Private options?

[Anonymous]

MCPS HGC 5th grader. Biology-lover. Would like to take Latin. Tests super high in math but is a big-time reader and has a pretty amazing vocabulary. MCPS magnet middles force kids to choose math/science or English/humanities. Want him to have it all and not be pigeon-holed too early.

Live in downtown SS area.

Any ideas of a good fit that will do well with a HG child like this? Child does an afterschool sport several days a week, so commute is an issue.

[Anonymous]

Rising 5th, Applying for 6th for 2015?

[Anonymous]

MCPS magnets put you in the honors classes for non-magnet subjects. So your TPMS kid would take magnet math, science and computer science. Plus honors english, social studies, and language with some pretty awesome teachers. It's basically the reverse of this at Eastern, although I've heard less enthusiasm about the non-magnet math/science offerings there.

Yes, there's a definite weight towards the magnet subjects, but that's 3 classes, and it's not like your kid stops doing the non-magnet subjects.

A problem is that lots of kids, even HG kids, get turned down, simply because there isn't enough space for all the qualified kids. In that case it would be good to have private and other options.

[Anonymous]

St Andrew's in Potomac. A bit far, but there is good bus service. We commute from ss /cc boarder. You child sounds somewhat similar to mine -- big reader but strong across board. Latin program is small but very strong there. They changed Latin teachers last year, but the new one is a disciple of the previous teacher and I hear good things. The kids in Latin form a bound with each other, and tend to excel in other subjects as well. They also have two great bio teachers (goes through AP bio) - actually most the teachers are very strong. If you call there, I would bet they could put you in touch with a recent grad if your DC wants to get a head start in Latin this summer via tutoring. good luck

[Anonymous]

St. Anselms has excellent balance with rigor. Big 3 parents occasionally mock it on DCUM and take shots at its AP courses (Sidwell doesn't neeeeeed AP classes). Fact remains that 10% or more of the small class every year is NMFS and Ivy or engineering top 10. That's good enough for us.

[Anonymous]

Any non-religious options? Yes incoming 5th and looking for 6th. We're Jewish and don't feel comfortable with catholic/Christian school.

re: TPMS. I have a child there. Love it, but even he will tell you the English is lacking, and he's a total math kid. That's why I'm considering private options for this one.

Thanks for advice so far.

[Anonymous]

IF you really want rigorous academics in a non-religious setting for a boy, without a commute, you are really kind of stuck. Maybe Landon. Or decide driving into NW DC for Sidwell, Maret, or GDS is worth it.

[Anonymous]

Both of our children entered Bullis in sixth grade from an excellent DC private school and were very well served there. Bullis has an extensive school bus network as well. Good luck.

[Anonymous]

Every single secular MS/HS >>with rigor<< is a commute from DTSS. OP, you're not missing anything. There are no schools that meet your criteria.

[Anonymous]

I don't feel like the downtown big 3 or big 5 are any more of a commute than a place like St Andrews or Bullis or Landon (depending on where you work).

But if your kid is a real science kid, he'd probably get more out of TPMS and Blair than those schools. Be willing to give up some of that rigor and the consistently strong cohort as well. There are tons of very bright kids at the privates - but the range is much larger than what you would find at the HGC or magnets. But then again, that's probably what gets you the more well rounded result that you say you are looking for - in the person - not just the education.

[Anonymous]

How far are you able to commute?

[Anonymous]

For science definitely the publics (esp. TPMS and Blair) are going to be head and shoulders above all privates.

I would strongly consider St. Andrews - it is Episcopal but they are very welcoming toward the non-religious crowd (and of course very LGBT friendly.) St. Anselms is also an excellent option and not that far away.

[Anonymous]

21:53 here again. We actually are a Jewish family at St. Andrew's . OP, there is a big difference between independent schools with a little religion, and what you may be thinking of in terms of the parochial schools of our childhood with nuns. Students in St. Andrew's, St. Albans, NCS's, Sidwell (Quaker) etc. are all part of the same circle of independent school kids in the DC area secular schools of GDS, Bullis, Maret, etc. Yes, a kid needs to deal with a 20 minute or so Episcopal service each week, but these are usually accompanied by more universal themes, speakers, etc., and other religions occasionally (at St. Andrew's, for example, there is an annual chapel focused on the Jewish high holidays and a holocaust chapel as well). If you a very observant family, then no private will work for you except Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School -- there are many activities on Friday nights or Saturdays, including sports, homecoming, school musicals, etc. But if you are not that observant, I know some kids have developed a stronger sense of Jewish identity attending schools that are not secular.

I also think most of the publics have cut back on Latin and either don't offer it or only offer the first couple of years of classes. So that might take the magnets off your shopping list altogether. Good luck.

[Anonymous]

Landon offers Latin in the middle school, is pretty strong academically, and might suit your boy's sports interests.

[Anonymous]

Tx 21:53. Good to know. We're not über religious. Yes, I've seen that involving the publics and Latin.