Which area Independent schools are the least and most snobby/elitist/keep up the Jonesiest?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Not sure if you're considering religious schools, but some of the Catholic high schools, especially on the east side of the region, have some of the most grounded student and parent bodies among all DC independent schools: St. Anselm's, Avalon, Carroll, DeMatha. St. Anselm's has a particularly notable academic reputation, and DeMatha has a long tradition of exceling widely in athletics.

I'm not opposed to religious schools but I went to Catholic school around here (Paul VI) and was less than impressed. I think tuition was more like $6-7k (for non-Catholics) when I went - I see now that it's $26K which is laughable IMO.

[Anonymous]

I have found Landon parents to be very down to earth and not at all about keeping up with the Joneses culture. Yes, there are wealthy families, but there is a vast difference to individuals who make it their social criteria or who are exclusionary.

[Anonymous]

Saint Anselm’s Abbey (SAAS). Super welcoming, rigorous and population is not all Catholic. space for everyone to fit in. All boys.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You’re going to have a tough time in this area. DC people are high achieving, high powered A-types. Even if they aren’t elitist or snobby, maybe you have your own hang ups that make assumptions based on looks.

Your best bet is a MOCO public school. Burke, Field, and SSFS did seem to have a more laid back parent body though. Especially Burke. The more progressive a school the less elitist the parent body in my experience. Now less elite doesn’t mean less wealthy or more welcoming. A douchebag is a douchebag regardless of whether they’re in Chanel or Birkenstocks.

Wholeheartedly agree with this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Saint Anselm’s Abbey (SAAS). Super welcoming, rigorous and population is not all Catholic. space for everyone to fit in. All boys.

+1 The beautiful and needed-in-this-time Benedictine Hallmarks (https://www.saintanselms.org/about/benedictine-education) are the foundation of the school, so "snobby" and "elitist" behavior is antithetical to the monastic example that sets the tone for the place.

Highlights:
"recognizing limitations without losing hope, and accepting gifts without becoming arrogant."
"Listening to one another with mercy, working to understand and anticipate the needs of others, and acting to serve those needs, which may be different than our own."
"An acceptance of others, offering a place in which persons and ideas feel “at home” where each can be transformed by one another on a common journey."
"A daily dedication to begin again in facing responsibilities, stretching beyond one’s comfort level to master complex practices and ideas."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This thread us unlikely to end well. Glad I already have my popcorn.

I got a large soda to go with my popcorn!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Not sure if you're considering religious schools, but some of the Catholic high schools, especially on the east side of the region, have some of the most grounded student and parent bodies among all DC independent schools: St. Anselm's, Avalon, Carroll, DeMatha. St. Anselm's has a particularly notable academic reputation, and DeMatha has a long tradition of exceling widely in athletics.

+1

We're a DM family and our neighbors have kids at SAAS. Lovely people, and brilliant kid. Boys we've met from these schools have always been polite and ambitious without seeming too arrogant. Both schools are very diverse and have a wide range of SES represented.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think Maret parents are fairly chill, but I’m old and so are my kids. I’ve heard some complaints about the younger parents being more entitled, but I don’t know any to know if it’s true.

Maret (and GDS) parents to me are actually the most annoying because they *think* they are chill and they are actually the complete opposite. Never have I been around a group of strivers trying so hard to make it look like they aren’t striving.

Reminds me of the when Harry Met Sally Quote: “You're the worst kind; you're high maintenance but you think you're low maintenance.”

Honestly there is no such thing as a "chill" vibe in DMV privates. The public schools are not like in NYC so you are really going out of you are going out of your way to send your kid to private. Some families with generational links are not there to strive but anyone that is going private because of some perceived advantage in college admissions is striving. I don't know when striver became a dirty word but it's not good for your mental health.

[Anonymous]

They can get kind of snobby and elitist around the Cathedral.

[Anonymous]

Anything that is "Big 3/5/7" or is on lush verdant acreage will disproportionately draw elite snobs there for the name recognition. Conversely, St Anne's Montessori Baptist Temple Academy, in the strip mall to the right of the Piggly Wiggly, will have fewer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They can get kind of snobby and elitist around the Cathedral.

My kids play sports with some of the Cathedral school kids and they constantly brag about being superior in multiple ways to the other kids. It’s very alarming to see it so young.

[Anonymous]

Between my two kids with different educational needs and a cross county move, we’ve been a five different private schools, including one parochial, and both more traditional/conservative and liberal/progressive. You can find both snobby elitists and down to earth, friendly families at any school. Out of the five schools we experienced from PK-12, the one with the most welcoming community and friendly parents was NPS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Anything that is "Big 3/5/7" or is on lush verdant acreage will disproportionately draw elite snobs there for the name recognition. Conversely, St Anne's Montessori Baptist Temple Academy, in the strip mall to the right of the Piggly Wiggly, will have fewer.

This. My kid attends an independent k-8 that is rarely mentioned on this board. We're happy with the academics and the population is pretty chill. It is not "known for" anything: it has limited sports offerings and the facilities are only one step up from our local public.

OP needs to decide if she wants a school that's known for x or y, or a little-known school that might be a good fit.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Anything that is "Big 3/5/7" or is on lush verdant acreage will disproportionately draw elite snobs there for the name recognition. Conversely, St Anne's Montessori Baptist Temple Academy, in the strip mall to the right of the Piggly Wiggly, will have fewer.

This. My kid attends an independent k-8 that is rarely mentioned on this board. We're happy with the academics and the population is pretty chill. It is not "known for" anything: it has limited sports offerings and the facilities are only one step up from our local public.

OP needs to decide if she wants a school that's known for x or y, or a little-known school that might be a good fit.

I’m OP, honestly I think we’ll apply to Congressional and enter the APS lottery drawings and call it a day.

[Anonymous]

Many Potomac parents think they are elite but it's like Ron Burgundy: "I don't know how to put this but I'm kind of a big deal. People know me."