WES v Norwood

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Norwood parent again. It is a nice school. I have to think very hard to come up with negatives. I am comparing it to local public schools, which are very good, rather than to WES. I have spoken to teachers at other private schools who say that it is one of the best in MC. Some say better than Sidwell's lower school. Also, two public school teachers say that it is superior to some in Bethesda that have good reputations.

The areas that I think they could improve are wrt diversity and some other issues that relate to subtle snobbery.
Also, the math program is not the best in the early grades. That said, we looked at all the other big privates in MC (Green Acres, Sidwell, WES) and also found their math to be poor. That can also be said about MCPS since it seems to be the same program. I just wish that Norwood would do more to correct that now.

They do a very good job with languages. My children are learning Spanish, and the accent is coming along nicely.
Reading is encouraged in such a positive way. The standards are high.
Children are happy.

I agree with this, as a Norwood parent. Interested in the "subtle snobbery" concern. Can you elaborate? I am very happy with the reading program. Which I consider very important. Agree on math, too, however.

[Anonymous]

Do they allow subject acceleration in Math for capable students to match their math aptitude like in MCPS?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do they allow subject acceleration in Math for capable students to match their math aptitude like in MCPS?

Yes, starting in 2nd grade.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Norwood parent again. It is a nice school. I have to think very hard to come up with negatives. I am comparing it to local public schools, which are very good, rather than to WES. I have spoken to teachers at other private schools who say that it is one of the best in MC. Some say better than Sidwell's lower school. Also, two public school teachers say that it is superior to some in Bethesda that have good reputations.

The areas that I think they could improve are wrt diversity and some other issues that relate to subtle snobbery.
Also, the math program is not the best in the early grades. That said, we looked at all the other big privates in MC (Green Acres, Sidwell, WES) and also found their math to be poor. That can also be said about MCPS since it seems to be the same program. I just wish that Norwood would do more to correct that now.

They do a very good job with languages. My children are learning Spanish, and the accent is coming along nicely.
Reading is encouraged in such a positive way. The standards are high.
Children are happy.

I agree with this, as a Norwood parent. Interested in the "subtle snobbery" concern. Can you elaborate? I am very happy with the reading program. Which I consider very important. Agree on math, too, however.

It is strange in that some of the wealthiest families are actually the nicest and most welcoming. So to me, it is kind of complex, not really based on income per se. That said, most of the families are very nice, it is just a pocket.

[Anonymous]

Ability-sorted math groups start in 2nd grade; I don't know if that amounts to acceleration.

[Anonymous]

I am not speaking about differentiation or sorting out within the same classroom (e.g., 2nd grade peer group). What I mean when I use the term subject accelerationis a 2nd grader pulled out of his peer group in Math to sit in a classroom of 3rd, 4th or 5th graders working on level math.

I am well aware that most schools provide for sorting or differentiating out in the classroom as best the homeroom teacher can do.

[Anonymous]

You are correct in the definition of the term subject acceleration within the elementary school system. A child does not jump or skip a full grade or higher but is jumped in the appropriate subjects...most comonly Mathematics and I know several kids, including my own, that are accelerated 2 to 5 grade levels if they prove capable of performing at that level. But, the bar is set high before the school system accommodates and the burden of proof tends to lie with the child. The kids return to their homeroom classrooms other grade level subjects.

[Anonymous]

Do any independent schools accelerate in the lower grades? I haven't heard of it, but we only looked at five schools.

[Anonymous]

PP: I looked at this when my children were in the market. We were new to the area and looked seriously at Beauvoir, Sidwell, WES, Norwood, Maret, and St Patrick's. From the school's responses then the answer was no. Therefore, we chose to attend MCPS for the acceleration options in Math up through 5th grade (there are a few select students bused to the middle school for Algebra and Geometry while still in elementary school). We preferred this option for our kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am not speaking about differentiation or sorting out within the same classroom (e.g., 2nd grade peer group). What I mean when I use the term subject accelerationis a 2nd grader pulled out of his peer group in Math to sit in a classroom of 3rd, 4th or 5th graders working on level math.
I am well aware that most schools provide for sorting or differentiating out in the classroom as best the homeroom teacher can do.

Norwood is reluctant to jump kids in ES ahead to intermix with other grades. To my knowledge, they have never done it, even for exceptional students. If the top cohort in 2nd grade is good, they will form a class unto themselves, and the teacher can accelerate them within that context. Starting in 5th or 6th, they may take two or three students (one year it was probably 7) and put them with an older grade, or form their own class. They will not do this before 5th. But if there are several really good math kids, it can work pretty well. So .... a LOT depends on exactly what you are looking for in acceleration. It depends on the cohort of kids - and the classes vary a lot in the kids' capabilities. It also depends on your kid's abilities relative to the cohort s/he is likely to be placed in. People who believe their children are very advanced in math, and/or whose children truly are very advanced, are often frustrated. Kids who are pretty darn good at math and where the parents are happy just to have them work with some other bright kids at some level above grade level are often fairly pleased. There is no rule that you can depend on going in, and you can't really ask up front, so it is a risk. but at the same time could work out.

Once in a while the admissions people might give you the name of a family with strong math students, and you can call the parents.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do any independent schools accelerate in the lower grades? I haven't heard of it, but we only looked at five schools.

To generalize from PP on Norwood, Independent Schools don't often accelerate. In public schools, there is acceleration, and it is part of the system. This isn't perfect either (some backlash within the county by people who created the accelerated system (esp. IM math) who think it is being done really badly, and when the kids get to the accelerated HS programs they don't know much.

[Anonymous]

PP: This is fair. Every school has their particular philosophy about education and their customs and practices in the early grades. We became aware of this when we toured the D.C. area independents. We ultimately found an environment that has proven a better fit for our boys at the elementary school level. We are well aware that some of these same schools we toured for elementary school may change their philosophy in middle and high school when certain talents are clearly well differentiated and established. It is much more difficult for the schools to deaccelerate or demote students with endless years of repetition at the later academic stages.

I'm sure we shall revisit the independent school options along with the middle school magnet menu in a couple of years.

[Anonymous]

Subject acceleration in Math is not bad for the appropriate child. In fact, it is rather healthy and beneficial. It is a far better option than sitting in a classroom for 5 of your early and formative years reviewing material already mastered while your classmates get taught. It can backfire if parents inappropriately demand it for children that are not yet ready for that step. Press reports alluded to in the PP had no bearing on my decision for my children. They are doing respectable for their age and grade level on AMC 8 and 10 national exams.

[Anonymous]

The need for subject acceleration in elementary school is not the rule but the exception. If you have a child that is the exception it's important to be fully aware of their elementary school options in this community so that you provide the best fit and flexibility. It's a potentially 5-6 year commitment before moving on to middle school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It is strange in that some of the wealthiest families are actually the nicest and most welcoming. So to me, it is kind of complex, not really based on income per se. That said, most of the families are very nice, it is just a pocket.

I don't contest your description of your experience, but I haven't noticed this. As anywhere, I've found some parents to be more outgoing and friendlier than others, but I don't see snobbery as an issue.