Anonymous wrote:I agree, as another mom of a kid who ended up at Sidwell after a no-name preschool. We LOVED our preschool, by the way, and I can't imagine making the choice about preschool based on exmissions. Plus, it was so nice that no one else was even applying to private school. We didn't encounter many NCRC families at Sidwell that first year, though I imagine that might be different in other years. I do think some sort of preschool or daycare is important, to demonstrate school readiness, but in all honesty, I hadn't heard of most of the preschools that the other families' children had attended. And I promise you that you have never heard of the one my kid attended!

I have this feeling your kid has a hook of the type Sidwell loves. Yes?

I think there are a lot of really wonderful preschools in the area. Sure, some ADs may be more connected. But, ultimately, it's not worth stressing over. Besides, from what I read, getting your kid in to the desired elementary school brings a whole new set of problems, e.g. does it eventually become a disadvantage if one is considered a "lifer" at a particular school.

I just hope my kid is going to be happy, have fun, feel appreciated and develop/refine his curiosity.

Anonymous wrote:I agree, as another mom of a kid who ended up at Sidwell after a no-name preschool. We LOVED our preschool, by the way, and I can't imagine making the choice about preschool based on exmissions. Plus, it was so nice that no one else was even applying to private school. We didn't encounter many NCRC families at Sidwell that first year, though I imagine that might be different in other years. I do think some sort of preschool or daycare is important, to demonstrate school readiness, but in all honesty, I hadn't heard of most of the preschools that the other families' children had attended. And I promise you that you have never heard of the one my kid attended!

I disagree with the practice of sending two year olds to what is a glorifed day care just for the purpose of "demonstratimg school readiness"... in other words, getting the coveted pre-school rec from NCRC or other such pre-school. This is a self- perpetuating system reinforced by the private schools AND the Nursery schools. Kids who have stayed home until pre-K do just as well , if not better, than those who have been sent to a pre-school for "socialization". Why ? because the years of sleeping in, the peace and consistancy of their own parent raising them in their own home, has loads of benefits. Not everyone can afford to stay home, but if you can afford it , don't head the pressure of the pre-school stampede just to get the rec.

I agree, as another mom of a kid who ended up at Sidwell after a no-name preschool. We LOVED our preschool, by the way, and I can't imagine making the choice about preschool based on exmissions. Plus, it was so nice that no one else was even applying to private school. We didn't encounter many NCRC families at Sidwell that first year, though I imagine that might be different in other years. I do think some sort of preschool or daycare is important, to demonstrate school readiness, but in all honesty, I hadn't heard of most of the preschools that the other families' children had attended. And I promise you that you have never heard of the one my kid attended!

My DC went to a no-name daycare and were excepted. Frankly, I think it worked to their benefit that they didn't come from the same few NW feeder schools. These schools want a diversity of background. One of the Sidwell turn-offs is the large number of NCRC students.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:St. Columba's too, no?

Many of St. Columba's kids go public. But they have kids who have gone to all the big name schools. I have had kids at both St. Columba's and NCRC both are great programs.

Forgot to add we applied only to our top choice school and got in from St. Columbas. Risky but it worked.

Anonymous wrote:St. Columba's too, no?

Many of St. Columba's kids go public. But they have kids who have gone to all the big name schools. I have had kids at both St. Columba's and NCRC both are great programs.

St. Columba's too, no?

I don't know of anyone from NCRC or Little Folks whose kids did not get into one of their top 2-3 choices for elementary. Some of the kids applied very narrowly for pre-K, didn't get in to the 1-2 schools they applied to, but then got in to one of those or one of the schools that start at K (Maret or Potomac) the next year. I don't know a single person, though, whose child was not admitted to a top school (both in terms of the parents' choice and reputation).

P here, actually that would be 25 per cent! Similar share at Beauvoir and Maret!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:That is partly true but there are about ten kids from NCRC in kindergarten so sounds like a bit of a "feeder" to me.

Coincidence. The parents who tend to pursue and can afford preschools like NCRC often then go on to pursue and can afford schools like Sidwell, GDS, Beauvoir, etc. I realize this does not apply to everyone.

This! It is a self selecting group. Parents who believe there is a feeder system here don't understand the concept. All of the preschools in NW DC feed into the top schools for exactly the reason you state: the parents can afford them.

People are so annoying here regarding schools.

And about a dozen in first grade or about 20 percent of the class. More coincidence?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:That is partly true but there are about ten kids from NCRC in kindergarten so sounds like a bit of a "feeder" to me.

Coincidence. The parents who tend to pursue and can afford preschools like NCRC often then go on to pursue and can afford schools like Sidwell, GDS, Beauvoir, etc. I realize this does not apply to everyone.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:That is partly true but there are about ten kids from NCRC in kindergarten so sounds like a bit of a "feeder" to me.

Coincidence. The parents who tend to pursue and can afford preschools like NCRC often then go on to pursue and can afford schools like Sidwell, GDS, Beauvoir, etc. I realize this does not apply to everyone.

This! It is a self selecting group. Parents who believe there is a feeder system here don't understand the concept. All of the preschools in NW DC feed into the top schools for exactly the reason you state: the parents can afford them.

People are so annoying here regarding schools.

Anonymous wrote:That is partly true but there are about ten kids from NCRC in kindergarten so sounds like a bit of a "feeder" to me.

Coincidence. The parents who tend to pursue and can afford preschools like NCRC often then go on to pursue and can afford schools like Sidwell, GDS, Beauvoir, etc. I realize this does not apply to everyone.

That is partly true but there are about ten kids from NCRC in kindergarten so sounds like a bit of a "feeder" to me.

Anonymous wrote:There is no such thing in DC. I know that Sidwell, for example, does not care where a 4 or 5 year old has come from. They look at other factors instead. Although many parents think that there are "feeder" preschools, it's just not true, at least at Sidwell.

True - my ds didn't attend a preschool and is just fine in k at sidwell