Anonymous wrote:And that’s nonsense that college counseling only delivers for the rich & powerful. The fact that students with legacy and money sometimes have more options is a reflection of the college admissions system in the United States, not of Maret’s college counseling.

A reflection of the admission system for colleges plus the admission system for Maret. Both heavily favor the same groups.

And that’s nonsense that college counseling only delivers for the rich & powerful. The fact that students with legacy and money sometimes have more options is a reflection of the college admissions system in the United States, not of Maret’s college counseling.

Current Maret HS parent here, and I don’t know where you’re getting your information, but the college counseling department at Maret is excellent!!! Maret students get into great schools, and the college counseling staff are top-notch and super helpful. I have 2 kids who’ve gone through their college counseling program in the last couple of years so I’m speaking from experience. As for the complaints about the facility, yes they do have wifi issues periodically, and it’s not the newest, fanciest campus. It is perfectly fine, however, and in no way detracts from the rich academic or social experience.

Anonymous wrote:College placement really slipping there. Only delivering for the politically powerful. Caveat emptor.

Have they had the same college counseling team 2 years in a row?

College placement really slipping there. Only delivering for the politically powerful. Caveat emptor.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Serious question -- why is Maret so popular? I have never understood it.

It has a lot of curb appeal. Beautiful lawn.

Inside is a whole different story though. The place is being held together with toothpicks and chewing gum.

But it’s artisanal, free-range gum!

PP here- why do you say this? Our kids are happy- the teachers are great. The admin isn’t the greatest with parents but I’d say your description is hateful and off

Because it’s true. The network doesn’t work, half the electrical outlets are flaky or non-functional. Breakers trip all the time. Heating/AC often does not work. Roofs/walls leak (the band room was and may still be a waterfall + mold factory). I could type all day.

Your kids may love it but that doesn’t change the fact that the facilities are poorly maintained, all while the leadership ignores it and makes excuses. Everything is blamed on the old facilities guy but he’s been gone a year or more and nothing changes. The new HOS has a lot of work to do; hopefully they’re honest to the candidates.

Anonymous wrote:They have a lot of 8th graders looking to apply out this year so may be more spots than usual.

Why a lot?

They have a lot of 8th graders looking to apply out this year so may be more spots than usual.

Though it’s nowhere near as cramped as GDS is on that little lot.

Our impression of the physical space after the weekend visit: meh. It's very small and the classrooms were underwhelming. The library for the Middle and Upper School was just sad.

The students we spoke with all seemed very nice and the academic program looks impressive. It's just hard to compete with some of the larger (grounds of Potomac) and/or newer schools (GDS) in terms of aesthetics.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Serious question -- why is Maret so popular? I have never understood it.

It has a lot of curb appeal. Beautiful lawn.

Inside is a whole different story though. The place is being held together with toothpicks and chewing gum.

But it’s artisanal, free-range gum!

PP here- why do you say this? Our kids are happy- the teachers are great. The admin isn’t the greatest with parents but I’d say your description is hateful and off

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They go from around 60 in 8th to 80 in 9th, so around 20 openings (10 boys, 10 girls and approximately half of their students identify as people of color).

Yes, this is about right.
So for 9th, figure:
5-6 white girls, 5-6 white boys, 5-6 boys of color, 5-6 girls of color. Plus some overage to account for kids declining but schools will likely admit very cautiously this year because many got burnt last year with very high yields (i.e. kids accepting) and large classes as a result.

Don't forget siblings.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Serious question -- why is Maret so popular? I have never understood it.

It has a lot of curb appeal. Beautiful lawn.

Inside is a whole different story though. The place is being held together with toothpicks and chewing gum.

But it’s artisanal, free-range gum!

Anonymous wrote:They go from around 60 in 8th to 80 in 9th, so around 20 openings (10 boys, 10 girls and approximately half of their students identify as people of color).

Yes, this is about right.
So for 9th, figure:
5-6 white girls, 5-6 white boys, 5-6 boys of color, 5-6 girls of color. Plus some overage to account for kids declining but schools will likely admit very cautiously this year because many got burnt last year with very high yields (i.e. kids accepting) and large classes as a result.

It's just really hard to get into. My son and many of his friends from public applied for 9th and none got in. it's definitely much easier from private or if you're an URM (fair enough). It's very hard as an smart, unconnected white kid. Totally makes sense but just keep a very realistic expectation (for 9th) if you're a similar demographic. If the overall rate of admission is 10%, you're likely in the under 5% chance range.