Advice on applying to schools from an experienced parent

[Anonymous]

I just stumbled across this website today and searched my kids' schools to see what people thought. I sympathize with those of you just starting out in this process and especially those of you who seem so frustrated by the difficulty of being accepted by the "big three." An alternative "route" I would really recommend that you consider is Capitol Hill Day School. As I wrote on another post, both my kids went there from Pre-K through 8th, then to Maret, and the oldest is now at Dartmouth. Having them start at a warm, unpretentious, diverse, creative, and academically rich school like CHDS is something my husband and I continue to be grateful for, and for reasons we never could have anticipated when we were first looking at schools as young parents. Capitol Hill Day School had them thrilled with learning very early on, and grew gradually more academically rigorous so that, by SSAT time, they were well-positioned for high school applications. And meanwhile, they were developing in an atmosphere that was (we all four NOW realize) not quite as competitive and socially precocious as your typical middle school's. From my vantage point now, that was truly priceless. Sure, the facilities are not palatial, but my kids learned something that every parent looking at schools ought to remember -- great art, great thinking, great relationships can be found anywhere, not just in spiffy new spaces. And lots of families commute from NW.

[Anonymous]

It's poorly run with no clear mission and too many teachers who have no business being around children. If other parents are so unfortunate as to have to send their child/ren there, go ahead but don't say an anonymous DCUM didn't try to help you dodge an expensive bullet.

[Anonymous]

Our family's 20 combined years there meant a lot to us and did great things for our kids --