Recommendations for Parent of Black Son With 99th Percentile Test Scores?

[Anonymous]

I would look at STA, Sidwell and GDS. All have 10-15% Black students and are strong academically. In my son's class at STA a couple of years ago, one of his classmates was in multi-variable calculus as a sophomore - but there will not a whole group of kids doing this that early.

[Anonymous]

Both Sidwell and GDS are diverse and also have a good number of black students. Your child will not be the only 99ile black student.

A word of caution, however—privates will try to work with you, but they typically don’t let kids accelerate over one or two years, especially in math. They do have enrichment and theoretical classes, but I think they are trying to prevent a “race” for higher level math. There are lots of kids in geometry and algebra 2 who have taken coursework in another school or in a separate class. So if your son really wants and needs acceleration, you will have to go outside the school.


If your child is mature, consider NE boarding schools in high school where there are a lot of advanced kids with lots of different interests. Your son will not be the only one and will have a small cohort.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would look at STA, Sidwell and GDS. All have 10-15% Black students and are strong academically. In my son's class at STA a couple of years ago, one of his classmates was in multi-variable calculus as a sophomore - but there will not a whole group of kids doing this that early.

Lots of complaints of racism at Saint Albans.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would look at STA, Sidwell and GDS. All have 10-15% Black students and are strong academically. In my son's class at STA a couple of years ago, one of his classmates was in multi-variable calculus as a sophomore - but there will not a whole group of kids doing this that early.

Lots of complaints of racism at Saint Albans.

For years and years and years.

[Anonymous]

Excellent advice if the family can afford these options. Otherwise, Jackson-Reed offers a STEM Academy (pathway) with strong activities and engaged parents.

Private education consultant

——————————————-

Anonymous wrote:Both Sidwell and GDS are diverse and also have a good number of black students. Your child will not be the only 99ile black student.

A word of caution, however—privates will try to work with you, but they typically don’t let kids accelerate over one or two years, especially in math. They do have enrichment and theoretical classes, but I think they are trying to prevent a “race” for higher level math. There are lots of kids in geometry and algebra 2 who have taken coursework in another school or in a separate class. So if your son really wants and needs acceleration, you will have to go outside the school.


If your child is mature, consider NE boarding schools in high school where there are a lot of advanced kids with lots of different interests. Your son will not be the only one and will have a small cohort.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
Excellent advice if the family can afford these options. Otherwise, Jackson-Reed offers a STEM Academy (pathway) with strong activities and engaged parents.

Private education consultant
Reference is to 14:36 above
——————————————-

Anonymous wrote:Both Sidwell and GDS are diverse and also have a good number of black students. Your child will not be the only 99ile black student.

A word of caution, however—privates will try to work with you, but they typically don’t let kids accelerate over one or two years, especially in math. They do have enrichment and theoretical classes, but I think they are trying to prevent a “race” for higher level math. There are lots of kids in geometry and algebra 2 who have taken coursework in another school or in a separate class. So if your son really wants and needs acceleration, you will have to go outside the school.


If your child is mature, consider NE boarding schools in high school where there are a lot of advanced kids with lots of different interests. Your son will not be the only one and will have a small cohort.

[Anonymous]

I'd say be wary of privates when it comes to math, because they tend to really be concerned with "equity" and lowering competition. If your kid is capable of doing calculus as a freshman, don't be shocked if they deny this request and put him in Algebra II. They'll give you some excuse like "we think it's best for his personal development" but in reality they don't want to make the other kids and their parents upset or anxious.

[Anonymous]

If your kid is really into math, you should try TJHSST (or known as TJ), they offered the most advance math courses (till multivariable calculus).

[Anonymous]

Public magnet with dual enrollment options.

[Anonymous]

St. Andrew's in Potomac tends to be more diverse than a lot of peer schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you want him to be around other black males, I would do Landon or Bullis or if you want Catholic Damatha or St. John’s.

I’d avoid the all boy Catholic schools, except Damatha.

All the other schools mentioned so far are <5% black students.

My son's recent class at St. Anselm's was 15-20% black students. That is pretty standard at SAAS.

You’re lumping all non-white kids.

No I'm not. That is 40% of the school.

[Anonymous]

OP- you have many options in this area. Most private schools have good diversity and most can accommodate students who excel in STEM. Public magnets are very good also. Many will require math testing prior to admission to determine placement.

Commuting is tough, and may soon be much worse with RTO coming to DC metro area. This is an important consideration. In HS, my kids spend a lot more time at school during the week than they do at home, so IMO the school culture matters as much as the academics (knowing that almost all offer excellent and accelerated academic programs).

Welcome to DC and good luck to you and your son.

[Anonymous]

We were impressed with the rigor and diversity of St Anselms Abbey. Also with St Albans. Have met impressive kids at Walls and heard great things about Banneker.

[Anonymous]

GDS and Sidwell. GDS is one of the best privates to go to in this area if you’re seeking high levels of math. And GDS was the first integrated school in DC, founded in part by Black families. Rigorous academics in both the GDS and Sidwell high schools.

[Anonymous]

GDS has no football team if there’s any concern about a Black student being pushed in that direction at a school, as someone mentioned above.