Schools that excel in teaching writing, analysis and critical thinking

[Anonymous]

Which private schools in DC and MD would you recommend for their strengths in teaching writing, analysis and critical thinking in the high school years? I've always heard this is a particular strength of private schools vs. most publics, and am wondering if there are particular schools that really excel at this. TIA!

[Anonymous]

Holton-Arms

[Anonymous]

GDS

[Anonymous]

Sidwell. My DS is at a top-10 university, and says the thing he misses most about high school is the intense class discussions.

[Anonymous]

Sidwell - It's a rigorous emphasis in every class.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Sidwell - It's a rigorous emphasis in every class.

How do they teach writing?

[Anonymous]

Honestly, I think most privates with small class sizes should do this well if they have decent teachers. Part of excellent writing is taught, but beyond that part is either innate or a byproduct of being well-read.

I think most parents at St. Andrew's think the school does a very good job in teaching writing. From 9th grade forward, they review /polish basic rubrics -- what is your thesis, construct your intro paragraph this way, your conclusion should do this, your body paragraphs should include at least x examples to support your view -- and moving in more advanced classes what objections should you anticipate to an argument. There are some writing assignments throughout the year in different classes -- English, history, eventually foreign languages -- and different types of writing. Of course, most emphasis is on the expositive essay, but there are also assignments aimed at fostering creative writing, poetry, and some aimed at teaching more effective PowerPoint, outlines, and other presentations.

Junior year, all students do a major history research (context) paper in connection with the US history class -- whether taking regular or AP levels as well as a follow on paper that puts into that context results of an original interview students conduct with a person who was a witness to some aspect of the historical topic. Senior year all students pick a specific faculty advisor to work on an original research paper. These papers are usually a minimum of 15 pages but some students get into it and they can be much longer. Students who take the AP language and composition class also receive formal instruction in rhetoric.

The school incentivizes students with not only effort grades generally (in addition to academic grades) but also with opportunities to publish in the literary magazine (like many privates) and with a few mini-writing contests. There are also major awards for the best senior paper as well as for outstanding achievement in a subject matter senior year.

[Anonymous]

SAAS does a very good job of teaching writing. Ms. Dunne, especially, makes them write every day and thoroughly and carefully corrects their writing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:SAAS does a very good job of teaching writing. Ms. Dunne, especially, makes them write every day and thoroughly and carefully corrects their writing.

+1

My DS just started at St. Anselm's this year and his written assignments in ALL subjects are critiqued and graded for content, grammar, concept and thoroughness. He is also learning grammar, which he was not taught in ES or MS. He might not be thrilled, but I am!

[Anonymous]

Graduate anywhere in Sidwell in terms of class ranking and you are still going to be a strong writer with the ability to think critically and logically.

[Anonymous]

I would have to say all the top schools in this area St. Albans/NCS, GDS, Sidwell, and Potomac. I know because i have looked at those schools and all seem top notch. We are not applying to all of them because of "fit" but most of them. I imagine Maret as well, though we haven't looked there. Basically, from what I have seen, you can't go wrong with any of the name brand schools.

[Anonymous]

GDS. Emphasis on writing/analysis/critical thinking shows up in foreign language and science classes as well as the places you'd normally expect it (e.g. English, history, debate/MUN, student newspaper). Theater program has student-authored one-acts and Senior Quest is another opportunity for larger-scale writing projects. There's also more of an emphasis on oral presentations than I grew up with, but that may just be standard now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Which private schools in DC and MD would you recommend for their strengths in teaching writing, analysis and critical thinking in the high school years? I've always heard this is a particular strength of private schools vs. most publics, and am wondering if there are particular schools that really excel at this. TIA!

I'm very impressed by the IB approach, so would start with schools that offer it.

[Anonymous]

NCS. Amazing English department!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:SAAS does a very good job of teaching writing. Ms. Dunne, especially, makes them write every day and thoroughly and carefully corrects their writing.

+1

My DS just started at St. Anselm's this year and his written assignments in ALL subjects are critiqued and graded for content, grammar, concept and thoroughness. He is also learning grammar, which he was not taught in ES or MS. He might not be thrilled, but I am!

I was amazed to see students diagramming sentences when we toured St. Anselm's.