Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not Sidwell.

I disagree. Almost all people I've met in lower school are genuinely nice, and school works hard to encourage similar attitude in children. Maybe I have a little more personal experience there though.

I know nice kids at Sidwell as well, nice kids who are sad and have experienced nastiness from classmates. It doesn't have a kind culture. I think Norwood should also be scratched from the list. "Poised" and "polite" is not the same thing as kind.

There will be kind children at every school, and classes where there is a minimal amount of nastiness. But for a school to have a kind culture, it has to be a conscious effort form the top. My DD at NCS started out with a nice class that turned real ugly in the upper years.

Some of the suggestions in this thread have been good. St. Andrew's, Field, Lowell (though I knew of a child who was teased badly at Lowell).

St Andrew's is top down and bottom up a wonderfully kind school. The relationships between the intermediate, middle and high school kids and the teachers / faculty are warm, mutually respecful, and supportive (there was no lower school when my kids were that age). I am always impressed by how well teachers -- even those that have never taught my children -- know them. I have been brought to tears many times listening to students or faculty speak from the heart about personal challenges they have faced and overcome. At assemblies, you can feel genuine
warmth and support of the kids for one another. Go observe for yourself.

Anonymous wrote:Lowell is always the first school that comes to mind for a genuinely nice, pretense-free environment from the top down. I also have found that Norwood has a tradition of turning out some of the most poised, polite and polished students that I have come across. But an earthy, crunchy environment it isn't. It is a beautiful campus and the school is very committed to music and art and community service. But each class there does seem to have its own flavor. Some are more open and warm than others. St. Andrew's also is widely reputed to be a warm and caring school, but I have no personal experience to offer there.

Have to disagree with the Norwood comments. Students may appear "poised," etc., but it is in an "Eddie Haskell" way, if you remember him from Leave it to Beaver. Many of the kids come from very wealthy families and are stuck up snobs who only care about the next thing their parents are going to buy for them. Norwood has very little community service until 7th and 8th grade -- isn't that a little late to start teaching kids about this important topic? Also the school is not "very committed" to music (art, yes). Music faculty is so-so at best (except K music teacher) and music facilities are sub-par after 4th grade. Ask to see where the Middle School band, bells and strings rehearse and you will see for yourself.

Anonymous wrote:Not Sidwell.

I disagree. Almost all people I've met in lower school are genuinely nice, and school works hard to encourage similar attitude in children. Maybe I have a little more personal experience there though.

+1 lowell. Nothing else like it although I have heard good things about green acres as well.

Field. Its a special place.

We have found a kind, genuine atmosphere at Norwood.

Sheridan School! Its K-8 and wonderful.

From experience, Christ Episcopal. From word of mouth, I hear the same about Grace Episcopal (but it's only through 5th).

Not Sidwell.

CHDS

Lowell is always the first school that comes to mind for a genuinely nice, pretense-free environment from the top down. I also have found that Norwood has a tradition of turning out some of the most poised, polite and polished students that I have come across. But an earthy, crunchy environment it isn't. It is a beautiful campus and the school is very committed to music and art and community service. But each class there does seem to have its own flavor. Some are more open and warm than others. St. Andrew's also is widely reputed to be a warm and caring school, but I have no personal experience to offer there.

Sheridan

Friends Community School in College Park. Wonderful school.

Admittedly, I cry easily, but you wouldn't believe how often I get choked up during school events, especially when the Head talks about the school and its mission and culture, etc. Or when DD's teacher talks about their activities or her attachment to the students. Or when I see the older students interact affectionately with the little ones in the hallway. You get the idea. There is a pervasive kindness, creativity, and appreciation for the uniqueness of every individual.

In DC or MD, please, going through either 8th grade or 12th grade. You know what I mean: schools with a genuine, top-down culture of kindness, not just lip service to that ideal, and an emphasis on helping kids become good, thoughtful, considerate people -- you know, truly nice people. Thanks for your suggestions.