Beauvoir - what do you like? What don't you like?

[Anonymous]

Not the OP but we too were admitted for PreK and are attending. We are beyond excited for our DC. Glad I found this thread! Reinforces how great we feel about sending our DC there in the fall. Looking forward to meeting OP and all the current parents and kids!

[Anonymous]

Both my kids loved Beauvoir, and we felt more included as parents than we imagined we would be. Love the focus on early childhood, the experiential focus, the emphasis on letting kids have a childhood when they are young while getting them to love learning. Some parents wanted more rigor, but I found it to be just right for my kids (one academically gifted, one garden-variety bright). Two things I didn't like: weaker lead teachers were kept too long (this was under a prior head of school and may have changed...and most teachers were outstanding). And you do not at all have your pick of schools if you do not want NCS/STA. There are precious few places at 4th grade at places like Maret and Sidwell, and some families do end up sending their kids to NCS/STA by default, not because they are first choice, as strange as that sounds.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Especially on point given that Beauvoir is 20% more expensive than comparable elementary type privates!

So, which schools are 20% less but comparable? Sidwell is about the same, GDS slightly less, Maret less but not 20%.

You are comparing pk-12s. I'm talking more like St Patrick's, Sheridan. NPS. Elementary type schools where your tuition doesn't subsidize more expensive middle and upper school facilities. And compared to these K-8/6 schools, Beauvoir is A LOT more expensive.

Those schools are not on Beauvoir's level. Beauvoir would be an A school and those would be B level schools. The beauty is that Beauvoir's money doesn't subsidize high school activities. Every penny is invested in the early years and the professional development of teachers and staff. We never have to wonder if our money is being funneled to an athletic program. We are confident it's use is about our kids.[/quote

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Both my kids loved Beauvoir, and we felt more included as parents than we imagined we would be. Love the focus on early childhood, the experiential focus, the emphasis on letting kids have a childhood when they are young while getting them to love learning. Some parents wanted more rigor, but I found it to be just right for my kids (one academically gifted, one garden-variety bright). Two things I didn't like: weaker lead teachers were kept too long (this was under a prior head of school and may have changed...and most teachers were outstanding). And you do not at all have your pick of schools if you do not want NCS/STA. There are precious few places at 4th grade at places like Maret and Sidwell, and some families do end up sending their kids to NCS/STA by default, not because they are first choice, as strange as that sounds.

This.
Life does not begin and end at the Cathedral close and these schools are not the best fit for every Beauvoir child. If you want something that's not this for whatever reason, it's harder coming from Beauvoir in 4th

[Anonymous]

Harder than what? Harder than for kids coming from public? That seems unlikely. Harder than kids apply in from where exactly for the 4th grade? It would seem to me the biggest population of kids applying for entry for 4th would be coming from Beauvoir and not any of the K-8 or K-12 grade schools.

[Anonymous]

Harder than coming in at another entry point since 4th is atypical.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Harder than coming in at another entry point since 4th is atypical.

Several of the top schools have spots for 4th grade and the Beauvoir students that do not choose STA or NCS end up there. Most Beauvoir students end up at their first choice school every year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Harder than coming in at another entry point since 4th is atypical.

I disagree. I would say 99% of Beauvoir students end up at their first choice school. They place very well but I won't try to convince you. I can only tell you our experience and how students have placed in the past years we have been at Beauvoir.

[Anonymous]

Beauvoir enrolls over 350 students every year at $36K. That would not be possible if their outplacement services sucked. I think realistically speaking most want to go to Albans/NCS. Nonetheless, no way the other 30% is consistently getting screwed and having to go with suckie options. Simply no way. Perhaps it happens to a few here and there. That would make sense as nothing in life is a guarantee or absolute. So yes I'm sure you can find a few who where displeased with where their kid landed. I don't think it's a high enough percentage however, for it to be a major concern.

[Anonymous]

Who is taking over Mr. Carroll's job as exmissions director?

[Anonymous]

OK, we absolutely love Beauvoir and are very happy for the most part. Teachers, curriculum, community are great.

The one thing that gets on my nerves is how often they have events where parents are strongly encouraged to attend. If you don't, your child ends up being one of a very few kids whose parents don't show up. For working parents, this can be really challenging. Beauvoir finds the children of "absentee parents" a buddy, but the kids still notice that their parents are in the minority.

It feels like these events are biased towards families who have one parent at home or who have the flexibility to take time off work when they need/want to. Obviously not everyone is in such a position.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Who is taking over Mr. Carroll's job as exmissions director?

Feibe Boyle (a 3rd grade teacher with Beauvoir since 2008).
https://www.beauvoirschool.org/outplacement

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OK, we absolutely love Beauvoir and are very happy for the most part. Teachers, curriculum, community are great.

The one thing that gets on my nerves is how often they have events where parents are strongly encouraged to attend. If you don't, your child ends up being one of a very few kids whose parents don't show up. For working parents, this can be really challenging. Beauvoir finds the children of "absentee parents" a buddy, but the kids still notice that their parents are in the minority.

It feels like these events are biased towards families who have one parent at home or who have the flexibility to take time off work when they need/want to. Obviously not everyone is in such a position.

I can see how that can't be nerve wrecking. This is exactly why we decided to pick a school in DC close to where we work instead of a school close to where we live. It becomes a bit much to take off for programs. My hope is taking off an hour to two won't be as hard to do.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Who is taking over Mr. Carroll's job as exmissions director?

Feibe Boyle.

[Anonymous]

I know there is another post asking this (I made it but received no responses) so I thought I would ask it here since there seems to be more traction on this thread.

Does anyone know if Beauvoir has gone to its Waitlist or if they will and if so, when do they typically start? We are currently wait listed and pretty bummed we didn't get a spot. We have been praying a spot will open up but thus far we have heard nothing.