Choosing not to go to Beauvoir

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Some don't want a school with a religious affiliation. Some don't want to have to go through the application process again in just a few years. Some don't want to end up in a same-sex school. Some think it's too much of a display of privilege.

They give so much financial aid that there isn't as much of a display of wealth as you would think. Even the uber wealthy are low key and very understated. There is a lot of old money there, means people do not talk about money or display what they have that much. We were pleasantly surprised by this.

Gosh this was not our experience there at all. After six years I'm not sure I would send my DC there again. Education fine. The parents are over the top. The self-impressed wealthy crew are hard to take. As an example, I remember one mom talking about how many $3-4 million homes there were for a new family to move into in her neighborhood in Spring Hill. This was in a small conversation of about eight parents, many of us clearly not of that wealth. It made me uncomfortable because it clearly was making others uncomfortable. And this was the first week of kindergarten. Another time a mother admonished my husband for bringing snacks to Stoddert that were from Giant and not from Whole Foods, where the kids would have had a healthier snack per her. I don't mind wealth but I do mind people who shove it in your face like that makes them better than the rest.

We are now at another Big 3 school to much relief.

Wow this sounds farcical. Again, must vary by class. As a current Beauvoir parent of two students, we have never witnessed anything like the above. In fact, quite the opposite we all roll our eyes at the very few with instances of conspicuous wealth and I have to say that even the uber wealthy don't seem to take themselves too seriously. Maybe things have changed for the better since you all were there? Seems like it.

Very few people like this there. There is so much old money and so many highly educated people, that I have found that they don't care about money or any of the nonsense you are talking about. I am not going to try to convince anyone how to feel. To answer Op, sure people do turn down Beauvoir and they go to a variety of schools and I assume they are happy with their choice. Good luck to you in making your decision!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Some don't want a school with a religious affiliation. Some don't want to have to go through the application process again in just a few years. Some don't want to end up in a same-sex school. Some think it's too much of a display of privilege.

They give so much financial aid that there isn't as much of a display of wealth as you would think. Even the uber wealthy are low key and very understated. There is a lot of old money there, means people do not talk about money or display what they have that much. We were pleasantly surprised by this.

I'm not sure where all of that financial aid is going, but it isn't to middle class families like mine, who simply can't keep pace with tuition increases. We like the school a lot, but we're considering leaving, because it's hard to justify the (increasing) cost, and it feels odd to be a middle class family at a place that clearly doesn't have much of a middle class.

That's something to take up with the school and a good point. They do give a lot of financial aid which is partly why tuition is so expensive because the auction doesn't cover it all. I personally support financial aid but think they should not give so much because you are right the middle class does end up feeling it the most.

I would like to see where all of that financial aid is going. I know a lot goes to faculty kids, which I'm fine with, but they keep increasing tuition, spending money like it's water, and squeezing out the middle. It's not unique to Beauvoir, but it is really sad and frustrating.

[Anonymous]

I agree. Just for a point reference so we are all on the same page--what in your book qualifies as middle class? It seems like peoples definition of middle class runs the gamut especially in DC.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Some don't want a school with a religious affiliation. Some don't want to have to go through the application process again in just a few years. Some don't want to end up in a same-sex school. Some think it's too much of a display of privilege.

They give so much financial aid that there isn't as much of a display of wealth as you would think. Even the uber wealthy are low key and very understated. There is a lot of old money there, means people do not talk about money or display what they have that much. We were pleasantly surprised by this.

I'm not sure where all of that financial aid is going, but it isn't to middle class families like mine, who simply can't keep pace with tuition increases. We like the school a lot, but we're considering leaving, because it's hard to justify the (increasing) cost, and it feels odd to be a middle class family at a place that clearly doesn't have much of a middle class.

That's something to take up with the school and a good point. They do give a lot of financial aid which is partly why tuition is so expensive because the auction doesn't cover it all. I personally support financial aid but think they should not give so much because you are right the middle class does end up feeling it the most.

I would like to see where all of that financial aid is going. I know a lot goes to faculty kids, which I'm fine with, but they keep increasing tuition, spending money like it's water, and squeezing out the middle. It's not unique to Beauvoir, but it is really sad and frustrating.

I think this is a very hard question. In some ways, I think i comes down to differing, and all legitimate, views on how need should be assessed. Let's say a school has $100 to provide in financial aid. Should it provide all $100 to a family is in a low SES bracket, as a result of assessing that they have the greatest need to avoid their becoming truly impoverished? Or, should some of that money go to a middle class family that, without the aid, would not be able to pay tuition without reducing their financial situation taking them out of the middle class financially? In other words, to what extent is aid there to provide financially needy families with money that they would absolutely need to attend the school, and how much is it to ensure that middle class families at the school are not stretched so thin that they are no longer able to live a middle class lifestyle. Any to what degree should schools increase tuitions (in part to support financial aid) in a way that results in the middle class families (and others) subsidize lower SES families to the extent that the middle class families have to have significant changes in their lifestyles not just to pay for the operations of the school, but to pay for financial aid provided to others. I can see both sides. It's very important to provide to those who need it most, both as mater of good school citizenship and to support diversity. But at some point it does start looking like a simple redistribution of wealth from one current parent to another given that part of tuition (in addition to endowment draws and dedicated financial aid funds) goes toward financial aid at all the schools my kids have attended.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Some don't want a school with a religious affiliation. Some don't want to have to go through the application process again in just a few years. Some don't want to end up in a same-sex school. Some think it's too much of a display of privilege.

They give so much financial aid that there isn't as much of a display of wealth as you would think. Even the uber wealthy are low key and very understated. There is a lot of old money there, means people do not talk about money or display what they have that much. We were pleasantly surprised by this.

I'm not sure where all of that financial aid is going, but it isn't to middle class families like mine, who simply can't keep pace with tuition increases. We like the school a lot, but we're considering leaving, because it's hard to justify the (increasing) cost, and it feels odd to be a middle class family at a place that clearly doesn't have much of a middle class.

That's something to take up with the school and a good point. They do give a lot of financial aid which is partly why tuition is so expensive because the auction doesn't cover it all. I personally support financial aid but think they should not give so much because you are right the middle class does end up feeling it the most.

I would like to see where all of that financial aid is going. I know a lot goes to faculty kids, which I'm fine with, but they keep increasing tuition, spending money like it's water, and squeezing out the middle. It's not unique to Beauvoir, but it is really sad and frustrating.

I think this is a very hard question. In some ways, I think i comes down to differing, and all legitimate, views on how need should be assessed. Let's say a school has $100 to provide in financial aid. Should it provide all $100 to a family is in a low SES bracket, as a result of assessing that they have the greatest need to avoid their becoming truly impoverished? Or, should some of that money go to a middle class family that, without the aid, would not be able to pay tuition without reducing their financial situation taking them out of the middle class financially? In other words, to what extent is aid there to provide financially needy families with money that they would absolutely need to attend the school, and how much is it to ensure that middle class families at the school are not stretched so thin that they are no longer able to live a middle class lifestyle. Any to what degree should schools increase tuitions (in part to support financial aid) in a way that results in the middle class families (and others) subsidize lower SES families to the extent that the middle class families have to have significant changes in their lifestyles not just to pay for the operations of the school, but to pay for financial aid provided to others. I can see both sides. It's very important to provide to those who need it most, both as mater of good school citizenship and to support diversity. But at some point it does start looking like a simple redistribution of wealth from one current parent to another given that part of tuition (in addition to endowment draws and dedicated financial aid funds) goes toward financial aid at all the schools my kids have attended.

I agree with you on all. Yes I want financial diversity but I also don't think I should give up so much as a middle class parent to pay for so much financial aid. I think it does cause resentment from families that pay full fare but are struggling to do so. It would be a shame if they start losing families in the middle that make too much for FA but not enough to not be struggling. The middle families help connect the schools. This is not just a Beauvoir issue. There is a thread about this for other schools too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Some don't want a school with a religious affiliation. Some don't want to have to go through the application process again in just a few years. Some don't want to end up in a same-sex school. Some think it's too much of a display of privilege.

They give so much financial aid that there isn't as much of a display of wealth as you would think. Even the uber wealthy are low key and very understated. There is a lot of old money there, means people do not talk about money or display what they have that much. We were pleasantly surprised by this.

I'm not sure where all of that financial aid is going, but it isn't to middle class families like mine, who simply can't keep pace with tuition increases. We like the school a lot, but we're considering leaving, because it's hard to justify the (increasing) cost, and it feels odd to be a middle class family at a place that clearly doesn't have much of a middle class.

That's something to take up with the school and a good point. They do give a lot of financial aid which is partly why tuition is so expensive because the auction doesn't cover it all. I personally support financial aid but think they should not give so much because you are right the middle class does end up feeling it the most.

I would like to see where all of that financial aid is going. I know a lot goes to faculty kids, which I'm fine with, but they keep increasing tuition, spending money like it's water, and squeezing out the middle. It's not unique to Beauvoir, but it is really sad and frustrating.

I think this is a very hard question. In some ways, I think i comes down to differing, and all legitimate, views on how need should be assessed. Let's say a school has $100 to provide in financial aid. Should it provide all $100 to a family is in a low SES bracket, as a result of assessing that they have the greatest need to avoid their becoming truly impoverished? Or, should some of that money go to a middle class family that, without the aid, would not be able to pay tuition without reducing their financial situation taking them out of the middle class financially? In other words, to what extent is aid there to provide financially needy families with money that they would absolutely need to attend the school, and how much is it to ensure that middle class families at the school are not stretched so thin that they are no longer able to live a middle class lifestyle. Any to what degree should schools increase tuitions (in part to support financial aid) in a way that results in the middle class families (and others) subsidize lower SES families to the extent that the middle class families have to have significant changes in their lifestyles not just to pay for the operations of the school, but to pay for financial aid provided to others. I can see both sides. It's very important to provide to those who need it most, both as mater of good school citizenship and to support diversity. But at some point it does start looking like a simple redistribution of wealth from one current parent to another given that part of tuition (in addition to endowment draws and dedicated financial aid funds) goes toward financial aid at all the schools my kids have attended.

I will add that middle class families struggling to pay for their own tuition plus someone else's tuition can be difficult to handle no matter how much you support the idea and concept of financial aid. I think schools need to scale back and budget accordingly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yep- greatly preferred NPS. We don't regret it.

+1. Better school, much less drama.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yep- greatly preferred NPS. We don't regret it.

+1. Better school, much less drama.

How would you know unless you have experienced Beauvoir? We very much liked NPS and seriously considered it. In the end, Beauvoir was the right decision and we've been extremely happy. It's funny I don't hear any of the Beauvoir proponents putting down other schools to bolster Beauvoir. Wonder what your comment says about NPS. Hopefully, it's not representative of the school's culture and you are just pot stirrer. As some one who has children at Beauvoir, I can tell you there is no drama. But whatever---haters gonna hate I guess.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yep- greatly preferred NPS. We don't regret it.

+1. Better school, much less drama.

So funny - there's no drama at Beauvoir at all. The drama comes from all of the naysayers that don't go there and are making things up.

[Anonymous]

Anywhere there are women, there is drama. There is also love, friendship, support and kindness. But come on, there is no such thing as a competent drama free school. Motherhood is the most politically charged profession there is.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Anywhere there are women, there is drama. There is also love, friendship, support and kindness. But come on, there is no such thing as a competent drama free school. Motherhood is the most politically charged profession there is.

Not the pp--I get what your saying but I guess the whole drama thing is a very personal matter. I work full time, I occasionally volunteer at school but from my perspective, there really isn't any drama at school. Now perhaps this is because I'm not a part of it because I don't have time to be but still, while drama free may be an overstatement I don't think it's far from the truth at Beauvoir and hopefully at some other schools too. Let's just put this way, everyone is very positive and really does not disparage any one else. Are there probably people whose feathers have been ruffled by one thing or another? I'm sure but either people get over things very quickly or they keep things to themselves because I can't think of any drama. Now just wait after all of this I'll get into some tiff with a parent and have to come back here and ear my words...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Anywhere there are women, there is drama. There is also love, friendship, support and kindness. But come on, there is no such thing as a competent drama free school. Motherhood is the most politically charged profession there is.

Not the pp--I get what your saying but I guess the whole drama thing is a very personal matter. I work full time, I occasionally volunteer at school but from my perspective, there really isn't any drama at school. Now perhaps this is because I'm not a part of it because I don't have time to be but still, while drama free may be an overstatement I don't think it's far from the truth at Beauvoir and hopefully at some other schools too. Let's just put this way, everyone is very positive and really does not disparage any one else. Are there probably people whose feathers have been ruffled by one thing or another? I'm sure but either people get over things very quickly or they keep things to themselves because I can't think of any drama. Now just wait after all of this I'll get into some tiff with a parent and have to come back here and ear my words...

Agree - there is no drama and people are very kind and civil to one another. We have been there 6 years and I can only think of two parents I have ever heard gossiping about other parents or kids. That is pretty amazing in all of the years we have had children at the school. People are polite, civil, talk to whoever is near them - not just seeking out people they know (as happens in other schools). It is really quite a special place I can say. If those of you who have so many negative things to say about the school were truly so happy at your current schools, then why spend time badmouthing Beauvoir or any other school for that matter? Just be happy that you found another school that works for your family and let those of us that like Beauvoir enjoy Beauvoir.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yep- greatly preferred NPS. We don't regret it.

+1. Better school, much less drama.

So funny - there's no drama at Beauvoir at all. The drama comes from all of the naysayers that don't go there and are making things up.

You're new to this, aren't you?

[Anonymous]

Ah it's sad how the bashers have strayed completely off topic....go start a new thread.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I agree. Just for a point reference so we are all on the same page--what in your book qualifies as middle class? It seems like peoples definition of middle class runs the gamut especially in DC.

In NW DC, Middle class is : college educated , earning between 75 K and 300K a year ( oro slightly less than 75 K if you are a teacher or gov't employee .