Turning down a "prestigious" Big3 school for a less known one

[Anonymous]

Feels strange, but think it is the right thing for our child. Anyone else done this?

[Anonymous]

We turned down Potomac for Little Langley many years ago and now DS is at STA. Go with your gut OP. Potomac wasn't the right place for our family for the younger years. It would have been fine for HS but DS got into STA at Form III. Better fit for all and he's thriving there.

[Anonymous]

Best thing we ever did for our DS, now a senior. If you can take all the other "stuff" out of the decision, and just focus on what the right place for your child is, it's surprising how easy a decision this can be. Trouble is, it's hard to take that other stuff out.

[Anonymous]

Any school my DC is at is our "Big 3"! Don't buy into the crazy madness of other's opinion.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Any school my DC is at is our "Big 3"! Don't buy into the crazy madness of other's opinion.

+100

[Anonymous]

We turned down a Big 3 for NPS and were so glad we did. With the help of their stellar outplacement team, in 6th grade dc had fantastic options for 7th. Trust your instinct!

[Anonymous]

Turned down big 3 for an all boys school

[Anonymous]

It's all about the right fit for your child. Period.

[Anonymous]

I'm thinking about this also... but it's hard to get through the 'prestige' and 'my DC attends <insert big 3>' thoughts.

This is such a touch decision

[Anonymous]

Same here. Accepted to big 3, but DS and we really loved Landon. It just felt like home, like an ideal fit for DS. We'll see if he gets in.

[Anonymous]

might turn down a big three for burke

[Anonymous]

Agree with everyone who says its about the right fit for your child, not the name of the school per say.

Also you don't want to do as we did, accept and attend the big 3 (or 5 not sure which it is really) only to discover all our instincts had been correct, and the school was not for us at all - and leave.

[Anonymous]

We turned down a Big 3 for a smaller school. So glad we did. It's all about fit and your family--this is not like choosing a college or professional school. This is about choosing a place for your kid to learn to love school (at least for us).

[Anonymous]

We felt that a non-Big X was a better fit for our DC in many ways, but almost passed it up. DC thrived there and now is thriving at one of those most selective colleges that people have in the back (or front) of their minds when they think about the potential benefits of going to the Big X high school. The point is that if you find what is best for your child now -- whatever that is for the next 4 years -- it may ultimately set her up for greater successes later.

[Anonymous]

We did this. I wouldn't say Big 3 but Big 5. Turned it down for a school that is not frequently mentioned on this board. Child is diverse, this was for PreK admit, very smart, very social, 97% WPPSI. We got no aid at the private but no one does for PreK. We decided that a smaller cheaper school closer to home without a grueling commute was the better choice for the family. Child would do great at most schools. Decided that PreK-3rd years are not all that drastically different in most of these schools to warrant the expense and drama of the commute for the family. There is also a younger sibling in preschool closer to home. Will apply for top schools during 3rd or 4th grade when we can apply them and their sibling to the same school or schools all nearby each other in DC for fewer logistical dramas.