What have I overlooked among the DC area private schools?

[Anonymous]

DS is a VERY bright VERY mature 8th grader and we are scanning the DC private school landscape for something (anything?) that will meet his needs. He LOVES David Foster Wallace and is already evolved into a free thinker (though he’s tolerant of less dogmatic religions). He is bored with athletics and really needs a stimulating environment to reach his potential. He would NEVER wear a "UNIFORM." I’m beginning to doubt that ANY school can meet his needs. What have I overlooked?

[Anonymous]

Your statements are a bit ... ambiguous. Your son could be a smart, interesting, out of the box thinker who doesn't want a rah-rah sports environment, in which case Sidwell, GDS, Maret, Burke, Field, etc. could be good matches. Or your son could be a arrogant, intolerant kid who thinks that anyone who enjoys sports is boring, anyone who attends religious services is an idiot (but some are less idiotic than others), and most teachers are dumber than he is, in which case I can't think of a school where he would be embraced. It's hard to tell.

[Anonymous]

Possibly Emerson Prep in Dupont.

[Anonymous]

How nice that your precious 8th grader is so "tolerant" of others.

Why don't you try homeschooling, OP? You two seem ready-made for each other.

[Anonymous]

Maret has less than 100 students per class in highschool

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DS is a VERY bright VERY mature 8th grader and we are scanning the DC private school landscape for something (anything?) that will meet his needs. He LOVES David Foster Wallace and is already evolved into a free thinker (though he’s tolerant of less dogmatic religions). He is bored with athletics and really needs a stimulating environment to reach his potential. He would NEVER wear a "UNIFORM." I’m beginning to doubt that ANY school can meet his needs. What have I overlooked?

I realize the responses you've gotten are snarky but what comes across is "my DS is so unique, so special, there can't possibly be a school for him." This all bodes badly for him. I just hope you don't send him to school with my kids because you both sound full of yourselves.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DS is a VERY bright VERY mature 8th grader and we are scanning the DC private school landscape for something (anything?) that will meet his needs. He LOVES David Foster Wallace and is already evolved into a free thinker (though he’s tolerant of less dogmatic religions). He is bored with athletics and really needs a stimulating environment to reach his potential. He would NEVER wear a "UNIFORM." I’m beginning to doubt that ANY school can meet his needs. What have I overlooked?

I realize the responses you've gotten are snarky but what comes across is "my DS is so unique, so special, there can't possibly be a school for him." This all bodes badly for him. I just hope you don't send him to school with my kids because you both sound full of yourselves.

I kinda agree. The VERY in all caps was what did it for me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DS is a VERY bright VERY mature 8th grader and we are scanning the DC private school landscape for something (anything?) that will meet his needs. He LOVES David Foster Wallace and is already evolved into a free thinker (though he’s tolerant of less dogmatic religions). He is bored with athletics and really needs a stimulating environment to reach his potential. He would NEVER wear a "UNIFORM." I’m beginning to doubt that ANY school can meet his needs. What have I overlooked?

I realize the responses you've gotten are snarky but what comes across is "my DS is so unique, so special, there can't possibly be a school for him." This all bodes badly for him. I just hope you don't send him to school with my kids because you both sound full of yourselves.

I kinda agree. The VERY in all caps was what did it for me.

Not to mention that the objective is to "meet his needs." My goodness. Surely, OP, there is a school somewhere in this city that will bow down to the expectations of your sophisticated, learned... eighth grader.

[Anonymous]

Boarding school - as far away from OP as possible.

[Anonymous]

OP, does he have friends?

[Anonymous]

OP, I feel quite certain that you will find a school that meets your high standards. Also, a bit of advice: there is probably no bigger turnoff to an admissions director than a parent who feels their child is so exceptional that no school could possibly "meet his needs." And you may also be in for a rude awakening soon: the DC area is filled with exceptionally bright, gifted, multilingual, etc etc children (including, no doubt, some who love David Foster Wallace). Your kid has plenty of company.

Good luck.

[Anonymous]

I would consider GDS or Maret strongly. Sounds like he would fit in well there from friends I know with children at those schools. They are happy with both schools. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Wis might work,

[Anonymous]

do 12 year old kids really read david foster wallace?

[Anonymous]

Kid needs a reality check. I recommend Wilson.