OP, please don't discard Grace Episcopal -- parochial schools and Diocesan schools are quite different, and Grace is an incredible school with a very fine school head. I no longer live in DC, my own DC didn't attend, I have no vested interest in supporting the school -- but I did live in Rock Creek Forest for 8 years and am familiar with all the local independent choices as well as the public schools near you. You have many good choices (including those mentioned here): my shout out to Grace is simply so that you won't automatically exclude it simply because of the affiliation with the Episcopal church. GL!

Anonymous wrote:Lowell looks great but is close to $40k a year. Sheridan and Grace. Sandy spring has a bus but is way too far out.

These tuition numbers are not correct. The middle schools at Lowell and Sheridan are almost identically priced -- about $32,500 (Lowell may be about $150 more for the entire year). Both schools charge a a couple of thousands less below 4th grade, and much less for preschool. OP - it's an easy Google search to confirm.

Anonymous wrote:I second Lowell. There's also Barrie that is a little further out. Evergreen Montessori, if you're in to that. Grace Episcopal, Blessed Sacrament, St. Bernadette's, The Siena School (if you have differentiated learning needs).

The OP said she isn't interested in parochial schools, so St. B's and BS would be out. While Grace isn't Catholic, it is an Episcopal parish day school (i.e. supported by the church, some shared governance, etc.). Siena starts in 4th grade and is for kids with language-based learning differences. So Lowell, Sandy Spring Friends, and Barrie might fit more of OP's criteria. Evergreen goes to, what, grade 2 or 3? Not sure on that one.

Sheridan is nowhere near Silver Spring.

Check out green acres too.

Friends Community School in College Park

Lowell looks great but is close to $40k a year. Sheridan and Grace. Sandy spring has a bus but is way too far out.

Lowell just off of upper 16th Street, NW -- maybe a half mile or so from East-West Highway, so if you are near downtown Silver Spring it is really hard to beat geographically. Of course, once you get into this you will start to find subtle differences among all these schools that be enormous to individual families in particular situations, so you will need to do your diligence with your own child in mind. But as a threshold matter, all the independent schools mentioned are very solid (I'm not knocking the others; just not as familiar with them).

Lowell, Grace Episcopal and Sheridan are three very strong options that you could look into. Whats the elementary school in SS you are trying to avoid?

I second Lowell. There's also Barrie that is a little further out. Evergreen Montessori, if you're in to that. Grace Episcopal, Blessed Sacrament, St. Bernadette's, The Siena School (if you have differentiated learning needs).

There's a Sandy Spring Friends bus stop right behind Mrs. K's Toll House. It picks up at around 7:20am. I drive by it on my way to work.

Anonymous wrote:Many folks from your neighborhood go to Sandy Spring Friends. There is a bus.

Really? Where does the bus pick up?

Lowell School is very nearby.

Many folks from your neighborhood go to Sandy Spring Friends. There is a bus.

We live in close-in Silver Spring. We are not thrilled with our neighborhood elementary school (and even less so with the middle school and high school), but for various reasons, moving is not an option. We also can't drive our son across the city every day. Are there good private schools (either co-ed or for boys) in the area that we should consider? We aren't interested in parochial schools. TIA!