Howard County family considering a few Baltimore privates

[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.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: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.

I have lived in real cities and Baltimore is not one. So these people make me laugh.

[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.

I'm a bit fascinated by your response and defense, trying to be polite but ultimately still agreeing with a rude perspective. Sneering at people because they may initially think referring to Pi is something you eat is short sighted. I'm sure they were taught what Pi is, but it's also not important. Because isn't for most people I have double Ivy degrees and I never think about Pi.

Anyone who can afford expensive private schools is clearly doing something right, regardless of whether they know Pi or not. I'm tempted to be snarky and comment that I'm sure Friends and Park are filled with parents who think men can be women and don't see any irony in "queers for Gaza." They have their own vanities. There's a lot more virtue signaling at certain schools than others, which doesn't impress me. And I'm an alum of a certain school that looked at it for my own kids but went elsewhere.

I'm guessing that poster's kids are at Friends, which does offer a few merit scholarships unlike the other north Baltimore schools. And Friends absolutely has its vanities and cultural differences. It would not impress everyone.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: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.

Only the people of the county that are afraid of leaving the county.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: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.

Most (not all) of "old" Balitmore still sends their kids to Calvert and the tri-schools regardless of where they live, and many do live in Ruxton or Greenspring area. I think this may be why some see these schools as "snobby." It isn't really an urban/county divide as much as an old v. new money thing.

There are also plenty of Howard County kids at the trischools, but these families tend to come only for high school.

[Anonymous]

Op here, looks like this exploded, in a direction that I didn't expect, nonetheless. Mcdonogh is still on our radar mostly due to the 5 day boarding program. He's thought about boarding school in general, but that may be a different conversation. Both DH and I are Catholic school grads, but academically we feel our kids can aim higher. We'll see how things go in the fall.