Why is NCS' website so blah?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you want to hear about real experiences from those who attended, find real people, not anonymous ones who can say anything they want and not get called on it. Ask neighbors, friends, friends of friends. Or if that fails, ask the school to put you in touch with some current families. Talking to real people will give you the best idea of what to expect, especially if you talk to more than a few families, as each person's experience will be different.

Good point and I definitely plan on doing so as we get closer to the time to actually apply.

[Anonymous]

I prefer the NCS site to all the flash of the others; it's much easier to navigate.

Signed,

Parent at another DMV school

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Can this school, that sends 1/4-1/3 of every graduating class to ivy league + MIT/Stanford every year, do nothing right. Its too mean, its too rigorous, the website is too blah. People love hating this school.

Please post the last 4 years so we can all see if this 1/4-1/3 of each graduating class goes to IVY is actually true. Would't that be over 20-30 girls every year?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can this school, that sends 1/4-1/3 of every graduating class to ivy league + MIT/Stanford every year, do nothing right. Its too mean, its too rigorous, the website is too blah. People love hating this school.

Please post the last 4 years so we can all see if this 1/4-1/3 of each graduating class goes to IVY is actually true. Would't that be over 20-30 girls every year?

I don't think any of these school post this information for the public. I think you have to be in the school community to know the stats or know the girls first-hand.

[Anonymous]

OP, it is just silly to judge a school by a website. Go and feel firsthand what the school is like. Anyone can pay a tech guy to do a fancy website.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, it is just silly to judge a school by a website. Go and feel firsthand what the school is like. Anyone can pay a tech guy to do a fancy website.

I didn't judge the school. I asked a question. Why are people so uptight and snarky with responses on this board???

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, it is just silly to judge a school by a website. Go and feel firsthand what the school is like. Anyone can pay a tech guy to do a fancy website.

I didn't judge the school. I asked a question. Why are people so uptight and snarky with responses on this board???

Perhaps people thought you were judging when you said "When browsing the website it felt serious and a bit uptight." That sounds like a judgment. But I take you at your word that you were just asking a question. The answer people are giving you is not to rely on a school's website to inform you if the school is serious and uptight.

Good luck with your search!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, it is just silly to judge a school by a website. Go and feel firsthand what the school is like. Anyone can pay a tech guy to do a fancy website.

I didn't judge the school. I asked a question. Why are people so uptight and snarky with responses on this board???

Perhaps people thought you were judging when you said "When browsing the website it felt serious and a bit uptight." That sounds like a judgment. But I take you at your word that you were just asking a question. The answer people are giving you is not to rely on a school's website to inform you if the school is serious and uptight.

Good luck with your search!

We were in your boat three years ago and choosing a school is a huge process. I remember thinking how much time my 8th grader took to visit schools, shadow days, etc and looking back I am so glad we did so much research. You really can't go wrong with any of the DC private schools so it can just come down to something as simple as where your daughter feels most comfortable. I realize websites are the first place to start your research so your observation is valid. I would just suggest taking every opportunity to visit and get to know these schools one on one. They all have so much to offer. In the end my DD chose NCS but it was after attending sporting events, school plays, Lessons and Carols in the Cathedral as well as programs through the admissions office. She just finished her second year and could not be happier. Best of luck to you, OP.

[Anonymous]

We are a new family to NCS and couldn't be happier. It's a wonderful school. We felt like it was the right place, but our daughter knew it was right for her. She just started and is finding her way and is happy that the upper students are kind and loving. We heard all the pros and cons and the rhetoric and trusted our hearts. We know no place is perfect, but we know that they said they believed in her, would nurture her, train her to be her better self, and be prepared to do great things in life like she was their own child. I couldn't ask for more. So far all of the forth grade parents are estatic that their girls are really happy. The website is fine. If you want more bling, have your daughter come to the school and donate your time and attention to make NCS better and better. My daughter is really happy. Hopefully, your daughter would be too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is it representative of life at the school? I know that academically NCS is one of the best around, so this is not about whether the girls get a great education. My question is does it foster a love of learning? When browsing the website it felt serious and a bit uptight. I'll be looking for an all girls MS/HS for my daughter in the next year and I want a place that is academically rigorous but I also want it to be an enjoyable experience. Past and current parents or current student and alumni if you had to describe the school in less than five words what would you say?

It is an amazing school and the facilities are beautiful and top of the line. I suggest you take a tour of the school and speak to current families and students there. People are pretty honest in that it is a great school but yes it is rigorous which means that it is not for everyone. We have a "nice" class of girls and so far we really are impressed with the school and how many resources they offer students. Best of luck.

[Anonymous]

I think its a good, clean, factual website. Not sure what PPs are complaining about.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can this school, that sends 1/4-1/3 of every graduating class to ivy league + MIT/Stanford every year, do nothing right. Its too mean, its too rigorous, the website is too blah. People love hating this school.

Please post the last 4 years so we can all see if this 1/4-1/3 of each graduating class goes to IVY is actually true. Would't that be over 20-30 girls every year?

I don't think any of these school post this information for the public. I think you have to be in the school community to know the stats or know the girls first-hand.

1/4 to 1/3 graduates attend Ivy League or Stanford? You've been misled. Try 5 or 6 students matriculating at those colleges each year.

[Anonymous]

[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Can this school, that sends 1/4-1/3 of every graduating class to ivy league + MIT/Stanford every year, do nothing right. Its too mean, its too rigorous, the website is too blah. People love hating this school.[/quote]

Please post the last 4 years so we can all see if this 1/4-1/3 of each graduating class goes to IVY is actually true. Would't that be over 20-30 girls every year? [/quote]

I don't think any of these school post this information for the public. I think you have to be in the school community to know the stats or know the girls first-hand.[/quote]

1/4 to 1/3 graduates attend Ivy League or Stanford? You've been misled. Try 5 or 6 students matriculating at those colleges each year. [/quote]

Parent of recent NCS grad. IMO, NCS is a superior academic school that really allows girls to flourish in every way. I suspect that Holton and Visitation are similar. I really like that the girls have their own education, which in high school becomes increasing integrated socially and academically with STA. By the time they graduate, they have strong coed friendships, within the setting of an all girls school. I am not sure there any schools that have this.

With regards to college placement, the web page lists the college matriculations over the past 5 years. I do no think any more than this will or should be posted publicly. As suggested earlier, you can find out this information if you talk to the parents of any high school. The 1/3 to 1/2 quote above is generally true. This past year's class was about 36% to top tier schools. The numbers are skewed because it is a small graduating class, 72 girls.

I also agree that the NCS web page is sterile and methodical . It was worse years ago. But the web page design had zero influence on our decision to go to NCS. Our daughter graduated well educated and prepared for college, with a cadre of support from her schoolmates and teachers. Personally and as a parent, I liked the tradition, the straightforward nature of the school, the interconnection the girls have with other students of the years above and behind them and with the boys from St Albans.