School search- Lower School Georgetown Day School?
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Anonymous
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Hello, we are new to DC and beginning our school search.
DS, currently in 3rd grade. Wondering if Georgetown Day School might be a good fit (don't know much about the school, but have good impressions based on web-searches and the like). Son is typical "boy" in sensibility and humor (read: slightly lowbrow/potty style jokes), a bit shy, and a bit nerdy. I would like him to have guidance in becoming an adult of good character, but thus far, at schools that he has attended, he seems to have glommed on to the crasser side of jokes and such. While I don't want to force a square peg into a round hole, neither do I want to encourage this and let him freely slide into choosing the baser side of things, including in friendships, interests, etc.. I have also read a lot recently about how girls do much better in school and subsequently life, I'm wondering if at Georgetown Day School, the studious/"good grades" earners are mostly female? Would you recommend all-boy option as a better plan for this type of child? Thanx! ps. child is of Asian descent. |
pbraverman
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I would strongly recommend visiting GDS and asking current families in grades 3 and 4. There's nothing you said about your son that sounds unusual for a third-grade boy â I'd almost be more worried about a nine-year-old who DOESN'T crack up at a good fart joke, or even a bad one. The way he'll become an adult of good character is by being surrounded by adults of good character, not by trying to be an adult as quickly as possible.
I know GDS very well, and there is no reason GDS wouldn't serve a boy like yours well. The bigger question is whether their approach to education resonates with yours. There are many schools out there; investigating a few of them may help you narrow your search to the kind of school you're seeking. If you live near GDS, and you're looking for schools with similar profiles among accepted students, you might look at St. Albans (a single-sex school), Sidwell Friends (some people find it less individualistic than GDS), and Sheridan (a Kâ8, where the ultimate focus is on childhood instead of teenage-hood). There are many, many other excellent options (some of which don't begin with the letter "S," haha.) Meanwhile, let the little rascal be the age he is, and don't worry about whether his behavior is "good" or "bad," desirable or undesirable. Be attentive instead to whether his behavior is NORMAL. I recommend two resources if you haven't investigated them yet: 1) "Knowing Third Graders," a part of the Responsive Classroom series. The pamphlet focuses on what third graders are like. It's geared toward teachers, but entirely accessible to parents as well. Best of all, it's online, and free! https://www.responsiveclassroom.org/sites/default/files/ET3intro.pdf 2) Richard Weissbourd's excellent book, The Parents We Mean to Be, a smart and thought-provoking introduction to the moral development of children, the roles parents play, and the damage we can do to our children by insisting that they need to be "happy" all the time. Good luck! Peter _____________________ Disclaimer: The anonymity here makes me uncomfortable; it's too easy to write uninformed, personal, or mean-spirited posts if people don't identify themselves. For that reason, I have an account so you know whose words you're reading. I have more than 20 years' experience as a teacher and administrator in independent schools. I have read hundreds of admission files, and I have counseled hundreds of students in finding their next schools in the DC area. If you don't like something I've said, you're in good company â there's a long line of past students and parents ahead of you.  If you want to chat further, please feel free to contact me offline: peter <at> peterbraverman <dotcom>
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Anonymous
| I have always heard good things about the school. A few years ago I went to an open house (we were looking to move DD from public to private). There were probably 400 people there. It felt like a cattle call. I ended up walking out --did not have a good feeling about the school in general for my DD. It does not mean the school is a bad school. It means you need to know what you are looking for and what you/your child will be comfortable with. DD ended up at a much smaller private. FWIW we were looking for a move for 4th grade at the time. |
Anonymous
Do you know what 400 people gathered together looks like? Apparently not. This thread is complete bullshit, why it got a reputable reply is curious indeed. |
Anonymous
| Consulting pitch. |
Anonymous
| This thread is absurd. |
Anonymous
As a matter of fact, I do. that's why I walked out. |
Anonymous
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OP here, thanks for the information Peter! Really thoughtful and kind response to my confusing question.
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