Pros and Cons of Norwood

[Anonymous]

Thanks.

[Anonymous]

Pros:

Beautiful campus.



Cons:

Paying a crazy amount for what you can get at the nearby publics.

Unless you live in Potomac, it's a schlep.

Doesn't automatically feed anywhere.

[Anonymous]

It's a bit off topic, but rather than re-write it all, here is an earlier thread about WES vs Norwood. I was 21:55 (and subsequent, but identified myself). I touched on pros and cons in that thread. There are others if you search the archives.

http://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/15/45048.page

Our DC is now in first grade at Norwood and is still thrilled, as are we. Just tossed in our sibling app for DC#2. Oh, and there is now a bus (actually three or more) from DC and possibly close-in MD.

I don't know how they manage to be a hard core academic school in such a warm and fuzzy environment, but they do. DC#1 is challenged and excited and having fun all at the same time.

[Anonymous]

Pros

Campus
Art/music
warm nurturing
good academics overall
very well organized
kids are HAPPY

Cons

$$$
One or two lower school classrooms (not well lit?)
Science and math could be stronger in lower grades
no tennis courts

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Paying a crazy amount for what you can get at the nearby publics.

Unless you live in Potomac, it's a schlep.

Doesn't automatically feed anywhere.

Nearby publics are excellent but have larger classes and narrower curriculums.

There are two morning bus routes this year with four stops in upper NWDC, and service may be expanded next year given current demand, but it IS still a schlep for pickup, evening activities, etc.

The K-8 model has its own advantages, and high school placement is very good. Numbers are available here: http://www.norwoodschool.org/welcome/admission/next_school_placement/index.aspx

[Anonymous]

Pros:
Talented and enthusiastic teaching staff
Small class sizes (compared to MCPS)
PE 4 times/week for lower school
Strong Art & Music program
Great community atmosphere
Nice campus

Cons:
The cost (but well worth it compared to our overcrowded MCPS option)

[Anonymous]

Pros
Slightly smaller classes than MCPS
Cons
Slightly larger classes than a lot of privates.

[Anonymous]

Pros:
Community
Academics
Enough kids to field teams, move around friend groups etc
Art and Music
Attention to reading
Real emphasis on character
Grounds
Placement after 8th

Cons:
Cost
no hot lunch for first few years

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Slightly larger classes than a lot of privates.

I think this depends on grade level as well as school. K is around 16-18 with 2 teachers. I think they have 24 at Sidwell, 20 at Beauvoir, and 20-24 at GDS and Maret.

[Anonymous]

I'm always a bit suspicious when posters cannot come up with a single con about their school except for cost. It makes me wonder how honest they are being with us (and themselves). Our DC is at a "big 3," and while the pros far outweigh the negatives, I can still talk openly about what the negatives are without having issue with it.

[Anonymous]

So, tell us please -- I am all ears!

Anonymous wrote:I'm always a bit suspicious when posters cannot come up with a single con about their school except for cost. It makes me wonder how honest they are being with us (and themselves). Our DC is at a "big 3," and while the pros far outweigh the negatives, I can still talk openly about what the negatives are without having issue with it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm always a bit suspicious when posters cannot come up with a single con about their school except for cost. It makes me wonder how honest they are being with us (and themselves). Our DC is at a "big 3," and while the pros far outweigh the negatives, I can still talk openly about what the negatives are without having issue with it.

Well, I love Norwood, but if I woke up tomorrow and someone said it was free, I would be thrilled.
Are you trying to find out if there are other schools that we would prefer? Well, for various reasons, I would not look at any other school in the area. Either there is not enough music, or too much religion, or not well structured, or too structured, or single sex ed, or small campus, small student body or something. But we like our school.

[Anonymous]

Personally I'm not crazy about fathers' visiting day, the daily recitation of the Lord's Prayer, and the Christmas pageant. I'd prefer a more secular, progressive culture, but overall we are very happy with the school.

[Anonymous]

Another Norwood parent here - I too am not crazy about the Lord's Prayer in the daily "chapel" and wish they would change the name to "assembly" and skip the prayer, but really Norwood has made great strides towards secularization in the face of strong opposition from some current parents. The Christmas pageant, for example, has been so marginalized now that it is really not a factor. Dad's Day, well, the very fact that they have one should tell you something - the parents are generally affluent with SAHMs and working dads who seem, in some cases, to be completely disconnected from their family lives. What we have seen in Norwood over the past decade is an increasingly less economically diverse student body, while cultural diversity has improved. However, these issues have not tarnished our view of Norwood generally - we have loved most of the very supportive and genuinely friendly teachers and administrators and are very happy with the curriculum, class sizes, etc.

[Anonymous]

Tne problem with dad's day is that some kids do not have one.
These issues can be overlooked at any school, but it can be painful for some kids.
To tell the truth, I know very little about many parents at Norwood. People have their own busy lives.

Back to OP, my wish list would be for no tuition hikes. We ill have to leave soon if it goes up. My dc is a bit spoiled there, and will have to get a taste of reality.