Moving HS student to DC area. Need school advice.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Meh save your money and time and look at Elizabeth Seton or Dematha in Prince Georges County, half the cost but equal the results. They don't carry the "name brand" of the other schools people listed, but are you concerned about education or bragging rights to your neighbors?

Isn't that going to be a long commute to Tenley?

Dematha would take around 30 minutes. Seton I think 35-40

[Anonymous]

Thank you for all of this information.
It is incredibly helpful as we go through process.

[Anonymous]

The DC area schools are very different from the typical Southern segregation academies (almost all Southern non-religious private schools were created in response to Brown v. Board) and they are far more expensive as others have pointed out. The standards of the the suburban public schools are almost all higher than what can be found in most of the deep South (or most other regions of the country). So you should first focus on what neighborhoods you can afford to live in this region and see how well your child would be served by the local public. If your child didn't score above the 70+ percentile on the ISEE/SSAT, public will be your best bet. Plus the selective privates do not fill empty seats in the middle of the year. And, don't focus too much on APs. Top public school students around here pile them on and its hard to get on track to compete with them if your child didn't take algebra by 7th grade.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The DC area schools are very different from the typical Southern segregation academies (almost all Southern non-religious private schools were created in response to Brown v. Board) and they are far more expensive as others have pointed out. The standards of the the suburban public schools are almost all higher than what can be found in most of the deep South (or most other regions of the country). So you should first focus on what neighborhoods you can afford to live in this region and see how well your child would be served by the local public. If your child didn't score above the 70+ percentile on the ISEE/SSAT, public will be your best bet. Plus the selective privates do not fill empty seats in the middle of the year. And, don't focus too much on APs. Top public school students around here pile them on and its hard to get on track to compete with them if your child didn't take algebra by 7th grade.

Almost nothing in this post is true. I won't argue about school quality outside of DC here, because OP didn't ask about that, but, for one thing, private schools do make room for transfers from other private schools after their applications processes have closed. If you are interested in a specific school, have the Head of your child's current school call for you. These schools often provide a type of reciprocity for each other. I have more than one friend who has done this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, are you coming from a school like Westminster? Are you looking for a similar culture?

Yes. Exactly like Westminster.

Have you talked with staff there about the move? They may be able to help guide you. And are you interested in the religious component?

We have yet to approach our school but yes, that might be helpful.
The religious component is important but not critical.

And are you OK with the same level of rigor and expectations as what you're coming from? NCS is single sex but might otherwise fit the bill. I would certainly ask your current school to help.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP. Your budget is low for a 30 minute commute to Tenley. You may want to consider public schools so you can up your housing budget a bit. I don't agree with PP who recommended Wilson - a public high school in DC. It's not really in the same league as the other publics listed below.

MD public high schools - in these locations you should be only a 15-20 minute commute to Tenley:

1. Walt Whitman
2. Bethesda Chevy Chase (but I believe they are IB, not AP- research this)

VA public high schools - these are probably more like a 25-30 minute commute to Tenley:

1. McLean
2. Langley
3. Yorktown

Privates (most of these are $37-40K per year, visitation is about $10K less)

1. Sidwell
2. Georgetown Day
3. National Cathedral School
4. Maret
5. Holton Arms
6. Madeira
7. Field
8. Potomac school
9. Georgetown Visitation (catholic)

Perfect! Thank you.
For those asking why not apply now...we just did it for the 9th grade and it was a dreadful process. We are trying to negotiate a stay here/travel option but not sure really a good idea. Actually leaning toward public bc don't want to put daughter through it again.

Nice job poster on this list. I posted earlier on No Va. I would add Oakton to your list. Should be Potomac be higher than Maret or Holton. Very good list otherwise. Potomac is generally considered just a slight notch below Big 3. Usually folks have NCS ahead of GDS so might want to invert those two.

Welcome Potomac mom! Potomac above Maret or Holton? Uhh...no.

[Anonymous]

...With the caveat that the general notion of ranking the named schools is stupid to begin with.

[Anonymous]

Ncs is very generous with acceptances in the off years for qualified candidates. Current ninth grade is way over enrolled though which may not bode well for your daughter. That being said there may be higher attrition. Look into applying there, visi, maret and sidwell and get a condo in McLean gardens.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP. Your budget is low for a 30 minute commute to Tenley. You may want to consider public schools so you can up your housing budget a bit. I don't agree with PP who recommended Wilson - a public high school in DC. It's not really in the same league as the other publics listed below.

MD public high schools - in these locations you should be only a 15-20 minute commute to Tenley:

1. Walt Whitman
2. Bethesda Chevy Chase (but I believe they are IB, not AP- research this)

VA public high schools - these are probably more like a 25-30 minute commute to Tenley:

1. McLean
2. Langley
3. Yorktown

Privates (most of these are $37-40K per year, visitation is about $10K less)

1. Sidwell
2. Georgetown Day
3. National Cathedral School
4. Maret
5. Holton Arms
6. Madeira
7. Field
8. Potomac school
9. Georgetown Visitation (catholic)

Perfect! Thank you.
For those asking why not apply now...we just did it for the 9th grade and it was a dreadful process. We are trying to negotiate a stay here/travel option but not sure really a good idea. Actually leaning toward public bc don't want to put daughter through it again.

Nice job poster on this list. I posted earlier on No Va. I would add Oakton to your list. Should be Potomac be higher than Maret or Holton. Very good list otherwise. Potomac is generally considered just a slight notch below Big 3. Usually folks have NCS ahead of GDS so might want to invert those two.

Oakton is a great school and a great community, but the commute would be quite a hike from Tenleytown. The same length commute in the other direction will get you a lot more for your money.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, are you coming from a school like Westminster? Are you looking for a similar culture?

Yes. Exactly like Westminster.

Have you talked with staff there about the move? They may be able to help guide you. And are you interested in the religious component?

OP, I looked up Westminster in Atlanta. If that's what you are used to, any of the "Big 3 or 5" will be far too liberal for you. There are some nice houses in Kensington or Chevy Chase North that are a straight shot down Conn or Wisconsin for your DH and you'll be close to several good Catholic HSs. Kensington is more conservative / Catholic than North Chevy Chase and you'll find a nice, older home, maybe with some Reno work in your price range. Hubby's commute will be a bit longer - plug it into google with daytime commute times. There is also bus & metro. Welcome to DC - hope he got a big raise, be prepared for sticker shock.

[Anonymous]

I live walking distance to tenley, and while our 4 bedroom house would be above your price point, there ARE options for you in this part of the city. IF you are willing to live in a small place. I will say that we live in close driving distance to many excellent private schools, BCC high school is the public option if you are on the MD side, Wilson is if you are on the DC side. My point is that if you are willing to have a change in lifestyle regarding size of home you can find options in the area your husband will be working.

[Anonymous]

School Without Walls is a DC magnet that offers lots of AP classes and also gives students access to courses at GWU. It's free and Metro-accessible, so your daughter could commute via subway, as long as you chose a house that is within walking distance of a station.

[Anonymous]

Save yourself some time and search DC schoolhub.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:School Without Walls is a DC magnet that offers lots of AP classes and also gives students access to courses at GWU. It's free and Metro-accessible, so your daughter could commute via subway, as long as you chose a house that is within walking distance of a station.

It's also application-only and I'm not sure about acceptances for tenth grade.

[Anonymous]

You should look at Oakcrest.