Anonymous
11/13/2025 15:31
Subject: Sidwell Vs Maret vs NCS
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:The three schools think too much of themselves. I believe they also have the same bias as liberal universities in the us.
If you want your kid to be a freethinker pick other schools.
If you want your kid to be a freethinker, raise one.
Yes, also avoid ideological schools like sidwell maret and gds.
NCS too! The HOS is on a mission to turn these students into social justice warriors (and wants you to pay for it). This DYI is in addition to many hours already dedicated to religious education and community service. At the expense of what you may ask? Actual time that would be spent on academics. Avoid.
Same thing with Maret. I pay for actual education not indoctrination.
Anonymous
11/13/2025 14:06
Subject: Sidwell Vs Maret vs NCS
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:A parent with a kid at NCS. Those complaining about Maret HoS having a kid at Whittle, consider that NCS HoS / Head of Lower School have no kids. Seems that they never dealt with kids at all. There is no joy and no spirit / heart in this school. Overwhelming focus on DEI programming totally inappropriate for the age group (field trip to an AA cemetery in 4th grade, anyone?! Not kidding!). My kid likes her friends and it's a pain to move schools, so we are there for now, but I'd go elsewhere if I did this again. Teachers are hit and miss, some of the recent hires lacking any relevant experience.
Nothing can be worse than a former whittle hos.
Until you meet the current HOS from NCS with all her parenting advice.
What is wrong with the HOS from NCS?
She’s loves to talk about herself. Everything relates back to her… and her parenting advice is based on having a parent, not being one.
This is a laughable statement. I consider our HOS an absolute treasure, as does everyone I know, and I can’t think of any instance where she spoke about herself.
I am so grateful for the entire leadership team that we have but especially our HOS. It is a terribly thankless job on so many levels. This is our fourth independent school across our family, and NCS knocks it out of the park. We are lucky for every minute that we have her.
The Head of School speaks well and certainly has some interesting ideas. Unfortunately, that skill doesn’t extend to hiring or structuring leadership roles. There’s a clear lack of awareness around declining educational quality and some toxic leadership that really needs to go. And honestly, for $60K a year, I think I could do a better job brainwashing my own child.
Anonymous
11/13/2025 13:08
Subject: Sidwell Vs Maret vs NCS
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:The three schools think too much of themselves. I believe they also have the same bias as liberal universities in the us.
If you want your kid to be a freethinker pick other schools.
If you want your kid to be a freethinker, raise one.
Yes, also avoid ideological schools like sidwell maret and gds.
NCS too! The HOS is on a mission to turn these students into social justice warriors (and wants you to pay for it). This DYI is in addition to many hours already dedicated to religious education and community service. At the expense of what you may ask? Actual time that would be spent on academics. Avoid.
Anonymous
11/13/2025 10:19
Subject: Sidwell Vs Maret vs NCS
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:A parent with a kid at NCS. Those complaining about Maret HoS having a kid at Whittle, consider that NCS HoS / Head of Lower School have no kids. Seems that they never dealt with kids at all. There is no joy and no spirit / heart in this school. Overwhelming focus on DEI programming totally inappropriate for the age group (field trip to an AA cemetery in 4th grade, anyone?! Not kidding!). My kid likes her friends and it's a pain to move schools, so we are there for now, but I'd go elsewhere if I did this again. Teachers are hit and miss, some of the recent hires lacking any relevant experience.
I second the commentary here about the effect of the HOS, LS head (and would add the athletics director and the former MS head now in admin) not having kids. To be clear, having children should not be a prerequisite for working in education but this cohort does seem to lack some empathy in this area. The US head, in contrast, brings a parent’s perspective to the table and it’s been a noticeable difference for us. I can’t speak to the MS head who rejoined the school after we were out of that division, but I hear good things (she is also a parent). Our experience with teachers has been mostly positive. US teachers in particular have solid experience and knowledge. Again, we have moved on from the other divisions so can’t speak to newer teachers.
By this logic, you should only see an oncologist who has had cancer or a psychiatrist who suffers from the same psychological disorders you do.
No, it’s more like a female doctor offering a different perspective than a male on gynecological issues. And as my post says, it shouldn’t be a prerequisite…it’s simply one part of MY OPINION of these leaders, who are the majority of the decision makers at the school. Our family is happy at the school, this is just something I’ve observed over many years as a parent and it was interesting to hear someone else voice it.
Not PP, but I might say that in many private schools parents tend to be of the conformist type, in the sense that they do not notice very quickly areas for improvement. In general they do not say any negative things about schools and do not like to complain. Also I have noticed that in other cultures the opposite could also be true, that parents like to complain too much even though a school might be doing its best.
Well, that’s a useful comment.
Unless it’s not.
Anonymous
11/13/2025 10:06
Subject: Sidwell Vs Maret vs NCS
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:A parent with a kid at NCS. Those complaining about Maret HoS having a kid at Whittle, consider that NCS HoS / Head of Lower School have no kids. Seems that they never dealt with kids at all. There is no joy and no spirit / heart in this school. Overwhelming focus on DEI programming totally inappropriate for the age group (field trip to an AA cemetery in 4th grade, anyone?! Not kidding!). My kid likes her friends and it's a pain to move schools, so we are there for now, but I'd go elsewhere if I did this again. Teachers are hit and miss, some of the recent hires lacking any relevant experience.
Nothing can be worse than a former whittle hos.
Until you meet the current HOS from NCS with all her parenting advice.
What is wrong with the HOS from NCS?
She’s loves to talk about herself. Everything relates back to her… and her parenting advice is based on having a parent, not being one.
This is a laughable statement. I consider our HOS an absolute treasure, as does everyone I know, and I can’t think of any instance where she spoke about herself.
I am so grateful for the entire leadership team that we have but especially our HOS. It is a terribly thankless job on so many levels. This is our fourth independent school across our family, and NCS knocks it out of the park. We are lucky for every minute that we have her.
I can totally imagine that. The HOS from Maret is completely clueless.
Anonymous
11/12/2025 20:08
Subject: Sidwell Vs Maret vs NCS
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:A parent with a kid at NCS. Those complaining about Maret HoS having a kid at Whittle, consider that NCS HoS / Head of Lower School have no kids. Seems that they never dealt with kids at all. There is no joy and no spirit / heart in this school. Overwhelming focus on DEI programming totally inappropriate for the age group (field trip to an AA cemetery in 4th grade, anyone?! Not kidding!). My kid likes her friends and it's a pain to move schools, so we are there for now, but I'd go elsewhere if I did this again. Teachers are hit and miss, some of the recent hires lacking any relevant experience.
Nothing can be worse than a former whittle hos.
Until you meet the current HOS from NCS with all her parenting advice.
What is wrong with the HOS from NCS?
She’s loves to talk about herself. Everything relates back to her… and her parenting advice is based on having a parent, not being one.
This is a laughable statement. I consider our HOS an absolute treasure, as does everyone I know, and I can’t think of any instance where she spoke about herself.
I am so grateful for the entire leadership team that we have but especially our HOS. It is a terribly thankless job on so many levels. This is our fourth independent school across our family, and NCS knocks it out of the park. We are lucky for every minute that we have her.
Anonymous
11/10/2025 04:01
Subject: Sidwell Vs Maret vs NCS
I wouldn’t send my kids to those schools. Those schools are full of themselves.
Anonymous
11/09/2025 11:36
Subject: Sidwell Vs Maret vs NCS
Anonymous wrote:I am trying to get a grasp on what these 3 schools care about most or excel in. We are looking at all Sidwell, Maret and NCS in addition to some other schools. We do not have a lot exposure to these 3 schools like we do at the other schools we're applying to. I suppose I'm asking what is important or highlighted at these schools? Do they care more about sports vs the arts vs other things. Our kids are not very athletic more into leadership activities like the scouts and arts. It's an investment to apply to each school so trying to understand better which schools may be a fit if I know what they care about.
These 3 schools are very different from each other on many levels. We have kids at 2 of these schools and family at the 3rd, so I know them fairly well. They are similar in their general location and the high expectations among the parents and most students. All 3 have strong academics and value arts, athletics, and leadership/community involvement equally. I didn’t read the entire thread, but if you decide what you are looking for in a school beyond location or perceived prestige, your decision around where to apply would be easier.
Anonymous
11/01/2025 06:19
Subject: Sidwell Vs Maret vs NCS
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:A parent with a kid at NCS. Those complaining about Maret HoS having a kid at Whittle, consider that NCS HoS / Head of Lower School have no kids. Seems that they never dealt with kids at all. There is no joy and no spirit / heart in this school. Overwhelming focus on DEI programming totally inappropriate for the age group (field trip to an AA cemetery in 4th grade, anyone?! Not kidding!). My kid likes her friends and it's a pain to move schools, so we are there for now, but I'd go elsewhere if I did this again. Teachers are hit and miss, some of the recent hires lacking any relevant experience.
I second the commentary here about the effect of the HOS, LS head (and would add the athletics director and the former MS head now in admin) not having kids. To be clear, having children should not be a prerequisite for working in education but this cohort does seem to lack some empathy in this area. The US head, in contrast, brings a parent’s perspective to the table and it’s been a noticeable difference for us. I can’t speak to the MS head who rejoined the school after we were out of that division, but I hear good things (she is also a parent). Our experience with teachers has been mostly positive. US teachers in particular have solid experience and knowledge. Again, we have moved on from the other divisions so can’t speak to newer teachers.
By this logic, you should only see an oncologist who has had cancer or a psychiatrist who suffers from the same psychological disorders you do.
No, it’s more like a female doctor offering a different perspective than a male on gynecological issues. And as my post says, it shouldn’t be a prerequisite…it’s simply one part of MY OPINION of these leaders, who are the majority of the decision makers at the school. Our family is happy at the school, this is just something I’ve observed over many years as a parent and it was interesting to hear someone else voice it.
Not PP, but I might say that in many private schools parents tend to be of the conformist type, in the sense that they do not notice very quickly areas for improvement. In general they do not say any negative things about schools and do not like to complain. Also I have noticed that in other cultures the opposite could also be true, that parents like to complain too much even though a school might be doing its best.
Anonymous
10/31/2025 16:53
Subject: Sidwell Vs Maret vs NCS
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:A parent with a kid at NCS. Those complaining about Maret HoS having a kid at Whittle, consider that NCS HoS / Head of Lower School have no kids. Seems that they never dealt with kids at all. There is no joy and no spirit / heart in this school. Overwhelming focus on DEI programming totally inappropriate for the age group (field trip to an AA cemetery in 4th grade, anyone?! Not kidding!). My kid likes her friends and it's a pain to move schools, so we are there for now, but I'd go elsewhere if I did this again. Teachers are hit and miss, some of the recent hires lacking any relevant experience.
I second the commentary here about the effect of the HOS, LS head (and would add the athletics director and the former MS head now in admin) not having kids. To be clear, having children should not be a prerequisite for working in education but this cohort does seem to lack some empathy in this area. The US head, in contrast, brings a parent’s perspective to the table and it’s been a noticeable difference for us. I can’t speak to the MS head who rejoined the school after we were out of that division, but I hear good things (she is also a parent). Our experience with teachers has been mostly positive. US teachers in particular have solid experience and knowledge. Again, we have moved on from the other divisions so can’t speak to newer teachers.
By this logic, you should only see an oncologist who has had cancer or a psychiatrist who suffers from the same psychological disorders you do.
No, it’s more like a female doctor offering a different perspective than a male on gynecological issues. And as my post says, it shouldn’t be a prerequisite…it’s simply one part of MY OPINION of these leaders, who are the majority of the decision makers at the school. Our family is happy at the school, this is just something I’ve observed over many years as a parent and it was interesting to hear someone else voice it.
Anonymous
10/30/2025 14:53
Subject: Sidwell Vs Maret vs NCS
Anonymous wrote:I guess it’s ok to mention in what dimensions school management are weak (too much DEI or bad reputation with previous jobs). Parents pay so much that the are right to set high standards for school management.
+1
Anonymous
10/30/2025 12:06
Subject: Sidwell Vs Maret vs NCS
I guess it’s ok to mention in what dimensions school management are weak (too much DEI or bad reputation with previous jobs). Parents pay so much that the are right to set high standards for school management.
Anonymous
10/30/2025 11:19
Subject: Sidwell Vs Maret vs NCS
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:A parent with a kid at NCS. Those complaining about Maret HoS having a kid at Whittle, consider that NCS HoS / Head of Lower School have no kids. Seems that they never dealt with kids at all. There is no joy and no spirit / heart in this school. Overwhelming focus on DEI programming totally inappropriate for the age group (field trip to an AA cemetery in 4th grade, anyone?! Not kidding!). My kid likes her friends and it's a pain to move schools, so we are there for now, but I'd go elsewhere if I did this again. Teachers are hit and miss, some of the recent hires lacking any relevant experience.
I second the commentary here about the effect of the HOS, LS head (and would add the athletics director and the former MS head now in admin) not having kids. To be clear, having children should not be a prerequisite for working in education but this cohort does seem to lack some empathy in this area. The US head, in contrast, brings a parent’s perspective to the table and it’s been a noticeable difference for us. I can’t speak to the MS head who rejoined the school after we were out of that division, but I hear good things (she is also a parent). Our experience with teachers has been mostly positive. US teachers in particular have solid experience and knowledge. Again, we have moved on from the other divisions so can’t speak to newer teachers.
By this logic, you should only see an oncologist who has had cancer or a psychiatrist who suffers from the same psychological disorders you do.
Anonymous
10/30/2025 08:58
Subject: Sidwell Vs Maret vs NCS
Why the childish personal attacks and name calling the parents who actually go to the school? Seems like you have some personal agenda. If there are multiple posts about the same issue, it might not be a weird personal grievance. Why are you so invested in this?
Anonymous
10/30/2025 08:42
Subject: Sidwell Vs Maret vs NCS
Commenting only that the morons who repeat the same thing post after post out of some kind of weird personal grievance, failure or shortcoming doth not a plurality make.