Beauvoir PreK vs GDS PreK

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:While it is true that black children are less biased than white children, it is also true that they still seem to prefer whiteness and lighter skin color than dark skin color.

Also, given that white kids are more racist than black kids, why would you want to surround your black child with white children who aren't being educated about race?

This statement in of itself is racist and unfounded. Kids notice differences but are not inherently racist--racism is taught. My child has friends of all races, and choses friends based on personality and similar interests, i.e. star wars, etc. In fact, he has even said that he wishes he was black! Now, should I feel bad about this? I don't at all the whole point is that you should not make blanket statements about race, everyone has their own personal experiences with race and discrimination or a lack thereof and it's unfair to assume that a non-white child will be subjected to racism if he is at a predominately white school. Racism runs the gemmate from race to race and it's not just the AA community who is affected, let's just look at the how Asian's were singled out at the Oscar's, that was disgraceful.

Spoken like a white person. If you were black (or Asian) and living in the United States, there is *no way* you would say that it's possible for a child to escape racism in a predominantly white school. Race pervades everything, every institution, media, books, movies, films, etc. Is your head of school a person of color? The admissions director? What color is the cleaning staff? What about the teachers? Does one color dominate in different roles in the school--and how does that compare to the demographics of the city? How is it possible to have a majority white school in DC without that in and of itself being a product of race and class? There are a number of thought-provoking articles and research that have been posted on this thread. I suggest you read them.

First, I'm non white, but thanks for assuming that. A sign of some white racism perhaps? I'm Hispanic as a matter of fact. Next, our private school is compromised of 40 percent minorities--but whatever hold on to your one sided ideas about race relations. Of course their is racism but it goes all ways and it's harmful to all to suggest that it just predominately impacts one set of minorities. Should I look for a school where the teachers are mostly male because I don't want my son to feel marginalized or think that because he is male he should not be a teacher? While this may be a valid issue its not a defining one and I think the same could be said for race and private school.

Are you Hispanic who identifies as white or non-white Hispanic? It does make a difference.
You seem to not grasp the larger point that one cannot escape racism in the US. Yes, your child may have friends of multiple races and may not have been subjected to racist comments, but racism is institutionalized. It is everywhere. You cannot escape it. If you are white, you may very well benefit from it. If you are a person of color, you need to be aware of how if affects the society we live in.

[Anonymous]

I get it I just don't let my race define me. I'm Hispanic and that's how identify. I'm not missing anything but thanks for being so condescending and for making oh so many baseless assumptions. I don't question your personal experience with race and you should not question my experience or again, make blanket statements. I don't agree with what you have said but respect your opinion I hope you are at a school or find a school that meets your needs. I would not recommend private school for your family.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I get it I just don't let my race define me. I'm Hispanic and that's how identify. I'm not missing anything but thanks for being so condescending and for making oh so many baseless assumptions. I don't question your personal experience with race and you should not question my experience or again, make blanket statements. I don't agree with what you have said but respect your opinion I hope you are at a school or find a school that meets your needs. I would not recommend private school for your family.

How is saying that racism exists a "blanket statement"?
BTW, speaking of making assumptions, I have two kids who are thriving at a "big-3" school....

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I get it I just don't let my race define me. I'm Hispanic and that's how identify. I'm not missing anything but thanks for being so condescending and for making oh so many baseless assumptions. I don't question your personal experience with race and you should not question my experience or again, make blanket statements. I don't agree with what you have said but respect your opinion I hope you are at a school or find a school that meets your needs. I would not recommend private school for your family.

How is saying that racism exists a "blanket statement"?
BTW, speaking of making assumptions, I have two kids who are thriving at a "big-3" school....

No assumptions made I didn't say your kids would not thrive I at a private school I said that a private may not be best for your FAMILY. If you are as vocal about your views on race relations at school as you have been on the anonymous board I'm not so sure that YOU would be happy at a private. If you are as a parent, kudos . As to the blanket statement, yes, you suggest that if a you are minority, more specifically an AA, at any predominately white institution, racism will rear it's ugly head. There is institutional racism, at least in DC, but I don't think it's as aggressive as you suggest. In fact you as a minority may actually benefit from your race, as I know I have. Just as, yes, now I know you are going to gasp at this, a white person may actually be disadvantaged because of his or her race at a private school and generally. There is no question that class is also hugely determinative. If you are a wealthy minority at a private school no, depending on what school you attend, the effects of institutional racism are going to be greatly decreased.

Good luck to you and your family. I'm afraid we have hijacked this thread and thus, I won't be addressing this issue any further. And GDS and Beauvoir are both great schools. Although Beauvoir doesn't necessarily espouse a social just platform, I've heard that they incorporate this into their teachings too.

[Anonymous]

NP here: we were WL at GDS andd admitted to Beauvoir, so we are not deciding between the two. However, while going through the admissions process I always felt like Beauvoir was a great mix of all the things we wanted (when comparing it to all of the schools we applied to). I dont particularly care for the extreme side of anything and I did feel like GDS might be a tad too ultra liberal for our family. That being said, we thought it was an excellent school and would have seriously considered accepting a spot if we had been admitted. OP I'm sure you can't go wrong with either school. Good luck!