Any academically rigorous privates in MD still accepting students?

[Anonymous]

I'm finally at wits end with our MCPS elementary and regretting not applying for privates earlier this year for my current 3rd grade son. Had hoped to get into HGC, but unfortunately did not (on WL.)

DS is doing fine but not thriving in larger, heterogeneous classes with little inspirational instruction, personal connection to teachers, or exciting or interesting projects. He has increasingly just tuned out to all things school related, with a steady disengagement and disinterest in school since K. I'm hoping that a private with smaller classes might help with this.

Any chance it's not too late for next year? Is is better to just hold out until 6th when many new kids might enter privates? The end of every year since K has felt like another missed opportunity and wasted year. And every summer I hope for something better the next year. This feels like the definition of insanity-doing the same thing and expecting different results.

Any suggestions welcome.

[Anonymous]

What religion are you looking for?

[Anonymous]

you might try Bullis.

If you are looking for academically rigorous like HGC that really does not exist.

You will get smaller classes, ability to connect with teachers, more music and art and sports and yes some projects.

Personally, the rigorous part did not kick in till HS for us in private (we were not at Bullis)

[Anonymous]

OP here. I would prefer non-religious, but recognize religious schools predominate. It would need to be "religion light" of whatever faith as DH raised Catholic and I was raised very anti organized religion.

[Anonymous]

Check Christ Episcopal School in Rockville. Not sure what availability they have for 4th grade, but we and our DC love it. They have daily chapel but it's some readings from scripture and lessons on how to be a good person. They have people of many faiths (including Catholic). They don't hide their faith but aren't overbearing, IMHO.

As for academics, they have a unique curriculum called LIFT (Learning Integration for Tomorrow) that they developed with Johns Hopkins University, daily PE, art, music, etc. With the smaller class sizes, they can teach to individual needs. It's all in a nice atmosphere. If you go there for a visit, you'll see what I mean.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Check Christ Episcopal School in Rockville. Not sure what availability they have for 4th grade, but we and our DC love it. They have daily chapel but it's some readings from scripture and lessons on how to be a good person. They have people of many faiths (including Catholic). They don't hide their faith but aren't overbearing, IMHO.

As for academics, they have a unique curriculum called LIFT (Learning Integration for Tomorrow) that they developed with Johns Hopkins University, daily PE, art, music, etc. With the smaller class sizes, they can teach to individual needs. It's all in a nice atmosphere. If you go there for a visit, you'll see what I mean.

Agree with this, and I think there would still be space in the incoming 4th grade class.

[Anonymous]

From your description, at this point it isn't clear that your child needs really an accelerated academic program but maybe just better teaching /interesting work to get engaged. I suspect Md privates can do that, but I would not expect the cohorts to be any stronger academically than the range you would find in a good public district -- and maybe a bit less on the high end because at that age there are the future magnet kids still in MCPS elementary schools I assume and a bit less on the low end because privates don't need to accept children with severe challenges. Real academics in Md privates can ratchet up a bit in middle school because they can start tracking more (high school level full year languages vs. half year at a time, accelerated math or not, etc.), and the small class size means more writing, more projects, etc. If you child's real issue is boredom because he/she is really smart and self-motivated, no private will do the trick at that age but could get DC situated to be accelerated sooner if not otherwise in a magnet program.

[Anonymous]

From your description, at this point it isn't clear that your child needs really an accelerated academic program but maybe just better teaching /interesting work to get engaged. I suspect Md privates can do that, but I would not expect the cohorts to be any stronger academically than the range you would find in a good public district -- and maybe a bit less on the high end because at that age there are the future magnet kids still in MCPS elementary schools I assume and a bit less on the low end because privates don't need to accept children with severe challenges. Real academics in Md privates can ratchet up a bit in middle school because they can start tracking more (high school level full year languages vs. half year at a time, accelerated math or not, etc.), and the small class size means more writing, more projects, etc. -- parents of kids transferring from MCSP middle schools often tell me that their child was cruising through middle school without any effort. If you child's real issue is boredom because he/she is really smart and self-motivated, no private will do the trick at that age but could get DC situated to be accelerated sooner if not otherwise in a magnet program. It sounds like, however, you can't know that until your child reengages with school.

[Anonymous]

Apologies for accidental double post

[Anonymous]

Agree with Christ Episcopal.

Seneca Academy is an independent alternate. That's where we are and it's been great. It is not as robust as CES, but is engaging in its own right and definitely provides differentiated instruction.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Agree with Christ Episcopal.

Seneca Academy is an independent alternate. That's where we are and it's been great. It is not as robust as CES, but is engaging in its own right and definitely provides differentiated instruction.

Oh, there is an open house at Seneca next week, too. Might be worth looking at. If I were you, I'd look at several to get a feel of what each offers. Good luck!

http://www.senecaacademy.org/

[Anonymous]

I agree you won't necessarily find a stronger cohort or academics that are similar to an HGC - but you can certainly a different learning environment. Most schools have made their decisions - but it doesn't hurt to call St Andrews, Bullis, Norwood, Grace. Feynman is a school for gifted kids but it is tiny. There are also all boys schools like Mater Dei and The Heights - but they are more religious than the above.

[Anonymous]

Oh - and Landon too....

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm finally at wits end with our MCPS elementary and regretting not applying for privates earlier this year for my current 3rd grade son. Had hoped to get into HGC, but unfortunately did not (on WL.)

DS is doing fine but not thriving in larger, heterogeneous classes with little inspirational instruction, personal connection to teachers, or exciting or interesting projects. He has increasingly just tuned out to all things school related, with a steady disengagement and disinterest in school since K. I'm hoping that a private with smaller classes might help with this.

Any chance it's not too late for next year? Is is better to just hold out until 6th when many new kids might enter privates? The end of every year since K has felt like another missed opportunity and wasted year. And every summer I hope for something better the next year. This feels like the definition of insanity-doing the same thing and expecting different results.

Any suggestions welcome.

FYI - we are also on the WL for HGC but currently at a private. Our child is happy and likes to go to school but wants more academically and would be happy to move to get that. Just beware of that - you are not likely to find the academic level your son may desire at the privates. But on the plus side, at least there is no disengagement or disinterest in school for our child.

[Anonymous]

And be sure to check Sidwell, GDS, Potomac, NCS, Holton and St. Alban's