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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]In the actual District of Columbia (Washington DC proper, not the broader metro area), the public schools (i.e., government-run schools) objectively rank quite poorly overall.  The “DC Public Schools” have tragically low academic achievement, and widespread issues of physical safety of the students, with the very narrow exception of one or two elementary schools in NW DC.

If you live inside DC, then I would strongly urge private.  Many believe WIS is better than the British School.  There also some non-international strong private schools in DC worth considering, including for example the Washington Cathedral Schools (which include Beauvoir for K-3rd, St Albans for boys, & Cathedral School for girls), Sidwell Friends School, and Georgetown Day School (GDS).

If you live just north of DC in Montgomery County, then the “W” high school pyramids (e.g., Wooton, Walt Whitman, Winston Churchill) are generally good.  Also, there is St Andrews Episcopal School (SAES) which some on DCUM like and others dislike, but is definitely worth a look-see.

Prince Georges County schools tragically are another mess.  I could not recommend them to anyone.  I am not well informed about private schools in PG County.

If you live on the Virginia side of the river, Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) are a disaster, but Arlington County Public Schools (APS) and Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) are reasonable options.  Confusingly, a postal address of “Alexandria” might be in Alexandria City or might be in Fairfax County - so one needs to check into the details in that case. Privates to consider on the Virginia side include at least St Stephens/St Agnes School (SSSAS) in Alexandria, Potomac School in McLean, and Flint Hill School (which is farther west than the other two).

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St. Andrew's Episcopal School is academically not as strong as National Cathedral(girls) and St. Albans(boys).[/quote]

I would also take a look at the WIS/BISW comparison. I live in a gated community in DC. Our two daughters are WIS-lifers but in our community, there are many families who are sending their kids to BISW and are very happy with it. I love many things about WIS but, lately, the mental health aspects have especially come to concern me and when I speak to BISW parents, their kids are not having the same types of negative experiences I’m seeing at our school, at least not to the same magnitude and intensity. I’m not sure why this is the case, but many parents attribute it to the unique school environment that BISW has due to the niche market that it serves. I hate the fact that I’m having to start thinking about alternatives and other options. But I am starting to look around.

Also, as we go further into middle and high school, WIS is not cutting it for us. We cannot afford more tutors and outside help beyond what we pas as tuition, but I’m starting to feel like my kids are not getting what they need academically.

So, the school shopping may soon officially start for me, and I am very sad by it.[/quote]

Where are there gated communities in DC?[/quote]
DP. There are a few, like Hillandale and Bishop’s Gate. [/quote]

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