Maret Parents - "I wish I had known x" type advice

[Anonymous]

Inspired by the NCS and STA's threads. Thanks!

[Anonymous]

New incoming family this year as well and would definitely be interested in present parents' thoughts. We're very excited but always good to hear details...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:New incoming family this year as well and would definitely be interested in present parents' thoughts. We're very excited but always good to hear details...

You mean hear dirt?

[Anonymous]

Ask about the separate slow track classes!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Ask about the separate slow track classes!

Ok - asking. Can you tell me about the separate slow track classes?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ask about the separate slow track classes!

Ok - asking. Can you tell me about the separate slow track classes?

It appears to be a different approach from the other top DC privates (Sidwell, NCS/STA, GDS) -- there are slow/remedial type classes. Allows Maret to take extremely wide range of students. Currently more controversial because so many of the boys' athletes are in those classes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ask about the separate slow track classes!

Ok - asking. Can you tell me about the separate slow track classes?

It appears to be a different approach from the other top DC privates (Sidwell, NCS/STA, GDS) -- there are slow/remedial type classes. Allows Maret to take extremely wide range of students. Currently more controversial because so many of the boys' athletes are in those classes.

Then why don't they win?-;

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ask about the separate slow track classes!

Ok - asking. Can you tell me about the separate slow track classes?

It appears to be a different approach from the other top DC privates (Sidwell, NCS/STA, GDS) -- there are slow/remedial type classes. Allows Maret to take extremely wide range of students. Currently more controversial because so many of the boys' athletes are in those classes.

I'm not sure where you are hearing this. We have been at Maret for years and have seen no signs of remedial classes--and I've looked and asked other parents after reading this rumor before on this blog. I'm afraid it's likely just someone's self-serving urban legion.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ask about the separate slow track classes!

Ok - asking. Can you tell me about the separate slow track classes?

It appears to be a different approach from the other top DC privates (Sidwell, NCS/STA, GDS) -- there are slow/remedial type classes. Allows Maret to take extremely wide range of students. Currently more controversial because so many of the boys' athletes are in those classes.

I'm not sure where you are hearing this. We have been at Maret for years and have seen no signs of remedial classes--and I've looked and asked other parents after reading this rumor before on this blog. I'm afraid it's likely just someone's self-serving urban legion.

1. Ask about math
2. The first rule about the slow track is don't talk about the slow track
3. It exists

And they have been winning in basketball and baseball lately (two sports with the most recruiting).

[Anonymous]

Pay no attention to the ridiculous PPs who must be envious. It's a lovely school with excellent academics, great faculty, a thoughtful curriculum that is not rigid, and a diverse student body. Welcome!

[Anonymous]

Maret has always been open -- on average -- to a wider range of academic students than say, Sidwell. Doesn't mean there are some students of comparable abilities at both -- and all other -- schools, just averages. And last I checked, at almost all these schools there is a range of intensity of courses -- just as one might find at schools like, say, St. Andrew's. The main difference on that front is what percentage of the students take the more accelerated /deeper courses and what percentage take those that are less accelerated or go into less depth in a given subject -- very common in math, science and the pace of foreign language acquisition. Increasingly common in social science. Less common to have different levels in English, particularly in early years, but depends on the school. A few schools, St. Albans comes to mind, may have fewer opportunities for differentiation in early high school years, but it is getting more common in privates.

[Anonymous]

Should have read above "doesn't mean their aren't some students . . . " Double negative -- not great -- but substantively that was intent of above. Dont' think any of this is controversial, and eliminates need for debates started earlier in thread.

[Anonymous]

Considering I grew up in a terrible public school in the South, I am amazed at the course offerings at Maret -and I'm sure, other area schools - in terms of both standard and elective options. This is what you had to go to college for when I was younger. This really is an wonderful place for our kids to be educated. And I mean the DMV area schools, private and public.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: Maret has always been open -- on average -- to a wider range of academic students than say, Sidwell. Doesn't mean there are some students of comparable abilities at both -- and all other -- schools, just averages. And last I checked, at almost all these schools there is a range of intensity of courses -- just as one might find at schools like, say, St. Andrew's. The main difference on that front is what percentage of the students take the more accelerated /deeper courses and what percentage take those that are less accelerated or go into less depth in a given subject -- very common in math, science and the pace of foreign language acquisition. Increasingly common in social science. Less common to have different levels in English, particularly in early years, but depends on the school. A few schools, St. Albans comes to mind, may have fewer opportunities for differentiation in early high school years, but it is getting more common in privates.

Maret offers remedial-level courses.