Bright and Quirky Middle Schooler

[Anonymous]

We're a year out to applying, but if you had a bright and quirky boy who is social, but likes smaller groups, and likes math and science, but also loves reading and writing. He doesn't care about sports, but I think would do something if intramural. He also likes languages, art, and cooking. He also has ADHD, but it's not severe and when medicated, which he now is, there are no behavior issues.

We're just concerned local public will be too large, but we've also heard that kids "find their group" etc., and that there's more kids, so more opportunities for advanced classes, more languages etc. Also, lots of after school clubs which could meet any one of his interests. We're concerned about class sizes, him getting lost in the shuffle, and also the social piece--as things change in middle.

At this point we're in early exploration of if private would be a better fit. We afford it and make the logistics work either with bussing or where we work/live, but we've also been happy at our public, and he has been challenged and done well, so we are truly not sold either way.

We'd considered Arlington, Alexandria, and DC. Places people have recommended to me:

Burgundy Farms
Alexandria Country Day School
Howard Gartner
Sycamore School (read about here--wasn't personally recommended)
Field
Burke

Thoughts? Additions? Things to consider for any of these or what to think about for this decision?

[Anonymous]

St. Anselms if he can manage a heavy workload of homework

[Anonymous]

Burke

[Anonymous]

Lowell if you are okay with applying to HS after two 1/2 years, but they help you with the process.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:St. Anselm's if he can manage a heavy workload of homework

+1 Especially since he likes languages and cooking: he will be required to study Latin plus a modern language and they have a BBQ Club.

[Anonymous]

my son goes to sycamore and it's been a great fit - he can't get lost or avoid work as the classes are small and the teachers really get to know the students. It's in Arlington and most of the kids are from Arlington which was a huge plus for us. We looked at Burke and liked it well enough, but i really don't have the ability to navigate school friends all over the DMV. TSS was also significantly less expensive than Burke and my son responded better to the flexible seating and the overall vibe of the TSS space than the Burke space (which is gorgeous but it seemed to be missing unique seating (beanbag chairs, wobble chairs, etc) that TSS had (last year - none of that this year due to COVID.) I'd get on some tours and see what strikes you on these virtual tours and then down the road hopefully you can visit in person.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Burke

+1.

(Also St. Anslem's, depending on how you feel about workload.)

[Anonymous]

NP. What is the social scene like at Burke during high school? Would a kid from the suburbs (Alexandria) feel out of the loop socially?

[Anonymous]

Are there any students with dyslexia at Burke?

[Anonymous]

I am not sure about the Burgundy Farm recommendation. They used to have a great language program for middle school, but they switched to only having a zoom language class two days a week since covid. It is used to be 4 days a week. It is almost useless, my kid is learning nothing and will probably end up in first year language in 9th grade. Not to mention the fabulous French teacher left last year. If your kid is into languages, I would look to another school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Are there any students with dyslexia at Burke?

There are dyslexic kids at all the schools. It just depends on the severity of the dyslexia. MIT is full of them.

[Anonymous]

Commonwealth has been amazing for my bright snd quirky kid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am not sure about the Burgundy Farm recommendation. They used to have a great language program for middle school, but they switched to only having a zoom language class two days a week since covid. It is used to be 4 days a week. It is almost useless, my kid is learning nothing and will probably end up in first year language in 9th grade. Not to mention the fabulous French teacher left last year. If your kid is into languages, I would look to another school.

The reason for this is to avoid mixing cohorts since kids from different cohorts take the same language. It’s not ideal, but my child is progressing well in Spanish and it’s the best alternative to have their safety protocols for in-person school. All other subjects besides languages are in person.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am not sure about the Burgundy Farm recommendation. They used to have a great language program for middle school, but they switched to only having a zoom language class two days a week since covid. It is used to be 4 days a week. It is almost useless, my kid is learning nothing and will probably end up in first year language in 9th grade. Not to mention the fabulous French teacher left last year. If your kid is into languages, I would look to another school.

The reason for this is to avoid mixing cohorts since kids from different cohorts take the same language. It’s not ideal, but my child is progressing well in Spanish and it’s the best alternative to have their safety protocols for in-person school. All other subjects besides languages are in person.

I understand why they are doing language by zoom, but that doesn’t explain or excuse a 50% reduction of WL instruction time. 2 hours instead of 4 per week. I am glad your child is progressing well, but most kids are not.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am not sure about the Burgundy Farm recommendation. They used to have a great language program for middle school, but they switched to only having a zoom language class two days a week since covid. It is used to be 4 days a week. It is almost useless, my kid is learning nothing and will probably end up in first year language in 9th grade. Not to mention the fabulous French teacher left last year. If your kid is into languages, I would look to another school.

The reason for this is to avoid mixing cohorts since kids from different cohorts take the same language. It’s not ideal, but my child is progressing well in Spanish and it’s the best alternative to have their safety protocols for in-person school. All other subjects besides languages are in person.

I understand why they are doing language by zoom, but that doesn’t explain or excuse a 50% reduction of WL instruction time. 2 hours instead of 4 per week. I am glad your child is progressing well, but most kids are not.

PP again here. I do agree more language instruction would be better, even one additional day per week. That said, hopefully this is temporary with the pandemic this year and not a reason OP shouldn’t consider Burgundy for her bright and quirky kid.