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Are the private schools such as STA, Sidwell, NCS, Holton, Maret, etc. worth the money?
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Anonymous
| I was the unintentional Negative Nellie. The intent was to let OP know that it is amazingly competitive here, never mind unpredictable, and to apply accordingly, not to just one or two schools if she decides private is a serious option. I speak from first hand experience. The first time we applied to private, we only applied to two and we were shut out (one rejection, one waitlist, we were rejected where we thought we had a shot, and waitlisted where we thought we'd be rejected.) The second time we applied to four schools. DC is attending one of those schools. I know several families who applied THREE TIMES to get their children into GDS, Sidwell and Maret. (I know them personally -- one of them has a prominent grandparent.) So, I should have elaborated -- I was in a rush. I am advising friends who are going through this for the first time, from public, and they are analyzing the schools as if their child is going to be accepted to all of them. I am advising them to apply to four or five or even six, and to analyze their choices when they see what they are in the spring. Given this, I hope I come off more as Realistic Rachel than Negative Nellie! |
Anonymous
| Great answer previous poster. It's so nice to get someone to elaborate on an earlier answer and to be helpful -- not critical. Thanks! |
Anonymous
| Wholly agree with 16:44. If you decide to go private, then all DC's apps cannot be longshots. For example, a child applying to PreK with 99+ WPPSI scores is not a shoo-in at GDS, Maret or Sidwell. Nor at Beauvoir, NPS, St. Pat's or Sheridan. Middle school is even tough at privates, though some offer a little more shelter than publics. My kids are at a private, but I am dying to see the new Hardy. |
Anonymous
| Thanks God I don't remember what a good score is on WPPSI. What would be considered a good score nowadays? I promised to help my neighbor try to get her kid into the school my son attended if possible. |
Anonymous
I love this expression! |
Anonymous
A lot of folks post here about 99+ scores. Both my kids had those scores...as well as many other kids in this area. PreK/K admissions is very competitive and a 99+ score is not a guarantee of admission to any school in the area. |
Anonymous
| Coming from a British public school, you will find that your kids will be way ahead of most DCPS students. |
Anonymous
| agree with above -- so why would someone want their kid to be bored? |
Anonymous
|
Is there a reason no one is suggesting a look at Ellington? It's the HS arts magnet in G'town and OP indicated that her kids are in MS now and more arts- and sports-oriented than into academics.
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Anonymous
| There are many posts either here or another forum that rave about Duke Ellington. Kids from MD & VA cheat to get in there...they give someone else's address. But, as you noted -- the woman's kids are in MS now -- too early for DE |
Anonymous
| I think Realistic Rachel has written a very positive post. |
Anonymous
| Realistic Rachel back at you. I do think OP has to think beyond MS, even vaguely -- middle school is only three years by standard definition (though some schools include fifth grade). If either child is artistic, Hardy has a strong arts program. Also, OP, please know that some people think the British School's strength is its elementary school and then things get wobbly but this thinking may not be representative, people's relationships with schools and their reputations are highly individualized so visit and decide for yourself. My child's friends who attend the British School are lovely! WIS is rigorous and has different levels for French and Spanish immersion, if you plan to move abroad again its IB program might better prepare your children than some other private schools' curricula. The middle school starts at Grade 6 and is over on the Macomb Street campus in Clebeland Park. |
Anonymous
| Cleveland Park! |
Anonymous
| To the original question -- what's the old saying..."if you have to ask about the price" then maybe they're not worth it for your family...the publics aren't so terrible here in Dc |
Anonymous
| It's much cheaper to go public -- save your money for college! |