Pls name "schools with quieter reputations and fine programs".

[Anonymous]

Someone else wisely coined this. I hope this will stimulate some calm discussions, rather than the usual school-trashing.

[Anonymous]

OP - can I ask a question not intended to be snarky? What do you mean by "quieter reputation"? In DC Urban Moms terms, as in not bragged about here? A school with a less snippy admissions process? I'm curious how you'd gauge it other than on these boards, and I frankly don't think the chatter on the boards is representative of the schools. I also don't think what people here make of the admissions process is what you would necessarily find if you went into it with an open mind and a calmer, less hyper-competitive perspective than many of the folks posting here. Good luck.

[Anonymous]

I have to agree with pp. By "quieter reputation" I suspect you mean schools where parents have better things to do than post on DCUM!! But if no one from a school is willing to share a bit about their experiences, than "quiet" becomes "practically invisible" and few of us will be able to provide you the information you seek.

The public library has some really good reference books on private secondary schools (one by Peterson) which will give you some info on high schools, and Georgia Irwin has books out on nearly every private school in the DC area ... I bought an older edition of her book used for about $4 and it has been a valuable resource. Maybe those would be good places to get slightly more constuctive info than is sometimes provided here.

[Anonymous]

Probably schools that start after 5th grade, where the parents aren't so hysterical. St. Anselm's, Edmund Burke, Field, all come to mind.