Anonymous wrote:Go to St Alban’s if he gets in.

Anonymous wrote:HB unless he’s an athlete.

Anonymous wrote:If it was for MS it would be no-brainer- throw them in and see how they do. They could always go back to home school.

It is trickier for HS vs private because if they don’t like HB, you can’t switch to private and admissions after day 1 of 9th are virtually unheard of.

My son got into HB for 9th, but had zero interest in it so it made it easier. Two of his older friends transferred out in HS and went to home high school.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I thought I read that HB had fewer math levels than other Arlington schools but you should definitely verify that

Yes. Fewer AP offerings too. The grade sizes are small (65-70 kids) and the kids are overwhelmingly alternative/quirky. If your kid is more traditional and plays sports they won’t like it. HB gets out too late to make it to home high school for sports.

I have heard from kids that came in at 9th that it was cliquey because most of the kids in their started in 6th grade.

Calling teachers by their first names is another weird thing.

They can make it back to their home HS for sports.

I don't think the kids are that quirky/alternative anymore. Nowadays so many APS parents try to get their kids in just for the small size to escape the regular overcrowded schools, so it's really much of the same kinds of students.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I thought I read that HB had fewer math levels than other Arlington schools but you should definitely verify that

Yes. Fewer AP offerings too. The grade sizes are small (65-70 kids) and the kids are overwhelmingly alternative/quirky. If your kid is more traditional and plays sports they won’t like it. HB gets out too late to make it to home high school for sports.

I have heard from kids that came in at 9th that it was cliquey because most of the kids in their started in 6th grade.

Calling teachers by their first names is another weird thing.

Anonymous wrote:I thought I read that HB had fewer math levels than other Arlington schools but you should definitely verify that

Anonymous wrote:I thought I read that HB had fewer math levels than other Arlington schools but you should definitely verify that

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have one in HB and one in private. The one in HB likes it just fine, though probably doesn't take advantage of all it has to offer. The main benefit is the smaller size and closer community feel, plus the administration is great.

If my private schooler had also won the HB lottery, I probably would have switched due to the cost. However, my kid would not have wanted to move, as they love their private school. I do think it has many advantages HB doesn't, such as opportunities to play sports. At HB, you can't have your middle schooler go to their home school for sports. In HS you can arrange it so this is possible, but it takes up a class period. And if you haven't been playing since a young age, it can be very hard to make the team at other APS high schools, whereas at private this is much more accessible, and kid has been able to try out many sports, all at the school (no driving around like rec leagues). Another difference is that HB offers music and arts classes as electives, while at our private, they are built into the curriculum for everyone. For academics, I would say the private emphasizes reading and writing more, but there is less math differentiation (because it's smaller and more individualized for each student vs. having three separate class levels).

Thank you - this is very helpful. Does HBW (or any APS middle schools) have differentiation for math at 3 levels for each grade? That would be na improvement over ES, if so, and part of our reason for looking at private.

Anonymous wrote:I have one in HB and one in private. The one in HB likes it just fine, though probably doesn't take advantage of all it has to offer. The main benefit is the smaller size and closer community feel, plus the administration is great.

If my private schooler had also won the HB lottery, I probably would have switched due to the cost. However, my kid would not have wanted to move, as they love their private school. I do think it has many advantages HB doesn't, such as opportunities to play sports. At HB, you can't have your middle schooler go to their home school for sports. In HS you can arrange it so this is possible, but it takes up a class period. And if you haven't been playing since a young age, it can be very hard to make the team at other APS high schools, whereas at private this is much more accessible, and kid has been able to try out many sports, all at the school (no driving around like rec leagues). Another difference is that HB offers music and arts classes as electives, while at our private, they are built into the curriculum for everyone. For academics, I would say the private emphasizes reading and writing more, but there is less math differentiation (because it's smaller and more individualized for each student vs. having three separate class levels).