Capitol Hill Day School
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Anonymous
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Hi, I have searched old threads, checked out the school website, see a lot that I really like about CHDS, and have a few questions:
1. The field education program is the biggest draw for me. I attended a school that had a similar program in middle school and look back on that time as one of the most engaging and enjoyable learning experiences of my life! However, I did find that friends from more traditional academic backgrounds had a better foundation in college. I love the idea of a progressive environment for the younger children (play-based) that moves into an environment that is rigorous and academically demanding in the traditional sense as the kids get older -while still keeping the field education component. Does this shift happen at CHDS? 2. What about the living on The Hill vs off? Is there a social benefit to living on The Hill if your child is in CHDS? 3. How competitive is admissions? Does anyone know actual numbers? 4. Do you have to get in at PK4? Are their any openings in Kindergarten? Are there other years of entry? Any general comments or insights welcome too! TIA |
Anonymous
| bump! |
Anonymous
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Anonymous
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1.Field trips are a bigger part of the early childhood/elementary grades than in middle school. I can't remember the early grade field trips so well but I remember trips to farms, mills, trips to see Native American dug out canoes in 2nd grade, Williamsburg in 3rd and Ellis Island in 4th that were definitely linked to the curriculum. Many of the field trips in early childhood are also related to their art classes which CHDS may take more seriously than other places. In middle school, trips drop off and are even more strongly linked to course material.
2. There is probably still a social benefit to living on the Hill but a third of the kids do come from other places. 3. Admissions are very competitive in early childhood and lower grades. Less so in upper grades. 4. See above. The middle school is definitely a big step up in work. |
Anonymous
| PP here. I should also say that while middle school is a big step up in work, the school teaches kids to organize their time and develop good study habits. Small size of classes means that kids know their teachers and may be more comfortable interacting with them than in bigger places. |
Anonymous
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We loved the school, but ended up declining an offer of admission.
3 years later, after a "Big 3" experience, we are questioning the wisdom of our decision. Based on the families we know there, it just seem like a warmer, more relaxed place. One reason we declined was that we got the sense that it was a "local" Hill school. We live in the MD suburbs. In retrospect, I'm not sure why that would have made such a big difference. The other reason we said no was that we did not believe the exmissions were that impressive. As far as I can tell, the kids are placing in some very impressive schools after they graduate CHDS. If you sense my regret, well, you'd be right. |
Anonymous
For this year, I was told there was only 5 Kindergarten openings, maybe 6 at the most. Most spots were reserved PK and siblings. The AD was kind of vague about it but a parent told me that they only had 2 spots for boys and were likely going to have 20 applicants for them. I got the I should have applied for PK admonishment. I didn't bother applying. School looked OK to me, but they were in a temporary facility (like manufactured housing or trailers). It was hard to get a sense of the place and I didn't want to put in the work to apply for a place where I thought I had a long shot for my DC to get in and I wasn't thrilled about. If you like CHDS, you should strongly consider PK admissions. |
Anonymous
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1. The field program is a huge part of the lower school and I think they are amazing trips. Maybe not all of them are linked to the curriculum, but they are always thoughtful and get the kids out in the world and their environment, which I'm sure informs the rest of their studies and their lives.
2. There are families from everywhere and then a core group from the Hill. I found that when the kids were younger this didn't matter so much because all the playdates were arranged and there weren't as many after school activites. Now that the kids are older groups of them walk home together to different people's houses. I think that this affects the kids who live farther away's social lives much more. Also, it is a bigger haul on the weekends to bring them to the parties, events and extras that occur mainly on the Hill. 3. I think that Admissions are getting increasingly more competitive, but I don't have specific numbers. 4. There is a certain amount of attrition so there are openings in older grades. I get a sense that they don't have as formal entry years as some of the bigger schools. It is a very warm environment where everyone knows your kid well. They really are able to teach to each individual child and their needs/levels. I've been impressed. I also want to add that they are finished with the renovation, which was completed on time and is great. I've been very impressed with the new head of school who has brought the school leaps and bounds from where it was even three years ago. GL. |
Anonymous
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CHDS alum parent here. We were really pleased with the school.
1. Field trips are definitely linked to the curriculum. Some of the trips can be quite short (an hour or two) so don't really take away from core teaching. Also the kids get so used to trips that it's not a big event that creates distractions (which does happen when there are only a few a year). My kids still talk about a lot of the field trips they did and it clearly reinforced what they were learning. 2. We did not/do not live on the Hill. I agree with the PP that this only became more of a challenge in middle school when walking home was important. My kids had good friends who lived near the school and whose families were very welcoming of non Hill kids. Frankly it's not that different from any independent school since there are always people who live nearby and those who don't. 3. Not current on admissions but the school does not expand at any particular point so after preK it is dependent on attrition. There are almost always a few spaces in each grade available since people move out of the area, move to the suburbs, etc. PreK and K are probably the grades with the highest demand. Saw the renovated building recently and it was great. I wish my kids had had the opportunity to attend school in that building. |
Anonymous
| Reading all of this is making me regret not applying for pre-K this year. We did to 3 other schools and could not imagine adding a 4th. |
Anonymous
| I really like Capital Day School but was also worried about not living on Capital Hill and the social implications that would have on my DC. |
Anonymous
| We were told that they generally get around 55-60 applications for 25 (I think) Pre-K spots. |
Anonymous
That's actually not that bad in terms of competition, as a lot of those applicants may get into schools that they like better than CHDS. |
Anonymous
| OP here, thanks for the replies! I was pleasantly surprised to check in and see your responses. CHDS sounds lovely. We took my DS to play at the park near there and walked past the school and around the neighborhood a few weekends ago. If it is a good fit and he gets in then we would think about moving to The Hill... thanks again! |
Anonymous
| Bump. I would love to hear some thoughts from current parents. Is K admissions as difficult as I've read? |