St. John's in Georgetown is probably the best combination of most progressive, nuturing, and competitive. Really great school.

We have a child at St Patricks Episcopal Day School and love it.

I think the article is wrong and the title is very sensational. I know that applying to St Patrick's, Beauvoir, Sheridan, Maret and Sidwell is as competitive as ever. In fact, this is the most difficult year ever at some of those schools. Lots of people see their child(ren)'s education as the most important financial item in their "budget" and therefore, it will be the last thing to take a hit in a recession. I believe that this in large part is because parents in Washington are so well educated themselves and see the value in a top notch education.