The Harbor School in Bethesda

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Harbor School is smaller than those other schools - something most view as an advantage, in that it leads to more individualized attention.

You would think so, but no. Also Head of School is so full of it. Great bullshit artist.

Really? Never heard anyone say anything but great things on this forum about the HOS.....could you elaborate?

Obviously a troll!

No not a troll. (Just saw this post revived.) Also, 13:22, more than one person has a problem with the HOS and the school.

[Anonymous]

Well to the PP. Id say that is a ringing endorsement for Harbor. One person had a beef with the HOS besides you. Out of all the families there....

So sounds like the problem may be you ... not the HOS.

That sounds like the HOS is doing a terrific job. You sound like someone who just cant be made to be happy.

[Anonymous]

"sounds like" would be the operative term

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:"sounds like" would be the operative term

Go away troll.... you are the exception rather than the rule at Harbor. The problem is you. Get over it.

[Anonymous]

I am having a hard time choosing between the Harbor school and Grace Episcopal in Kensington for my kids. Any thoughts? Which has a better reputation and is academically stronger?

[Anonymous]

I found the Harbor tour a little ridiculous as the Director bragged about how their kindergarteners are doing multiplication and long division. (That's what the director said during our tour.) It was a little bit too much overkill. My kindergartener doesn't need to prepare power point presentations.

We know several kids who go to Harbor that have done well. They had issues and their parents were afraid of them failing and getting lost in a bigger environment. I don't think it's a school of gifted geniuses as much as the director tries to impress. Grace seems like a genuine little traditional school where the children benefit from small classes, a normal curriculum and not a desire to pretend that the school is an amazing school of over achievers.

My two cents

[Anonymous]

I heard harbor has some kids with LDs. Is that true?

[Anonymous]

We visited Harbor twice in our school search and looked pretty closely at it. We ultimately decided not to go there but not because we were turned off by anything so much, it was more that we were entering 2nd grade and didn't want to face the school decision again one year later. And we found another school (Barnesville) that we liked more (especially particular teachers) and which offered more school-wide performance opportunities, which our child really likes.

So our experience with Harbor is not first hand. That said we do have two sets of friends with children at Harbor.

One family really likes Harbor and speaks only well of it.

The other does complain about Harbor, in particular that student behavior isn't monitored closely enough. But we notice that this parent didn't move their child out and, to be fair, this parent's personality is such that they like to complain. They complained about the last school they were in, too.

Just two data points, for what they are worth to you.

[Anonymous]

Still haven't selected a new Head of School. The old one, Dr. Val Wise, is the new HOS at NCRC.

[Anonymous]

How does Harbor compare to Lowell?

[Anonymous]

I must be losing my mind. I was reading 1/31 09:28 above and thinking, "Wow, that sounds so much like us." Then I realized -- oh, yeah, I actually posted that.

I guess this is what happens when an old thread gets bumped up. And when I lose my mind.

[Anonymous]

Our experience with Harbor has generally been positive. We like the teachers and yes, contrary to what one poster said a while ago, they have had some very gifted students (fyi, the kindergartener doing advanced math was in my kid's class). Not all geniuses, but this year's second grade class is very strong (in my opinion) and outplacement seems to have gone well considering all the competition out there. Disappointed there hasn't been more news about HoS search. Hopefully that will change soon. As for the outgoing HoS, my own opinion is that she has been great and will be missed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am having a hard time choosing between the Harbor school and Grace Episcopal in Kensington for my kids. Any thoughts? Which has a better reputation and is academically stronger?

I can't directly compare but believe Harbor has sent some kids to Grace. Grace's HOS since 2013 is doing a stellar job.

[Anonymous]

The school has a stellar reputation for outplacment. I heard they send kids on to all the best schools. Teachers a warm and caring, and they bring out the best in the students. Id send my daughter there in a heartbeat.

[Anonymous]

The school has a stellar reputation for outplacment. I heard they send kids on to all the best schools. Teachers a warm and caring, and they bring out the best in the students. Id send my daughter there in a heartbeat.