You could also try some of the public schools. they are excellent

My impression is that Potomac would be more balanced than Maret.

Maret is small and it's a K-12 campus (vs. a K-12 school with two campuses -- either L/M and HS or Lower and M/HS). Unless that's a selling point, it doesn't seem best at anything (part of which is a function of size -- not big enough to have critical mass for various cohorts).

Neither "nerdy" nor "jocky" sounds attractive. One would hope for a good balance ... and excellence on more than a single front. Would Maret be the "balanced" one?

It's schizophrenic. Jocky suburban vs. nerdy urban (with Potomac partaking a bit of each). Very different school cultures.

One think you might want to do is check and see whether the grade you will be applying for is an entry year at these schools. Apply regardless (there are often a few spots due to attrition and out-of-towners seem to be favored in those cases), but that info has implications for whether you need a back-up plan. If so, consider public, even if only temporarily.

In the long run, there's no shortage of spots in good privates here (just certain crunch years like PreK/K). So why settle (perhaps permanently) for average when if you look at admissions as a 2 year process, you'll probably get what you want? And you (and your son) will be in a position to make a better judgment about what that is once you're in the area.

Anonymous wrote:I would choose Norwood in Potomac over Bullis.

Seems like OP is looking for K-12??
If OP is interested in K-8, Norwood is great.
Also, OP look at Green Acres it does not have a great sports program, but it has great Science.

Anonymous wrote:Bullis should definitely stay on your list. As a parent of current Bullis high schooler who has been there since 3rd grade I can say that the school is definitely academically rigorous, but provides great balance in the arts, athletics and community service. You should definitely look at all the schools mentioned above, but choose your son's next school based on your "gut" feeling about the school. Reputation does nothing to serve the needs of your son or your family. Good luck!

1. coeds Bullis,Potomac, Flint hill, SSSA are similiar. STA-NCS are somewhat of a blend between single sex and coed. NCS/STA- Holton-Madeira-Visi-Gonzaga-Gtown prep-landon. 2. Maret-Sidwell-GDS-St Andrews

Read about them on the websites, check the grade levels, sports leagues, geographic location/student distribution. In private school circles you are more likely to have parent peers define themselves as "--- [name of school]parents" in group 2. They also are more neighborhood schools. Subtle difference from "my ds or dd goes to --."

Bullis should definitely stay on your list. As a parent of current Bullis high schooler who has been there since 3rd grade I can say that the school is definitely academically rigorous, but provides great balance in the arts, athletics and community service. You should definitely look at all the schools mentioned above, but choose your son's next school based on your "gut" feeling about the school. Reputation does nothing to serve the needs of your son or your family. Good luck!

WIS has a dutch program in case that is one of your languages.

I would choose Norwood in Potomac over Bullis.

Anonymous wrote:... do I just worry too much?

Yes, but it is nice that you love your boy so much.

She specifically said non-sectarian, which rules them both out. Also Georgetown Prep doesn't take 9 year olds.

St. Albans should be on your list and Gtown Prep. I would not include Bullis.

Bullis is a great school, but isn't as academically selective as the rest of your list. Although you might look at it and love it (your description of your son as liking arts and sports immediately brings Bullis to mind as they strive to build an ethic of participating for every child), it might also serve as your fallback.

Sidwell isn't technically nonsectarian, if you're interested in Quaker schools Sandy Springs Friends in another option if you haven't decided yet where you want to live.

Good luck!

Bullis is way out in the suburbs. Apply to all, visit all, see which ones you get into, re-visit, decide.
Good luck.
I am assuming you want schools that go through 12th grade. If so, your list is fine.

With our limited information (both parents professionals working 12 hours a day, just searching quickly the net and preparing to move to the Washington, DC area next year), we have arrived at the above ranking of private schools to approach.

Our boy is keen on learning, top of his class, avid "scientist" and creative mind, tri-lingual (but no Spanish/French/Latin), enjoying some sports and arts every day too ... 9 years old.

Are we missing any great nonsectarian school?
Is any of the above 6 much different from the others (other than Ladnon's "all-boy" factor)?
Are they all so competitive that we better have a more "average" fall back option? ... which?

... do I just worry too much?