Primary Day School

[Anonymous]

It would be foolish to assume that whatever bad qualities existed at PDS seven years ago are still present. Lots of changes have taken place, mostly for the better though obviously things aren't perfect. I mean, what place is?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It would be foolish to assume that whatever bad qualities existed at PDS seven years ago are still present. Lots of changes have taken place, mostly for the better though obviously things aren't perfect. I mean, what place is?

The poster who said that also says she has known people that have loved it. Settle down.

[Anonymous]

we did an exhaustive search and found that PDS was the best balance between whole child development AND academics/mastering the basics (math, writing, reading foundations).

other PK or K-2 curricula in PK-12s or PK-3 were very progressive and play-based. "love of learning" but very little actual learning.

my real takeaway was do public school, catholic school or PDS for K-2 or 3rd grade. A lot of "good schools" backend the actual learning to later grades. such a waste, esp for our friends who needed dyslexia or ADHD diagnoses. Kids skate by until their fourth year in the school before anyone "believes" there is a problem! no practicing, no homework, no tests in K-3 = No real feedback on skills.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:we did an exhaustive search and found that PDS was the best balance between whole child development AND academics/mastering the basics (math, writing, reading foundations).

other PK or K-2 curricula in PK-12s or PK-3 were very progressive and play-based. "love of learning" but very little actual learning.

my real takeaway was do public school, catholic school or PDS for K-2 or 3rd grade. A lot of "good schools" backend the actual learning to later grades. such a waste, esp for our friends who needed dyslexia or ADHD diagnoses. Kids skate by until their fourth year in the school before anyone "believes" there is a problem! no practicing, no homework, no tests in K-3 = No real feedback on skills.

No idea what your last paragraph means. Are you saying public schools don't do those things? PDS does or does not? It's good or bad?

[Anonymous]

I think PP is saying that the expensive private schools focus way too much on play in the early years (bad), while public, Catholic schools, and PDS provide sufficient reading/math/homework in the early years (good).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think PP is saying that the expensive private schools focus way too much on play in the early years (bad), while public, Catholic schools, and PDS provide sufficient reading/math/homework in the early years (good).

We saw that too. Most of our kids “academic” learning and developing good writing/math/reading comp habits was in 2-4th grade and then it got very competitive grades 5 onwards

[Anonymous]

I will say, given the thread, that PDS does offer a good mix of play and academics currently. Not too much of either IMO.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Agree you should look at Concord Hill, they do a great job building kids' confidence. Their head of school greets kids at their car each morning shakes their hands -- it makes for impressive kids. Small schools are a great place to look. My kids didn't take at all to Primary Day, it was too overwhelming. Also check out Norwood, Beauvoir, and Feynman.

In what way(s)?

He found it very rigid, disciplinarian, and unaccommodating of different ideas. I don't know if I agree or not, but he was very unhappy after his school visit.

[Anonymous]

It's ironic that you cite the Concord Hill HOS greeting kids at carpool in the morning as somehow influential in their development -- the same thing has taken place at PDS for years.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Funny story: I'm an AA mother who took my DD in for an interview. I was sitting at a table with two other mothers. They looked me up and down, then continued their whispered discussion about the school, and how they hoped their daughters would be able to go to Holton.

One of the school staff who had been there forever came in the room. "Hi, Ms. G we are so happy that your daughter is applying to PDS. How is your other daughter? Is she still at Holton? And I remember your sister, how is she doing? "

The ladies at the table had their mouths hanging open. I would agree that there is a mean mom element at the school.

That's unfortunate - I didn't have that experience at all. We're AA, not from the area, and are in the middle of our first year at PDS. Everyone is pretty damn nice. There are probably 2 moms who are not my cup of tea, but I'm usually the one who looks down at them because I find them to be insipid. Oh and there's one mom who is also new and is a "one-upper" about her kid. She keeps introducing herself to me (we've met at least a half dozen times) and tells everyone that her son was apparently solving complex equations at 2 years old. :eyeroll:


That said, the vast majority of the families, faculty, and staff go out of their way to make sure our family feels welcomed and a part of the community.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Funny story: I'm an AA mother who took my DD in for an interview. I was sitting at a table with two other mothers. They looked me up and down, then continued their whispered discussion about the school, and how they hoped their daughters would be able to go to Holton.

One of the school staff who had been there forever came in the room. "Hi, Ms. G we are so happy that your daughter is applying to PDS. How is your other daughter? Is she still at Holton? And I remember your sister, how is she doing? "

The ladies at the table had their mouths hanging open. I would agree that there is a mean mom element at the school.

That's unfortunate - I didn't have that experience at all. We're AA, not from the area, and are in the middle of our first year at PDS. Everyone is pretty damn nice. There are probably 2 moms who are not my cup of tea, but I'm usually the one who looks down at them because I find them to be insipid. Oh and there's one mom who is also new and is a "one-upper" about her kid. She keeps introducing herself to me (we've met at least a half dozen times) and tells everyone that her son was apparently solving complex equations at 2 years old. :eyeroll:


OMG. I totally know who that is! Kindergarten mom! LOL

The moms are fabulous so please ignore that sexist poster who said they are snotty. The biggest problem at PFS is that it has a mean secretary who is so rude and judge mental it’s impossibke to ask a question without getting a condescending remark and the total lack of warmth that seems to have been sucked out of the school two years ago with the arrival of the self-obsessed director. I mean he must demand that his picture is included in every post on the school. The former director was so much more modest and child friendly and less self-promoting. My son can’t stabd him and says it’s tiral misery whenever he substitutes for an absent teacher.

Pros of the school include good teachers though some grades are hit or miss and a nice parent and student population. Cons I mentioned. And having to attend two freaking Beako every month. Why wouldn’t they have all siblings have the same Beako day? Nightmare. The same damn poems for the past six years all with the same mind-numbing rhythm. LOL




That said, the vast majority of the families, faculty, and staff go out of their way to make sure our family feels welcomed and a part of the community.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Funny story: I'm an AA mother who took my DD in for an interview. I was sitting at a table with two other mothers. They looked me up and down, then continued their whispered discussion about the school, and how they hoped their daughters would be able to go to Holton.

One of the school staff who had been there forever came in the room. "Hi, Ms. G we are so happy that your daughter is applying to PDS. How is your other daughter? Is she still at Holton? And I remember your sister, how is she doing? "

The ladies at the table had their mouths hanging open. I would agree that there is a mean mom element at the school.

That's unfortunate - I didn't have that experience at all. We're AA, not from the area, and are in the middle of our first year at PDS. Everyone is pretty damn nice. There are probably 2 moms who are not my cup of tea, but I'm usually the one who looks down at them because I find them to be insipid. Oh and there's one mom who is also new and is a "one-upper" about her kid. She keeps introducing herself to me (we've met at least a half dozen times) and tells everyone that her son was apparently solving complex equations at 2 years old. :eyeroll:


OMG. I totally know who that is! Kindergarten mom! LOL

The moms are fabulous so please ignore that sexist poster who said they are snotty. The biggest problem at PFS is that it has a mean secretary who is so rude and judge mental it’s impossibke to ask a question without getting a condescending remark and the total lack of warmth that seems to have been sucked out of the school two years ago with the arrival of the self-obsessed director. I mean he must demand that his picture is included in every post on the school. The former director was so much more modest and child friendly and less self-promoting. My son can’t stabd him and says it’s tiral misery whenever he substitutes for an absent teacher.

Pros of the school include good teachers though some grades are hit or miss and a nice parent and student population. Cons I mentioned. And having to attend two freaking Beako every month. Why wouldn’t they have all siblings have the same Beako day? Nightmare. The same damn poems for the past six years all with the same mind-numbing rhythm. LOL




That said, the vast majority of the families, faculty, and staff go out of their way to make sure our family feels welcomed and a part of the community.



OMG. I totally know who that is! Kindergarten mom! LOL

The moms are fabulous so please ignore that sexist poster who said they are snotty. The biggest problem at PFS is that it has a mean secretary who is so rude and judge mental it’s impossibke to ask a question without getting a condescending remark and the total lack of warmth that seems to have been sucked out of the school two years ago with the arrival of the self-obsessed director. I mean he must demand that his picture is included in every post on the school. The former director was so much more modest and child friendly and less self-promoting. My son can’t stabd him and says it’s tiral misery whenever he substitutes for an absent teacher.

Pros of the school include good teachers though some grades are hit or miss and a nice parent and student population. Cons I mentioned. And having to attend two freaking Beako every month. Why wouldn’t they have all siblings have the same Beako day? Nightmare. The same damn poems for the past six years all with the same mind-numbing rhythm. LOL

[Anonymous]

Ok clearly I can’t post correctly.


OMG. I totally know who that is! Kindergarten mom! LOL

The moms are fabulous so please ignore that sexist poster who said they are snotty. The biggest problem at PFS is that it has a mean secretary who is so rude and judge mental it’s impossibke to ask a question without getting a condescending remark and the total lack of warmth that seems to have been sucked out of the school two years ago with the arrival of the self-obsessed director. I mean he must demand that his picture is included in every post on the school. The former director was so much more modest and child friendly and less self-promoting. My son can’t stabd him and says it’s tiral misery whenever he substitutes for an absent teacher.

Pros of the school include good teachers though some grades are hit or miss and a nice parent and student population. Cons I mentioned. And having to attend two freaking Beako every month. Why wouldn’t they have all siblings have the same Beako day? Nightmare. The same damn poems for the past six years all with the same mind-numbing rhythm. LOL

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Ok clearly I can’t post correctly.


OMG. I totally know who that is! Kindergarten mom! LOL

The moms are fabulous so please ignore that sexist poster who said they are snotty. The biggest problem at PFS is that it has a mean secretary who is so rude and judge mental it’s impossibke to ask a question without getting a condescending remark and the total lack of warmth that seems to have been sucked out of the school two years ago with the arrival of the self-obsessed director. I mean he must demand that his picture is included in every post on the school. The former director was so much more modest and child friendly and less self-promoting. My son can’t stabd him and says it’s tiral misery whenever he substitutes for an absent teacher.

Pros of the school include good teachers though some grades are hit or miss and a nice parent and student population. Cons I mentioned. And having to attend two freaking Beako every month. Why wouldn’t they have all siblings have the same Beako day? Nightmare. The same damn poems for the past six years all with the same mind-numbing rhythm. LOL

+1 Hes weird and that parent is a nightmare.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Ok clearly I can’t post correctly.


OMG. I totally know who that is! Kindergarten mom! LOL

The moms are fabulous so please ignore that sexist poster who said they are snotty. The biggest problem at PFS is that it has a mean secretary who is so rude and judge mental it’s impossibke to ask a question without getting a condescending remark and the total lack of warmth that seems to have been sucked out of the school two years ago with the arrival of the self-obsessed director. I mean he must demand that his picture is included in every post on the school. The former director was so much more modest and child friendly and less self-promoting. My son can’t stabd him and says it’s tiral misery whenever he substitutes for an absent teacher.

Pros of the school include good teachers though some grades are hit or miss and a nice parent and student population. Cons I mentioned. And having to attend two freaking Beako every month. Why wouldn’t they have all siblings have the same Beako day? Nightmare. The same damn poems for the past six years all with the same mind-numbing rhythm. LOL

LOL yup that’s her! And sorry that you have to do both Beakos - the songs are cute and I love that my kid is overcoming her shyness, but two would be overwhelming.

I like Scott - he’s a bit saccharine sweet, but well intentioned IMO.