Anonymous
10/28/2025 22:36
Subject: Private Schools that Emphasize Critical and Independent Thinking
On this thread, I think progressive schools perform poorly in terms of critical thinking for one simple reason. They do not encourage free exchange of ideas or debates of opposing ideas. They are mostly about blocking dissent. So I wouldn’t be very optimistic with critical thinking in progressive schools.
Anonymous
10/28/2025 22:34
Subject: Private Schools that Emphasize Critical and Independent Thinking
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Zero schools don't teach critical thinking. It's not 1970.
I disagree. There has been a noticeable 21st century trend away from independent critical thinking. There's a lot of critical analysis nowadays but that has mainly resulted in the ossification of critical thinking, which is a bit ironic.
OP is looking for somewhere that encourages independent thought. A school that values individualism over conformity. Most of the big name schools would not work because they have somewhat self-selective types and large social pressure to conform.
No, actually, OP is looking to set up confrontations with people with whom she disagrees by starting numerous strange threads on recent days. She then derives some twisted pleasure from watching people go at it here in this forum, and arguing with them herself, even when she’s proven irrational or wrong. Another one of her threads just got locked- “Are private schools really that special or just overpriced?” Just read the way she attacks people just before the thread is locked. Oh, there are others.
I think she/he just started the racial percentages one. And doesn't actually know any facts.
The racial disparities thread didn’t mention any percentage, just that there are fewer Hispanics and Asian Americans in private schools relative to the us population. Thats what I see in dc private schools.
Anonymous
10/28/2025 22:32
Subject: Private Schools that Emphasize Critical and Independent Thinking
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Zero schools don't teach critical thinking. It's not 1970.
I disagree. There has been a noticeable 21st century trend away from independent critical thinking. There's a lot of critical analysis nowadays but that has mainly resulted in the ossification of critical thinking, which is a bit ironic.
OP is looking for somewhere that encourages independent thought. A school that values individualism over conformity. Most of the big name schools would not work because they have somewhat self-selective types and large social pressure to conform.
No, actually, OP is looking to set up confrontations with people with whom she disagrees by starting numerous strange threads on recent days. She then derives some twisted pleasure from watching people go at it here in this forum, and arguing with them herself, even when she’s proven irrational or wrong. Another one of her threads just got locked- “Are private schools really that special or just overpriced?” Just read the way she attacks people just before the thread is locked. Oh, there are others.
I am the one that created that thread but not this one. I think you are experiencing paranoia.
Anonymous
10/28/2025 22:15
Subject: Private Schools that Emphasize Critical and Independent Thinking
Oooof. Your rlacial percentages thread was taken down.
Anonymous
10/28/2025 19:40
Subject: Private Schools that Emphasize Critical and Independent Thinking
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Zero schools don't teach critical thinking. It's not 1970.
I disagree. There has been a noticeable 21st century trend away from independent critical thinking. There's a lot of critical analysis nowadays but that has mainly resulted in the ossification of critical thinking, which is a bit ironic.
OP is looking for somewhere that encourages independent thought. A school that values individualism over conformity. Most of the big name schools would not work because they have somewhat self-selective types and large social pressure to conform.
No, actually, OP is looking to set up confrontations with people with whom she disagrees by starting numerous strange threads on recent days. She then derives some twisted pleasure from watching people go at it here in this forum, and arguing with them herself, even when she’s proven irrational or wrong. Another one of her threads just got locked- “Are private schools really that special or just overpriced?” Just read the way she attacks people just before the thread is locked. Oh, there are others.
I think she/he just started the racial percentages one. And doesn't actually know any facts.
EXACTLY!!
Anonymous
10/28/2025 19:31
Subject: Private Schools that Emphasize Critical and Independent Thinking
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Zero schools don't teach critical thinking. It's not 1970.
I disagree. There has been a noticeable 21st century trend away from independent critical thinking. There's a lot of critical analysis nowadays but that has mainly resulted in the ossification of critical thinking, which is a bit ironic.
OP is looking for somewhere that encourages independent thought. A school that values individualism over conformity. Most of the big name schools would not work because they have somewhat self-selective types and large social pressure to conform.
No, actually, OP is looking to set up confrontations with people with whom she disagrees by starting numerous strange threads on recent days. She then derives some twisted pleasure from watching people go at it here in this forum, and arguing with them herself, even when she’s proven irrational or wrong. Another one of her threads just got locked- “Are private schools really that special or just overpriced?” Just read the way she attacks people just before the thread is locked. Oh, there are others.
I think she/he just started the racial percentages one. And doesn't actually know any facts.
Anonymous
10/28/2025 19:24
Subject: Private Schools that Emphasize Critical and Independent Thinking
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Zero schools don't teach critical thinking. It's not 1970.
I disagree. There has been a noticeable 21st century trend away from independent critical thinking. There's a lot of critical analysis nowadays but that has mainly resulted in the ossification of critical thinking, which is a bit ironic.
OP is looking for somewhere that encourages independent thought. A school that values individualism over conformity. Most of the big name schools would not work because they have somewhat self-selective types and large social pressure to conform.
No, actually, OP is looking to set up confrontations with people with whom she disagrees by starting numerous strange threads on recent days. She then derives some twisted pleasure from watching people go at it here in this forum, and arguing with them herself, even when she’s proven irrational or wrong. Another one of her threads just got locked- “Are private schools really that special or just overpriced?” Just read the way she attacks people just before the thread is locked. Oh, there are others.
Anonymous
10/28/2025 19:04
Subject: Private Schools that Emphasize Critical and Independent Thinking
What grade? If K-8, look at Sheridan.
Anonymous
10/28/2025 18:42
Subject: Private Schools that Emphasize Critical and Independent Thinking
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Zero schools don't teach critical thinking. It's not 1970.
I disagree. There has been a noticeable 21st century trend away from independent critical thinking. There's a lot of critical analysis nowadays but that has mainly resulted in the ossification of critical thinking, which is a bit ironic.
OP is looking for somewhere that encourages independent thought. A school that values individualism over conformity. Most of the big name schools would not work because they have somewhat self-selective types and large social pressure to conform.
Conform to what? There isn't a type of individual who isn't represented at these schools.
That's the whole point.
Anonymous
10/28/2025 18:28
Subject: Private Schools that Emphasize Critical and Independent Thinking
Anonymous wrote:We're considering shifting our son to private school for middle school and high school. As a family value, we care about schools that emphasize independent and critical thinking rather than just "accepting" what one is told. We also value hard work and children learning that it is okay to go "against the mold" and pursue one's passions (e.g., it's okay to try starting a business before/instead of college; it's okay to make mistakes and pivot).
As we're starting to explore private schools, many of them tell us they promote independent and critical thinking. Do people find that is universal at private schools? Or are they just telling us what we want to hear? We're in Bethesda and we have easy access to the beltway and could go into DC and Virginia or stay in Maryland. Any private schools people recommend we check out?
Thank you in advance!
I believe a foundation of solid knowledge and ability to learn from experience is important for critical thinking. Also, diversity of the community, not just social economical, but also culture, is also important as people learn from those who are from very different background.
Not sure which school will provide those. Maybe the family is the most important.
Anonymous
10/28/2025 15:44
Subject: Private Schools that Emphasize Critical and Independent Thinking
Anonymous wrote:Zero schools don't teach critical thinking. It's not 1970.
I disagree. There has been a noticeable 21st century trend away from independent critical thinking. There's a lot of critical analysis nowadays but that has mainly resulted in the ossification of critical thinking, which is a bit ironic.
OP is looking for somewhere that encourages independent thought. A school that values individualism over conformity. Most of the big name schools would not work because they have somewhat self-selective types and large social pressure to conform.
Anonymous
10/28/2025 14:59
Subject: Private Schools that Emphasize Critical and Independent Thinking
Zero schools don't teach critical thinking. It's not 1970.
Anonymous
10/28/2025 14:39
Subject: Private Schools that Emphasize Critical and Independent Thinking
Lowell School. Teaching children to think critically is part of our mission.
Anonymous
10/26/2025 14:49
Subject: Private Schools that Emphasize Critical and Independent Thinking
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Most private schools encourage critical thinking. Some public school teachers and families say that this makes private school kids seem entitled, so there’s that.
Bullis and Maret support unusual extracurriculars.
I doubt a bunch of rich brats know critically thinking. They just know money can buy them anything and all they can do is to pretend they care about people who are less fortunate than them and then keep climb up.
Do you hear yourself?! Mark Zuckerburg was one of those rich brats at private school. I’m not sure that’s the lesson absorbed. And if you do your homework before spewing misguided opinions, you might realize that many many many successful entrepreneurs (Musk, Bezos, Gates….and many less well known) all fall into your rich brats category. As a matter of fact MOST successful entrepreneurs are rich brats…
Bezos, Zuckerberg, Musk and Trump are all aholes so there’s that.
Anonymous
10/26/2025 14:15
Subject: Private Schools that Emphasize Critical and Independent Thinking
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Most private schools encourage critical thinking. Some public school teachers and families say that this makes private school kids seem entitled, so there’s that.
Bullis and Maret support unusual extracurriculars.
I doubt a bunch of rich brats know critically thinking. They just know money can buy them anything and all they can do is to pretend they care about people who are less fortunate than them and then keep climb up.
It’s too bad your mom and dad didn’t make better life choices and left you in this position. Worl hard amd resolve to do better by your own children— if you can afford to have them.
My bratty young adult has impressive critical thinking skills per his college professors. Glad we were able to send him private k-12.
OP agree with the reco to look at progressive pedagogy schools.