Beauvoir v. NPS—please compare the communities

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you plan to do a strong suburban public afterward, which school would offer an easier transition? Thank you!

Neither. You will be so behind in math. And not just the fact that you are behind, but if you don't go to public for certain years then you get left out of classes in middle school no matter how strong you are. That's one thing that really sucks in public school. Your 3rd grade test scores can literally have an effect on your high school classes.

It's true that some MoCo schools have bought into accelerated math. The jury is out on the merits of that. However, if it is of concern to PP they could supplement with some light tutoring or math enrichment throughout the elementary years-though I know it sucks to do that.

No idea where you are getting your information. Some MCPS schools? The curriculum is the same throughout the county. Light tutoring will not help. I have a private school 1 st grader and MCPS 3rd and 7th. My 3rd grader is doing the exact same thing as my friend’s son who is a 4th grader at NPS. Light tutoring is not going to advance you a full year ahead.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A few things as a BVR to NCS family:
The Chevy moms are a small subset and not all of them are terrible, many are really nice. There are definitely people who are not in any club at all who are really not nice. That’s life. You find your people and your child will too. The auction is fine, but know that you do not have to go. It is fun to go to a party in the Cathedral, you can sit with friends, the money is for a good cause. But I know plenty of people who just don’t go. We go some years, others years no. Parent volunteering, you don’t have to do that either. It’s certainly appreciated but I didn’t experience the “jockeying”—the administration selects most people for the larger roles. This continues at NCS and frankly, the unpleasant parents don’t usually volunteer to do much at all. We are a pretty normal family as far as private school goes and I think if you’re comfortable with your own self and life, not envious of the Club or private planes etc., BVR/NCS are terrific schools and our entire family has had a positive experience.

I'm an NCS family too and I 100% approve this message.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you plan to do a strong suburban public afterward, which school would offer an easier transition? Thank you!

Neither. You will be so behind in math. And not just the fact that you are behind, but if you don't go to public for certain years then you get left out of classes in middle school no matter how strong you are. That's one thing that really sucks in public school. Your 3rd grade test scores can literally have an effect on your high school classes.

It's true that some MoCo schools have bought into accelerated math. The jury is out on the merits of that. However, if it is of concern to PP they could supplement with some light tutoring or math enrichment throughout the elementary years-though I know it sucks to do that.

No idea where you are getting your information. Some MCPS schools? The curriculum is the same throughout the county. Light tutoring will not help. I have a private school 1 st grader and MCPS 3rd and 7th. My 3rd grader is doing the exact same thing as my friend’s son who is a 4th grader at NPS. Light tutoring is not going to advance you a full year ahead.

There's actually a thread about this right now in the MoCo schools discussion, and no-it does not appear that all schools are providing the same math offerings. Secondly, the debate over MoCo accelerated math, described as being a "mile wide and an inch deep" has been raging for a decade.

[Anonymous]

Accelerated math does not prove anything in the long run. Your 3rd grader in MCPS is doing the same thing as your friends 4th grader at NPS. Probably can’t say the same for reading and writing where privates are miles ahead. Also, the benefit of 16 kids versus 26. All in the end goal. Advanced math is not a deal breaker for me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Accelerated math does not prove anything in the long run. Your 3rd grader in MCPS is doing the same thing as your friends 4th grader at NPS. Probably can’t say the same for reading and writing where privates are miles ahead. Also, the benefit of 16 kids versus 26. All in the end goal. Advanced math is not a deal breaker for me.

I don’t know why you are making this into a what is better public or private. That’s not the thread this is nor was it what I said. Someone asked about switching from private to public and I offered them my thoughts. We are a former NPS family and I guarantee you what she is doing in math and reading is above or the same. It is not a rigorous school. And proof is in the fact that the few kids who switch from NPS to public really struggle.
Unless you have the experience to add something don’t add your opinions as facts.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Accelerated math does not prove anything in the long run. Your 3rd grader in MCPS is doing the same thing as your friends 4th grader at NPS. Probably can’t say the same for reading and writing where privates are miles ahead. Also, the benefit of 16 kids versus 26. All in the end goal. Advanced math is not a deal breaker for me.

I don’t know why you are making this into a what is better public or private. That’s not the thread this is nor was it what I said. Someone asked about switching from private to public and I offered them my thoughts. We are a former NPS family and I guarantee you what she is doing in math and reading is above or the same. It is not a rigorous school. And proof is in the fact that the few kids who switch from NPS to public really struggle.
Unless you have the experience to add something don’t add your opinions as facts.

Which is exactly what you are doing here. You have no way to know that the "few kids who switch from NPS to public really struggle," a) because, as you state, there are very few kids in this scenario in the first place and b) they are not your children.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Accelerated math does not prove anything in the long run. Your 3rd grader in MCPS is doing the same thing as your friends 4th grader at NPS. Probably can’t say the same for reading and writing where privates are miles ahead. Also, the benefit of 16 kids versus 26. All in the end goal. Advanced math is not a deal breaker for me.

I don’t know why you are making this into a what is better public or private. That’s not the thread this is nor was it what I said. Someone asked about switching from private to public and I offered them my thoughts. We are a former NPS family and I guarantee you what she is doing in math and reading is above or the same. It is not a rigorous school. And proof is in the fact that the few kids who switch from NPS to public really struggle.
Unless you have the experience to add something don’t add your opinions as facts.

Which is exactly what you are doing here. You have no way to know that the "few kids who switch from NPS to public really struggle," a) because, as you state, there are very few kids in this scenario in the first place and b) they are not your children.

Um, I can know it if their parents tell me they did. Why would they lie? I also know the jump to more rigorous work was hard for my own child.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Accelerated math does not prove anything in the long run. Your 3rd grader in MCPS is doing the same thing as your friends 4th grader at NPS. Probably can’t say the same for reading and writing where privates are miles ahead. Also, the benefit of 16 kids versus 26. All in the end goal. Advanced math is not a deal breaker for me.

I don’t know why you are making this into a what is better public or private. That’s not the thread this is nor was it what I said. Someone asked about switching from private to public and I offered them my thoughts. We are a former NPS family and I guarantee you what she is doing in math and reading is above or the same. It is not a rigorous school. And proof is in the fact that the few kids who switch from NPS to public really struggle.
Unless you have the experience to add something don’t add your opinions as facts.

Which is exactly what you are doing here. You have no way to know that the "few kids who switch from NPS to public really struggle," a) because, as you state, there are very few kids in this scenario in the first place and b) they are not your children.

Um, I can know it if their parents tell me they did. Why would they lie? I also know the jump to more rigorous work was hard for my own child.

Troll…… so your kid went to MCPS for 7th and struggled?!?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Accelerated math does not prove anything in the long run. Your 3rd grader in MCPS is doing the same thing as your friends 4th grader at NPS. Probably can’t say the same for reading and writing where privates are miles ahead. Also, the benefit of 16 kids versus 26. All in the end goal. Advanced math is not a deal breaker for me.

I don’t know why you are making this into a what is better public or private. That’s not the thread this is nor was it what I said. Someone asked about switching from private to public and I offered them my thoughts. We are a former NPS family and I guarantee you what she is doing in math and reading is above or the same. It is not a rigorous school. And proof is in the fact that the few kids who switch from NPS to public really struggle.
Unless you have the experience to add something don’t add your opinions as facts.

Which is exactly what you are doing here. You have no way to know that the "few kids who switch from NPS to public really struggle," a) because, as you state, there are very few kids in this scenario in the first place and b) they are not your children.

Um, I can know it if their parents tell me they did. Why would they lie? I also know the jump to more rigorous work was hard for my own child.

Troll…… so your kid went to MCPS for 7th and struggled?!?

Definitely a troll.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Accelerated math does not prove anything in the long run. Your 3rd grader in MCPS is doing the same thing as your friends 4th grader at NPS. Probably can’t say the same for reading and writing where privates are miles ahead. Also, the benefit of 16 kids versus 26. All in the end goal. Advanced math is not a deal breaker for me.

I don’t know why you are making this into a what is better public or private. That’s not the thread this is nor was it what I said. Someone asked about switching from private to public and I offered them my thoughts. We are a former NPS family and I guarantee you what she is doing in math and reading is above or the same. It is not a rigorous school. And proof is in the fact that the few kids who switch from NPS to public really struggle.
Unless you have the experience to add something don’t add your opinions as facts.

Which is exactly what you are doing here. You have no way to know that the "few kids who switch from NPS to public really struggle," a) because, as you state, there are very few kids in this scenario in the first place and b) they are not your children.

Um, I can know it if their parents tell me they did. Why would they lie? I also know the jump to more rigorous work was hard for my own child.

Troll…… so your kid went to MCPS for 7th and struggled?!?

Clearly, I am not saying what you want to hear so that makes me a troll. I’ll leave now. However, I will say that I did not say 7th. And yes, my child is fine now but it was harder. Go ahead and call me a troll because you know your child’s school is the most rigorous and best school in the world.

[Anonymous]

BVR and NPS are much more similar than they are different from each other. One of the advantages of NPS is that you'll have the opportunity to know what type of student/what needs your kid has when you apply out for 7th grade. Third grade just seems way too young to have a great grasp on that. It seems like a lot of foaming at the mouth amongst BVR fanatics revolves around the goal of securing a spot at NCS/STA for their kids. Your kid can be a great student but be better suited for another top DC private.

The HOS at NPS has a strong relationship with the cathedral schools, specifically St. Albans.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:BVR and NPS are much more similar than they are different from each other. One of the advantages of NPS is that you'll have the opportunity to know what type of student/what needs your kid has when you apply out for 7th grade. Third grade just seems way too young to have a great grasp on that. It seems like a lot of foaming at the mouth amongst BVR fanatics revolves around the goal of securing a spot at NCS/STA for their kids. Your kid can be a great student but be better suited for another top DC private.

The HOS at NPS has a strong relationship with the cathedral schools, specifically St. Albans.

This!!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:BVR and NPS are much more similar than they are different from each other. One of the advantages of NPS is that you'll have the opportunity to know what type of student/what needs your kid has when you apply out for 7th grade. Third grade just seems way too young to have a great grasp on that. It seems like a lot of foaming at the mouth amongst BVR fanatics revolves around the goal of securing a spot at NCS/STA for their kids. Your kid can be a great student but be better suited for another top DC private.

The HOS at NPS has a strong relationship with the cathedral schools, specifically St. Albans.

I don't know that anyone is foaming at the mouth

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you plan to do a strong suburban public afterward, which school would offer an easier transition? Thank you!

Neither. You will be so behind in math. And not just the fact that you are behind, but if you don't go to public for certain years then you get left out of classes in middle school no matter how strong you are. That's one thing that really sucks in public school. Your 3rd grade test scores can literally have an effect on your high school classes.

It's true that some MoCo schools have bought into accelerated math. The jury is out on the merits of that. However, if it is of concern to PP they could supplement with some light tutoring or math enrichment throughout the elementary years-though I know it sucks to do that.

No idea where you are getting your information. Some MCPS schools? The curriculum is the same throughout the county. Light tutoring will not help. I have a private school 1 st grader and MCPS 3rd and 7th. My 3rd grader is doing the exact same thing as my friend’s son who is a 4th grader at NPS. Light tutoring is not going to advance you a full year ahead.

This misunderstands how math is taught is private v public. It is not that a 3rd grader at MCPS is ahead or at the same level of a NPS 4th grader. Private school math goes in depth into math subjects. Public school might move faster and go on to something that seems higher level but they don’t teach it in depth. There are trade offs to both. It might seem that a student is behind when they move from private to public or public to private but it’s really an issue that they are learning math differently.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:NPS parent here - to the responsiveness question - I find the teachers to not only be available and responsive to parents, but also proactive and very thoughtful about reaching out when issues or concerns arise in the classroom that we may not be seeing at home. This is not only relevant to the teachers, but also to Malcolm Lester head of school who knows the kids well and seemingly remembers all the parents as well! Likely also the case at BVR, you can’t make a bad choice!

I have to agree. The best part about NPS is the personalized experience--the staff will know you and your child by name pretty quickly. My husband and I aren't the typical independent school family, and we aren't religious, but all of us feel so welcomed. The staff is always responsive and communicative, down to the aftercare staff and heck, even the safety officer. It's a warm and sincere environment from the heart.

Another current NPS parent - had to share this anecdote: our child was just having a behavior issue (nothing major, age appropriate for the young age) after a few changes at home. The teacher proactively reached out to share what she was seeing and offer some Suggestions so we can all be consistent. She also told The counseling teacher to work in some relevant Scenarios to her class with the kids to further reinforce how to handle big feelings in a constructive way. We are also going to meet with the the counselor to get any additional ideas.

I feel very supported as a parent and like we are all a team focused on the emotional growth of our young child. I am feeling extremely impressed by and grateful for NPS at this moment and wanted to share as folks consider their options. Best of luck!!