Fall 2013 DC Private School National Merit Semifinalists (Class of 2014)

[Anonymous]

Here's the list of the DC private school National Merit Semifinalists from DC. Sidwell coming in tops with 14 (about 11% of their graduating class), followed by St. Albans with 8 (a little over 10%). Down year for GDS, with 6 NMSFs (about 5% of their graduating class). The numbers and percentages do fluctuate from year to year.

http://georgetown.patch.com/groups/schools/p/national-merit-scholarship-semifinalists-include-56-dc-students

[Anonymous]

And here's a list that has the private schools in Montgomery County. None at Bullis, one at Landon, three at Holton, two at Georgetown Prep, seven at Charles E. Smith:

http://connectedcommunities.us/showthread.php?t=57593

[Anonymous]

Full multi-year list is here - https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AnukIDABt_JKdDdZYXlQbnFUQ0VfMHRpTFp1SUIxS2c&hl=en_US#gid=0

[Anonymous]

Thanks, useful table, particularly the last column with the 5 year data which is probably enough years to smooth out the yearly jumps and show real trends, and short enough to demonstrate changes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thanks, useful table, particularly the last column with the 5 year data which is probably enough years to smooth out the yearly jumps and show real trends, and short enough to demonstrate changes.

IME, each person tends to like the data set that presents her favorite school in the best light. Fortunately, there is a lot of data, so many people can feel good.

[Anonymous]

Is this based off of the PSAT scores alone and meeting a certain percentile in your state?

Does everybody take the test?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is this based off of the PSAT scores alone and meeting a certain percentile in your state?

Does everybody take the test?

Yes, yes, and yes. Note that the cutoff differs state by state, with MD always one of the highest and DC always matched to the highest cutoff nationwide.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is this based off of the PSAT scores alone and meeting a certain percentile in your state? Does everybody take the test?

Not all take the test -- only those indicating they intend to go to college. Qualifying PSAT score for NMSF is based on some formula that is roughly the top 1% of each state's test takers. This year's qualifying scores were 224 for DC, 223 for MD, 222 for VA. DC qualifying score is always set to match the top qualifying score among all the states in the nation, for some reason I cannot fathom.

[Anonymous]

But, If you already are committed to a college and have a scholarship, would you take the test? Do kids take the test during school hours and everybody just takes the test?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:But, If you already are committed to a college and have a scholarship, would you take the test? Do kids take the test during school hours and everybody just takes the test?

They take the test at the beginning of junior year in high school, and don't get semifinalist recognition until beginning of senior year, before having applied to colleges. Here is more info: http://www.nationalmerit.org/steps_nmsp.pdf

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:But, If you already are committed to a college and have a scholarship, would you take the test? Do kids take the test during school hours and everybody just takes the test?

They take the test at the beginning of junior year in high school, and don't get semifinalist recognition until beginning of senior year, before having applied to colleges. Here is more info: http://www.nationalmerit.org/steps_nmsp.pdf

I meant people who have verbally committed in their Sophmore year. I know a girl who won a merit scholarship between Freshman year and Sophmore year to a VA state school, also.

There are kids that take the ACT instead of the SATs.

I guess they just take the PSAT just because everybody else is or it is good practice.

Just curious.

[Anonymous]

I'm actually shocked that the numbers are so low (or as expensive as these schools are and how "elite" their students are supposed to be).

I went to an academically crappy Christian school in PA and out of our class of 38 there were 4 of us who were National Merit Semi Finalists. And another 4 the following year in my brother's class. We were all smart kids but not "rocket scientist" smart and the education we received at school was just a bit better than horrible.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm actually shocked that the numbers are so low (or as expensive as these schools are and how "elite" their students are supposed to be).

I went to an academically crappy Christian school in PA and out of our class of 38 there were 4 of us who were National Merit Semi Finalists. And another 4 the following year in my brother's class. We were all smart kids but not "rocket scientist" smart and the education we received at school was just a bit better than horrible.

What school was that? Are you sure you all were semifinalists, and not just commended students? 10% of the class being semifinalists would be better than highly ranked boarding schools like Andover and Exeter (each with only about 9% of the class at semifinalist level).

[Anonymous]

Does anybody else remember how many NMS there were in their HS class? Maybe I am old. I only remember family members that were.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Does anybody else remember how many NMS there were in their HS class? Maybe I am old. I only remember family members that were.

I just remember there were about 15-20 National Merit students who were called out by name and asked to stand up at assembly. Given the numbers, I suspect that included not only semifinalists, but also all commended students. I know I stood up, but I can't even remember which group I was in.