Anonymous wrote:Temple Sinai is a great school. Not sure why it doesn't get the press of Franklin & St Columba's. (Not saying it's as high-profile as NCRC & St John's.)

Never heard of it.

Temple Sinai is a great school. Not sure why it doesn't get the press of Franklin & St Columba's. (Not saying it's as high-profile as NCRC & St John's.)

Anonymous wrote:NCRC, St Johns, Little Folks, School for Friends, Aiden, Franklin, St Columba's... that is all I can think of

Good list, would add Children's House in Georgetown.

Anonymous wrote:Little Folks, NCRC, St John's, Aidan, St. Patrick's, NPS, River, St. Columba's. In that order.

So NOT in that order. Ridiculous. There are so many errors in your list and accompanying statement, its pathetic and presumptious. River and St Pat's, for instance have a preschool component, but only as the beginning of a entire (until 3rd for River and 6th or 8th for St Pats) private school education. I am, although, willing to acknowldge that some people use River just for preschool, but its happeneing less and less (no one does that with St Pats unless learning disabilities are discovered or it just doesnt work out). Also, Little Folks is rightly regarded as a feeder, but some find its accomodations unplatable, outdated, and not "top" at all. Regardless, I would hardly put it "first." And, School for Friends should certainly be on the list as should Franklin. I would personally say its virtually impossible to rank these preschools in overall quality or as feeders but the most prestigious are (arguably, of course) NCRC and St John's, if based on the difficulty of getting in alone. Even that statement is admittedly stretch because its based on values and assumptions that not everyone holds. Basically, OP, author of the above quote needs a reality check.

Little Folks, NCRC, St John's, Aidan, St. Patrick's, NPS, River, St. Columba's. In that order.

Have you had a child attend each school, to develop this informed assessment? Or wait -- you're a professional who spends equal amounts of time at each school?

Share your spreadsheet!!

Are most of the mentioned schools competitive and if so what is it that they are looking for in prospective families?
ie What helps your child get in?

School For Friends has been a wonderful experience for my children

I wouldn't call it elite, and DC got in but didn't go (not for that reason), but I must say their curriculum is well developed and their teaching staff exceptionally well qualified. I wouldn't knock it.

I did not realize that River was on the "elite" list

Little Folks, NCRC, St John's, Aidan, St. Patrick's, NPS, River, St. Columba's. In that order.

definitely river school

Don't really know what you're looking for or what you mean by "top" -- if a feeder into private school, the ones mentioned above are a good start. If you're simply looking for schools that people speak highly of in terms of the experience for their children, expand the list to include Temple Sinai, Adas Israel, CCBC, CCPC, and Montessori of Chevy Chase.

river school

NCRC, St Johns, Little Folks, School for Friends, Aiden, Franklin, St Columba's... that is all I can think of

We are new to the area and I am beginning to look at preschools for my child who will be 2 yr 9 months next September. We have no idea about school reputations in Washington, would anyone be kind enough to fill me in on which are considered top schools? Montessori or traditional, does not matter.
Thank you!