Anonymous wrote:Thanks for the additional helpful responses and insight into MCPS, Montessori, and Holton-Arms! For those telling me I sound exhausting and to start my own school, maybe spend less time making snarky unhelpful responses.

I am exactly like you which is why I never even attempted public school. Maybe you will find some unicorn public school out there - I hope so!

We went private from K and while it’s by no means perfect, it’s better than public even in a $$$ town. And we have a nanny so that we don’t have to deal with aftercare, which gives junky snacks even in private.

My immediate thought was Waldorf as others have said. Some Montessori schools will fit your priorities, but you need to research carefully. There can be a lot of variation in Montessori schools. You may not get the catered meals but those with gardens and robust programs will have the children cooking what they grow or planning group meals on a regular basis. There's also River Farm Forest School in Alexandria. Not sure what their meal policy is and it's a coop, but the kids are outside a lot everyday and screen time doesn't seem to be a thing there.

Our Arlington public elementary school has a strict no food as incentive/celebration policy. The principal sets that standard. There is plenty of screen time though.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Start your own school. You sound exhausting.

Former teacher here and the OP isn't wrong. The screentime and sugary foods in schools is out of control. Our school gave out free breakfast to everyone and you think kids are sitting after being given chocolate milk and a cinnamon bun? Only if you stick them on a tablet to play an "educational" game.

We moved overseas for DH's job and you better believe I asked potential international schools about both screentime and food, in addition to academics of course. We ended up selecting a non-American international school.

+1

I find the food they feed kids, especially for breakfast to be disgusting. It’s more processed sugar than someone should have in four days all packed into one honey bun. The screen time is also a problem. Of course behavior is terrible at schools.

Anonymous wrote:The easy solution for food is that you pack the lunch, I wouldn’t choose where I live based on the school’s menu.

Look into Washington Waldorf, fits what you are looking for.

You should actually read OP's comments

I definitely share your concerns about junk food and screen time, OP, but what you're asking for is almost impossible to find in DC--at least in my experience. We moved from DC to way out in the suburbs and our kids attend a small Christian school with a very strict no-screen policy (at least for elementary, I think they allow some form of laptop use in high school) and no cafeteria at all, so I pack my kids' lunches. Screentime and food weren't our reasons for leaving DCPS but I definitely see our current school's policies as a plus. That said, we completely gave up walkability and the city lifestyle. I think it was worth it, but it's a big tradeoff and not for everyone.

I think you can likely find a good walkable school in DC and just avoid the food issue by packing lunches. Otherwise, I think you're looking at very niche, high end private schools or small religious schools that are unlikely to be within a walkable DC neighborhood.

Oneness

Ok this thread makes me laugh. I mostly lurk on the boards and rarely post, but I've seen plenty of posts from parents lamenting the amount of screen time in school and/or the amount of junk food served to kids through the school lunch program, snacks at activities, etc.

The OP definitely isn't the only one to have these types of concerns so all of the derisive & mocking replies are a bit much.

OP, unless you go private you're unlikely to find what you are looking for. Public schools sometimes have a gem of a teacher who tries to minimize screen use, junk food, or both. Occasionally a school might even have a principal who does what they can to reduce one or both. The problem is that both teachers & principals are temporary and are somewhat the luck of the draw. Unless the school's actual policies and widespread practices address the issues satisfactorily, you're likely to wind up disappointed.

Of the privates, it really comes down to checking out the individual school environment & policies. Waldorf will have what you want, but it is an entire philosophy/lifestyle so definitely make sure it's what you are looking for if you go that route. Some montessori schools will probably have what you're looking for. Again, montessori is a very different style of education from "mainstream" American style school, though it is a bit less of a full philosophy or lifestyle than Waldorf in most cases. Some Catholic schools focus on reducing technology, though food quality can be hit or miss and those schools come with obvious religious/philosophical underpinnings.

The easy solution for food is that you pack the lunch, I wouldn’t choose where I live based on the school’s menu.

Look into Washington Waldorf, fits what you are looking for.

PP again- good luck OP. I agree with the Waldorf suggestion.

Anonymous wrote:Start your own school. You sound exhausting.

Former teacher here and the OP isn't wrong. The screentime and sugary foods in schools is out of control. Our school gave out free breakfast to everyone and you think kids are sitting after being given chocolate milk and a cinnamon bun? Only if you stick them on a tablet to play an "educational" game.

We moved overseas for DH's job and you better believe I asked potential international schools about both screentime and food, in addition to academics of course. We ended up selecting a non-American international school.

Waldorf

I would look into the Waldorf school in Alexandria. We homeschool and attend a part time program for reasons you mention, as well as other reasons.

Your best bet is going to be Waldorf. MCPS has lots of screen time even at the young grades. And lots of teachers use food treats as rewards. Honestly, the only way you’ll have the control you seem to want is homeschooling. What will you do when treats you don’t like are offered after sports games and on play dates?

Anonymous wrote:Thanks for the additional helpful responses and insight into MCPS, Montessori, and Holton-Arms! For those telling me I sound exhausting and to start my own school, maybe spend less time making snarky unhelpful responses.

Don't come in to our house and tell us what to do