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

[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."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The DC area has too much elitism/striving energy as it is and one of my concerns around private school is putting ourselves into a community where that's hyper-concentrated. Are there any schools known for great academics and extracurriculars while having a more "normal" parent population?

So far we've only really looked into Congressional which seems like a great place but how much can one really tell from the outside

Wealth doesn’t matter. There are a lot of wealthy people at most schools.

You want to avoid schools where there is a large percentage of families that all belong to the same clubs and the culture of the community and PA, Board centers around those clubs. Schools like St. Albans.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The DC area has too much elitism/striving energy as it is and one of my concerns around private school is putting ourselves into a community where that's hyper-concentrated. Are there any schools known for great academics and extracurriculars while having a more "normal" parent population?

So far we've only really looked into Congressional which seems like a great place but how much can one really tell from the outside

Wealth doesn’t matter. There are a lot of wealthy people at most schools.

You want to avoid schools where there is a large percentage of families that all belong to the same clubs and the culture of the community and PA, Board centers around those clubs. Schools like St. Albans.

Like country clubs? or more secretive rich people clubs?

[Anonymous]

I personally think you're going to want some snobby/elite parents at your school. They are the ones on all the boards, volunteering, officially complaining about teachers being unfair, and paying for stuff so the rest of us don't have to.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The DC area has too much elitism/striving energy as it is and one of my concerns around private school is putting ourselves into a community where that's hyper-concentrated. Are there any schools known for great academics and extracurriculars while having a more "normal" parent population?

So far we've only really looked into Congressional which seems like a great place but how much can one really tell from the outside

Wealth doesn’t matter. There are a lot of wealthy people at most schools.

You want to avoid schools where there is a large percentage of families that all belong to the same clubs and the culture of the community and PA, Board centers around those clubs. Schools like St. Albans.

Like country clubs? or more secretive rich people clubs?

Shhhhhh. We don't speak about those.

[Anonymous]

Burke seems pretty low key

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What is wrong with snobby elitist people? If you are around them enough, you find the humor in it.

It seems like I have been surrounded by them my whole life. That is just how life works.

What is the real alternative?

You are so right! There is no place in the universe where people aren’t rich snobby aholes. You go into a Kentucky coal mine or a Detroit car factory & it’s just non-stop, “Heather is really disappointing me with that 3rd place finish in the dressage.”

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What is wrong with snobby elitist people? If you are around them enough, you find the humor in it.

It seems like I have been surrounded by them my whole life. That is just how life works.

What is the real alternative?

You are so right! There is no place in the universe where people aren’t rich snobby aholes. You go into a Kentucky coal mine or a Detroit car factory & it’s just non-stop, “Heather is really disappointing me with that 3rd place finish in the dressage.”

You're being sarcastic, but every community has somebody who's comparatively rich and has the social capital to be snobby/exculsionary. No matter what the average income is.

Where I grew up it was the families who ran car dealerships - wealthy and knew everybody's business. In other communities it's the minister or the doctor or the family who founded the town or who owns the mine/factory.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I personally think you're going to want some snobby/elite parents at your school. They are the ones on all the boards, volunteering, officially complaining about teachers being unfair, and paying for stuff so the rest of us don't have to.

I don't think any of that has to be snobby but you definitely want these families. PTA types with bandwidth, and enough money to be heard.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What is wrong with snobby elitist people? If you are around them enough, you find the humor in it.

It seems like I have been surrounded by them my whole life. That is just how life works.

What is the real alternative?

You are so right! There is no place in the universe where people aren’t rich snobby aholes. You go into a Kentucky coal mine or a Detroit car factory & it’s just non-stop, “Heather is really disappointing me with that 3rd place finish in the dressage.”

You're being sarcastic, but every community has somebody who's comparatively rich and has the social capital to be snobby/exculsionary. No matter what the average income is.

Where I grew up it was the families who ran car dealerships - wealthy and knew everybody's business. In other communities it's the minister or the doctor or the family who founded the town or who owns the mine/factory.

No. You can be wealthy and still be nice. I think you are confused. Op wants to avoid jerks. Yes there are schools that have a higher percentage of jerks than others.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We’d rather take the private school snobs than the public school ones.

+1!