You may want to consider Sheridan. One of the reasons we chose Sheridan was for the 6-8 grade experience, the way they help the middle schoolers be the leaders of the school in a real way, the fact that the kids are all supported in figuring out who they are and how to work with others. Not at ALL the middle school experience I had when growing up! You may want to add it to your list and see if it is right for you. Good luck!

NP here
I would add to the list a couple schools that end at 8, like Norwood or Lowell. Three years is a bit of time to be at a school, and then you don't have the older kids influence on your 6 and 7 th graders quite so soon. Also, unlike the process of applying and going through it alone as you will do next year, once at a school like Norwood, etc the school really helps to place your child in the next school environment so it's not at all the same kind of draining and overwhelming experience the second time around. Just a thought .

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Actually, I am nearly adament that my child not attend a school with any religious underpinning - youay not agree or be frustrated that I won't look at WES or whatever, but hardly a crazy request on my part. And I do want an academic environment - I led the post by saying the kid is smart (quite smart in fact, but now I'll be probably be of calling him "gifted," which he is not). My impression of Sidwell and GDS and St. Albans is that they are for the tip top academically, or kids who are very competitive - neither of those describe my kid. I think he is awesome but he needs a place which will encourage him to shine. Sounds like there are a few schools that could fit the bill, and we'll take a look at them next year. Thanks to the many posters who provided helpful suggestions.

Actually, GDS and Maret fit the bill for you perfectly, I think. GDS really does have a much slower, easier track, unlike STA or Sidwell, although its sports are particularly poor. That said, Maret while exceptionally hard to get into, is an absolutely wonderful school for very bright kids. It is not a pressure cooker though and the sports are much better than GDS.

I think Maret sounds like the ideal school for you son. I love Maret. My STA boy was not very interested in it when we looked, but, it would have been my first choice school for me as a kid (very high IQ, not naturally competitive with others, enjoys and good at team sports but not a standout, like trying lots of different things, very inquisitive, not yet sure of my passion - me in highschool - does that sound like your son?)

OP here. Actually, I am nearly adament that my child not attend a school with any religious underpinning - youay not agree or be frustrated that I won't look at WES or whatever, but hardly a crazy request on my part. And I do want an academic environment - I led the post by saying the kid is smart (quite smart in fact, but now I'll be probably be of calling him "gifted," which he is not). My impression of Sidwell and GDS and St. Albans is that they are for the tip top academically, or kids who are very competitive - neither of those describe my kid. I think he is awesome but he needs a place which will encourage him to shine. Sounds like there are a few schools that could fit the bill, and we'll take a look at them next year. Thanks to the many posters who provided helpful suggestions.

Since you are nearly adamant that your child not attend a school with a Christian underpinning, I'm surprised nobody is talking about Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School, which goes through 12th.

Apart from this, your options for secular 6-12 programs that have good athletics, a lower-pressure environment, and no Christian religious piece whatsoever are really limited. I can't speak to Landon, but that's the only one that comes to mind and that's only because I'm unsure about how "academic" it is.

ALL the others mentioned are missing one of OP's criteria (secular, top sports, or mellow academic atmosphere. GDS is still an intense place with a heavy load, even for the mellow track kids.)

OMG, people, she wants a school that goes thru 12th - focus.

If he is smart, Maret might be perfect but it is very competitive to gain admission. Wonderful, nurturing schoo environment though. GDS isn't necessarily a pressure cooker, it has a wider spread of choices and abilities than Sidwell or STA. Bullis might be an option but might not be academic enough. St. Andrews is worth a look, not religious as Episcopal school are really about inclusive and intellectual education, no dogma. Burke and Field are both filled with more drama and artsy types but do have some sports, very inclusive. Again, worth a look. Potomac School or did you say no Virginia? Potomac does have buses that pick up and drop off all over the NWDC area. That might be a great fit. It may surprise you but Landon actually has a top notch music and decent arts program. It isn't necessarily a macho jock only environment. Give it a look too.

Norwood

Poor WES.

WES is writing on every thread hoping for applicants

You left off Bullis. Also, St. Andrews has a large Jewish population so I would not worry too much about that.

My kid is at Burke and plays a bunch of sports. True they are not particularly competitive, but he is getting a good rah rah experience! Also the kids tend to rally around other things such as the play or a dance or whatever. I think you should check it out. It is at least equal to field in experience.

Op here - yes I'm looking for advice and constructive comments, and thanks to those of you who provided same! There are several very appealing sounding k-8 schools named on this thread but I really don't want to put DC into one school for 6-8 and then have to do a new search again in 8th grade so we only want to look at school ls that go through 12th grade. St Andrews sounds great but we are jewish and I am worried DC will feel uncomfortable and/or hypocritical about the religion component, but it can't hurt to add it to the list to look. So I think the only schools I've got on our list for next year are Field, GDS (although I suspect that will be too much of a pressure cooker environment for DC), Maret, and now St. Andrews. Since GDS and Maret are long shots and I'm sure that Field and St. Andrews are competitive in their own right, it doesn't feel like a very long list! There are a lot of privates in the area but it seems that most are religious or end at grade 8.

I saw someone suggest Burke but DC wants a traditional high school experience with sports teams, rah rah school spirit, and I didn't think that was the vibe at Burke, but I will look at it since I don't know that firsthand.

Thanks! I did look up the WES threads, such a shame. It is a great school, and this is coming from a mother of three children at WES, all are different and all are happy. My husband and I are both very involved and the negative spins are amazing.

Good luck to the person looking for 6 and beyond! There are many wonderful schools out there, we are so lucky to have so many at our finger tips here in DC.

Please do look at WES, just based on the description of your child, it might work for you.

To those of you posting the Haaa haa…this poster was looking for advice, not a forum for you to post your complaints.

I agree. WES for middle school is great. Plus it has the international study trips. (The hahas are from the haters on this board that pop up when the school is mentioned. Check it out yourself.)

WES -- I agree - hahahahaha!!!