Any recent feedback on either LCDS or Hill? We will be new to the area with a 5th grade DD and are just starting to explore options
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Anonymous wrote: Based on your questions, I think the Hill School in Middleburg would be a better fit for your family.

OP here - thank you! We actually did consider Hill but they don’t have openings and it would also be quite a drive for us unfortunately. I also heard from an unhappy parent there which gave me pause.

Based on your questions, I think the Hill School in Middleburg would be a better fit for your family.

Would love any and all feedback on Loudoun Country Day School, especially elementary school.

Some questions on my mind –

Does their approach reinforce intrinsic motivation (vs. extrinsic like rewards)?

Is there a lot of academic pressure? Endless worksheets? I went to a very progressive independent school that had almost no homework or tests until middle school so I am surprised to hear about the amount of work given to young children in most schools.

Are kids required to solve problems using a specific method? I'm especially thinking of math here.

Are kids taught critical thinking, encouraged to challenge assumptions and even their teachers?

How much time do the kids spend outdoors? Most schools we've looked at say the kids spend a lot of time outdoors, have vegetable gardens, etc. This was what we were told before joining our current school as well but I have noticed that in practice it's not really that much besides their scheduled recess.

How much time are the kids spending on iPads in the classroom? How much of their homework is on a computer?

Are the assistant teachers well trained? At our current school there is an enormous difference between the lead teachers and the assistant teachers, yet the children spend at least half their time with assistant teachers.

These are just a few questions, but would love to hear any experiences or feedback you've heard from others.