Green Acres

[Anonymous]

Did GA ever issue an official, non-anonymous reply (i.e., being a poster on this forum doesn't count!)?

[Anonymous]

What should GA reply to? An article that's 2 years old that includes the school along with other DC-area private schools in the context of rising tuition and shrinking applicant pools?

[Anonymous]

Not the PP, but poster probably meant - at the time, was there a response? Article was posted in response to someone who said it couldn't be found. So, yes, is 2 years old. But some numbers about declining enrollments in the current environment would be nice. Remember, people are making decisions based on their current assessments of a school, which for some includes just status, but for others might include financial health of the school and ability to have a full program. If a school is having a hard time getting students, and therefore making cuts, it is pretty relevant. Thank goodness I don't have kids at the K-8 age!

[Anonymous]

I think its no conicidence some people keep bringing up GA in the context of declining enrollments now that people are making their decisions. Trying to influence people with rumors.

[Anonymous]

No, need some FACTS!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think its no conicidence some people keep bringing up GA in the context of declining enrollments now that people are making their decisions. Trying to influence people with rumors.

And maybe "some people" are trying to divert attention of those trying to make decisions ... divert from facts, I mean.

[Anonymous]

norwood school

[Anonymous]

we're considering Green Acres for K, and have heard mixed things about academics later on in MS. Can current parents chime in?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I was the person that started this...sorry if I offended anyone. I am thinking of applying next year for my son and I really just wanted to know - what type of child is not a good fit there. I don't think there is anything wrong with that - although I guess I could have been more sensitive.

What type of kid doesn't fit it.....???

It is more the parents. Wear Birkenstocks to the parent interview. Have NO concerns about academics. Don't ask when they start reading. Don't ask anything academic.
This is no joke. You never know what will tick off that admissions lady.
Say you LOOVE progressive schools. When she asks where else you are applying, say Lowell, (Oneness Family), GDS and Burgundy. Do NOT say Sidwell or Norwood, or Beauvoir.

LOL -- but true. Several years ago our son was rejected; got in at Sidwell and Beauvoir. We really liked Green Acres, but as soon as my husband -- a former Peace Corps volunteer, mind you, so his progressive bona fides were in good order-- asked about reading instruction, I knew we were sunk. They're not just looking for fit, but to see if you've drunk the Kool Aid.

[Anonymous]

22:02, why not start another thread on GA middle school? Afraid it will be lost here.

[Anonymous]

Really, doesn't every school want people who have "drunk the kool-aid'? After reading this board it is clear many who post here have drunk the kool-aid about Sidwell...Beauvoir... GDS... Maret.... among others.

[Anonymous]

... and not that there's anything wrong with any of that. I'm just surprised that people seem so put out by Green Acres screening for fit the way traditional schools do.

[Anonymous]

Again, I would say it goes beyond "fit"; our impression was that the administration would not tolerate anyone questioning their methods, systems, or policies. That's not the case at the schools our kids attend.

[Anonymous]

Sorry, GA parent here and your impression is not our experience at all.

[Anonymous]

I'm not a parent at GA, but at another "progressive" school and I have to somewhat defend GA for trying to figure out if parents are actually supportive of a progressive approach to education (which by the way has nothing to do with being politically liberal). It has been somewhat annoying over the years at a similar school to have parents come into the school community and accept a slot and then start asking where the "drills and worksheets" are and simply complaining about the progressive education approach to things. By either not understanding what the philosophy is or not even bothering to find out these parents get unhappy because they didn't actually want the type of school they signed up for. So I can't say that it is necessarily wrong for GA to find out if parents are comfortable with their fundamental educational approach before offering them a slot at the school.