Alternatively, you could ask yourself why a 2 or 3 year old should be required to "sit still in circle time" How about learning self -manahemnt one on one at home until KDG.

Beauvoir does not even start until Pre-K. There are no 2 and 3-year olds (except for a very smll program for 3-year old siblings).

[Anonymous]

It really depends on whether you mean "active" as in busy, loves to run, loves to be involved and always doing something, making something, asking questions, etc. then Beauvoir is a great fit but if you mean "active" as in unruly, poor impulse control (relative to peer age group), loud and boisterous (all the time, not just at the play ground!), then no Beauvoir will be a challenge for your child because the behavioral expectations are high. If you mean 'active' as in my child behave well when they get lots of outdoor time, PE, and a constuctive way to channel the energy, then the Beauvoir will also be a good fit. The kids get TONS of outdoor time and there is flexibility for longer recesses in the younger grades if as in the words on my DD's PK teacher, "we just have a lot of wriggles today!". I have fabulous photos of my kids playing out in the snow at school last year.... a great match for my busy, busy kid!

[Anonymous]

The PP who suggested that B embraces all types of kids is simply wrong. B is a great school, but only for well behaved kids.

[Anonymous]

We have an "active" child and decided not to apply to Beauvoir. WPPSI was high, loves learning, very social, etc... but, needs to move. We did not want our child to be viewed as a behavioral problem and felt pretty confident that DC would be, possibly by school and parents (I think the tone of several posters implying that ("bad") active children are "unruly" says it all).