What a thoughtful post above.

We took a MS spot at Norwood over a spot at a K-12 for a several reasons. One, we were coming from public and our neighborhood MS would have been detrimental for DC, however, returning to public for HS was still in play for us. Two, there was a lot of self-discovery that still needed to happen. The student that entered Norwood in 6th grade is not the same student that's (almost) exiting. Norwood was the best fit for DC at the time of admissions and this turned out to be a very good decision for us. DC grew academically, discovered a new sport and actually enjoyed all three years at Middle school. We are not returning to public, but moving to a entirely different private HS that wasn't on our radar a few years ago. The HS admission process is stressful, but they're going through it together as a class and I would do the same again.

Norwood is super. If you got a spot, take it.

Anonymous wrote:It is not hard to break in in 6th grade at Norwood socially. There will be other new kids, kids there can be ready for new kids, and I have never heard this being a problem there.

Great teachers in the middle school and incoming middle school leadership.

Agree with this. I had a very introverted child go to Norwood for just 7th and 8th and socially it wasn't a problem. The school did an amazing job of helping make the social connections and all the teachers were very aware/on the look out to help with integration. My other child started at Norwood earlier and it was a great Middle School experience for both of them.

The HOS is amazing, the new Middle School head is also very good and the rest of the administration is warm and very accessible.

Not to say that there aren't issues or problem kids but you're going to find that anywhere. For my family, the challenge of high school admission (which is a definitely a pain!) was more than outweighed by the positive experience they had at Norwood.

Ask very specifically about the size of the cohort and the gender balance. Some years can be quite skewed and that plays out on the social side which can be quite limiting.

Anonymous wrote:Hi, we’re considering Norwood for our rising 6th grader and wondering about pros/cons. Thanks!

People like it but as others said you would have to start admission process again in about a year into being there.

Anonymous wrote:I had two kids do only middle school at Norwood. It was wonderful, a great experience for both. academically, socially. and great for me as a parent, but of course that was when michele Claeys was middle school head (she is now HOS at little Langley so if it were me, I'd look there as well)
My third child did Norwood 1-8. While it is true that admissions to 9th grade are very tough in DC area (and two out of three of my kids went to boarding school for high school) it is a gift to your kids to give them the best middle school experience possible. These are the hardest years (as well as being the most ignored years in private k-12 schools, IMO)

This is VERY true. We saw it at both high schools that our students moved onto. Both highly selective k-12.

Current Norwood parent here - agree with the comments about great music and arts program and sports that are accessible for different ability levels. We have had some good teachers and some not so good. Your child's experience will greatly depend on their cohort. There are definitely problem kids and depending on the situation some of them will be given a pass on disruptive behavior and minimal consequences. Our DD's cohort has had issues with bullying (in person and online) and racist comments that many parents felt were not handled well by the school. This may be the case at most schools public and private. Also see the recent thread "my k-8 bombed' if you are seeking a "prestige/selective" HS for 9-12.

I had two kids do only middle school at Norwood. It was wonderful, a great experience for both. academically, socially. and great for me as a parent, but of course that was when michele Claeys was middle school head (she is now HOS at little Langley so if it were me, I'd look there as well)
My third child did Norwood 1-8. While it is true that admissions to 9th grade are very tough in DC area (and two out of three of my kids went to boarding school for high school) it is a gift to your kids to give them the best middle school experience possible. These are the hardest years (as well as being the most ignored years in private k-12 schools, IMO)

Anonymous wrote:It is not hard to break in in 6th grade at Norwood socially. There will be other new kids, kids there can be ready for new kids, and I have never heard this being a problem there.

Great teachers in the middle school and incoming middle school leadership.

+1 Very easy to make friends here as an incoming MSer. There's 10 - 12 new students admitted for 6th and the lifers are eager for new blood.

It is not hard to break in in 6th grade at Norwood socially. There will be other new kids, kids there can be ready for new kids, and I have never heard this being a problem there.

Great teachers in the middle school and incoming middle school leadership.

If you got into a school that goes through 12, why bother with Norwood in the interim. Very difficult to break into a k-8 in middle school socially.

Anonymous wrote:Pros: Diverse group of students, faculty and administration that cares and meets your child where they're at, great lunch program, happy, well balanced students who are challenged

Cons: Doesn't go through 12th grade, can be hard to avoid problems students

This is a good list. We didn't have any issues with "problem students" in either of our children's cohorts.

Additional Pros:
- MS teachers are great - the 7/8 team is exceptional and experienced
- Offerings in Visual arts, performing arts, strings, hand bells are excellent
- We like that athletics are required and provide options for different levels - including the outdoors Summit program
- parent community is strong and supportive
- Admin is strong with the HOS and new MS Head next year are supported by other strong leadership
- Good communication

Pros: Diverse group of students, faculty and administration that cares and meets your child where they're at, great lunch program, happy, well balanced students who are challenged

Cons: Doesn't go through 12th grade, can be hard to avoid problems students

Hi, we’re considering Norwood for our rising 6th grader and wondering about pros/cons. Thanks!