Beauvoir v. NPS—please compare the communities

[Anonymous]

Does BVR have the same robust counseling program as NPS? I was impressed by the NPS presentation featuring their two full time counselors

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:Interested to hear more about the difference in differentiation at nps and bvr. Both said they offer opportunities for acceleration and extra help
but curious to hear some personal experiences

Truth is, you’ll have a hard time finding a sorry. Who have experienced both such as myself. We left BVR and went to NPS. We still have went quite sure we knew what would be best for DC to 12th. Other then facilities, they are actually quite similar. I will say. That NPS is a bit more nurturing. There were time where I felt like a number at BVR or if I asked a teacher a question about my kid, I was being a bother. That’s part of the reason why we didn’t apply right away to STA. Just felt like it would be a continuation.

Academically, they’re about the same. I had a great experience at both. However, NPS I believe I had a more personable experience and my child was more comfortable there. Realized late the we not dear child wanted single sex and ended up at Maret for 7th.

Just to be clear, when we left BVR, we left after graduating.

But Beauvoir has two teachers per class and nps has one. There's no differentiation at Beauvoir for bright kids?

Poster with a kid at both BVR/NPS. Yes two teachers in BVR but it still didn’t change the fact of 20-22 kids. Child had a good experience but I would’ve started at NPS if I had to do it all over again. They don’t do differentiated learning. They break up in two groups based on ability but the other poster is correct, they won’t differentiate for very advanced.

Also, the classrooms at NPS do have multiple teachers. It just depends on whether the classroom has a dedicated TA or whether they share the TA between 2 classes. I think they added a lot of classroom aides and TAs this year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m leaning towards NPS over BVR for many of the reasons already stated—but what gives me pause are the potential social consequences of such small classes.

What if three girls are buddies and three are outliers? Would they have more friend options at BVR? Or is NPS so much “nicer” they have ways of avoiding exclusion? I’m not sure why I’m so concerned because it hasn’t been an issue in preschool but it’s something I worry about, especially with all the chatter about parents who already know each other socially…

They do a good job at balancing at NPS as far as gender and race. My sons kinder has 14 and there are two other k classes, that both have 13. They all recess together so the dynamic is great with about 40 kids.

[Anonymous]

Thank you PP’s for the great feedback! We are an atheist family and actually really like the religion and ethics classes at NPS, plus all the traditions in chapel. I watched their chaplain event but still don’t understand one thing: Do the kids actually pray, like with clasped hands? Or is it more saying a general prayer in unison? This isn’t a dealbreaker for us but I’m curious. I assume BVR is somewhat less religious ?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thank you PP’s for the great feedback! We are an atheist family and actually really like the religion and ethics classes at NPS, plus all the traditions in chapel. I watched their chaplain event but still don’t understand one thing: Do the kids actually pray, like with clasped hands? Or is it more saying a general prayer in unison? This isn’t a dealbreaker for us but I’m curious. I assume BVR is somewhat less religious ?

Yes they actually pray. Really.

[Anonymous]

So is it awkward if the atheist, Jewish and Muslim kids don’t participate or fold their hands? BVR lets prospective parents zoom into chapels so it’s easier to grasp. Fwiw we decided Catholic school is a bridge too far for us but hope NPS will “feel” right

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So is it awkward if the atheist, Jewish and Muslim kids don’t participate or fold their hands? BVR lets prospective parents zoom into chapels so it’s easier to grasp. Fwiw we decided Catholic school is a bridge too far for us but hope NPS will “feel” right

NPS is a very understanding community. I don’t think you will have an issue. As an AA family, the things I read on this board, some negative, I have not experienced. We love the school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So is it awkward if the atheist, Jewish and Muslim kids don’t participate or fold their hands? BVR lets prospective parents zoom into chapels so it’s easier to grasp. Fwiw we decided Catholic school is a bridge too far for us but hope NPS will “feel” right

This is impossible to answer. How can anyone here tell you how children really feel? It’s a Christian school. If that bothers you, it’s not the school for you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP back and very grateful for the responses (after those first few 😂). And, yes, it’s a major financial decision made during a strange time and I want as much info as possible. I am not someone who agonizes about differences in shoes or cars but schools, yes. We majorly deliberated over our preschool choice (in another area) and it was absolutely worth the effort despite what others may think.

To the PP’s who asked, DH and I would prefer a public school community but the class sizes are high in our zoned school and there is a lot of flux. It also draws from many neighborhoods and isn’t as “local” as many.

One thing I like about Nps is that they start tech later, but that’s a small point. The auction at bvr and general pta jockeying sounds intimidating. Does anyone know if that’s different at NPS.

I haven’t been concerned with exmissions but you have made interesting points about aftercare age groupings and not paying NCS prices for 4th-6th…

Re: your questions for NPS, the PA is structured to make everyone feel included and I think the administration really tries to find a place for anyone who wants to volunteer. There is a lot of effort in making sure no one feels a barrier to entry (making sure dads and moms are involved, as well as working parents). If you say you are interested, I think you would be hard pressed to find a more welcoming group. But you also don’t have to volunteer. Even the dues are optional.

The NPS auction hasn’t happened in-person in a while but it feels fairly inclusive too, or as much as a fundraising event can be. There are always low dollar games/items you can buy and there is usually a theme, which I find more fun and generally cheaper than cocktail attire. And, not everyone goes if it is not your jam.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Interested to hear more about the difference in differentiation at nps and bvr. Both said they offer opportunities for acceleration and extra help
but curious to hear some personal experiences

Truth is, you’ll have a hard time finding a sorry. Who have experienced both such as myself. We left BVR and went to NPS. We still have went quite sure we knew what would be best for DC to 12th. Other then facilities, they are actually quite similar. I will say. That NPS is a bit more nurturing. There were time where I felt like a number at BVR or if I asked a teacher a question about my kid, I was being a bother. That’s part of the reason why we didn’t apply right away to STA. Just felt like it would be a continuation.

Academically, they’re about the same. I had a great experience at both. However, NPS I believe I had a more personable experience and my child was more comfortable there. Realized late the we not dear child wanted single sex and ended up at Maret for 7th.

Just to be clear, when we left BVR, we left after graduating.

But Beauvoir has two teachers per class and nps has one. There's no differentiation at Beauvoir for bright kids?

Poster with a kid at both BVR/NPS. Yes two teachers in BVR but it still didn’t change the fact of 20-22 kids. Child had a good experience but I would’ve started at NPS if I had to do it all over again. They don’t do differentiated learning. They break up in two groups based on ability but the other poster is correct, they won’t differentiate for very advanced.

Does nps differentiate for brighter kids?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Interested to hear more about the difference in differentiation at nps and bvr. Both said they offer opportunities for acceleration and extra help
but curious to hear some personal experiences

Truth is, you’ll have a hard time finding a sorry. Who have experienced both such as myself. We left BVR and went to NPS. We still have went quite sure we knew what would be best for DC to 12th. Other then facilities, they are actually quite similar. I will say. That NPS is a bit more nurturing. There were time where I felt like a number at BVR or if I asked a teacher a question about my kid, I was being a bother. That’s part of the reason why we didn’t apply right away to STA. Just felt like it would be a continuation.

Academically, they’re about the same. I had a great experience at both. However, NPS I believe I had a more personable experience and my child was more comfortable there. Realized late the we not dear child wanted single sex and ended up at Maret for 7th.

Just to be clear, when we left BVR, we left after graduating.

But Beauvoir has two teachers per class and nps has one. There's no differentiation at Beauvoir for bright kids?

Poster with a kid at both BVR/NPS. Yes two teachers in BVR but it still didn’t change the fact of 20-22 kids. Child had a good experience but I would’ve started at NPS if I had to do it all over again. They don’t do differentiated learning. They break up in two groups based on ability but the other poster is correct, they won’t differentiate for very advanced.

Does nps differentiate for brighter kids?

No.

[Anonymous]

The majority of independents discussed here are “Christian schools”, including Beauvoir, Sidwell, St. Pat’s, STA… There’s nothing wrong with asking about the nuances that may stand out to nonbelievers

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The majority of independents discussed here are “Christian schools”, including Beauvoir, Sidwell, St. Pat’s, STA… There’s nothing wrong with asking about the nuances that may stand out to nonbelievers

Right. But at least at NPS, I would not put the Christian part in quotes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So is it awkward if the atheist, Jewish and Muslim kids don’t participate or fold their hands? BVR lets prospective parents zoom into chapels so it’s easier to grasp. Fwiw we decided Catholic school is a bridge too far for us but hope NPS will “feel” right

My kids are at NPS and are half Jewish/ half Christian. I am the Christian parent and I find the chapels to be really lovely and the religion is pretty low key. My very Jewish In-laws watch the chapels every week on Zoom and send me delighted texts every time they spot one of the kids in a song or playing an instrument. If it’s not too Christian to make them uncomfortable, it think it will be fine for most people.

[Anonymous]

We are a half Christian, half Jewish family at NPS. My husband is an atheist. The religious program is very inclusive and I have had no issue with what they learn or how they learn it. The Religion teacher is one of my favorite teachers at the school. The school is definitely Christian but teaches and is accepting of other religions. The first chapel of the year talked about Rosh Hashanah. I doubt that would happen at a Catholic school.