McDonogh School in Baltimore

[Anonymous]

My son was admitted to pre-k (the first pre-k class there - it's a brand new program) at McDonogh for next year and I'm interested in hearing people's perspective on the school. Given that there's not Baltimore equivalent of this site, I hope that some people on here can chime in. We went to the lower school accepted families reception last night and were very impressed. Despite the obvious wealth of the school, the families and faculty members we talked to seemed to very down to earth and non-pretentious. Anyone have any insights about the school?

[Anonymous]

You're not going to get a lot of feedback about McDonogh on this site. It is, however, an excellent school. Campus and facilities are amazing.

[Anonymous]

I had a kid there in the lower school. The teachers and facilities are phenomenal. We were very happy with the school. Fast forward a few yrs - we are in a different school bc bus ride just got be be too much for DS and school is quite out of the way from where we live and or work. Having spent time at other schools now, I still think school is top notch academics. That said, the playground at McD is far far more competitive than at other schools, even boys' schools, meaning that if you aren't good at sports it is a bit harder socially. Also, much much more conspicuous consumption (I put Garrison and St. Paul's in this category too). But if you have sporty kid (and he should start learning lax NOW) it really has fabulous teachers and a great curriculum.

[Anonymous]

McDonogh is a great school. The campus is lovely and there are some excellent, truly passionate teachers. My children don't attend McDonogh but they have friends who've come to their schools from McDonogh and who have transferred to McDonogh from their schools.

There's a good mix of SES but it does trend wealthier. The children and families I know who have attended and do attend are all down to earth even if they have significant wealth.

There's something for everyone there. Sports are a big thing, but it's not the only thing.

Congratulations!

[Anonymous]

NP, the focus on athletics is recent. I don't think there are a ton of "home grown" athletes, McDonogh is known to recruit for its teams at the middle/high school level. For the last few years, most of the varsity sports teams have gone undefeated. I'd be more concerned that my kid would be shut out of most of the teams. That said, I would be surprised if that trickled down to the lower school level. If you got in and liked the school, give it a try. You can always switch for middle or upper school if the fit isn't good.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:NP, the focus on athletics is recent. I don't think there are a ton of "home grown" athletes, McDonogh is known to recruit for its teams at the middle/high school level. For the last few years, most of the varsity sports teams have gone undefeated. I'd be more concerned that my kid would be shut out of most of the teams. That said, I would be surprised if that trickled down to the lower school level. If you got in and liked the school, give it a try. You can always switch for middle or upper school if the fit isn't good.

Maybe the fact that I was a public school kid in the midwest is showing, but I will never be able to wrap my head around this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You can always switch for middle or upper school if the fit isn't good.

This is something I've thought about as well. McDonogh is so well respected that if it ends up not being a good fit, I'm pretty sure DS would have good chances to get into other schools. Whereas the likelihood of getting into McDonogh in the future is not as strong. Especially since the new pre-K program means that close to half of the kindergarten slots will be filled before admissions season even begins (although many of those kids filling the pre-k spots - particularly siblings and faculty kids - would have been applying anyway).

[Anonymous]

My son did a "beginner" lax program at the school when he was in pre-1st. He was the ONLY kid who hadn't played organized lax yet and it was very discouraging for him.
Conspicuous consumption didn't affect kids at least in lower school - I noticed it. You have to feel comfortable with yourself and not let it overwhelm you. It shouldn't be a reason not to send your son there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You can always switch for middle or upper school if the fit isn't good.

This is something I've thought about as well. McDonogh is so well respected that if it ends up not being a good fit, I'm pretty sure DS would have good chances to get into other schools.

This is true among many of the Baltimore privates. The majority of my children's classes have stuck with the school they began in, with some increased movement for middle and upper school. There are kids from Friends lower who end up at Gilman middle, kids from Bryn Mawr middle who end up at McDonogh upper. The schools are also excellent about working with parents to find appropriate placement for children. One of my youngest's good friends left McDonogh because it wasn't a good fit, but is thriving at my youngest's school. The younger brother of another has moved from Gilman to Friends. There is no stigma and it just means the kids have someone who can introduce them to other kids at the mixers and sporting events.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You can always switch for middle or upper school if the fit isn't good.

This is something I've thought about as well. McDonogh is so well respected that if it ends up not being a good fit, I'm pretty sure DS would have good chances to get into other schools.

This is true among many of the Baltimore privates. The majority of my children's classes have stuck with the school they began in, with some increased movement for middle and upper school. There are kids from Friends lower who end up at Gilman middle, kids from Bryn Mawr middle who end up at McDonogh upper. The schools are also excellent about working with parents to find appropriate placement for children. One of my youngest's good friends left McDonogh because it wasn't a good fit, but is thriving at my youngest's school. The younger brother of another has moved from Gilman to Friends. There is no stigma and it just means the kids have someone who can introduce them to other kids at the mixers and sporting events.

We are also considering two of the Jewish schools (Krieger Schechter and Beth Tfiloh), and I'm not convinced that they are in the same league academically with respect to transferring. Some kids from those schools do very well academically and could transfer out, but it's not as safe of an assumption. Perhaps I am off base in this regard though. Basically, I think it would be no problem to switch from McDonogh to Schechter/BT, but it would not necessarily be as easy to switch from Schechter/BT to McDonogh (or Gilman, Friends, etc.).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You can always switch for middle or upper school if the fit isn't good.

This is something I've thought about as well. McDonogh is so well respected that if it ends up not being a good fit, I'm pretty sure DS would have good chances to get into other schools.

This is true among many of the Baltimore privates. The majority of my children's classes have stuck with the school they began in, with some increased movement for middle and upper school. There are kids from Friends lower who end up at Gilman middle, kids from Bryn Mawr middle who end up at McDonogh upper. The schools are also excellent about working with parents to find appropriate placement for children. One of my youngest's good friends left McDonogh because it wasn't a good fit, but is thriving at my youngest's school. The younger brother of another has moved from Gilman to Friends. There is no stigma and it just means the kids have someone who can introduce them to other kids at the mixers and sporting events.

We are also considering two of the Jewish schools (Krieger Schechter and Beth Tfiloh), and I'm not convinced that they are in the same league academically with respect to transferring. Some kids from those schools do very well academically and could transfer out, but it's not as safe of an assumption. Perhaps I am off base in this regard though. Basically, I think it would be no problem to switch from McDonogh to Schechter/BT, but it would not necessarily be as easy to switch from Schechter/BT to McDonogh (or Gilman, Friends, etc.).

I think they are in the same league. Plenty of kids switch from the Jewish schools to the independents for middle or upper school. If you live by Mcdonogh, you probably would find the commute to the city schools a bit of pain. Park and St. Paul's would probably be the closest to someone living in that direction. I actually don't think the school's reputation will matter all that much for transfer, test scores, grades and teacher recommendations will be the important factors.

[Anonymous]

I am not Jewish but I think that Schechter has a solid academic reputation and the kids transfer out to many schools when it ends at 8th grade or before. I've been impressed with the kids that I've met from there.

Like others, I've seen kids flow pretty freely across the Baltimore private schools. My neighbor who is on the board at Calvert seems to think that McDonough has the tightest admissions at the moment but lots of my kids from my neighborhood still seem to be admitted at grades other than k.

[Anonymous]

Good to hear PPs that you believe Schechter has a solid academic reputation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am not Jewish but I think that Schechter has a solid academic reputation and the kids transfer out to many schools when it ends at 8th grade or before. I've been impressed with the kids that I've met from there.

Like others, I've seen kids flow pretty freely across the Baltimore private schools. My neighbor who is on the board at Calvert seems to think that McDonough has the tightest admissions at the moment but lots of my kids from my neighborhood still seem to be admitted at grades other than k.

I think Calvert and Gilman are still harder to get into. Everyone I know who applied to Mcdonogh got in this year, at various grades and most were not typical entry point (although all were lower school).

[Anonymous]

PP, I should add that all were well qualified applicants. One of my children was accepted there, but I think despite the many wonderful qualities of the school, the location is a negative for those living closer in, at least it is for us.