Visitation reputation

[Anonymous]

For whatever reason, Washington is more Balkanized than the other Metro areas with which I am familiar.

The Original Poster, who is from somewhere else, might not realize that.

[Anonymous]

DD is recent graduate. Non-legacy. Previous comments about academics and need for "dusting off" ring true. Lots of homework - not convinced it's all productive. College counseling is weak. That said, she loved, loved, loved her time there. Has adjusted well to a large university far from home. (We worried about that coming from a small insular environment.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DD is recent graduate. Non-legacy. Previous comments about academics and need for "dusting off" ring true. Lots of homework - not convinced it's all productive. College counseling is weak. That said, she loved, loved, loved her time there. Has adjusted well to a large university far from home. (We worried about that coming from a small insular environment.)

The idea that sending your DD to a small insular environment for high school is going to somehow handicap her in dealing with the larger world is just crazy. These girls live in a major metro area surrounded by all the elements of the world of the 2010's. They are exposed to all the things that other kids are exposed to through the media, entertainment, social media, friends outside of school, etc. etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DD is recent graduate. Non-legacy. Previous comments about academics and need for "dusting off" ring true. Lots of homework - not convinced it's all productive. College counseling is weak. That said, she loved, loved, loved her time there. Has adjusted well to a large university far from home. (We worried about that coming from a small insular environment.)

The idea that sending your DD to a small insular environment for high school is going to somehow handicap her in dealing with the larger world is just crazy. These girls live in a major metro area surrounded by all the elements of the world of the 2010's. They are exposed to all the things that other kids are exposed to through the media, entertainment, social media, friends outside of school, etc. etc.

As someone who graduated from one, it absolutely is not "just crazy." College was a huuuge adjustment for me - not only in terms of living on my own but also a lot of other things other kids weren't dealing with - big classes, classes and activities with boys, dressing myself...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DD is recent graduate. Non-legacy. Previous comments about academics and need for "dusting off" ring true. Lots of homework - not convinced it's all productive. College counseling is weak. That said, she loved, loved, loved her time there. Has adjusted well to a large university far from home. (We worried about that coming from a small insular environment.)

This is very honest of you to say. Several people we know who have daughters at Visitation say the same thing. Basically it's pretty sclerotic.

[Anonymous]

What I hear repeatedly about Visi, and was born out by my DD's visit, its "hard" because there is a great deal of work given, not because its intellectually challenging. In other words, the academics are hard due to quantity not quality.

[Anonymous]

shadow visit this fall left daughter shrugging her shoulders and saying she did not see what the big fuss is. She has 5 aunts that went there on husband's side. The girl she shadowed with left her standing-- not knowing where to go or what to do several times throughout the day. We did not apply.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:shadow visit this fall left daughter shrugging her shoulders and saying she did not see what the big fuss is. She has 5 aunts that went there on husband's side. The girl she shadowed with left her standing-- not knowing where to go or what to do several times throughout the day. We did not apply.

Obviously it's not for everyone. The school appeals to a narrow slice of the population. But these people like it very much and would never consider applying to some of the other private schools that some on this board so admire.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:shadow visit this fall left daughter shrugging her shoulders and saying she did not see what the big fuss is. She has 5 aunts that went there on husband's side. The girl she shadowed with left her standing-- not knowing where to go or what to do several times throughout the day. We did not apply.

Our DD shadowed last year. She was completely underwhelmed. She came home almost in tears since everyone at her parochial middle school went on and on about how Visitation was some type of nirvana. And let's not leave out the part about how if you didn't go there you were a failure. She didn't go there and is just fine.

[postpostscript]

Why should any legacy school impress a child? Your daughter should (with you) choose her own school - the one that most resonates with her (and you). We live in a city that has more opportunity than most. Help her make the choice that makes the most sense. Forget the rest of the rubbish.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DD is recent graduate. Non-legacy. Previous comments about academics and need for "dusting off" ring true. Lots of homework - not convinced it's all productive. College counseling is weak. That said, she loved, loved, loved her time there. Has adjusted well to a large university far from home. (We worried about that coming from a small insular environment.)

The idea that sending your DD to a small insular environment for high school is going to somehow handicap her in dealing with the larger world is just crazy. These girls live in a major metro area surrounded by all the elements of the world of the 2010's. They are exposed to all the things that other kids are exposed to through the media, entertainment, social media, friends outside of school, etc. etc.

Ok thanks for that.

[postpostscript]

You as a parent can best help her traverse this complex landscape. Trust your gut.