So, if you had an average kid -- where would you send them?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:WES and St. Patrick's are good choices. St. Pat's doesn't require the WPPSi test for nursery or Pre-K so it is a good option for kids that didn't score well. Most kids at the Big 3's have scores in the 90's with many having 95% an higher.

You really do not know much about St Patrick's if you are calling its student body "average." Likewise, if you truly believe that the WPPSI test is all important, you do not know much about children, learning, IQ testing, and latter achievement.

[Anonymous]

I am suspicious of a thread which posits where 'average' kids should go. Any answers are bound to make some feel bad. I liken this to the old, "Where do kids who get rejected from the Big 3 go?"...already loaded for a fight.

Might be nicer to ask, what do parents look for in a school for their normal kid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:WES and St. Patrick's are good choices. St. Pat's doesn't require the WPPSi test for nursery or Pre-K so it is a good option for kids that didn't score well. Most kids at the Big 3's have scores in the 90's with many having 95% an higher.

You really do not know much about St Patrick's if you are calling its student body "average." Likewise, if you truly believe that the WPPSI test is all important, you do not know much about children, learning, IQ testing, and latter achievement.

I know many St Pats families and agree. Same goes for WES, where my 99.5% child doesn't seem to stand out. But I didn't choose a school for him based on his WPPSI.

[Anonymous]

Its funny how some threads on the private school forum interconnect and make another one look silly or ridiculous. My thoughts on this are, I acknowledge, a bit rambling but, its a nasty, cold, rainy day and I am bored so here goes what I have been mulling over... Let's consider, for instance, the thread that asks if 99% kids have 99% parents (referring to IQ I believe - which some people seem to think is the best indicator of success) and then this thread. It is well known that IQ is largely hereditary, although nuture certainly plays a role as well - the role of the parents in nuturing intellectual curiousity and exposing children to books, culture, music, etc... and wealthy parents usually have more time, money, and access to expose their kids to these things. So, one might assume that the most successful parents, who "made it" to the top echelons of wealth and power themselves, would have the most "superior" kids, at least if we are talking about WPPSI scores (IQ tests), right? Well, then you have this thread that calls out certain schools as only for "average" children, like NPS, St Patricks, Bullis, and WES. And yet, all of these schools enroll many kids of wealthy and uber-sucessful parents, and several also of the well-known, connected, and "famous." NPS for instance, has always had names you would recognize either from the pages of the Post or from the local society rags. Bullis pulls its student body largely from wealthy and successful Potomac, although it is for older grades so the WPPSI doesnt apply, and its enrollment is perhaps based more on personal academic achievement (which includes attitude and focus) thus far (maybe removing it from this theory to some extent)? St Patrick's pulls a large percentage of its population from the immediately surrounding neighborhoods: Palisades, Kent, Wesley Heights, and Spring Valley, as has been noted on previous threads. Those 'hoods are some of the most expensive in the area, usually owned by the highly successful and well-educated (many 99% parents?) and lots of them send their kids to....St Patricks? or NPS? really? Really? Now does that make sense? that all of these supposedly "superior" parents have only average kids that can only get into these DCUMer-ridiculed "average" schools? Schools that seem to get "put down" on these threads a LOT. Hhhhhmmmm. Just who are these DCUMers putting down these schools? These schools that are not the ones they name as the best of the best, that they love and worship? These DCUMers that are oh-so-certain that the "big 3" school will get their little Johnny Superior into Harvard or Yale and then maybe a top law firm or the White House? Do these DCUMers, who bash all the other schools but their beloved 3, know what they are talking about? Well, maybe, just maybe, the parents choosing these supposedly "average" schools, the ones they choose over the DCUMer worshipped, beloved, and nick-named "big 3," DO know what they are doing. Maybe they have reasons that they, in their expensive houses and powerful jobs see that some "average" DCUMers can not? And lastly, I would note that , if I recall correctly (and I do), a Supreme Court Justice sends his kid(s) to WES... wow, how did someone like that get average kids? well... he probably didn't.

[Anonymous]

PP -- Just because someone makes a lot of money doesn't mean they have high test scores or kids with high test scores. And, a number of these people would admit that. Some people who do really well in sales for example or who are really successful as entrepreneurs may not have been the best students. Those fields don't require "high scores" for entry. Fields such as law and medicine require high test scores for entry. The kids of those people may have higher scores.

As for a Supreme Court Justice having kids at WES -- maybe they didn't test well or maybe the spouse didn't have high scores in school.

[Anonymous]

Perhaps the question should be phrased, "Where can an average student be successful and happy?".

None of the schools listed in four pages of this thread are made up entirely of kids with average WPPSI/WISC scores. But many of them have a curriculum, pace, and sensibility which will be a good fit for an average student who works hard, as well as for those well-above-average kids. There are other schools, where they pile on the work and move very quickly through the curriculum, where an average student would have a much harder time keeping up, or would have to give up all of their free time, or would run the risk of feeling unsuccessful.

I don't see it as a slam to say "average students can be successful at ___________ school". (I don't even see it as a slam to say "there are many average students at _____ school", but apparently others do.)

[Anonymous]

wow, it does get nasty quickly, but maybe they read DCUM and didn't want to send their kids to the schools with the harsh judgmental parent body who sadly often breed harsh judgmental children. Many successful and smart people see value in a strong education, a diverse population, and a focus on the less superficial, and do not base their school selection on name recognition alone.

[Anonymous]

This is Lake Woebegone where all the children are above average. The least offensive way I can think of to ask this question is "My DC is a good but not exceptional student. Which schools are great even for kids who aren't at the top of their class academically?" It's a real question and, frankly, one that is no doubt more relevant to most posters here than the 99.9% BS threads are.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Its funny how some threads on the private school forum interconnect and make another one look silly or ridiculous. My thoughts on this are, I acknowledge, a bit rambling but, its a nasty, cold, rainy day and I am bored so here goes what I have been mulling over... Let's consider, for instance, the thread that asks if 99% kids have 99% parents (referring to IQ I believe - which some people seem to think is the best indicator of success) and then this thread. It is well known that IQ is largely hereditary, although nuture certainly plays a role as well - the role of the parents in nuturing intellectual curiousity and exposing children to books, culture, music, etc... and wealthy parents usually have more time, money, and access to expose their kids to these things. So, one might assume that the most successful parents, who "made it" to the top echelons of wealth and power themselves, would have the most "superior" kids, at least if we are talking about WPPSI scores (IQ tests), right? Well, then you have this thread that calls out certain schools as only for "average" children, like NPS, St Patricks, Bullis, and WES. And yet, all of these schools enroll many kids of wealthy and uber-sucessful parents, and several also of the well-known, connected, and "famous." NPS for instance, has always had names you would recognize either from the pages of the Post or from the local society rags. Bullis pulls its student body largely from wealthy and successful Potomac, although it is for older grades so the WPPSI doesnt apply, and its enrollment is perhaps based more on personal academic achievement (which includes attitude and focus) thus far (maybe removing it from this theory to some extent)? St Patrick's pulls a large percentage of its population from the immediately surrounding neighborhoods: Palisades, Kent, Wesley Heights, and Spring Valley, as has been noted on previous threads. Those 'hoods are some of the most expensive in the area, usually owned by the highly successful and well-educated (many 99% parents?) and lots of them send their kids to....St Patricks? or NPS? really? Really? Now does that make sense? that all of these supposedly "superior" parents have only average kids that can only get into these DCUMer-ridiculed "average" schools? Schools that seem to get "put down" on these threads a LOT. Hhhhhmmmm. Just who are these DCUMers putting down these schools? These schools that are not the ones they name as the best of the best, that they love and worship? These DCUMers that are oh-so-certain that the "big 3" school will get their little Johnny Superior into Harvard or Yale and then maybe a top law firm or the White House? Do these DCUMers, who bash all the other schools but their beloved 3, know what they are talking about? Well, maybe, just maybe, the parents choosing these supposedly "average" schools, the ones they choose over the DCUMer worshipped, beloved, and nick-named "big 3," DO know what they are doing. Maybe they have reasons that they, in their expensive houses and powerful jobs see that some "average" DCUMers can not? And lastly, I would note that , if I recall correctly (and I do), a Supreme Court Justice sends his kid(s) to WES... wow, how did someone like that get average kids? well... he probably didn't.

Wow - angry, huh? Why do you assume that someone that posts answers about average students is from a Big 3. I posted one of the answers above and my child is NOT at a Big 3 but at one of the schools above. I interpreted the op's question meaning where does one send their kid if they scored in the 70's or 80's on the WPPSI. The answer is that many do send their kids to St. Pat's and or other schools that don't require the WPPSI for admission if they have lower scores.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Perhaps the question should be phrased, "Where can an average student be successful and happy?".

I think this is absolutely the right question.

There are some parents who equate "success" with getting into the Ivies, or alternatively "the school of his/her choice." If that's your concern, it's not clear that being in the middle of the class at St. Albans, or being near the top (as opposed to being at the top) of Bullis, is going to get your kid there. Of course, there are plenty of extremely bright kids in the publics, too. The question of where the average kid has better chances of getting into "the school of his choice" (Ivy or other) is one that has come up a lot on DCUM, and since no researchers have looked at this, nobody on DCUM can answer it.

[Anonymous]

18:56 again. Another thought -- probably the best school is one that challenges him or her, and inspires him/her to do their best. Which would probably rule out the elite schools, as I know several kids in those who are swamped with work, intimidated by the other kids, and basically see school as a prison camp (just as I know super-achieving kids who love their elite schools). So a second tier school that is strong in what your kid likes (music? history?) and also good in the sense that you like their math curriculum, et cetera.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:wow, it does get nasty quickly, but maybe they read DCUM and didn't want to send their kids to the schools with the harsh judgmental parent body who sadly often breed harsh judgmental children. Many successful and smart people see value in a strong education, a diverse population, and a focus on the less superficial, and do not base their school selection on name recognition alone.

Not sure who you know at the Big 3 schools but you sound like the judgmental one. I have many friends at these schools and they sent their kids because they loved the schools and they thought their children would thrive there. Also, for many these schools are in their neighborhood. They are not all like this. Trust me! Some are super wealthy, some are struggling to pay the tuition, some would love for their kids to pursue their dreams in the arts, and some want their children to have the opportunities they themselves never had etc... I spend a lot of time with these people and I have never ever heard any of them make any comments suggesting anything that I hear on these boards. I have never heard anyone of them boast about their schools or the admissions process etc... There are many nice down to earth people at these schools. I am sure there are those that do fit this description but those types are at all schools.

[Anonymous]

I agree with PP - I have lived in DC almost 10 years and I have NEVER met anybody through schools, sports or activities with attitudes like those reflected on this board. For the record - my bright child was a fun loving clown - loved learning and socializing, but not the serious, intense, perfectionist type. After touring and meeting many families - we were accepted at our top 3 choices and decided on a K-8 with a progressive, whole-child focus. Guess what - best thing we ever did. Thriving through your elementary and MS years creates happy, confident kids - I am not at all worried about HS placement - and seeing how much he has developed into quite the confident student these past few years - I'm thrilled to know he will end up in the HS that is a perfect fit - not a place where he was tutored to keep up with 12 months out of the year. What kind of experience could that possibly be for a child??

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:wow, it does get nasty quickly, but maybe they read DCUM and didn't want to send their kids to the schools with the harsh judgmental parent body who sadly often breed harsh judgmental children. Many successful and smart people see value in a strong education, a diverse population, and a focus on the less superficial, and do not base their school selection on name recognition alone.

Not sure who you know at the Big 3 schools but you sound like the judgmental one. I have many friends at these schools and they sent their kids because they loved the schools and they thought their children would thrive there.... I spend a lot of time with these people and I have never ever heard any of them make any comments suggesting anything that I hear on these boards. I have never heard anyone of them boast about their schools or the admissions process etc... There are many nice down to earth people at these schools. I am sure there are those that do fit this description but those types are at all schools.

I agree. Big 3 families are more often on the receiving end of nasty comments on DCUM than on the giving side. I looked back at this thread for example and did not find one comment from a Big 3 family, so I'm not sure why people started attacking them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Its funny how some threads on the private school forum interconnect and make another one look silly or ridiculous. My thoughts on this are, I acknowledge, a bit rambling but, its a nasty, cold, rainy day and I am bored so here goes what I have been mulling over... Let's consider, for instance, the thread that asks if 99% kids have 99% parents (referring to IQ I believe - which some people seem to think is the best indicator of success) and then this thread. It is well known that IQ is largely hereditary, although nuture certainly plays a role as well - the role of the parents in nuturing intellectual curiousity and exposing children to books, culture, music, etc... and wealthy parents usually have more time, money, and access to expose their kids to these things. So, one might assume that the most successful parents, who "made it" to the top echelons of wealth and power themselves, would have the most "superior" kids, at least if we are talking about WPPSI scores (IQ tests), right? Well, then you have this thread that calls out certain schools as only for "average" children, like NPS, St Patricks, Bullis, and WES. And yet, all of these schools enroll many kids of wealthy and uber-sucessful parents, and several also of the well-known, connected, and "famous." NPS for instance, has always had names you would recognize either from the pages of the Post or from the local society rags. Bullis pulls its student body largely from wealthy and successful Potomac, although it is for older grades so the WPPSI doesnt apply, and its enrollment is perhaps based more on personal academic achievement (which includes attitude and focus) thus far (maybe removing it from this theory to some extent)? St Patrick's pulls a large percentage of its population from the immediately surrounding neighborhoods: Palisades, Kent, Wesley Heights, and Spring Valley, as has been noted on previous threads. Those 'hoods are some of the most expensive in the area, usually owned by the highly successful and well-educated (many 99% parents?) and lots of them send their kids to....St Patricks? or NPS? really? Really? Now does that make sense? that all of these supposedly "superior" parents have only average kids that can only get into these DCUMer-ridiculed "average" schools? Schools that seem to get "put down" on these threads a LOT. Hhhhhmmmm. Just who are these DCUMers putting down these schools? These schools that are not the ones they name as the best of the best, that they love and worship? These DCUMers that are oh-so-certain that the "big 3" school will get their little Johnny Superior into Harvard or Yale and then maybe a top law firm or the White House? Do these DCUMers, who bash all the other schools but their beloved 3, know what they are talking about? Well, maybe, just maybe, the parents choosing these supposedly "average" schools, the ones they choose over the DCUMer worshipped, beloved, and nick-named "big 3," DO know what they are doing. Maybe they have reasons that they, in their expensive houses and powerful jobs see that some "average" DCUMers can not? And lastly, I would note that , if I recall correctly (and I do), a Supreme Court Justice sends his kid(s) to WES... wow, how did someone like that get average kids? well... he probably didn't.

How did he "get" those kids? Well, actually, he, ahem, adopted them. Yes, it's true.