Strongest Academic Program - Private Schools in Bowie/Upper Marlboro

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is an eye-opener. Thank you for posting, 12/05/2017 12:11.
Is there a standardized test we should be asking about when comparing schools?
12/05/2017 12:11 is the most objective information we have.
I wish there was an equivalent to SAT that we could compare across all the 8th grades to see where these schools really stand
I am really getting worried that we are all getting hoodwinked into thinking these private schools are stronger than our local public schools
Any insight or advice?

Private schools are only accountable to their "customers," the students and parents, who have no real way of assessing quality of instruction. Some of them are run like tiny dictatorships, I speak from experience.

My advice- work with your public school! You're already paying for it in our high taxes, and the more people are invested in our local publics, the better they will do, which will only lead to more enrollment by middle class and higher income parents and increased property values. The private schools in PG are unimpressive academically and add nothing to our community.

I agree with you in theory, but I just can't feel confident that my child will be ok in my local middle school. I felt like the elementary school was small enough that my influence mattered and I'm hopeful that I'll have enough confidence in my kid's intrinsic motivation/confidence/abilities that she'll be ok at the high school (we'll see when the time comes), but I just couldn't put my faith in the local public middle school. It's really unfortunate because I love the part of PG County where we live and I would love to support the public schools all the way through.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is an eye-opener. Thank you for posting, 12/05/2017 12:11.
Is there a standardized test we should be asking about when comparing schools?
12/05/2017 12:11 is the most objective information we have.
I wish there was an equivalent to SAT that we could compare across all the 8th grades to see where these schools really stand
I am really getting worried that we are all getting hoodwinked into thinking these private schools are stronger than our local public schools
Any insight or advice?

Private schools are only accountable to their "customers," the students and parents, who have no real way of assessing quality of instruction. Some of them are run like tiny dictatorships, I speak from experience.

My advice- work with your public school! You're already paying for it in our high taxes, and the more people are invested in our local publics, the better they will do, which will only lead to more enrollment by middle class and higher income parents and increased property values. The private schools in PG are unimpressive academically and add nothing to our community.

I agree with you in theory, but I just can't feel confident that my child will be ok in my local middle school. I felt like the elementary school was small enough that my influence mattered and I'm hopeful that I'll have enough confidence in my kid's intrinsic motivation/confidence/abilities that she'll be ok at the high school (we'll see when the time comes), but I just couldn't put my faith in the local public middle school. It's really unfortunate because I love the part of PG County where we live and I would love to support the public schools all the way through.

Middle school is the achilles heel of PGCPS.
I really hope that someone in Dr Goldson's office is trying a figure out a way to give better MS options to parents. Open up specialty programs within a neighborhood school, expand the performing arts programs, open up IB programs etc.

[Anonymous]

How is everyone doing? Any new opinions, recommendations, or advice?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How is everyone doing? Any new opinions, recommendations, or advice?

For what grade? Me personally, I have given up. If you go private, most of the PG County private’s are just a step up from public. You may end up with smaller class sizes but nothing spectacular to pay anywhere from $9.5k-$13k. My kid is going to kindergarten next year and I’m taking them out of the private they attend now, Excellence Christian School. I’m applying to some privates in DC and VA. Although more expensive, in doing tours, it’s a big difference than what I see in PG.

[Anonymous]

I'm considering FCS in Berwyn Heights for DD elementary and middle school but failed to see it mentioned in this chat. Why?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm considering FCS in Berwyn Heights for DD elementary and middle school but failed to see it mentioned in this chat. Why?

It wasn't mentioned in the original post, so hasn't been part of the discussion.
FCS is an excellent school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm considering FCS in Berwyn Heights for DD elementary and middle school but failed to see it mentioned in this chat. Why?

That's probably one of the top in PG County.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm considering FCS in Berwyn Heights for DD elementary and middle school but failed to see it mentioned in this chat. Why?

Keep in mind some grades are combined. That's what turned me off.

[momify]

We are also considering Friends Community School (FCS) in College Park as well as Holy Trinity Episcopal in Bowie. Can anyone share any recent experiences/views on these schools? My child will be in Kindergarten this fall and I'm hoping to find a place we will stay through 8th grade. Thanks in advance for thoughts!

[Anonymous]

momify wrote:We are also considering Friends Community School (FCS) in College Park as well as Holy Trinity Episcopal in Bowie. Can anyone share any recent experiences/views on these schools? My child will be in Kindergarten this fall and I'm hoping to find a place we will stay through 8th grade. Thanks in advance for thoughts!

+1 for Holy. Not too familiar with FCS

[Anonymous]

We love FCS. Warm and caring teachers, a meaningful focus on developing children who are good humans as well as smart students, and success in high school placement after graduating.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We love FCS. Warm and caring teachers, a meaningful focus on developing children who are good humans as well as smart students, and success in high school placement after graduating.

We have done camps at FCS and I was impressed.
Unfortunately, many of the kids I know who are current and former students are spoiled brats. Maybe it comes from being told you are special all of the time.

[momify]

Anonymous wrote:

momify wrote:We are also considering Friends Community School (FCS) in College Park as well as Holy Trinity Episcopal in Bowie. Can anyone share any recent experiences/views on these schools? My child will be in Kindergarten this fall and I'm hoping to find a place we will stay through 8th grade. Thanks in advance for thoughts!

+1 for Holy. Not too familiar with FCS

Thank you!

[momify]

Anonymous wrote:We love FCS. Warm and caring teachers, a meaningful focus on developing children who are good humans as well as smart students, and success in high school placement after graduating.

Thanks!!

[Anonymous]

I heard HT is a joke especially during Covid-19. The consensus is they left much to be desired in communication.