But maybe for graduate degree #1 better

#2 better to motivate the kid to do more....I also consider private school to be a gift for them. Also for my own sake knowing I gave them the best education....

Pp: Not a lot of handholding after 3rd grade or so.

Norwood is counter traffic, GDS is not, for OP. Traffic wise Norwood may be better. I heard not great things about GDS lower school, but from 3-4th grade up is very competitive and academically very strong. GDS better for competitive aggressive high achiever type generally speaking ( it a lot of handholding after early ears). Norwood more nurturing throughout years. I would consider these points, too. I hear you, OP, it is so difficult to make this choice when they are only 5 years old....

PP is exactly right (based on 5-6 cases I have personally observed).

We love Norwood. I think their early childhood program is amazing. It may be really difficult to get into GDS later on....it’s a really competitive school to get into at every grade. So I would go with what you care about more at this point. I can see that it really depends on your choice. Great two options. Congrats!!

GDS waitlists for Lower grades definitely does not move that much. Nonetheless, you should email the school to let them know about your strong interest, and hope for the best. You never know....

I think it depends on the grade. For K, mostly no, although I have seen a friend’s DC getting off the waitlist, so it’s not impossible....

Little Folks School

Wow that is awesome!! Congratulations!!!

Both are great schools. I have friends in both schools and they are all very happy. You should go with the gut feeling, maybe. WES has a lot of Bethesda/Chevy Chase crowd, whereas Lowell has a lot of NE and NW DC people due to the locations.

So many parents I know (including us) liked both GDS and Beauvoir (even also Sidwell) but have preferred one of them for one reason or another. I don’t think it’s always religion. The location matters....For example, I like Beauvoir because it is closest to us, and have good lunch, etc. We also don’t mind single sex education, but I understand that for some, this is a big no factor, so they prefer GDS or Sidwell. Some families have kids in both places. Congratulations on joining Beauvoir! It’s a wonderful place.

Good luck to everyone! It’s our third year in the admissions cycle and still I am anxious...best wishes!

Beauvoir for PK