Lowell foe commute?

[Anonymous]

Hi All- With the changing demographics of Silver Spring (ie, tons of lawyers here now), is Lowell benefiting from folks who would otherwise try for Beauvoir or GDS? I know the previous reputation of Lowell is spotty (with a number of big fans, especially because it is progressive)-- but have Lowell folks seen changes in enrollment and level of commitment the last few years? I would rather not commute across town to one of these other schools before high school, and don't want to move. I think Lowell might be my first choice because of location and relatively comparable performance (even thought is is seen as a backup by many on this board).

[Anonymous]

I'm not sure what you mean, but my understanding is that the issues with Lowell have never been about "spotty" (whatever that means) enrollment, level of commitment, less educated families, safety net school. Many people specifically pick Lowell because of location, commitment to diversity and the progressive model. Historically there were legitimate concerns about the quality of the program in grades 4-6, general disorganization in the administration, dismissal of parents who disagree with what was often termed "the Lowell way" and in as a school that is frequently dubbed "middle class" because of its commitment to diversity.

Taken in reverse order, the school's tuition is the same as, sometimes higher and sometimes lower than schools in its competitive set, so not sure how "middle class" that makes most of the families. As the school does not have a hefty endowment there is much less room to give aid to families who are not really in the middle. Additionally, Lowell families (for the entire time I've been there) are very active, very educated and my guess is that many are wealthier than me (although I don't consider my HHI to be insignificant we definitely aren't wealthy). Finally, with the new head, the school has become much more "efficient" and is generally run as a much tighter ship.

As you correctly noted, Lowell's performance (measured by the success of its graduates) is comparable with many of the other K-8 schools as the majority of its graduates have historically gone on to top schools like Maret, GDS, Holton with smaller numbers to NCS, St. Albans (probably because of the religious affiliation) etc. Having said this, if you need to judge the school by the make-up of its parent body (based on their professions), then perhaps you should call the AD.

[Anonymous]

too early in the morning - please ignore mistake at the end of the first paragraph. I was trying to say that as the school has been historically dubbed "middle class", it has a smaller endowment and has generally had less financial resources.

[Anonymous]

Hi 7:47- I think you misinterpreted my post. I was asking if more "typical private school" families from Silver Spring (as opposed to largely NW and Bethesda) are applying to Lowell because of geography, and if that was changing the progressive "lowell way" (for better or worse) and/or making it more competitive.

Obviously, for the tuition, it's full of rich folks. And my previous impression was it is full of a combination of rich folks who are truly committed to progressive education, and rich folks who selected Lowell as a backup, and struggle to transfer out in 3 or 4. So, question is, with silver spring filling up with social climbing yuppies like myself, are more traditional "beauvoir" type parents choosing Lowell as first pick over Beauvoir, because if the commute, and is it impacting the school?

[Anonymous]

I wold never send my DC to Lowell. Lowell's a trade school.

[Anonymous]

I have no idea what the OPs question is...I don't know what a more traditional "Beauvoir type" is, but Lowell remains a progressive school and that has not changed. So, if OP is asking whether Lowell has become more traditional because of Silver Spring lawyers the answer is no. The families seem much the same to me in our 4 years at the school, very liberal, socially conscious but at the same time mostly type-A, highly educated DC lawyers!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I wold never send my DC to Lowell. Lowell's a trade school.

Wise choice, you clearly need some writing help.

[Anonymous]

Aside from an improved commute, what do you want a school to give your child? There are people who are content as long as their children hit a set mark with regard to grades and test scores for the "next step" whatever that is. There are others who want to cultivate curiosity and understanding -- as well as achievement. Lowell may be a place that can do both. (Not a Lowell booster, have no family there, etc.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I wold never send my DC to Lowell. Lowell's a trade school.

What does that even mean? How can a K-8 school be a trade school?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wold never send my DC to Lowell. Lowell's a trade school.

What does that even mean? How can a K-8 school be a trade school?

Just another comment from a parent with a kid who can't solve problems, and has to rely on others to do it, then memorize the answers. They can be A students, but they don't know much. Doing something= trade school to an inferior intellect. Don't worry about it.