Norwood v. Lowell MS

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Norwood mom here- more than 5 families have left- that's a fact. We are still there but considering leaving next year.

How did you count the number of families leaving? Was it for the whole school, your grade, or MS/LS?

[Anonymous]

It's a very small school- I know the families that left. Why in the world would you question that?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's a very small school- I know the families that left. Why in the world would you question that?

Why are you considering leaving? Academics or social aspect?

[Anonymous]

We have found Norwood provides appropriate challenge and preparation for high school. At the middle school level, there are 3 tracks in math and 2 in world languages. If students wants additional challenge, they can join Math team, debate, model UN, robotics. Norwood is the only private middle school that spends significant amount of time and resources on these academic adjacent extracurriculars and the teams do extremely well. Several Norwood teams were in debate metrofinals this year and the top team and top speaker were from Norwood in a league in which close to 200 teams participate in the season. Norwood has consistently sent one or more robotics team to MD first Lego League state competition and International competition for past several years. It participates in MathCounts at UMD, ModelUN, spelling Bee and Geography Bee. Also participates in competitions in Spanish. The school teams also win top awards at the Hershey Music festival for band and strings. So there is plenty to challenge for those who need the rigor and are motivated enough to use the resources available. This is the benefit of being in a K-8 where the focus is on middle school.

Some parents may still feel even this level of challenge is not sufficient for their child. However, those who embrace Norwood until 8th grade are placed very well in competitive high schools. This year’s placement results are fantastic. Kids are admitted to Exeter, Andover, Lawrensville, Choate Rosemary - these are multiple children and not just one extraordinary child admitted to all of these schools. So when these top private schools think the Norwood kids are ready for their level of rigor, it shows Norwood is preparing them well. Local private like GDS frequently comment that students from Norwood are very well prepared for their level of academics.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We have found Norwood provides appropriate challenge and preparation for high school. At the middle school level, there are 3 tracks in math and 2 in world languages. If students wants additional challenge, they can join Math team, debate, model UN, robotics. Norwood is the only private middle school that spends significant amount of time and resources on these academic adjacent extracurriculars and the teams do extremely well. Several Norwood teams were in debate metrofinals this year and the top team and top speaker were from Norwood in a league in which close to 200 teams participate in the season. Norwood has consistently sent one or more robotics team to MD first Lego League state competition and International competition for past several years. It participates in MathCounts at UMD, ModelUN, spelling Bee and Geography Bee. Also participates in competitions in Spanish. The school teams also win top awards at the Hershey Music festival for band and strings. So there is plenty to challenge for those who need the rigor and are motivated enough to use the resources available. This is the benefit of being in a K-8 where the focus is on middle school.

Some parents may still feel even this level of challenge is not sufficient for their child. However, those who embrace Norwood until 8th grade are placed very well in competitive high schools. This year’s placement results are fantastic. Kids are admitted to Exeter, Andover, Lawrensville, Choate Rosemary - these are multiple children and not just one extraordinary child admitted to all of these schools. So when these top private schools think the Norwood kids are ready for their level of rigor, it shows Norwood is preparing them well. Local private like GDS frequently comment that students from Norwood are very well prepared for their level of academics.

Sorry- just not our experience.

[Anonymous]

Hate to say it, but not our experience either. It's all about the right fit- our son just needed a more challenging environment. Norwood can be great for some kids- great extra curricular- but my son needed more challenge. We moved in 6th and glad we did. Never looked back.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hate to say it, but not our experience either. It's all about the right fit- our son just needed a more challenging environment. Norwood can be great for some kids- great extra curricular- but my son needed more challenge. We moved in 6th and glad we did. Never looked back.

Where did you find more challenge?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Hate to say it, but not our experience either. It's all about the right fit- our son just needed a more challenging environment. Norwood can be great for some kids- great extra curricular- but my son needed more challenge. We moved in 6th and glad we did. Never looked back.

Where did you find more challenge?

We moved to Bullis and are much happier- academics are more rigorous and it's an overall more vibrant place.

[Anonymous]

Yes, I agree with the posters who are happy that they left Norwood. We went to Burke in 6th grade and my son is much happier socially and academically. The kids in his class at Norwood had so many issues that he was slipping through the cracks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We have found Norwood provides appropriate challenge and preparation for high school. At the middle school level, there are 3 tracks in math and 2 in world languages. If students wants additional challenge, they can join Math team, debate, model UN, robotics. Norwood is the only private middle school that spends significant amount of time and resources on these academic adjacent extracurriculars and the teams do extremely well. Several Norwood teams were in debate metrofinals this year and the top team and top speaker were from Norwood in a league in which close to 200 teams participate in the season. Norwood has consistently sent one or more robotics team to MD first Lego League state competition and International competition for past several years. It participates in MathCounts at UMD, ModelUN, spelling Bee and Geography Bee. Also participates in competitions in Spanish. The school teams also win top awards at the Hershey Music festival for band and strings. So there is plenty to challenge for those who need the rigor and are motivated enough to use the resources available. This is the benefit of being in a K-8 where the focus is on middle school.

Some parents may still feel even this level of challenge is not sufficient for their child. However, those who embrace Norwood until 8th grade are placed very well in competitive high schools. This year’s placement results are fantastic. Kids are admitted to Exeter, Andover, Lawrensville, Choate Rosemary - these are multiple children and not just one extraordinary child admitted to all of these schools. So when these top private schools think the Norwood kids are ready for their level of rigor, it shows Norwood is preparing them well. Local private like GDS frequently comment that students from Norwood are very well prepared for their level of academics.

Sorry- just not our experience.

It was our experience. Both kids graduated from Norwood and were very prepared for two different Big 3 schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We have found Norwood provides appropriate challenge and preparation for high school. At the middle school level, there are 3 tracks in math and 2 in world languages. If students wants additional challenge, they can join Math team, debate, model UN, robotics. Norwood is the only private middle school that spends significant amount of time and resources on these academic adjacent extracurriculars and the teams do extremely well. Several Norwood teams were in debate metrofinals this year and the top team and top speaker were from Norwood in a league in which close to 200 teams participate in the season. Norwood has consistently sent one or more robotics team to MD first Lego League state competition and International competition for past several years. It participates in MathCounts at UMD, ModelUN, spelling Bee and Geography Bee. Also participates in competitions in Spanish. The school teams also win top awards at the Hershey Music festival for band and strings. So there is plenty to challenge for those who need the rigor and are motivated enough to use the resources available. This is the benefit of being in a K-8 where the focus is on middle school.

Some parents may still feel even this level of challenge is not sufficient for their child. However, those who embrace Norwood until 8th grade are placed very well in competitive high schools. This year’s placement results are fantastic. Kids are admitted to Exeter, Andover, Lawrensville, Choate Rosemary - these are multiple children and not just one extraordinary child admitted to all of these schools. So when these top private schools think the Norwood kids are ready for their level of rigor, it shows Norwood is preparing them well. Local private like GDS frequently comment that students from Norwood are very well prepared for their level of academics.

Sorry- just not our experience.

It was our experience. Both kids graduated from Norwood and were very prepared for two different Big 3 schools.

If nothing else, Norwood has the most PASSIONATE posters on DCUM hell bent on discounting or denying any criticism of the school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'd look at ssfs instead of Lowell.

100% agree. SSFS much preferred over Lowell. Plus, you can stay after MS if you want and go to the US.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We have found Norwood provides appropriate challenge and preparation for high school. At the middle school level, there are 3 tracks in math and 2 in world languages. If students wants additional challenge, they can join Math team, debate, model UN, robotics. Norwood is the only private middle school that spends significant amount of time and resources on these academic adjacent extracurriculars and the teams do extremely well. Several Norwood teams were in debate metrofinals this year and the top team and top speaker were from Norwood in a league in which close to 200 teams participate in the season. Norwood has consistently sent one or more robotics team to MD first Lego League state competition and International competition for past several years. It participates in MathCounts at UMD, ModelUN, spelling Bee and Geography Bee. Also participates in competitions in Spanish. The school teams also win top awards at the Hershey Music festival for band and strings. So there is plenty to challenge for those who need the rigor and are motivated enough to use the resources available. This is the benefit of being in a K-8 where the focus is on middle school.

Some parents may still feel even this level of challenge is not sufficient for their child. However, those who embrace Norwood until 8th grade are placed very well in competitive high schools. This year’s placement results are fantastic. Kids are admitted to Exeter, Andover, Lawrensville, Choate Rosemary - these are multiple children and not just one extraordinary child admitted to all of these schools. So when these top private schools think the Norwood kids are ready for their level of rigor, it shows Norwood is preparing them well. Local private like GDS frequently comment that students from Norwood are very well prepared for their level of academics.

Sorry- just not our experience.

It was our experience. Both kids graduated from Norwood and were very prepared for two different Big 3 schools.

If nothing else, Norwood has the most PASSIONATE posters on DCUM hell bent on discounting or denying any criticism of the school.

You seem disgruntled.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'd look at ssfs instead of Lowell.

100% agree. SSFS much preferred over Lowell. Plus, you can stay after MS if you want and go to the US.

I couldn’t disagree more. I have first-hand experience with both schools. The absolute chaos and disorganization that is the SSFS MS is something I wouldn’t put any kid through. Lowell’s MS actually holds students accountable and the students are curious, open-minded, and respectful.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We have found Norwood provides appropriate challenge and preparation for high school. At the middle school level, there are 3 tracks in math and 2 in world languages. If students wants additional challenge, they can join Math team, debate, model UN, robotics. Norwood is the only private middle school that spends significant amount of time and resources on these academic adjacent extracurriculars and the teams do extremely well. Several Norwood teams were in debate metrofinals this year and the top team and top speaker were from Norwood in a league in which close to 200 teams participate in the season. Norwood has consistently sent one or more robotics team to MD first Lego League state competition and International competition for past several years. It participates in MathCounts at UMD, ModelUN, spelling Bee and Geography Bee. Also participates in competitions in Spanish. The school teams also win top awards at the Hershey Music festival for band and strings. So there is plenty to challenge for those who need the rigor and are motivated enough to use the resources available. This is the benefit of being in a K-8 where the focus is on middle school.

Some parents may still feel even this level of challenge is not sufficient for their child. However, those who embrace Norwood until 8th grade are placed very well in competitive high schools. This year’s placement results are fantastic. Kids are admitted to Exeter, Andover, Lawrensville, Choate Rosemary - these are multiple children and not just one extraordinary child admitted to all of these schools. So when these top private schools think the Norwood kids are ready for their level of rigor, it shows Norwood is preparing them well. Local private like GDS frequently comment that students from Norwood are very well prepared for their level of academics.

Sorry- just not our experience.

It was our experience. Both kids graduated from Norwood and were very prepared for two different Big 3 schools.

If nothing else, Norwood has the most PASSIONATE posters on DCUM hell bent on discounting or denying any criticism of the school.

You seem disgruntled.

Nope. Just observant.