We've been at Janney for a number of years and haven't felt that there is an "in crowd" at all. In fact, I've always seen Janney as a warm and open community. The school is huge and there's a niche for everyone. Like to run? Help out with the 5K. Like theater? Help with the spring play. Like to garden? Help with the gardens or school market. Like books? Help with the used book sale.

At such a big and busy place, the worst thing you can do is sit back and wait for people to come to to you and extend a special invite. Put yourself out there and you'll meet nice, like-minded parents and community members.

jsteele wrote:I hear that it helps to wear toe shoes.

I just happen to use the same gym as a bunch of Lafayette parents and they have a REALLY close relationship with each other. Many are SAHM or work at home parents.

I never took it as a negative. I guess if you were new, it wouldn't be easy to break into that circle, if you were even interested in doing so.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't know. I ran into a lady at another elementary school recently. I asked her if her child attended that school. She said "No, we're a Janney family". She was nice, but I found that response really bizarre.

What is so weird about that?

It's the school my child attends, not a cult my family belongs to...

Anonymous wrote:I don't know. I ran into a lady at another elementary school recently. I asked her if her child attended that school. She said "No, we're a Janney family". She was nice, but I found that response really bizarre.

What is so weird about that?

Anonymous wrote:I don't see this atmosphere at Janney at all.

Then they are talking about you!

I don't know. I ran into a lady at another elementary school recently. I asked her if her child attended that school. She said "No, we're a Janney family". She was nice, but I found that response really bizarre.

I don't see this atmosphere at Janney at all.

We were seriously considering moving in bounds for a JKLM and observed this type of culture at a number of them. I didn't like it. We opted to stay at our Title 1 school with a nurturing, inclusive environment. I realize many wouldn't make this choice but we feel good about it.

So, would you pull your kid out and go elsewhere so your kids don't end up surrounded by this kind of thing? I would. Academics is obviously very important, but so is the social atmosphere.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Blech, seriously?? This is my future kids' school and I was hoping to get out of that "scene", which sounds like my kids' preschool.

NCRC, huh?

Nope. It's a Montessori school.

Anonymous wrote:Blech, seriously?? This is my future kids' school and I was hoping to get out of that "scene", which sounds like my kids' preschool.

NCRC, huh?

Blech, seriously?? This is my future kids' school and I was hoping to get out of that "scene", which sounds like my kids' preschool.

I hear that it helps to wear toe shoes.

You're either in or you're not. If you're not then your kid gets invited to significantly less birthday parties and play dates. Getting in requires that you schmooze with the right people relentlessly and have endless face time at the school (and the bar is set high---there are parents who seem to literally live at the school). People invest in others based on what they can (or can't) so for them socially. Honestly it feels like high school. I can't be imagining this. It was not like this at any other school setting my child has been apart of. Perhaps the fact that everyone lives within a few miles of each other and for many people Janney is their entire DC social life contributes to this?