Is Country Day better than some of the top Montessori preschools in McLean area?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:CDS doesn't focus on reading, but that doesn't mean that some kids aren't reading when they leave. It's developmentally appropriate for children to not be reading even by first grade. Early reading has no effect long-term. Focusing on it is just not necessary.

My kids went to CDS. One was reading fluently at age 4 and was reading at a 6th grade level in 1st. He's now in college. He did well in school, but not nearly as well as his younger sister - who didn't read at all when she left CDS for our public K. By third grade the school tested her for giftedness - not something we had ever considered. The advanced reading group in her grade wasn't advanced enough - her teacher sent her to the library instead where she did book reports with the librarian. She's now a straight A student in her junior year at one of the so-called Big 3.

Surround your children with books and read to them, and chances are they will learn to love reading, too. Don't stress about your preschooler's academic achievements. Good grief - there will be plenty of time for that later. CDS is a lovely, warm and nurturing place. I cried on my daughter's last day.

OP here - yes, this. Thank you for this grounding response. Couldn’t agree more.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:To OP - when we went to CDS (great experience!), it was difficult to get in and those who had participated in the parent-child course, had a leg up. I do not know if that is still the case. I just checked - they still exist and start at 18 months. I did the course with both children

Thanks. Any idea HOW difficult? Unfortunately we did not do the parent-child course and have no other personal ties to the school…

[Anonymous]

CDS parent here! You will not find a more nurturing school in the northern Virginia area. The teachers are excellent and the kids are learning all the time through play which is what they are supposed to do.
I got turned off by schools like Basis or LL for prek (older elementary in these schools is fine) because I don’t need my 3 year old sitting in a desk. They need to be learning how to take turns, resolve conferences, explore nature, play in the playground!
If you don't get in, call the school, they always have a couple spots open at trh end of the year

[Anonymous]

OP-You need to chill. I say this with love. This is your 3rd thread on Country Day. I desperately wanted my kid to go there (he is in high school). He did not and it was all fine. We all made friends anyway. He is in a top private now so really don't worry- if he doesn't get in to Country Day it will truly be ok.

[Anonymous]

CDS has changed. Lots of teacher turnover. It's more of a factory feel rather than intimate. It's very teacher dependent. Our experience there was ok. Lots of kids crying for extended periods and teachers not able to comfort them at the beginning of the school year. It's about filling their spots rather than a quality, nurturing, and warm environment.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:To OP - when we went to CDS (great experience!), it was difficult to get in and those who had participated in the parent-child course, had a leg up. I do not know if that is still the case. I just checked - they still exist and start at 18 months. I did the course with both children

Thanks. Any idea HOW difficult? Unfortunately we did not do the parent-child course and have no other personal ties to the school…

I don’t think it’s that difficult if you apply on time. I once applied mid-year and they had availability, but it probably varies by class.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:CDS has changed. Lots of teacher turnover. It's more of a factory feel rather than intimate. It's very teacher dependent. Our experience there was ok. Lots of kids crying for extended periods and teachers not able to comfort them at the beginning of the school year. It's about filling their spots rather than a quality, nurturing, and warm environment.

How long ago was your child there and do you have any insights into the 4's program? I'm a little concerned about the teacher turnover and am curious what the teacher : student ratio is for the 4's.

[Anonymous]

We have a child in FD 4’s. 14-16 kids 2 teachers which is perfect. They also have lots of enrichment activities: music, steam, art, etc
We couldn’t be happier! It is such a welcoming and nurturing place.

[Anonymous]

NP. Agree with PPs who described what a lovely and nurturing place CDS is. The 4s was our only less-than-stellar teacher assignment in our 5 and counting school years at the school (and those teachers are now gone), and even then my child still had a happy experience.

On ratio, we had 8-10 students in our 2s classes, 10 students in 3s, and 15 students in 4s, each with 2 teachers. Offerings (e.g., number of sections for 3-, 5-, and 7-hour days) and total number of students per section fluctuate depending on interest.

This year enrichments are back to full force following COVID and the death of the long-term music teacher a few years ago. Enrichments include art, music, Spanish, gardening, and more. CDS is truly a wonderful place. Unless you plan for your child to repeat kindergarten, the year to apply out to private schools is after the 4s.

[Anonymous]

I formerly taught 4 year olds at Country Day. The children had a very rich learning environment— the emphasis was on enhancing their cognitive conceptual framework and developing the creative, problem-solving, and social skills which are foundational to all learning. Some children started reading as 4s or 5s and others did not, but they all could identify letters and sounds, developed a rich vocabulary, and a love of literature. I noted that “my kids” were routinely admitted to the top private schools in VA and DC. I stayed in touch with some families and am amazed by how successful the children became as they grew up! As for Montessori, classes are generally much larger, which is on
manageable for some kids, but challenging for others, as I learned during my student teaching experiences. Best of luck!