DC schools for girls entering 2nd and 8th grade

[Anonymous]

We are planning a move to Washington and are looking for school options for our daughters. We are biased, of course, but both seem to be strong academically, with nascent interests in music, art and sports. The younger one is currently in a Boston public school and we would be happy to consider that option if we can find a good fit in the District. The older one is currently at a girls' school and we are looking at NCS, but we are open to other choices as well.

[Anonymous]

Do you mean DC, or DC area? It makes a huge difference in the choices available.

[Anonymous]

Another fact to consider is that the deadline for applications to private schools is fast approaching, or has passed.

[Anonymous]

Second and Eight grades aren't entry years for most independent schools, so that may be a challenge. For your younger daughter, you may want to consider Hyde, Lafayette, Murch, Key, or Eaton.

[Anonymous]

we really want to live in town, so, yes, we're looking just at DC schools. We had very good experience in the Boston public schools, though we are very much outliers in our neighborhood (Beacon Hill). And yes, we now realize that we had the misfortune to have daughters born in the wrong years, but not much we can do about that now . . . thank you for the specific school recommendations 12:23; we will look more closely at the DC public school forum. are there any good websites or other blogs you would recommend to understand better how the pub school application process works? Is it a lottery? do you just go to the school you are nearest to? that kind of stuff--
also, we have had good luck with a girls' school for these middle school years. How would you compare NCS to the others around, like Holton Arms Madeira, etc.?
Thank you very miuch--

[Anonymous]

Shari,
Is that you?
Mary

[Anonymous]

NCS and Holton are both excellent schools with very strong academics and college placement, and you couldn't go wrong with either if you're purely looking at academics and college placement. You'll need to visit each to get a sense of which would better suit your daughters in terms of culture. Madeira is not in the same league.

Info on the DCPS registration process is available at http://www.k12.dc.us/schools/procedures.htm. You just register your child for whichever school you are in bounds. As you have missed the out-of-bounds lottery process, your best bet is to buy or rent a home in the school district that you'd like. Another option is to rent a home in close-in Maryland (i.e., Chevy Chase or Bethesda which are both literally within minutes of DC) in the interim. This might work until you can settle on a neighborhood in DC and be eligible to apply for 3rd and 9th grade entry years for privates later. Schools in Montgomery County that are excellent and would be close to the District are Westbrook, Somerset and Woodacres for elementary --- Pyle and Westbrook for middle.

[Anonymous]

sorry...Pyle and Westland for middle.