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Private & Independent Schools
Why choose private school? Here's why I did.
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Anonymous
| Those who are anti-Lowell -- what is your general parenting philosophy when it comes to discipline? I'm just curious if there is a basic disconnect there that someone who was more of an Alfie Kohn type wouldn't be as concerned about. Are there any Kohnheads/non-coercive parenting folks who nonetheless found Lowell to be too chaotic and more seemingly play-based than education oriented? Just looking to tease out issues around discipline vs issues around education. |
Anonymous
I'm the PP who posted wondering if progressive = little attention to discipline and said this seems to be the case at my progressive church and among progressive homeschoolers I know (not in this area, I should say). We ruled out Lowell for the reasons other PPs mentioned. We are not Kohn types, but AP types who lean more to Sears and Pantley. We think structure and order are important for helping children develop their own internal structure and order. |
Anonymous
| Thanks, that was a very helpful answer. |
Anonymous
| The thing that is concerning about Lowell and GA is that phonics is down played, and basic math memorization is not emphasized enough. |
Anonymous
Why the GA and Lowell bashing? Progressive = no discipline? Give me a break. read the description of Beauvoir kids lining up on the right side of the hall and waiting for every child to be absolutely still and quiet. If that's the non-progressive, better discipline approach then all the power to you and hope that your child thrives in that kind of atmosphere. For some kids that works and for others talking in the hallway works better too. GA and Lowell and all the other area independent schools and many public schools all teach Everyday Math, which does not emphasize memorization. |
Anonymous
| Yes, and Everyday Math is horrible. The schools know it, they're just to lazy to change. What are we paying for? |
Anonymous
| Couldn't agree more. that's a topic for another thread. not fair to target one or two schools as being math-weak because the method is not working. |
Anonymous
| BTW, Lowell parent of a kindergartner here...they are definitely learning phonics. I don't know where others are getting their info, but they are wrong. |
Anonymous
| Also, I really feel compelled to defend Lowell on a few points. It may not work for everyone, but my DD was in pre-primary and it is very structured. They have meeting time, singing time, art, dance, library, movement, etc. all at specific times and using themes like science, nature, etc. Everything that you would expect at a typical pre-K program. My daughter was learning sign language, writing in a journal, learning about patterns...etc. etc. It is not just a bunch of kids running around all day. |
Anonymous
| The concern that I have about Lowell and GA is that they think that they are right about there whole approach. They do not seem to look further than John Dewey. It's the arrogance that gets me. |
Anonymous
|
Well if they are not committed to their own philosophy, then what credibility would they have?
Are they truly more arrogant than any other school in our area? Look, we all agree that not all schools are right for our children for various reasons. One person may be put off by Lowell, another may think Aidan is not right for them. another thinks Sidwell is too elitist..whatever! But if your child does not attend the school, then I don't think it is fair to weigh in with what the school does or does not emphasize. That is what I am defending. I'd rather see people post with questions (i.e. does Lowell use phonics, or what is that big classroom for pre-primary actually like) then make comments like "I am not paying money for my kid to have fun all day" And supposedly this particular forum is about why people DID choose private, not about why Lowell and GA rubbed some people the wrong way. Visit the Sidwell forum for about 1,000 posts about that school rubbing half of DC the wrong way! |
Anonymous
Hi, I am the above poster (back from vacation!). What initially attracted me to these schools was their progressive curriculums. I liked the idea of developing a child to the best of their individual abilities, child directed activities, and hands on learning approach. But, I also expected them to take more of a lead in at least encouraging the students to think for themselves and to teach the processes on how to do this. I didn't see this happening at all. I really felt that it was a "free for all" and I decided that this teaching method is not what I thought it would be. I have not done the in-depth research and analysis on progressive schools as some parents currently posting have. I based my initial decision on the fact that two of my children did not seem to do well with traditional teaching methods. (isn't that the way we're supposed to pick schools-to meet our child's individual needs and learning styles?). In a nutshell, my children attended for 2 years (different schools-but similar results) and I feel that the programs did not do this method of teaching any justice. I suggested that perhaps my child needs a little more direction (in fact I felt all the kids could have used a little more direction) and guidance and with the answer I received, I realized that this school is not for me. I don't want to discourage anyone from these schools, but they just did not work out for us and I was not convinced that the administrtions had the childrens' best interests in mind. I think they took the progressive stance to the extreme and to the point that it was benefiting no one but themselves. My children are now in public schools (I did not want to deal with the privates anymore-I feel so disillusioned with them - again my opinion based on my personal experiences). I am pleased with how they are adapting to publc schools and actually surprised and relieved that it has been a positive experience for both of them. I disagree with the OP that the teachers don't care. I find that most of them do, especially when they realize that the parent is involved. I have had some amazing and eye-opening conversations with some teachers on how to help my children succeed. Public might not be the way to go for many people, but it is working for us. |
Anonymous
| So your children were at Lowell and Green Acres? Not clear from your post if yuo are saying your children were at a progressive school LIKE Lowell and Green |
Anonymous
| For those that chose public school - maybe you should read the posting "feeling sick while writing check". |
Anonymous
| It is interesting that after private schools do all the cherry picking and red shirting, they still don't out do the public schools academically. |