Best schools for active boys

[Anonymous]

Does anyone have any recommendations for a good kindergarten for very active boys who thrive on lots of exercise, as well as hands-on experiential learning? We live in Montgomery County and are considering both public and private schools.

[Anonymous]

you might take a look at green acres. lots of very active boys (and girls), progressive model so emphasis on experiential learning, beautiful campus with lots of room to roam, outdoors a lot. we are pre-k family and loving it.

[Anonymous]

Believe it or not I am going to say Beauvoir. I see many active fellows around the school and the teachers deal with them appropriately.

[Anonymous]

Plus, Beauvoir will provide an advantage in admission to STA, which does a great job with active boys.

[Anonymous]

I agree that STA is something you should be looking at long term.

I don't agree that Beauvoir is as welcoming of these active boys. Conformity and compliance are what marks a Beauvoir boy as far as I could tell. We loved Beauvoir, mind you, but did have what seemed like an inordinate number of meetings and reports concerning our "spirited" boy.

[Anonymous]

http://www.ssfs.org/
Sandy Spring Friends School

"We view our students as active participants in their learning. We believe students learn best when they are allowed to experiment and when knowledge is discovered and applied through hands-on activities. We strive to stimulate their curiosity and encourage them to ask questions and seek answers. We are convinced that children are most receptive to learning when they have ownership of aspects of that learning. To that end, we are responsive to the interests of our students. We believe in the value of developing their foundation for interdependence by emphasizing cooperation, assertion, responsibility, empathy, and self-control."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:http://www.ssfs.org/
Sandy Spring Friends School

"We view our students as active participants in their learning. We believe students learn best when they are allowed to experiment and when knowledge is discovered and applied through hands-on activities. We strive to stimulate their curiosity and encourage them to ask questions and seek answers. We are convinced that children are most receptive to learning when they have ownership of aspects of that learning. To that end, we are responsive to the interests of our students. We believe in the value of developing their foundation for interdependence by emphasizing cooperation, assertion, responsibility, empathy, and self-control."

But most schools say stuff like that. I would think that the all boys schools would best address the needs of boys. Too bad there aren't many of them in the DC area (that start in K at least).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:http://www.ssfs.org/
Sandy Spring Friends School

"We view our students as active participants in their learning. We believe students learn best when they are allowed to experiment and when knowledge is discovered and applied through hands-on activities. We strive to stimulate their curiosity and encourage them to ask questions and seek answers. We are convinced that children are most receptive to learning when they have ownership of aspects of that learning. To that end, we are responsive to the interests of our students. We believe in the value of developing their foundation for interdependence by emphasizing cooperation, assertion, responsibility, empathy, and self-control."

But most schools say stuff like that. I would think that the all boys schools would best address the needs of boys. Too bad there aren't many of them in the DC area (that start in K at least).

I agree with you up to a certain point; PR is definitely big with theses schools. However, SSFS does indeed live up to its word. My friend's son has been there since he was in kindergarten, and trust me - he's all boy! They will, for example, study something in science class and then observe how it works in nature by walking the grounds, which are, of course, beautiful.

The Avalon School is also very good in dealing with boys - http://www.avalonschools.org/ (My friend's husband works there.)
However, its lower school begins with 3rd grade, and it is indeed religious. But they do know how to handle boys!

Both are worth looking into.

[Anonymous]

Landon, most definitely. They have a huge beautiful campus where the boys can run around; they send them outside to blow off steam every two periods or so, and there is some kind of athletic activity every afternoon. My son is very active and loves it.

[Anonymous]

PP here; sorry, I didn't realize you were looking for kindergarten. Well, keep Landon in mind!

[Anonymous]

St. Patrick's does much to accomodate active boys. For example, they have been known to rearrange classrooms to create more physical space in classrooms where there are a few active boys, and they also allow boys out of their seats frequently for small breaks. The kindergarten also has its own playground right off of the kindergarten classrooms, and the teachers let the kids out for extra outdoor time if the kids seem to need it.

[Anonymous]

I visited Lowell and found it to be VERY boy friendly.

[Anonymous]

The Pre-K and K classrooms at WES open directly onto an enclosed playground. The kids gather there to play before school starts and there are also 2 recesses during the regular 9:00 to 3:25 day.

A fair amount of outdoor learning seems to go on as well. I think it's because that space is so convenient and accessible. The "small science" group studies nature-related topics outdoors (for example, the PK kids each adopt a tree for the year to observe seasonal change and growth). My child's twice-weekly French class used the space for a tricycle "Tour de France" race, and talked about the geography and customs of France. Etc.

There's a PE class twice a week in the school gym with age appropriate activities. And there's a wonderful Music & Movement class in an enormous room where the kids can really move around.

My active boy usually falls asleep in the car on the way home.

[Anonymous]

What about Mater Dei?

[Anonymous]