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[quote=Anonymous]These are all excellent schools, but the score differences between states really can explain differences for NMSF at least to some extent (and really does a disservice to DC  public schools) and should at least be considered before people make all sorts of blanket ridiculous statements about "whipping the socks" off etc etc etc.  If each parent/student is thrilled at their kid's school and its academic achievements, great, but then why be so nasty, boastful and competitive about this all? The schools and how they approach standardized testing, participation in various contests, and AP courses/exams differs enormously (many of the privates explicitly steer away from even designating courses APs because the department/teachers feel the content mandated by AP is not adequate and focuses too much on memorization or archaic content-for instance the bio AP until it was finally revised this past year). Any kid who is a NMSF is likely to have been in the same score range whatever school he/she went to, relatively low level and rote standardized testing skills tested by the PSAT and SAT.  Some kids/families thrive in a public school and want the diversity and acceleration of math and science courses offered at TJ and Blair. Other kids who are focused more on the humanities or who in high school would far rather focus on learning to write with more individualized attention and participate in true discussion courses are not going to be happy at TJ or Blair and may stay at a smaller local public or an IB program or a different sort of magnet program, or may be lucky enough to have the means to attend a top private schools either from their family resources or financial  aid. 
All these kids seem to do very well from any of the schools being discussed here when they get to college.   [/quote]

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