Anonymous wrote:This DID occur-and it was not just due to space issues and trivial things-CDS Kindergarten does not prepare kids well for 1st grade-it is an OK choice as a waystation year if you are going to repeat K, which several do, often at Potomac.

The K program is subject to extinction at CDS once FCPS in McLean go full day for K-just a matter of time..........

CDS teachers- ESPECIALLY Kindergarten teachers (who spend the most amount of time with their children) do an amazing job meeting the ALL of their students needs and work to prepare them for the schools they are moving on to. It is the same across the board at Country Day, the teachers are professional and take special consideration for each child.
There is also a very gifted Language Arts specialist who works with small groups of children to help them achieve goals in reading and writing in preparation for them to move on to other schools. I am disheartened to hear that you believe these teachers don't do there job, when I can assure you, their students success at their next school is one of their biggest concerns throughout the year!

This DID occur-and it was not just due to space issues and trivial things-CDS Kindergarten does not prepare kids well for 1st grade-it is an OK choice as a waystation year if you are going to repeat K, which several do, often at Potomac.

The K program is subject to extinction at CDS once FCPS in McLean go full day for K-just a matter of time..........

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
I was surprised when I heard from another CDS parent that several families (about 17) banded together and complained to the school that their Kindergarten program (unlike their Preschool program which is excellent!) was "not up to par" and did "not" prepare their children for (public) elementary school. The school seems to be making changes and hired a lot of new teachers this year, so I'm wondering if there was any truth to this?

Does anyone know if this actually occurred or when it occurred?

This did actually occur. A CDS board member and classroom teachers were in attendance. Though I believe the overwhelming complaint was more about communication and other varying concerns, like space issues.

i have heard of several CDS families who opted for other schools for kindergarten (each of whom professes other, less nefarious reasons), and am wondering if this is why.

Anonymous wrote:
I was surprised when I heard from another CDS parent that several families (about 17) banded together and complained to the school that their Kindergarten program (unlike their Preschool program which is excellent!) was "not up to par" and did "not" prepare their children for (public) elementary school. The school seems to be making changes and hired a lot of new teachers this year, so I'm wondering if there was any truth to this?

Does anyone know if this actually occurred or when it occurred?

We absolutely love CDS! Our DC is currently in Kindergarten and we started in Parent/Child. This is a wonderful nurturing school. I also heard about the Kindergarten complaints but the school was receptive and I believe made some changes to the program. I know parents were upset about the Kindergarten classroom spaces and the recent renovations made great improvements on this front. What really differentiates CDS from the rest are the playgrounds & outdoor spaces for learning.

There is a wonderful parent resource who offers parent seminars on everything from discipline to toilet training. If you are lucky enough to have a kid attend parent/child - we strongly recommend this program and think you will fall in love with the school as we did.

We recently toured Langley for next year and were very impressed with the classroom layouts and happy children learning but have never attended. This appears to be a great school as well. I would suggest touring both schools and getting a feel for where you think your child would fit best.

Has anyone heard negative news about Country Day's Kindergarten program? My 3-year-old son currently attends Preschool (Threes) at CDS and I just love the school. We also did a Parent/Child class last year when he was 2 and 2 Summer Sessions (6 weeks total - filled with water play, outdoor play, and pony rides). All were very positive experiences and helped greatly in transitioning him to preschool this year. I was surprised when I heard from another CDS parent that several families (about 17) banded together and complained to the school that their Kindergarten program (unlike their Preschool program which is excellent!) was "not up to par" and did "not" prepare their children for (public) elementary school. The school seems to be making changes and hired a lot of new teachers this year, so I'm wondering if there was any truth to this? Does anyone know how CDS's curriculums compare to other schools? I love how warm, caring, and nurturing CDS's environment, teachers, and staff are, which is important in the early years! And I love how open and approachable the Head of the School and Director of Admissions are. The Director's office is right next door to my son's classroom and is open (literally and figuratively) all the time. Plus, the school is just so darn cute and charming with lots of trees and green scenary, 10 playgrounds, white picket fence, country school house with a big porch, and newly renovated cottage building. The only issues we are aware of is with the busy carpool lines (which they have recently addressed with new thru traffic lanes and patterns). I hope to keep my child at CDS as long as possible (through Fours or Kindergarten program), but I'm also exploring Little Langley for Jr. K and Kindergarten, or public school for Kindergarten.

I don't think trying to determine what the Potomac admissions committee will think of you in a year or two, depending on what school you attend next year, is a good idea. Your child will change a lot by then.

I would look at the programs and decide which is a better fit for you and your child now.

I was wondering if there is anymore input regarding a comparison of these two schools. Are these two of the more popular preschool choices in McLean? Has anyone's child attended both schools and if so what were your thoughts? Do you think legacy helps if it was an uncle or cousin that attended 15-20 years ago? Are there persons that applied to Langley and Country Day for preschool/pre-K and chose Country Day instead and then applied to Potomac for Kindergarten thinking that Country Day is a feeder school for Potomac and that if their child had attended Langley then the Potomac admissions committee would reject their application believing they are already in a comparable school. I know this is long-winded.

What is the fee for full day?

I'm a Langley parent. They are both good schools. While Langley does typically have a lot of legacy boys many years for some odd reason, they do accept new families of boys each year, so its certainly not impossible to get in. I am pretty sure CDS is fewer days per week while Langley is every day. Some families might want one over the other. CDS has a pool. Langley has a dedicated music teacher, library staff and schoolful of activities such as middle-school plays, soccer games and band concerts that they could potentially attend after hours. Langley will have a full-day option for the 4 yo's next year, which some working parents might like.

I am a Country Day school parent. I think it's a warm and loving place and will probably stay for kindergarten. I have friends at langley and they also love the school I think Langley may be more academic though..langley is more expensive but only 2K more? When you are already paying a lot, it seems 2K isn't that much of a difference. I think though that Langley has too many boys and only girls will be able to get in unless you are a legacy or already in their program.

Both are good schools. I know people who have sent kids both places. Haven't heard anything negative about either place. I think Country Day may be less expensive, but attending Langley's preschool means your child is already into Langley for K without having to go through IQ tests and an application, unless there are major issues.

OP here-Nothing? No one has any insight?

Looking for preschools (PT) for DC who will turn 3 next year in Mclean. I was interested in CDS and Langley, and wanted to get ANY feedback from parents whose child(ren) attends these schools. What did you like or not like? Which one is better suited for a child who has not been in a preschool/daycare setting before, and is slow to warm up to things. TIA!