School for *BOYS*?

[Anonymous]

We have two sons. One is an infant, so we have only the vaguest notion what he will be like. His three-year-old brother, though, is 100% BOY. He's very sharp and a little bit devilish (with the same eye-twinkle that his father gets right before doing or saying something "funny"), but surprisingly gentle with animals and smaller children. His attention span is pretty long, especially for a boy, but he also needs to run and jump and be loud at regular intervals. Where should we be looking (ideally in DC proper) for a good fit with a high energy (but not at all disruptive, provided he gets to burn off some energy in recess/PE/etc. every couple of hours) BOY? Please assume that he'll be able to handle the academics and that religious or philosophical leanings are not of great moment to us.

Many thanks in advance.

[Anonymous]

Well, perhaps the obvious, but I'll say it anyway: for later on, check out the all-boys schools like St. Albans or Landon.

[Anonymous]

I agree with the PP. For the earlier years, most of the private schools should be fine. I should also add that I have two very active boys, and they had a great time at their DCPS elementary school. We went single-sex for middle school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We have two sons. One is an infant, so we have only the vaguest notion what he will be like. His three-year-old brother, though, is 100% BOY. He's very sharp and a little bit devilish (with the same eye-twinkle that his father gets right before doing or saying something "funny"), but surprisingly gentle with animals and smaller children. His attention span is pretty long, especially for a boy, but he also needs to run and jump and be loud at regular intervals. Where should we be looking (ideally in DC proper) for a good fit with a high energy (but not at all disruptive, provided he gets to burn off some energy in recess/PE/etc. every couple of hours) BOY? Please assume that he'll be able to handle the academics and that religious or philosophical leanings are not of great moment to us.

Many thanks in advance.

sorry - but I don't understand your last line

Even so, I'm giving you the website for the Avalon School - http://www.avalonschools.org/ - which is Catholic.

It is nowhere near DC but it has a wonderful reputation for dealing with energetic, bright boys. However, it does begin with 3rd grade.

[Anonymous]

I'd tour five or six schools ... this is a pretty typical profile, it sounds just like my son at this age, I'm sure every school has a few boys like this. Boys like this do well in co-ed environments. My son is now in Middle School, he refused to consider Landon, he's not girl crazy but he wants to go to school with girls. Good luck.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We have two sons. One is an infant, so we have only the vaguest notion what he will be like. His three-year-old brother, though, is 100% BOY. He's very sharp and a little bit devilish (with the same eye-twinkle that his father gets right before doing or saying something "funny"), but surprisingly gentle with animals and smaller children. His attention span is pretty long, especially for a boy, but he also needs to run and jump and be loud at regular intervals. Where should we be looking (ideally in DC proper) for a good fit with a high energy (but not at all disruptive, provided he gets to burn off some energy in recess/PE/etc. every couple of hours) BOY? Please assume that he'll be able to handle the academics and that religious or philosophical leanings are not of great moment to us.

Many thanks in advance.

sorry - but I don't understand your last line

Even so, I'm giving you the website for the Avalon School - http://www.avalonschools.org/ - which is Catholic.

It is nowhere near DC but it has a wonderful reputation for dealing with energetic, bright boys. However, it does begin with 3rd grade.

Thanks, PP (and others). I just mean that we're open to schools across the religious (and non-religious) and philosophical spectrums.

[Anonymous]

What does 100% boy mean?

[Anonymous]

Yes, what does 100% boy mean?????

All the schools have same number of boys and girls. The 'better' schools have fewer kids whose parents make excuses for their behaviour based on gender.

[Anonymous]

I never hear anyone refer to their daughter as 100% girl.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What does 100% boy mean?

It means his interests align perfectly with gender stereotypes -- yes to trucks, balls, and mud; no to dolls and teaparties (etc., etc. you get the point).

[Anonymous]

We are very happy with Norwood for our 100% boy who is very bright and athletic.

[Anonymous]

As the rather masculine father of 2 boys, let me just say that this 100% BOY concept is really ridiculous.

[Anonymous]

AVOID Primary Day School, they take the boy right out of them.

[Anonymous]

Ok, I was a PP who mentioned the 100% boy thing, but I know what the OP means. I don't take it literally. EVeryone needs to chill a bit. But my stereotypical boy does well in a school with PE every day; playground time every day, a recognition of how boys play and learn, which can be very different from girls. I am a girl and I have girls and I can tell you there are differences! I am not saying one is preferred, just that there are often differences bases on gender. (Actually based on hormones, etc., but that is another matter). I would agree with avoiding Primary Day and likely Montessori, and perhaps avoiding Beauvoir. Though I think St. Albans does a pretty good job with boys. I prefer coed.

[Anonymous]

OP, whatever will you do if your infant son turns out to be just a *boy* and not a *BOY*?????? I feel sorry for your kids.