Most down-to-Earth school community

[Anonymous]

I realize this is a strange question, but I'm looking for a down-to-earth school that is also very academically rich and treats students like individuals. I'd prefer not to spend $40k/year -- but it's just barely possible for us to do that (with significant sacrifice). I've toured some schools and felt that the environment of wealth was so unusual that I worried what it would mean for my kids socially as they got into the pre-teen and teen years (e.g. social status being based on clothes, cars, fancy trips to Europe, newest Iphones, etc.) We are very fortunate in the grand scheme of things, but we do not travel in those circles and we don't want to. We come from public school backgrounds in middle class environments, and both enjoyed great academic success, so we have some fear of spoiling our kids.
But, we have a child who is very bright and unhappy in her large public elementary school. We need some more attention for her -- she probably could use some serious acceleration in many areas, but not others. She's never going to be the first kid with her hand up. She's smart, and a deep-thinker, but cautious and tentative. She would be happiest as a big fish in a small pond, we think. And we have another child who seems to be as academically inclined as kids get -- she could probably benefit from as challenging an environment as possible. She would probably also do well long-term in public, but we think we'd like them to go to school together if possible.
I'm open to suggestions. We're in Upper NW, but have some geographic flexibility.

[Anonymous]

My admittedly limited experience is that you're going to want to look for a school that draws a straight-up middle-class population. And there are no 40K per year schools that will do this. (I found it at a $1000 per month preschool)

So, since it does sound like your older (?) child would benefit from a private school, I would look into small schools, like maybe Sheridan (just throwing it out there, I only know about it from this board). Go visit, see what you find. Just expect that no matter what school it is, if it's private, there will be some serious wealth.

[Anonymous]

OP: in the DMV area, the kind of school that meets your definition of "down-to-Earth" would be home schooled!

Just the fact that real estate tax is high and most of the schools have tuition starting at $25k, yet people are still willing and able to pay for private tuition.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP: in the DMV area, the kind of school that meets your definition of "down-to-Earth" would be home schooled!

Just the fact that real estate tax is high and most of the schools have tuition starting at $25k, yet people are still willing and able to pay for private tuition.

I hear you. We're considering parochial, because I think it does (depending on the school) fall into this category. But I do wonder if there aren't some schools where even though obviously most of the people are very wealthy, they don't buy their kids the Uggs/Iphones/Mercedes anyway. You know what I mean? I keep holding out hope that this exists. I went to a very expensive top-tier college and, even though the average household income was probably similar to the average household income at most private schools here, there wasn't this atmosphere of wealth the way there is at the schools I've toured here.

[Anonymous]

Look for a religious school with a uniform requirement - Catholic, Episcopalian, or Presbyterian tho NPS only goes to grade 5. Or go left - Waldorf or Oneness Family or Montessori. Good luck.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Look for a religious school with a uniform requirement - Catholic, Episcopalian, or Presbyterian tho NPS only goes to grade 5. Or go left - Waldorf or Oneness Family or Montessori. Good luck.

Thanks! That's what my instinct was. Either religious or granola.

[Anonymous]

Grace Episcopal Day School but it is in Kensington MD and it only goes up to 5th grade.

[Anonymous]

Lowell

[Anonymous]

Fallsmead ES area in Rockville. Many people raised here return to raise their own kids.

[Anonymous]

St. Anselm's Abbey School really fits the bill from our perspective so far. It's obviously not an option for your daughters, but it seems to confirm your insight that a religious school will be more likely to have a group of parents who are less focused on wealth and public consumption.

[Anonymous]

DS is at Green Acres, and from our experience it is very much what you are looking for.

[Anonymous]

Definitely parochial. My daughter sounds similar to yours and absolutely flourishes in ours. However, depending on the area you choose the children can be affluent and uniforms won't hide that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Look for a religious school with a uniform requirement - Catholic, Episcopalian, or Presbyterian tho NPS only goes to grade 5. Or go left - Waldorf or Oneness Family or Montessori. Good luck.

Thanks! That's what my instinct was. Either religious or granola.

FYI, this PP is misinformed. NPS goes to 6th grade and there is no uniform requirement.

[Anonymous]

GDS has a down-to-earth atmosphere with a strong social justice tradition in the urban context.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:GDS has a down-to-earth atmosphere with a strong social justice tradition in the urban context.

Rich, self-sufficient, holier-than-thou folks.

OP, I believe the previous ideas make more sense.