Help - Maret vs. Sheridan for K????

[Anonymous]

Speaking from experience in the past few years...Sheridan kids really do get in and go wherever they want. If there is no way in heck your kid would get into a school the admin. Heads you off at the pass and suggests a different course of action before the process gets underway. It leaves almost no one disappointed in the end.,

[Anonymous]

I love Maret, but then, we didn't look at Sheridan. I think the Maret K experience is truly special, and I like that the school is one campus that goes all the way through high school.

If your child doesn't like Maret, or the school seems not to be the right fit for high school, she can always apply out. You aren't tied to any school forever.

[Anonymous]

OP, Maret and Sheridan have some differences in their approaches to teaching and in their school cultures. Ask yourself if you are committed to providing your child with a progressive education or if you are interested in one that is more traditional. Sheridan places a heavy emphasis on interactive learning, problem solving, and social/emotional development. While Maret uses interactive learning, it does not strive to embrace the progressive model.

Our child is at one of these schools but we have friends with kids at both. All are happy with their school choice. The difference that I see is in the preference of the family for the approach to teaching and learning. One is not necessarily better than the other. Some families prefer (and students thrive with) one over the other.

In which environment will your child thrive? I'll echo the words of others on this thread: trust your gut. You know your kid and your family better than any of us.

Also, definitely attend the welcome events. I don't know about others, but I found it really different walking into a school with an acceptance. I was more relaxed and able to picture my child there (or not). It really helped with decision making.

Good luck.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Got admitted to Sheridan and Maret for K and we're elated because we are in love with them both for totally different reasons. If you had to choose, which one would you pick? Why?

Maret. Congrats those Maret spots are very difficult to get.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Speaking from experience in the past few years...Sheridan kids really do get in and go wherever they want. If there is no way in heck your kid would get into a school the admin. Heads you off at the pass and suggests a different course of action before the process gets underway. It leaves almost no one disappointed in the end.,

My nephews went to Sheridan. It was very nurturing and they really loved their experience there. The trouble is that placement is not that strong and my brother had to work hard to get his oldest son into a Big 3 school (I apologize for using this phrase). Once there, neither one seemed well prepared for a rigorous, more traditional academic environment. I am not sure the progressive learning experience at Sheridan is for everyone and I am skeptical about its academic rigor

[Anonymous]

My friend's child's experience with Sheridan has been a class full of "challenging" kids. Several have been asked to leave (they are now in later elementary) but it's been a constant struggle with classmates with significant behavioral and mental health issues.

That said, the parents are great. Very down to earth. They are a close knit bunch because they've been together since the kids started school. If you want a ready-made community in DC, Sheridan is a great place to be.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Speaking from experience in the past few years...Sheridan kids really do get in and go wherever they want. If there is no way in heck your kid would get into a school the admin. Heads you off at the pass and suggests a different course of action before the process gets underway. It leaves almost no one disappointed in the end.,

My nephews went to Sheridan. It was very nurturing and they really loved their experience there. The trouble is that placement is not that strong and my brother had to work hard to get his oldest son into a Big 3 school (I apologize for using this phrase). Once there, neither one seemed well prepared for a rigorous, more traditional academic environment. I am not sure the progressive learning experience at Sheridan is for everyone and I am skeptical about its academic rigor

Once more time, this isn't true. Sidwell, St. Albans and GDS know who they want to take in 9th grade. If a child isn't going to be able to handle the rigor of one of these schools, that's highly specific to the child himself and his traits, and isn't a result of a K-8 education at any particular school. Sheridan, Deal, or another big 3.

This said, both schools are solid. I would recommend that the OP spend a fair amount of time studying the PARENT bodies of both schools, because they are, in my direct experience, very different. This will affect the experience of the family unit as a whole and also the individual kid's experience, due to trickle-down effects.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Speaking from experience in the past few years...Sheridan kids really do get in and go wherever they want. If there is no way in heck your kid would get into a school the admin. Heads you off at the pass and suggests a different course of action before the process gets underway. It leaves almost no one disappointed in the end.,

My nephews went to Sheridan. It was very nurturing and they really loved their experience there. The trouble is that placement is not that strong and my brother had to work hard to get his oldest son into a Big 3 school (I apologize for using this phrase). Once there, neither one seemed well prepared for a rigorous, more traditional academic environment. I am not sure the progressive learning experience at Sheridan is for everyone and I am skeptical about its academic rigor

Once more time, this isn't true. Sidwell, St. Albans and GDS know who they want to take in 9th grade. If a child isn't going to be able to handle the rigor of one of these schools, that's highly specific to the child himself and his traits, and isn't a result of a K-8 education at any particular school. Sheridan, Deal, or another big 3.

This said, both schools are solid. I would recommend that the OP spend a fair amount of time studying the PARENT bodies of both schools, because they are, in my direct experience, very different. This will affect the experience of the family unit as a whole and also the individual kid's experience, due to trickle-down effects.

Agree. But once again, it's not fair to say that "Sheridan kids go anywhere they want" for hs. No K-8 kids from ANY school "go anywhere they want." If the outplacement team doesn't think they will get in, they may steer them in another direction early on, they apply only to those schools and presto - they get in. That's not the same thing as saying "they go anywhere they want," because kids at all k-8s are discouraged from applying to schools that they can't or won't get in.

[Anonymous]

We're considering Sheridan, but I have to say this thread is very sobering. We want a warm, nuturing and academically challenging environment.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My friend's child's experience with Sheridan has been a class full of "challenging" kids. Several have been asked to leave (they are now in later elementary) but it's been a constant struggle with classmates with significant behavioral and mental health issues.

That said, the parents are great. Very down to earth. They are a close knit bunch because they've been together since the kids started school. If you want a ready-made community in DC, Sheridan is a great place to be.

Come on now DCPS admin/troll. You can do better than this. Go back to the drawing board. Very few kids leave Sheridan. Nice try however.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We're considering Sheridan, but I have to say this thread is very sobering. We want a warm, nuturing and academically challenging environment.

You're wasting your $34k if you choose any school for your child based on what you're hearing from DCUM.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We're considering Sheridan, but I have to say this thread is very sobering. We want a warm, nuturing and academically challenging environment.

You're wasting your $34k if you choose any school for your child based on what you're hearing from DCUM.

Lol! Good point!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My friend's child's experience with Sheridan has been a class full of "challenging" kids. Several have been asked to leave (they are now in later elementary) but it's been a constant struggle with classmates with significant behavioral and mental health issues.

That said, the parents are great. Very down to earth. They are a close knit bunch because they've been together since the kids started school. If you want a ready-made community in DC, Sheridan is a great place to be.

Come on now DCPS admin/troll. You can do better than this. Go back to the drawing board. Very few kids leave Sheridan. Nice try however.

Not a troll at all and I have no dog
in this fight. I've just heard a LOT about Sheridan from my very good friend and thought it was helpful to share the good and the bad. It's a great community. The kids (at least in one grade cohort) are surprisingly challenging. And YES, several were most definitely encouraged to leave for other schools. But go ahead and put your head in the sand and pretend this doesn't happen...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Sheridan's outplacements are great every year. If academics were mediocre, Sheridan students wouldn't have their pick of the top high schools like Maret, GDS and Sidwell.

Don't believe everything you've heard about Sheridan's outplacements being so wonderful. Most of the outplacements are great, but they can and have screwed up with their recommendations. In some cases, very, very badly.

But that was the old regime and I hope things go better under Jessica's leadership.

[Anonymous]

I would also like to point out another plus of a k-12. My child 4 or 5 was charming, articulate, cute and a 99% WPPSI. Pretty great candidate for a big 3 k-12. We went k-8. At 14, DC is still all those things, but it really isn't as important for admissions to 9th. Now DC is assessed on grades, SSAT scores, sports ability, extra curricular accomplishments. I really wish we went with the K-12. Sorry, but high school admissions are a crap shoot around here. I would 100% go with Maret. Fabulous school and you will have a great option for high school. You can always look elsewhere for 9th, but I suspect you will be relieved you can skip over the process. Good luck!