Our friends kid left a couple years ago after her son in 4th was bullied to tears. Sounded like a horror story. We left after a couple years but in same class did not have with our boy. Having gone to another private, our experience reveals the kids there are totally wild. I threw 2 bday parties for my other kid that went - exact ones and the public school kids were 10000% more well behaved and easy than her nut job friends there. We pulled her out too. I don't have good views of that school and all this with past 5 yrs. Admittedly I do think specific classes differ and you can find better kids in different years but even though my kids were 2 years apart, not a fan of the school environment there.

Sounds like the environment was very different 30 years ago. It's a wonderful community now, with a very engaged administration and teachers. We have been there for 7 years and never had an issue with bullying, nor heard of one.

Bullying is dealt with right away in my experience. Very strong social-emotional curriculum and advisory sessions twice a day. School counselor on site.

They are very tiny. I think the administration is definitely willing to address issues as they come up. I can't say I have heard much about bullying there. I will say that we did choose another school for DD primarily due to the size of ACDS. I just worried that if there were any falling outs among friends it would be more difficult to find another friend group.

30 years is a long time. Go visit and talk to parents who you then know are actually currently part of the community.

Why risk it? Choose a school that has a culture of kindness.

Anonymous wrote:So you have an adult son and elementary school aged child?

Sorry, I said it was my kid, my grandchild. All 3 of my kids are grown.

So you have an adult son and elementary school aged child?

Looking at schools and wondering how much takes place at Alexandria Country Day School? My brother was there 30 years ago and left because he was bullied without mercy with little intervention from the staff. However, I know schools change and this was a generation ago.