ISO Intellectually Rigorous Upper School without the pressure cooker atmosphere & WHICH TO AVOID?

[Anonymous]

This is OP again. THANK you so much for these latest posts.

Spot on.

Sounds like there is considerable variability among MCPS schools w/r/t pressure, lunch times, etc. I should have also added that we have severe overcrowding in our cluster so that certainly adds to the pressure and negative atmosphere.

I've also heard that certain well regarded privates, particularly Catholic, are overenrolled and have issues with early lunchtimes too.

PP, your self-description ironically describes my kid to a T. Will take a much closer look at Maret, though based on some of the HS descriptions I'm tempted to move to a less crowded cluster for HS. It sure would be less expensive.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't think that there is really any school to avoid. There are only two schools (1 private and 1 public) around here that I regularly hear of that can be like a pressure cooker, both academically and socially at times, but even those two seems to have other positives that cause the kids to love those schools despite that. They are Langley and Holton. Since Holton is for chicks, you don't need to be concerned about that. Since Langley is public, you don't need to be concerned about that either, and those kids will thrive and lead.

What are you smoking, PP? Holton and Langley? ROTFLMAO

Well, MAYBE Holton for some and depending on the class but generally it's a nicer environment.

Sidwell, NCS, STA, and TJ, those are the pressure cookers. If you don't know this I really doubt your kids are part of the DC area pschool scene.

You forgot to mention Potomac, Maret, Landon and a host of other schools that are similarly pressure-cookers in US. You are the one sounding ignorant.

No, I did not forget the schools you named. I do not agree with you. My kids looked at all of these schools and attend some and we have not found Potomac, Landon, or even Maret to be the kind of " pressure cooker" that we are discussing on this thread. In fact, I would agree with the poster who said some tracks at some Publics (like WhItman) are more akin to pressure cookers than the schools you name.

I have a kid at school I named a pressure cooker and a kid at one that I do not think is. Being called a "pressure cooker" is not, in my mind, a good
or bad thing. It also does not qualify a school as academically strong or weak. Its a environmental attitude that affects the entire student body. But It's personality-related as to what type of environment inspires and invigorates one.

For instance, Maret would have been the perfect school for me as a kid. I have an IQ over 140, was never a "super" athlete, love to try new things and hate to be pressured. Maret would have been great for me laregly because while academically tough and challenging, other parts of the environment are more supportive and conducive to kids who don't do well in a pressure cooker and are open to trying things they may not excel at.

Second PP, can you elaborate on why you think Potomac is not a pressure cooker? We have our eye on it and it seems like they emphasize balance, but I worry that it is at the "cost" of serious academic studies. Not that the kids there are slouches, by any stretch, but I hope you understand the point I am trying to make and the insight I am seeking. Thanks.

[Anonymous]

PP, I think Potomac is an excellent school and a kid can get the absolute best education there. However, it is more of a balanced campus atmosphere in that every kid isn't so insanely smart and driven that it's a pressure cooker.

[Anonymous]

I have 2 very different children who both went to high school at Maret. They are both smart, but one more academic than the other. The teachers are outstanding, not only in their academic quality, but also in how they support the children from every aspect. Also there is space on the teams for less than amazing athletes and on the stage for kids whose talents have been hidden. Maret is a lovely and safe place for children to grow and learn about all that they can be without the pressure to fit in a mold.