African American Son in a local Private/Independent School

[Anonymous]

I would love to hear from families who have an African American son in a Lower School (K an up) and you are very happy with your choice of school. I recognize that as I begin to consider the various schools in this area, he will most likely be a minority in his classes. I am looking to see which schools have made the family feel welcome while helping to instill a strong self esteem and good academic foundation in their son. Would love to hear from some happy families with your happy school experience. Thanks.

[Anonymous]

I know families at Lowell and Green Acres that were happy.

[Anonymous]

When we applied to schools last year we were in the same position; are we making the correct decision for our African-American son. Prior to our son being admitted at one of the Lower School Big 3 he attended a religious school; very structured and traditional in approach. He had little time for movement and talking was a huge no no. When I would pick him up from school he was always really sad and his self - esteem started to suffer. As a result we began our independent school search. We had to find a school that offered more than our local public. It was important to us that the school infuse progressive and traditional pedagogy. We knew our African - American son needed a little of both. He was accepted to our first choice and waitlisted at our second choice.

We are thrilled with the school thus far!! DC is excited about school and wakes up motivated to attend each day. He speaks highly of his teachers and classmates. Parents have been welcoming; I would encourage you to get involved, great way to meet folks. According to DC's teacher he is holding his own academically and socially which was great news to us. We thought he would have a difficulty time adjusting because his previous learning environments were not diverse; all African - American students and teachers with 1 or 2 Caucasion teachers and no children of other races.

We are happy we chose an independent school for our African - American son. We see his self - esteem increasing and his motivation and desire to learn is amazing. To our surprise the boys in his class are very diverse (10 boys - 5 boys are children of color.)

HTH: Good Luck with your search/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:When we applied to schools last year we were in the same position; are we making the correct decision for our African-American son. Prior to our son being admitted at one of the Lower School Big 3 he attended a religious school; very structured and traditional in approach. He had little time for movement and talking was a huge no no. When I would pick him up from school he was always really sad and his self - esteem started to suffer. As a result we began our independent school search. We had to find a school that offered more than our local public. It was important to us that the school infuse progressive and traditional pedagogy. We knew our African - American son needed a little of both. He was accepted to our first choice and waitlisted at our second choice.

We are thrilled with the school thus far!! DC is excited about school and wakes up motivated to attend each day. He speaks highly of his teachers and classmates. Parents have been welcoming; I would encourage you to get involved, great way to meet folks. According to DC's teacher he is holding his own academically and socially which was great news to us. We thought he would have a difficulty time adjusting because his previous learning environments were not diverse; all African - American students and teachers with 1 or 2 Caucasion teachers and no children of other races.

We are happy we chose an independent school for our African - American son. We see his self - esteem increasing and his motivation and desire to learn is amazing. To our surprise the boys in his class are very diverse (10 boys - 5 boys are children of color.)

HTH: Good Luck with your search/

Can you tell us what schools you applied to, and where you decided to send your son?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would love to hear from families who have an African American son in a Lower School (K an up) and you are very happy with your choice of school. I recognize that as I begin to consider the various schools in this area, he will most likely be a minority in his classes. I am looking to see which schools have made the family feel welcome while helping to instill a strong self esteem and good academic foundation in their son. Would love to hear from some happy families with your happy school experience. Thanks.

I am not African American but, as a Washington International School parent, I am part of a really ethnically diverse community, where African American children are well represented and certainly integrated in a truly multicultural environment. All African American parents with whom I have regular contacts acknowledge the truly unique atmosphere of the school, in addition to the strong academic foundation and the building of self-esteem and respect for others.

[Anonymous]

WIS parent - Did your child begin WIS as a 3 year old. I'm just curious as to the best time to apply (3, 4, or 5 years old) and would like to hear more about other's experiences in the lower grades. Thanks in advance for any information.

[Anonymous]

OP here....I am surprised at the low number of responses to this post. I am looking for parents who are happy with their Private/Independent School and the treatment and education of their AA son.

[Anonymous]

My sons didn't start private until middle schools, so I don't have any personal experience to help you, but I have friends whose sons are or were happy at Maret and GDS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:WIS parent - Did your child begin WIS as a 3 year old. I'm just curious as to the best time to apply (3, 4, or 5 years old) and would like to hear more about other's experiences in the lower grades. Thanks in advance for any information.

Hello, in response to your question, my child began at WIS as a 4-year old. If your child has not had exposure to the foreign language before applying, it is probably better not to wait until kindergarten. The school, however, offers full support to kindergartners with no previous knowledge of the language and every year there are a few children who start from scratch. At the same time, though, considering the selectivity of D.C. private schools and the fact that Kindergarten is the last entry-level point, it makes sense to give it a try at least one year earlier. As for our personal experience, we are truly delighted with the school, both academically and socially.

[Anonymous]

So 342 peeks at the post and only 8 responses....with only 1 school mentioned. Is it that most people on DCUM are not AA and therefore cannot answer the question OR is it that that few AA famillies are happy with their school choices?

[Anonymous]

I'm guessing it's the former but it's only a guess.

[Anonymous]

OP, we have our son at Norwood and we are happy. As far as diversity is concerned, there are not many African American families, but they are supposedly trying to improve things.
If you are in DC, look at Lowell, stay away from Sidwell, GDS can be odd, Maret seems to be OK.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When we applied to schools last year we were in the same position; are we making the correct decision for our African-American son. Prior to our son being admitted at one of the Lower School Big 3 he attended a religious school; very structured and traditional in approach. He had little time for movement and talking was a huge no no. When I would pick him up from school he was always really sad and his self - esteem started to suffer. As a result we began our independent school search. We had to find a school that offered more than our local public. It was important to us that the school infuse progressive and traditional pedagogy. We knew our African - American son needed a little of both. He was accepted to our first choice and waitlisted at our second choice.

We are thrilled with the school thus far!! DC is excited about school and wakes up motivated to attend each day. He speaks highly of his teachers and classmates. Parents have been welcoming; I would encourage you to get involved, great way to meet folks. According to DC's teacher he is holding his own academically and socially which was great news to us. We thought he would have a difficulty time adjusting because his previous learning environments were not diverse; all African - American students and teachers with 1 or 2 Caucasion teachers and no children of other races.

We are happy we chose an independent school for our African - American son. We see his self - esteem increasing and his motivation and desire to learn is amazing. To our surprise the boys in his class are very diverse (10 boys - 5 boys are children of color.)

HTH: Good Luck with your search/

Can you tell us what schools you applied to, and where you decided to send your son?

We applied to Sidwell, Beauvoir, CHDS, GDS, and Maret. DC now attends one of these schools and is doing very well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, we have our son at Norwood and we are happy. As far as diversity is concerned, there are not many African American families, but they are supposedly trying to improve things.
If you are in DC, look at Lowell, stay away from Sidwell, GDS can be odd, Maret seems to be OK.

Why not Sidwell? And why do you say that GDS can be odd? In what way?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hello, in response to your question, my child began at WIS as a 4-year old. If your child has not had exposure to the foreign language before applying, it is probably better not to wait until kindergarten. The school, however, offers full support to kindergartners with no previous knowledge of the language and every year there are a few children who start from scratch. At the same time, though, considering the selectivity of D.C. private schools and the fact that Kindergarten is the last entry-level point, it makes sense to give it a try at least one year earlier. As for our personal experience, we are truly delighted with the school, both academically and socially.

PP, is it more challenging to get admitted to the French program or the Spanish program? Are there AA's in both programs? If you and your spouse are English speaking only, how do you support 2nd language aquisition outside of school.