Recommend your private school

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Interesting. Schools in DC with combined middle and high are... Field, Burke, SFS, GDS, St. Anselm's... Did I catch them all?

We are at one you named and absolutely would not select a school with grades 6-12 again for a middle schooler.

[Anonymous]

I can't speak for all Burke parents, but our social and academic experience with Burke middle school was fantastic. The middle school teachers were outstanding and very attentive. As a group, the Burke middle school teachers were better than the teachers who taught another one of our kids at a a Big 3 middle school. The Big 3 middle school did assign much more homework and was more rigorous and more stressful, socially and academically.

[Anonymous]

I think there are benefits to a 6-12 program with separate middle and upper school. We moved our child to a k-8 for 7th grade due to the pandemic and already existing issues in public school. It’s been good, but in retrospect a 6-12 would have been nice (in part to avoid another round of applications and school transition). Child will now be at Burke for 9th next year. Something to consider.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think there are benefits to a 6-12 program with separate middle and upper school. We moved our child to a k-8 for 7th grade due to the pandemic and already existing issues in public school. It’s been good, but in retrospect a 6-12 would have been nice (in part to avoid another round of applications and school transition). Child will now be at Burke for 9th next year. Something to consider.

My kids 6-12 is not separate and the teachers teach both upper and lower. I don’t know if any 6-12 that is strictly separate in that regard.

[Anonymous]

I'd recommend St. Anselm's.
Surprisingly diverse. Lots of personal attention. Catholic but not in your face about it. We sent our son there last year, had a few doubts during the pandemic, but now he is thriving in 7th grade and can't wait for 8th.

[Anonymous]

When DC applied for 6th grade, we considered K-8 schools as well as 6-12 schools. We decided against K-8 because it was clear that the middle school grades were outgrowing the school's academic offerings and facilities.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'd recommend St. Anselm's.
Surprisingly diverse. Lots of personal attention. Catholic but not in your face about it. We sent our son there last year, had a few doubts during the pandemic, but now he is thriving in 7th grade and can't wait for 8th.

Hard no.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:When DC applied for 6th grade, we considered K-8 schools as well as 6-12 schools. We decided against K-8 because it was clear that the middle school grades were outgrowing the school's academic offerings and facilities.

There is something to be said about being the oldest in your school and being celebrated before moving to HS. We are so glad we stayed in our K-8 for MS rather than move to a school with MS and HS. Initially we thought it would be easier for admission, but DD got into every HS she applied to, including the one we considered for 6th grade.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When DC applied for 6th grade, we considered K-8 schools as well as 6-12 schools. We decided against K-8 because it was clear that the middle school grades were outgrowing the school's academic offerings and facilities.

There is something to be said about being the oldest in your school and being celebrated before moving to HS. We are so glad we stayed in our K-8 for MS rather than move to a school with MS and HS. Initially we thought it would be easier for admission, but DD got into every HS she applied to, including the one we considered for 6th grade.

Absolutely, we sent one child to a 6-12 and would never repeat that again. Never.

[Anonymous]

I’ve been at Alexandria Country Day and have greatly enjoyed the K-8. I think the high school application is a good wake up call to kids to think about the future environment they’d want.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do not recommend a middle and upper school that’s together. Pick a school that goes up to grade 8 and not beyond. We unfortunately did not do that and learned the hard way.

100 percent.

Can you say more? We are at one now and have no complaints.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’ve been at Alexandria Country Day and have greatly enjoyed the K-8. I think the high school application is a good wake up call to kids to think about the future environment they’d want.

Yes, we regretfully sent to a 6-12 and many leave to go other schools for the high school even though theirs has one. If I had a do-over, I would send to school that ends at grade 8.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I can't speak for all Burke parents, but our social and academic experience with Burke middle school was fantastic. The middle school teachers were outstanding and very attentive. As a group, the Burke middle school teachers were better than the teachers who taught another one of our kids at a a Big 3 middle school. The Big 3 middle school did assign much more homework and was more rigorous and more stressful, socially and academically.

+1. At least for 6th, the teachers appear to only teach MS. In fact I think the 6th graders could use a bit more rigor but I’ll give it a pass this year with transitioning to a new school, return to normal school for many kids, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Edmund Burke but highly doubt there will be openings for 6th grade.

Let Burke and Lowell know your interested. They may have an openings before September.

Lowell, Oneness Family School(Montessori), K8 schools in general are more likely.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do not recommend a middle and upper school that’s together. Pick a school that goes up to grade 8 and not beyond. We unfortunately did not do that and learned the hard way.

100 percent.

Can you say more? We are at one now and have no complaints.

NP
I think this really depends on the structure of the school. If MS doesn’t ever socialize with Upper School then it is really not an issue. The downside only comes in if NS students are being exposed to things that are questionable and inappropriate for their age and development by being with kids older then they are. Truthfully this is one reason we did not like the idea of our child starting at Maret in 6th. The schools touts the kids ability to mingle across grades and divisions. Not for us because I don’t want my 12 year old hanging out with 15 year olds…