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Why do people dislike the Big Three?
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Anonymous
I agree. On both sides of this "big three" topic, the posting parties are so warped that this thread does not even have any value as humor/satire. |
Anonymous
Its funny how many people seem to think this but its really inaccurate. There are large groups of extremely well-connected, powerful, politco, wealthy, "known" parents who send their children to schools other than Sidwell, Cathedral Schools and GDS. I personally know several (not just 1 or 2) parents that one would put in that "connected" category at NPS, St Patrick's, Landon, Holton, WES, Potomac, Sheridan, and others. The belief that only certain schools have major "connected" WDC families is utterly inaccurate. In fact, because of this perception, sometimes those three schools end up with many more regular folks who are trying to rub shoulders with the rich and powerful. If that is why parents are chosing a school for their child, not only are the reasons for the choice really bad, but the reality is probably going to be pretty bad, too. |
Anonymous
|
OP here: I should say... that I'm actually completely curious. Why the negativity?
I obviously didn't choose any of the schools for their prestige. I had never heard of any of them until I moved here. And tbh... We visited about fifteen schools for our 12 year old. So more than the 'big three'. There were many things to consider for schools... one was athletics... our daughter is very into LAX and field hockey. So to put her in a school that didn't offer either of those wouldn't have made her very happy. We also needed a school that was academically challenging, and most of the schools we visited, we considered to be academically challenging (outside of the big three!). On top of that, our daughter wanted to go to a larger school... so the big three are much larger than most privates. Don't take my question in sourness. I am simply curious. |
Anonymous
|
Envy.
Pure and simple. |
Anonymous
Whatever you say, Boss! You've really got me pegged. Have a nice night. |
Anonymous
You've completely missed the point. Envy about WHAT??? |
Anonymous
OK, I'll bite: Maret and St. Anselms. We toured Maret and were blown away by the breadth of the curriculum and the educational philosophy. Great scope in the classes offered, and not the prison-camp study-till-you drop approach. I'd link to their curriculum but I just visited their website and they don't show all the detail that they offer. It was our first choice, but DC was waitlisted (DC got into a so-called big 3, though). Then there's this piece from the Post's very own Jay Matthews, where he says that parents in certain MoCo or Northern VA demographics are "nuts" (his words) to send their kids to private schools. And he goes on to say that he thinks his own kid would have gotten just as good an education at Whitman as at Sidwell. You have to go about half-way down the page: http://themorechild.com/2009/03/10/jay-mathews-live/#comment-1357. But really, people with kids in schools they expect the rest of us to call the "Big 3" should be explaining why these schools so superior. Not bugging the rest of us to call them "The Big 3". Not tossing this nickname out there without bothering to demonstrate that they are really academically superior (which so far nobody on this thread has tried to do). And certainly not dismissing anybody who disagrees as just being "jealous" (et tu, 18:11?). Calling people "jealous" is just a cheap way of avoiding the issue of whether these schools really are better. |
Anonymous
I agree. Envy. |
Anonymous
| I think that the only people that actually take the time to dislike and bash the Big 3 are those that applied and got rejected! |
Anonymous
You HAVE to be kidding. The language components of these schools are so lacking in depth. We wanted an immersion quality experience and none of these three even came close. The only school we were interested in was (is) WIS. |
Anonymous
| 20:13 Thanks for answering my question! |
Anonymous
So what if I don't want the big white mansion on the hill or a smallish school with middle-of-the-road athletics (Maret) or what if I have a daughter not a son or the commute clear across the city isn't feasible or I don't want single sex (St. Anselms)? In those cases, how can either be "better" or why would the academics at these two schools be relevant? And while we're at it, better for or academically superior for who exactly? No one can broadly say that the academics are better at any school than another. That would imply a one size fits all mentality. Are Maret and St. Anselms one size fits all academically? So any child who is strong aademically would excel at Maret and St. Anselms? OK. I haven't seen anyone say that the "Big 3" are superior or anyone asking you to call them "The Big 3". Who exactly is bugging you or expecting anything of you? For some "Big 3" means the largest schools, or those that go pre-K through 12 (if you lump Beauvoir/STA/NCS), or those that tend to get the most applications and are thus more competitive to get into, or those that have the greatest cache. Whatever it does or doesn't mean to you, most people on this board understand the shorthand or slang of the term regardless of whether you agree with it or not. Same with the term feeder school. If you don't like the term don't use it. |
Anonymous
Actually, I didn't apply to any for several reasons. However, the overrated hype on this board was an additional turnoff. What you think is not correct. |
Anonymous
| Big MOUTH 3. Hype Hype HOORAY! |
Anonymous
| Jesus- you ppl are insane. I don't want my children anywhere near you or your children. I also here there is a SERIOUS drug culture at the Big Three. |