Great private schools that aren't hard to get into

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: it could also be because of some prestige factor, social networks, placement records for the next levels of schools (high school, college, etc), and so on.

Agree. A school is a package that goes far beyond the educational element. I don't have a school-age kid yet, but I would never choose a school only because of that. There is a reason for a top school to develop certain reputation and to become "coveted", so I would not ignore that. Some parents often take the moral high ground by ignoring other elements associated with schooling. Well, I would just say that they are fooling themselves.

Exactly. I don't think this gets addressed enough on this forum. A private school experience spans far beyond simply what is taught in the classroom. It includes valuable experiences like after school activities, sports, arts, field trips, opportunities for your child to meet and learn from interesting people (many of whom are other parents or friends of parents), parents club activities, fall/spring fairs, etc, etc, etc. Top private schools simply have more resources to devote to activities and experiences beyond the classroom - and its those activities and experiences that often have the biggest impact on the development of your child. This is why we have chosen to focus on a top independent school education for our kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: it could also be because of some prestige factor, social networks, placement records for the next levels of schools (high school, college, etc), and so on.

Agree. A school is a package that goes far beyond the educational element. I don't have a school-age kid yet, but I would never choose a school only because of that. There is a reason for a top school to develop certain reputation and to become "coveted", so I would not ignore that. Some parents often take the moral high ground by ignoring other elements associated with schooling. Well, I would just say that they are fooling themselves.

Fine. There are plenty of other threads for you to ramble on about the be all and end all of the highly competitive schools. This thread is for those of us who want sources on other valid choices of schools to educate our children that don't entail that we sweat out learning the secret handshake of admittance.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: it could also be because of some prestige factor, social networks, placement records for the next levels of schools (high school, college, etc), and so on.

Agree. A school is a package that goes far beyond the educational element. I don't have a school-age kid yet, but I would never choose a school only because of that. There is a reason for a top school to develop certain reputation and to become "coveted", so I would not ignore that. Some parents often take the moral high ground by ignoring other elements associated with schooling. Well, I would just say that they are fooling themselves.

Exactly. I don't think this gets addressed enough on this forum. A private school experience spans far beyond simply what is taught in the classroom. It includes valuable experiences like after school activities, sports, arts, field trips, opportunities for your child to meet and learn from interesting people (many of whom are other parents or friends of parents), parents club activities, fall/spring fairs, etc, etc, etc. Top private schools simply have more resources to devote to activities and experiences beyond the classroom - and its those activities and experiences that often have the biggest impact on the development of your child. This is why we have chosen to focus on a top independent school education for our kids.

The lesser know schools offer these things as well. I don't know why you would think they didn't.

[Anonymous]

All schools offer these things. Some parents only want to be in certain clubs. Some parents think only certain people are interesting and worthwhile. Some parents lead very limited lives.

(Not sour grapes. DC is in our first choice school. These last couple of posts imply the posters consider interaction with most of the world's people to be a less valuable experience, or beneath them. With over 6 billion people on the planet, setting your focus on a few hundred people at 2 or 3 schools- OK, a few thousand if you count alums - you are setting your child up to cling desperately to a very tiny rock.)

It's a big world, OP, keep looking until you find schools that work for you. You'll find one. Maybe several!

[Anonymous]

OP, I appreciate your inquiry. I have 4 children- two of whom attend a "top three" school. I have two younger children who probably won't be a good fit for this school. I'm okay with this because I want the best school for their individual needs. That said, I also want similar opportunities and experiences for my younger children. "Top tier" schools aren't for every child. There's a level of subtle competition and expectations that aren't suited for everyone regardless of the WPPSI score.

[Anonymous]

I really think discussions like these will be more productive if people will quit judging/criticizing those who make different school choices. It seems like inevitably in these discussions someone who apparently doesn't like "high profile" schools (like StA for example) will criticize those schools and the parents who send children there. And then someone else whose children attends one of these schools will respond by arguing the benefits of those "high profile" schools over other schools. (Or the order might be reversed.) From there, the discussion goes way downhill.

Just get it through your heads that these are all good schools. Some might be better in some respects, and not in other respects. Focus on making positive points rather than tearing down other schools, and we're all more likely to come away more educated instead of more pissed off.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For those who are okay with Catholic schools, many of the schools offer first come first served admissions if there are not enough parishoners to fill the slots. Getting there early one morning is much easier than all the testing, playdates, essays, tours, etc.

But the competitive schools are desired for a reason ...

and I would argue that the #1 reason is snob appeal.

Agreed!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:According to their website, the British School has rolling admissions, differentiated instruction, and an IB program.

We just toured the school, & were actually very impressed with the different approach to educating. I must say, I was pleasantly surprised. Seriously considering applying. But, I need to do more research on the IB program.

[Anonymous]

There are none!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: it could also be because of some prestige factor, social networks, placement records for the next levels of schools (high school, college, etc), and so on.

Agree. A school is a package that goes far beyond the educational element. I don't have a school-age kid yet, but I would never choose a school only because of that. There is a reason for a top school to develop certain reputation and to become "coveted", so I would not ignore that. Some parents often take the moral high ground by ignoring other elements associated with schooling. Well, I would just say that they are fooling themselves.

Exactly. I don't think this gets addressed enough on this forum. A private school experience spans far beyond simply what is taught in the classroom. It includes valuable experiences like after school activities, sports, arts, field trips, opportunities for your child to meet and learn from interesting people (many of whom are other parents or friends of parents), parents club activities, fall/spring fairs, etc, etc, etc. Top private schools simply have more resources to devote to activities and experiences beyond the classroom - and its those activities and experiences that often have the biggest impact on the development of your child. This is why we have chosen to focus on a top independent school education for our kids.

The lesser know schools offer these things as well. I don't know why you would think they didn't.

If you really think that you'd have the same experience attending Harvard as you would South Dakota State... then fine, go ahead and believe that all private school experiences are created equal.

[Anonymous]

My vote is for a great program at South Dakota State and summers abroad, but do as you choose

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: it could also be because of some prestige factor, social networks, placement records for the next levels of schools (high school, college, etc), and so on.

Agree. A school is a package that goes far beyond the educational element. I don't have a school-age kid yet, but I would never choose a school only because of that. There is a reason for a top school to develop certain reputation and to become "coveted", so I would not ignore that. Some parents often take the moral high ground by ignoring other elements associated with schooling. Well, I would just say that they are fooling themselves.

Exactly. I don't think this gets addressed enough on this forum. A private school experience spans far beyond simply what is taught in the classroom. It includes valuable experiences like after school activities, sports, arts, field trips, opportunities for your child to meet and learn from interesting people (many of whom are other parents or friends of parents), parents club activities, fall/spring fairs, etc, etc, etc. Top private schools simply have more resources to devote to activities and experiences beyond the classroom - and its those activities and experiences that often have the biggest impact on the development of your child. This is why we have chosen to focus on a top independent school education for our kids.

The lesser know schools offer these things as well. I don't know why you would think they didn't.

If you really think that you'd have the same experience attending Harvard as you would South Dakota State... then fine, go ahead and believe that all private school experiences are created equal.

There's a big difference between Harvard and South Dakota State, but not between Beauvoir and St. Pat's, for example. This is kindergarten, not college. Get a grip.

[Anonymous]

Not everyone will agree with this list but below are some potential schools that don't have BRUTAL admissions process or numbers. I have to say though that the admissions pool changes from year to year and grade to grade so it might be easy to get into one school in 4th but very difficult for another school. And getting in to a school also depends on if it's a good match for your child. SO if DC Moms come back and say "my friend applied and couldn't get into Sheridan" - that doesn't mean that it's a very difficult school to get in to.

Congressional
Barrie
ACDS
River School
New School
Sheridan
Washington Episcopal
Green Hedges
Green Acres
Browne
Langley
Grace Episcopal
St Andrews Episcopal
St Anselms
Montessori School of Northern Virginia

These schools all have super nice Admissions folk as well. Hope this helps...

[Anonymous]

I have no first hand experience with the school, but I have chatted with people who really enjoyed Pinecrest School (Annandale) and felt their children's time there was really sell spent.

[Anonymous]

The schools listed by the last two posters are very helpful.

Regarding the reasons for competitive schools being sought after (how redundant!), there are many reasons besides snob appeal or prestige ... they often have much better facilities, meaning not only lovely grounds but also science labs, arts studios and theatres, sports opportunities, second campuses, study abroad opportunities, and on and on. I would not argue that any one of those features are necessary or worth the money for any particular child, but they might be for certain ones.

As much as I despise the words "thrive" and "fit" that I see so often here, the more desired schools can allow certain kids to do both perhaps better than a good Catholic school or some of those listed above.

And by the way, seeking a school out for prestige is a legitimate way to create a successful path for one's child. It would not be my personal choice and it does not guarantee any particular outcome, but it is still a reasonable strategy and doesn't need to be treated so negatively.