Howard County family considering a few Baltimore privates

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thanks for all the replies. Cost isn't a concern, we are moreso concerned about distance, especially since he plays a sport. Mcdonogh's boarding program alleviates this issue, but he likes the sports media club at Loyola Blakefield.

Every independent has sports media programs, there is nothing special about Loyola in that respect.

You are right to be concerned about distance. That shoud be a big factor.

[Anonymous]

Both of my children attend the same Baltimore independent school, and we’ve been full-pay families throughout. We did not apply for financial aid for college for my son, but I was pleasantly surprised by the amount of merit aid he received. He’s a STEM-focused student headed to a top computer science program, and despite being more of an A-/B+ student than a straight-A student, his strong SAT scores, leadership, and STEM accomplishments resulted in substantial merit offers from several universities.
I personally would not choose a Catholic high school for my children. The college outcomes and academic environment simply did not align with what I was seeking.
I would also be hesitant about Boys’ Latin. In my experience, the culture seemed rougher than what I was looking for, and I was not particularly impressed with the overall college placement results.
As for McDonogh, I understand why many families love it, but it wasn’t the right fit for us. The community felt more suburban and traditionally conservative than some of the other independent schools we considered. Many families appeared to come from successful blue-collar and business backgrounds, which is perfectly respectable, but it created a culture that felt different from what we were seeking academically and socially. I also felt that many of the most notable college outcomes were tied to recruited athletes rather than the broader student body. I had similar feelings about Saint Paul's. I remember going to a birthday party at a nature center and asking if my friends son friends were in special ed. The kids were unremarkable and the parents seemed more like somebody I would have waited on me in a restaurant or help me with my mortgage. So I guess what I'm trying to say is the parents at these two county schools seem to be more aspirational and less cultured than a lot of the other independent schools. I hope that doesn't sound awful. You know the type of parents; they live in mcmansions in the county, but they don't know who niche is or the pi is a mathematical thing and not something you eat.
If I were advising a family prioritizing academics and college placement, I would encourage them to look closely at Park and Gilman. Both schools offer strong academic programs, and I was more impressed by the overall educational environment and college outcomes. Park also has its own school bus that goes back-and-forth to Howard County.


Of course, every child is different. The best school is the one that matches your child’s personality, interests, and goals. These are simply my personal impressions after visiting schools, reviewing college matriculation lists, and interacting with families over the years.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Both of my children attend the same Baltimore independent school, and we’ve been full-pay families throughout. We did not apply for financial aid for college for my son, but I was pleasantly surprised by the amount of merit aid he received. He’s a STEM-focused student headed to a top computer science program, and despite being more of an A-/B+ student than a straight-A student, his strong SAT scores, leadership, and STEM accomplishments resulted in substantial merit offers from several universities.
I personally would not choose a Catholic high school for my children. The college outcomes and academic environment simply did not align with what I was seeking.
I would also be hesitant about Boys’ Latin. In my experience, the culture seemed rougher than what I was looking for, and I was not particularly impressed with the overall college placement results.
As for McDonogh, I understand why many families love it, but it wasn’t the right fit for us. The community felt more suburban and traditionally conservative than some of the other independent schools we considered. Many families appeared to come from successful blue-collar and business backgrounds, which is perfectly respectable, but it created a culture that felt different from what we were seeking academically and socially. I also felt that many of the most notable college outcomes were tied to recruited athletes rather than the broader student body. I had similar feelings about Saint Paul's. I remember going to a birthday party at a nature center and asking if my friends son friends were in special ed. The kids were unremarkable and the parents seemed more like somebody I would have waited on me in a restaurant or help me with my mortgage. So I guess what I'm trying to say is the parents at these two county schools seem to be more aspirational and less cultured than a lot of the other independent schools. I hope that doesn't sound awful. You know the type of parents; they live in mcmansions in the county, but they don't know who niche is or the pi is a mathematical thing and not something you eat.
If I were advising a family prioritizing academics and college placement, I would encourage them to look closely at Park and Gilman. Both schools offer strong academic programs, and I was more impressed by the overall educational environment and college outcomes. Park also has its own school bus that goes back-and-forth to Howard County.


Of course, every child is different. The best school is the one that matches your child’s personality, interests, and goals. These are simply my personal impressions after visiting schools, reviewing college matriculation lists, and interacting with families over the years.

Front runner for the most obnoxious post of the year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Both of my children attend the same Baltimore independent school, and we’ve been full-pay families throughout. We did not apply for financial aid for college for my son, but I was pleasantly surprised by the amount of merit aid he received. He’s a STEM-focused student headed to a top computer science program, and despite being more of an A-/B+ student than a straight-A student, his strong SAT scores, leadership, and STEM accomplishments resulted in substantial merit offers from several universities.
I personally would not choose a Catholic high school for my children. The college outcomes and academic environment simply did not align with what I was seeking.
I would also be hesitant about Boys’ Latin. In my experience, the culture seemed rougher than what I was looking for, and I was not particularly impressed with the overall college placement results.
As for McDonogh, I understand why many families love it, but it wasn’t the right fit for us. The community felt more suburban and traditionally conservative than some of the other independent schools we considered. Many families appeared to come from successful blue-collar and business backgrounds, which is perfectly respectable, but it created a culture that felt different from what we were seeking academically and socially. I also felt that many of the most notable college outcomes were tied to recruited athletes rather than the broader student body. I had similar feelings about Saint Paul's. I remember going to a birthday party at a nature center and asking if my friends son friends were in special ed. The kids were unremarkable and the parents seemed more like somebody I would have waited on me in a restaurant or help me with my mortgage. So I guess what I'm trying to say is the parents at these two county schools seem to be more aspirational and less cultured than a lot of the other independent schools. I hope that doesn't sound awful. You know the type of parents; they live in mcmansions in the county, but they don't know who niche is or the pi is a mathematical thing and not something you eat.
If I were advising a family prioritizing academics and college placement, I would encourage them to look closely at Park and Gilman. Both schools offer strong academic programs, and I was more impressed by the overall educational environment and college outcomes. Park also has its own school bus that goes back-and-forth to Howard County.


Of course, every child is different. The best school is the one that matches your child’s personality, interests, and goals. These are simply my personal impressions after visiting schools, reviewing college matriculation lists, and interacting with families over the years.

Front runner for the most obnoxious post of the year.

Presumably that poster is a parent at Park or Gilman. What an absolute embarrassment to those schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Both of my children attend the same Baltimore independent school, and we’ve been full-pay families throughout. We did not apply for financial aid for college for my son, but I was pleasantly surprised by the amount of merit aid he received. He’s a STEM-focused student headed to a top computer science program, and despite being more of an A-/B+ student than a straight-A student, his strong SAT scores, leadership, and STEM accomplishments resulted in substantial merit offers from several universities.
I personally would not choose a Catholic high school for my children. The college outcomes and academic environment simply did not align with what I was seeking.
I would also be hesitant about Boys’ Latin. In my experience, the culture seemed rougher than what I was looking for, and I was not particularly impressed with the overall college placement results.
As for McDonogh, I understand why many families love it, but it wasn’t the right fit for us. The community felt more suburban and traditionally conservative than some of the other independent schools we considered. Many families appeared to come from successful blue-collar and business backgrounds, which is perfectly respectable, but it created a culture that felt different from what we were seeking academically and socially. I also felt that many of the most notable college outcomes were tied to recruited athletes rather than the broader student body. I had similar feelings about Saint Paul's. I remember going to a birthday party at a nature center and asking if my friends son friends were in special ed. The kids were unremarkable and the parents seemed more like somebody I would have waited on me in a restaurant or help me with my mortgage. So I guess what I'm trying to say is the parents at these two county schools seem to be more aspirational and less cultured than a lot of the other independent schools. I hope that doesn't sound awful. You know the type of parents; they live in mcmansions in the county, but they don't know who niche is or the pi is a mathematical thing and not something you eat.
If I were advising a family prioritizing academics and college placement, I would encourage them to look closely at Park and Gilman. Both schools offer strong academic programs, and I was more impressed by the overall educational environment and college outcomes. Park also has its own school bus that goes back-and-forth to Howard County.


Of course, every child is different. The best school is the one that matches your child’s personality, interests, and goals. These are simply my personal impressions after visiting schools, reviewing college matriculation lists, and interacting with families over the years.

Front runner for the most obnoxious post of the year.

Presumably that poster is a parent at Park or Gilman. What an absolute embarrassment to those schools.

It’s not Gilman, they don’t give merit.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Both of my children attend the same Baltimore independent school, and we’ve been full-pay families throughout. We did not apply for financial aid for college for my son, but I was pleasantly surprised by the amount of merit aid he received. He’s a STEM-focused student headed to a top computer science program, and despite being more of an A-/B+ student than a straight-A student, his strong SAT scores, leadership, and STEM accomplishments resulted in substantial merit offers from several universities.
I personally would not choose a Catholic high school for my children. The college outcomes and academic environment simply did not align with what I was seeking.
I would also be hesitant about Boys’ Latin. In my experience, the culture seemed rougher than what I was looking for, and I was not particularly impressed with the overall college placement results.
As for McDonogh, I understand why many families love it, but it wasn’t the right fit for us. The community felt more suburban and traditionally conservative than some of the other independent schools we considered. Many families appeared to come from successful blue-collar and business backgrounds, which is perfectly respectable, but it created a culture that felt different from what we were seeking academically and socially. I also felt that many of the most notable college outcomes were tied to recruited athletes rather than the broader student body. I had similar feelings about Saint Paul's. I remember going to a birthday party at a nature center and asking if my friends son friends were in special ed. The kids were unremarkable and the parents seemed more like somebody I would have waited on me in a restaurant or help me with my mortgage. So I guess what I'm trying to say is the parents at these two county schools seem to be more aspirational and less cultured than a lot of the other independent schools. I hope that doesn't sound awful. You know the type of parents; they live in mcmansions in the county, but they don't know who niche is or the pi is a mathematical thing and not something you eat.
If I were advising a family prioritizing academics and college placement, I would encourage them to look closely at Park and Gilman. Both schools offer strong academic programs, and I was more impressed by the overall educational environment and college outcomes. Park also has its own school bus that goes back-and-forth to Howard County.


Of course, every child is different. The best school is the one that matches your child’s personality, interests, and goals. These are simply my personal impressions after visiting schools, reviewing college matriculation lists, and interacting with families over the years.

Front runner for the most obnoxious post of the year.

Presumably that poster is a parent at Park or Gilman. What an absolute embarrassment to those schools.

It’s not Gilman, they don’t give merit.

Agree. Must be Park. Rough? Must be in special ed? Parents like waiters? The worst part is the poster seemed sincere. So obviously stay away from Park and its special children whose parents are not in construction and don’t work in restaurants.

Oh and PP why don’t you tell us who “niche” is?

[Anonymous]

People, the internet has been around for almost 30 years. It’s time to gain some digital literacy and stop taking everything you read so literally

Someone is pulling your leg

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We're on the border of Howard/Montgomery, so we are looking into some D.C. area schools as well (Our Lady of Good Counsel). Our son attended a Catholic elementary, but when we moved, he wanted to attend a public middle school due to a larger peer group. For high school, we are considering Loyola Blakefield, Calvert Hall, and McDonogh. Those are quite a distance, but are they worth it? He plays a sport, so he will be after school often and is interested in the sports broadcasting club at Loyola. The lack of diversity is a negative, but McDonogh is sufficient in that arena. Howard County doesn't really have many options, and we definitely don't want to do public for high school.

What seems like a difficult drive right now will prove unmanageable a year or two in. Don't do it to yourself, OP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Both of my children attend the same Baltimore independent school, and we’ve been full-pay families throughout. We did not apply for financial aid for college for my son, but I was pleasantly surprised by the amount of merit aid he received. He’s a STEM-focused student headed to a top computer science program, and despite being more of an A-/B+ student than a straight-A student, his strong SAT scores, leadership, and STEM accomplishments resulted in substantial merit offers from several universities.
I personally would not choose a Catholic high school for my children. The college outcomes and academic environment simply did not align with what I was seeking.
I would also be hesitant about Boys’ Latin. In my experience, the culture seemed rougher than what I was looking for, and I was not particularly impressed with the overall college placement results.
As for McDonogh, I understand why many families love it, but it wasn’t the right fit for us. The community felt more suburban and traditionally conservative than some of the other independent schools we considered. Many families appeared to come from successful blue-collar and business backgrounds, which is perfectly respectable, but it created a culture that felt different from what we were seeking academically and socially. I also felt that many of the most notable college outcomes were tied to recruited athletes rather than the broader student body. I had similar feelings about Saint Paul's. I remember going to a birthday party at a nature center and asking if my friends son friends were in special ed. The kids were unremarkable and the parents seemed more like somebody I would have waited on me in a restaurant or help me with my mortgage. So I guess what I'm trying to say is the parents at these two county schools seem to be more aspirational and less cultured than a lot of the other independent schools. I hope that doesn't sound awful. You know the type of parents; they live in mcmansions in the county, but they don't know who niche is or the pi is a mathematical thing and not something you eat.
If I were advising a family prioritizing academics and college placement, I would encourage them to look closely at Park and Gilman. Both schools offer strong academic programs, and I was more impressed by the overall educational environment and college outcomes. Park also has its own school bus that goes back-and-forth to Howard County.


Of course, every child is different. The best school is the one that matches your child’s personality, interests, and goals. These are simply my personal impressions after visiting schools, reviewing college matriculation lists, and interacting with families over the years.

Front runner for the most obnoxious post of the year.

Presumably that poster is a parent at Park or Gilman. What an absolute embarrassment to those schools.

It’s not Gilman, they don’t give merit.

Park also does not give merit. Friends?

[Anonymous]

I know the original poster comes across as somewhat snobbish and perhaps not entirely aware of how her comments may sound, but I do think she’s genuinely trying to be helpful.

There is some truth to what she’s saying, although I think much of it reflects a city-versus-county difference rather than a school-quality issue. Families who choose to live in Baltimore City often have different priorities, lifestyles, and perspectives than families who choose to live in the county.

In my experience, schools such as Park, Bryn Mawr, Gilman, and Friends tend to attract many families connected to Johns Hopkins and other universities, while the independent schools in the county tend to attract people with deeper ties to Baltimore and less association with Hopkins families who tend not to be from the Baltimore area.
It's really about finding the community and culture that best fits your family. I know Howard County families that's in their kids to McDonough and to Park. Both have buses, which are great, but maybe not convenient for a child whose active in afterschool sports. I do know two or three families from Howard County that felt the commute to Park was too much and actually ended up moving to Baltimore to be closer to Park.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I know the original poster comes across as somewhat snobbish and perhaps not entirely aware of how her comments may sound, but I do think she’s genuinely trying to be helpful.

There is some truth to what she’s saying, although I think much of it reflects a city-versus-county difference rather than a school-quality issue. Families who choose to live in Baltimore City often have different priorities, lifestyles, and perspectives than families who choose to live in the county.

In my experience, schools such as Park, Bryn Mawr, Gilman, and Friends tend to attract many families connected to Johns Hopkins and other universities, while the independent schools in the county tend to attract people with deeper ties to Baltimore and less association with Hopkins families who tend not to be from the Baltimore area.
It's really about finding the community and culture that best fits your family. I know Howard County families that's in their kids to McDonough and to Park. Both have buses, which are great, but maybe not convenient for a child whose active in afterschool sports. I do know two or three families from Howard County that felt the commute to Park was too much and actually ended up moving to Baltimore to be closer to Park.

It was an appalling comment and wildly wrong. Parents at McDonogh and St. Pauls are more qualified to wait tables?! Golly.

I do agree there's a personality split between city and county schools. The best way to put it is that county privates lean corporate and business owners, city privates lean professionals and university educators/admin. One caveat and medical parents are everywhere. But there's even a split between Friends/Park and Gilman/Bryn Mawr. They're not totally aligned either.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I know the original poster comes across as somewhat snobbish and perhaps not entirely aware of how her comments may sound, but I do think she’s genuinely trying to be helpful.

There is some truth to what she’s saying, although I think much of it reflects a city-versus-county difference rather than a school-quality issue. Families who choose to live in Baltimore City often have different priorities, lifestyles, and perspectives than families who choose to live in the county.

In my experience, schools such as Park, Bryn Mawr, Gilman, and Friends tend to attract many families connected to Johns Hopkins and other universities, while the independent schools in the county tend to attract people with deeper ties to Baltimore and less association with Hopkins families who tend not to be from the Baltimore area.
It's really about finding the community and culture that best fits your family. I know Howard County families that's in their kids to McDonough and to Park. Both have buses, which are great, but maybe not convenient for a child whose active in afterschool sports. I do know two or three families from Howard County that felt the commute to Park was too much and actually ended up moving to Baltimore to be closer to Park.

It was an appalling comment and wildly wrong. Parents at McDonogh and St. Pauls are more qualified to wait tables?! Golly.

I do agree there's a personality split between city and county schools. The best way to put it is that county privates lean corporate and business owners, city privates lean professionals and university educators/admin. One caveat and medical parents are everywhere. But there's even a split between Friends/Park and Gilman/Bryn Mawr. They're not totally aligned either.

I don’t want to start anything, but I don’t think the original poster was entirely off the mark. Tactless? Yes. Totally wrong? No. There is some truth to what she said. I also think that some of the angry responses may be from people who identify with the county contingent being described.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I know the original poster comes across as somewhat snobbish and perhaps not entirely aware of how her comments may sound, but I do think she’s genuinely trying to be helpful.

There is some truth to what she’s saying, although I think much of it reflects a city-versus-county difference rather than a school-quality issue. Families who choose to live in Baltimore City often have different priorities, lifestyles, and perspectives than families who choose to live in the county.

In my experience, schools such as Park, Bryn Mawr, Gilman, and Friends tend to attract many families connected to Johns Hopkins and other universities, while the independent schools in the county tend to attract people with deeper ties to Baltimore and less association with Hopkins families who tend not to be from the Baltimore area.
It's really about finding the community and culture that best fits your family. I know Howard County families that's in their kids to McDonough and to Park. Both have buses, which are great, but maybe not convenient for a child whose active in afterschool sports. I do know two or three families from Howard County that felt the commute to Park was too much and actually ended up moving to Baltimore to be closer to Park.

It was an appalling comment and wildly wrong. Parents at McDonogh and St. Pauls are more qualified to wait tables?! Golly.

I do agree there's a personality split between city and county schools. The best way to put it is that county privates lean corporate and business owners, city privates lean professionals and university educators/admin. One caveat and medical parents are everywhere. But there's even a split between Friends/Park and Gilman/Bryn Mawr. They're not totally aligned either.

I don’t want to start anything, but I don’t think the original poster was entirely off the mark. Tactless? Yes. Totally wrong? No. There is some truth to what she said. I also think that some of the angry responses may be from people who identify with the county contingent being described.

For the record: there is nothing wrong with the county contingent being described.

[Anonymous]

Isn't it the attitude of most Baltimore? Independent school families? People in the city always think they're better than people in the county.

[Anonymous]

My investment guy went to Gilman. Even today he says he got more out of Gilman than college.

He is African American and grew up in Baltimore City.