Private schools with nice kids

[Anonymous]

Another vote for Sheridan.

[Anonymous]

It really is class dependent, but we’ve had a very positive experience in the lower school at St. Andrew’s. I assume that’s too far of a trek if you’re in FCPS though.

[Anonymous]

Stay away from Stone Ridge

[Anonymous]

Most schools will set her up with a buddy to help her socially. It does depend on the class. Generally in smaller schools the kids are all friendly with each other, mainly because they don’t have many other options. Both my girls are shy and quiet. My older one tried public school for a semester and went straight back to her private school - for social reasons. Public schools have a ton of kids with no social skills or only social skills. My kids are smart and have ‘some’ social skills - a mix that was hard to find in public school.

[Anonymous]

I agree -- it depends on the class at any school. My child's class at a private was toxic, but we stayed because the teachers were outstanding. Privates can be tough because it's hard to hide when the class sizes are small and also challenging when you don't have as many people to choose from when making friends. I know publics have pros/cons as well. My mother assumed that my child would be surrounded by kind children at a private, but I laughed and told her "no, there are mean wealthy kids!" It can be a tough road no matter where you are.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We chose St. Andrew's because it was supposed to have nice kids, and we have been incredibly disappointed on that front. I think it all might depend on the class.

I'm so sorry that's been your experience. Ours has been absolutely wonderful. So many friendships formed, and probably for life. I think a lot of kids have difficulty around age 13-14. It's when parents are no longer arranging playdates and kids are trying to figure out who they are and what their interests are. The social groups seemed to shift around for both our kids around then -- because that's then there are more students joining the community also.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have an 8yo DD and trying to decide what is best for her. She has two older siblings both thriving in FCPS. My DD is more shy and less confident. She in the AAP program and getting what she needs academically. We are at an AAP center with strong science, math, engineering, band and orchestra. This area (McLean) is very competitive and I don’t think this is the necessarily the best environment for her.

The kids we know who are at certain private schools are not the nicest kids so not sure if those schools would even be better for our daughter. DD plays sports but not at a competitive level. She swims, plays tennis, soccer, golf and soccer at a very beginner level.

What schools are known for having really nice kids?

DD has had some issues with friends this year and think this would be a good excuse to try private. DH thinks the private school mean girls will be worse.

Where do her teammates attend school?

That sideline might be the best place to research. Maybe looking at it from the point of view "where do children who value what my wise & sensitive child" loves to do would be a better approach? Could be golf. Could be chess. Whatever.

Ask around at the places where she swims, plays tennis, etc., and see what happens.

That's how we found our school in Arlington. The parents on the board of the sport my kid loved seemed to flock to 1 or 2 schools, and it helped us make the switch. I also had a built in support system as a parent (and a ride to practice).

This. You don’t need the whole class to be kind. This is unrealistic anyway. You need for your daughter to have a good friend group and no bullies. If you ask the other parents on teams, you can find clusters of good kids at all kinds of schools ranging from public to private.

[Anonymous]

The best you can do is find a school that seems to align with what’s important to your family and is a good fit for your DC academically and athletically. Obviously commute and cost are important too. In our experience class make up varies a ton—especially in lower grades when the academic standards for admission are much much lower. In lower school it was more about who could afford to drop big money for first grade and who self selected into that group. We have experience at multiple schools—got lucky with lower/middle school for one kid and less lucky with another (in terms of kindness of the overall class), but by upper school with the increased size of the class, both were fine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Another vote for Sheridan.

No. Sheridan is so tiny that a kid cannot escape when the class becomes unbearable as they often do.

[Anonymous]

Holton? Girls schools CAN be lovely and supportive.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Holton? Girls schools CAN be lovely and supportive.

Yes! Mine had and has kept in touch with a wonderful set of friends from Holton. The friends came from All walks of life too.

[Anonymous]

Generalizing a whole school as having kids who are all good is impossible.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Generalizing a whole school as having kids who are all good is impossible.

This. Posts like this one are totally meaningless.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Generalizing a whole school as having kids who are all good is impossible.

This. Posts like this one are totally meaningless.

To clarify I mean OP’s question

[Anonymous]

My DD was also shy at 8 and had some trouble making friends. She thrived when we switched her Langley. I highly recommend.