Researching Bethesda area independent schools
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Anonymous
SAES is as or more rigorous than any school on their list, with Sidwell and GDS as possible exceptions. You don't have to burn kids out to inspire them to stretch and achieve. In fact, it's a great way to kill their love of learning. My SAES alum found his freshman classes in college to be easy -- at a top 20 -- because he was so well prepared. |
Anonymous
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Highly recommend Maret. It hits all of your lists. I think you’ll find most or all your schools will list a ~30% minority figure. Some go further to spell out what they do with diversity and inclusion.
https://www.maret.org/about-us/equity-and-inclusion Community At-a-Glance 58% Of students are from DC 33% Of students are from MD 9% Of students are from VA 53% Of students identify as People of Color 96% Retention rate for Students 25% Families receive financial aid 38% Of faculty identify as People of Color 30% Of faculty have been at Maret for more than 10 years 75% Of faculty have master's or doctorate degrees 5 Faculty are also Alumni |
Anonymous
Maybe. Certainly there are a lot of spots open for the initial entry years. There no way for the general public to know, but my sense is that PK/K is the right time to apply if you're connected somehow -- legacy, sibling, child of faculty/staff, came from a so-called feeder preschool -- because at that point the child has minimal on-paper credentials and it's mostly about the parents. Of course it's possible to get in with no connections too, given the large number of spots, but pretty hard relative to the latter years when your child's credentials become a larger factor in admissions (and anyone with a hook was likely admitted in earlier years already). By 6th/7th/9th, the competition is too stiff with applicants coming from both public and other private schools and my theory is that Sidwell/GDS is looking really to admit academic/athletic superstars and those who add to the diverse student body in a very specific way, if not both. My gut says that 3rd/4th is the best time to apply for those who are unconnected. Fewer spots available but also way fewer applicants (especially those who have hooks). From what I can tell, there were not that many legacies, siblings, and children of faculty/staff who first joined our school in 3rd/4th. The new students mostly came from smaller private schools, public, or out of town. That's when our unconnected DD was admitted. I'm not including URM or parent(s) went to HYPS or full-pay among the hooks because they're helpful in any entry year but almost certainly not enough on their own for admission. |
Anonymous
| Mater Amoris Montessori |
Anonymous
I agree with this suggestion. Your list looks good but I would not consider SSFS or any "progressive" school (e.g. Green Acres, SSFS, etc.) only because that orientation requires good executive skills to succeed. Progressive schools and kids with executive challenges do not mix well. You want either a school that works on self-advocacy and organizational skills OR that is highly structured. |
Anonymous
It's strange to me that you call out two schools not on their list and not Lowell which is on their list and progressive |
Anonymous
Maybe Lowell is the etc.? |
Anonymous
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We've been really impressed with Concord Hill. About a third of students are students of color. Spending time in the various classrooms, you can see a diversity of materials (books, art supplies, etc). There's a good amount of outdoor time as well, if that's important to you.
It's a sweet little school that seems to be kid-centered and focused on getting the early elementary years right. Worth a close look. |
Anonymous
Third and fourth are actually hard years too for these two schools. There are some families with hooks in other privates that end in third. Others who were comfortable having their kids in public for early elementary but are now ready to move them before middle school. No harm in applying and you should if you think it's a good fit, but definitely apply elsewhere as well if a private option is important for your family. |
Anonymous
| They're all hard. My point was simply that 3rd/4th may be (relatively speaking) the least hard. |
Anonymous
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Green Acres has racial and religious diversity and a progressive / play based approach. I think it is difficult to say whether any kindergarten program
has high academic standards. I can share that we have been very happy with our child’s academic progress and the level of feedback we received from her teacher. I don’t have first hand experience for what the instruction is like in 3rd grade or beyond. Our daughter has been very happy at Green Acres. |
Anonymous
no op |
Anonymous
| Well then Concord Hill has made a lot of changes in the last decade if they that much diversity. Cause before it was very much a reflection of the neighborhood. I would suggest to OP some consideration of history because it speaks to true commitment. |
Anonymous
| In looking at faces - don’t forget OP to look for smiles. If the diversity you seek is there - make sure the happiness is too! |
Anonymous
WES was probably one of the most diverse schools we visited (and that includes St. Andrews.) Nobody had mentioned it, but the international diversity there was really inoressive. I remember being surprised because I think that school generally flies under the radar. |