Beauvoir Parents

[Anonymous]

I really do not want to create a charged thread but I've hear rumors that I'd love feedback on.

Our DC was accepted to Beauvoir for K and we were totally blown away by the school administration and facilities when we visited, and our child enjoyed the playdate, making it our top choice. But we are not fancy people and we are not wealthy. I want to be sure we are in a school community where we are comfortable and we want to be friends with our child's friends' parents. I have heard Beauvoir parents aren't always social with one another and that they can be a little immature in a clique-ish way (you know the image - lots of nannies, moms overdressed, etc). That notion gives me a headache. Any insightful comments from current Beauvoir parents? Thank you.

[Anonymous]

I have a dd at NCS and interact with Beauvior parents. Some of them are the nicest people you'd ever hope to meet. Then, a few of the parents (mothers in particular) are mean girl nasty. Always talking about other kids in their dd's class. However, the mean moms are easy to spot and avoid. I wouldn't concern myself too much with the parental social side of the school. Be sure your child wants to go there and will fit in. I'm not a current Beauvoir parent,

[Anonymous]

Is Beauvoir's curriculum considered "progressive"?

[Anonymous]

I have two good friends who are both Beauvoir parents. They are both very nice people, not cliquish at all. My guess would be that most parents at Beauvoir are really neat and friendly people. Every school has a few meanies, and that should not influence your decision about choosing a school for your child, in my opinion.

[Anonymous]

Beauvoir Mom here, middle class, DC has lots of friends and we are very welcome in the community. Beauvoir is a fantastic place for kids. Another thing is the culture of the school is very much: be nice to everyone. There is a lot of every kind of diversity and no one group dominates. The same cannot be said for many schools in Washington.

[Anonymous]

I second the previous poster. I'm a Beauvoir parent and Beauvoir is a very diverse place. You will be very welcome in the community and have a chance to meet many many wonderful children and families. We could not be happier with our choice to send our children there.

[Anonymous]

I third the two previous posters. I was a Beauvoir patent until last year when my son moved on to STA. We had a wonderful experience there and we were, by no means, one of the wealthy families.
I would caution you to not assume that because a woman is nicely dressed that it must follow that she is snob or a mean girl. Move beyond that. There are many many wonderful, down to earth folks there do don't be put off by outward appearances.

[Anonymous]

Honestly, you're going to find some immature overdressed cliquish Moms and some nannies at most local privates. I guess the real question is whether they predominate and/or how easy it is to find the families who are more simpatico.

[Anonymous]

OP, I share your concern, but this board is not the right place to get a real answer, although I'm pleasantly surprised by how helpful the answers you've already gotten so far. People on this site generally love to smear Beauvoir. Frankly, we almost didn't look there b/c of it, but DH convinced me to keep and open mind, thankfully. DD was admitted, also to K, and we've talked to other families there and heard much of what is beign said above - that there are snotty people everywhere but that Beauvoir is big enough that there's room for all kinds and everyone is welcomed.

Are you coming to the admitted families coffee? My plan is to totally put any remaining doubts to rest there before releasing spots at the other schools we're considering.

Good luck.

[Anonymous]

I'm the OP. Thank you to everyone. I appreciate your feedback and it has allayed some of my (probably unfounded) concerns.

To 10:15 - Yes we will be there on Tuesday. I feel bad that we have held on to spots at other schools but we too will release them Tuesday afternoon if we feel comfortable after the reception.

[Anonymous]

I'd echo what many of the PPs have said. It's a lovely school, and (with exceptions you'd likely find anywhere) parents and children treat each other quite well. We do have a nanny, and she is very happy and comfortable with the school as well. She has become quite friendly with parents (and babysitters and nannies) there. Like my DH and I, our nanny knows our children's teachers, and is welcomed warmly throughout the school (at pick-up, in the library, at the playground, etc.). She has recommended to two of her friends that they try to find Beauvoir families to work with because it is a good community. I'm not at the school as much as I would like, but feel perfectly comfortable and happy there. My closest Beauvoir parent/adult friends are a lefty, long-hour working mom, an extremely funny and organized SAHM, and a student's grandmother who does most of the school activities with her grandchild. It's a nice mix.

[Anonymous]

10:15 here. Hope our kids are in K there together. Hearing you're also thinking about this makes me more optimistic there will be folks there we'll get along with.

[Anonymous]

Wow. What a healthy thread this was to read. I don't have a kid at beauvoir and didn't apply but I swear this is the first totally normal thread i've seen here in a looong time! yay! there is hope!

[Anonymous]

Yes, lesson here on playing well together!

[Anonymous]

Do all Beauvoir girls get accepted to NCS for 4th grade, or do they have to compete with applicants to other schools? Does NCS reject any applicants from Beauvoir?