Lowell and Green Acres, comment on academics

[Anonymous]

Please comment on the academics (only) at these two schools.

[Anonymous]

I'd be interested in hearing more about these schools too!

[Anonymous]

Bump. I'm interested in hearing from others who are applying. I was 50/50 impressed during the open house, but am now realizing I better apply for my DS just in case!

[Anonymous]

We loved the pre-primary program, which is completely developmentally appropriate and wonderful for preschool/pre-kindergarten. However, we moved our child from Lowell to another independent school for kindergarten because we felt that the academics (especially in grades 3rd-6th) were not on par with the "usual suspects" (i.e., Sidwell, GDS, etc.) Purely anecdotally, several other families who had older children at Lowell often spoke of the difficulty it was to move their kids in the later grades because of what appeared to be gaps in their learning. As for where their graduates go, many move on to Field and Edmund Burke. There aren't many who go to NCS, St. Albans, Sidwell, Holton, etc.

Keep in mind that many families who choose Lowell do so not because they are looking for an academic powerhouse. It is a very progressive school with lots of other, non-academically oriented attributes that make it attractive and a top choice for some families.

I do hear from friends whose children are still at Lowell that the new head has implemented some very positive changes in her short time there, including incorporating more testing and holding teachers more accountable for students' progress.

[Anonymous]

OP: Thanks for the above. Has anyone heard anything about academics at Green Acres?

[Anonymous]

As a current Lowell parent, I wanted to respond briefly to the previous post about school placement. Although it is accurate that many kids tend to go from Lowell to Burke and Field, it is inaccurate to say that very few go to other schools that are often mentioned here. Kids both transfer to other schools before 6th grade and every year there are kids that move from 6th grade to GDS, Sidwell, Maret, etc. It is probably true that few kids move from Lowell to NCS or St. Albans, but frankly, I've never met anyone from Lowell who would consider those as schools that they would want their kids to go to. The philosophies and approaches are just so different it would be unlikely to be a good fit. I personally know two kids who made the Lowell to Sidwell transition just fine and are doing well academically there. There is more of a move toward (reasonable and limited) testing in the upper grades at Lowell, but the talk of academic gaps is completely overblown.

It is true that if you want your little one doing worksheets as early as possible and stressing out about tests at a tender age, then Lowell is not a good fit for you. I do have to question, however, the obsession with schools that goes on around here, as opposed to what is the best way to nuture a well-rounded, happy and well educated child. We seem to focus a lot on the latter in DC sometimes at the expense of the former.

[Anonymous]

OP: It is not that the nurturing does not count. I asked about academics only because I wanted to stay away from all the social issues that tend to come up in these threads. Academics does count for people who care about how their dollar is being spent.
Can someone comment on Green Acres (academically)?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP: It is not that the nurturing does not count. I asked about academics only because I wanted to stay away from all the social issues that tend to come up in these threads. Academics does count for people who care about how their dollar is being spent.
Can someone comment on Green Acres (academically)?

It is for the environment/social reasons that parents send their kids to Lowell. I don't have first hand experience w/ Green Acres, so I won't comment on that.

If you are the type of parent who says that comment about "how their dollar is being spent" then you probably wouldn't do well at a progressive school such as Lowell. Lowell parents obviously care where their dollars are going, but have different priorities when it comes to educating their kids.

Lowell is a great school. If you are an involved parent and don't think that the only learning that goes on is in school, then the kids will succeed.

[Anonymous]

Academic do matter. And disclosure of the facts related to a school's performance are important.

[Anonymous]

let me clear the muddy waters....

i am an alumni of Green Acres and have/had 2 kids at lowell and GDS, so i think i can candidly speak on all three!

Green Acres (GAS) is the epitome of a progressive school. their academics fall into line with post Lowell. GAS is academically structured and had the curriculum to follow. they prepare the child for the future and definitely college.

as for Lowell, there IS a HUGE gap between Lowell and what i like to call the big 3...GDS, Sidwell and Maret!!! let the truth be told, Lowell does not prepare the kids for schools after lowell. Now granted, PP and K are AWESOME...no doubt about it. now i started to question lowell after 3rd grade....i think they bit off more than they could chew by adding 4-6. they really need to improve in the areas of math and science as they pretty much have mastered the reading and writing program. after years at lowell, i was really disappointed on the money that was spent for our kids' education based on what the big 3's offer.

GDS....just fantastic. talk about getting the bang for your buck....this place is really worth it. GDS is so solid academically, that if this is your thing, then by all means, you and your child will be pleased. highly recommended if your looking for a progressive school with the capabilities and leadership to take you there. very solid program and vigorous, but manageable.

sorry if i've offended anyone, but it is what is!

[Anonymous]

PP Do you know if GAS is currently (still) solid academically?

[Anonymous]

15:21 - are you saying GDS is also progressive?

[Anonymous]

Lowell and GDS parent, can you elaborate on your child's experience after you moved them? What grade did you switch and what was the transition like for your kid?
Were the deficiencies primarily in Math and science?

I am very curious about the math issues as Lowell uses the same exact curriculum as the big 3, so are they just not as good at actually teaching it?

Also, what year (2006, 2007, earlier?) were your experiences?

[Anonymous]

Lowell uses Everyday Math. Do you know which of the other top schools use it too? As mentioned in another post here, I am steering clear of Everyday Math and would really appreciate any knowledge you might have about the math curriculum elsewhere. Thank you.

[Anonymous]

Green Acres is going to discontinue Everyday Math by 2009. I don't know what they are switching to.