Anonymous wrote:Lowell looks great but is close to $40k a year. Sheridan and Grace. Sandy spring has a bus but is way too far out.

and so not worth it.
former teacher

@ Grace Parent Responders: Thanks so much for your insight and reassurance!!! As you know, the quest for the best education for your children can take over your life! Great to have a place where parents are candid and helpful. (Looks like this Blog isn't really that bad afterall (smile)).

Anonymous wrote:This post is of interest to me as well since I am also considering nearby Silver Spring private school options. I continue to hear great things about Grace and I've visited the school and was impressed with how warm and inviting everyone was, but I haven't been able to really determine how academically challenging the school is compared to my local elementary school, Rock View. I can't compare how they perform on test and quite frankly, most positive posts don't mention anything about academics there... focus is more on small class size and warm community environment. I obvoiusly want a warm learning environment, but I want to make sure that my daughter will be challenged at a higher level than she would be at our local school. Any help in comparing the cirriculum and the academic rigor of Grace vs. Public would be greatly appreciated.

PP Grace parent here - the academics are rigorous, but not onerous. As the PP said, they do a very good job of differentiation in the classroom, and Grace grads go on to fantastic schools, including public magnets. Your DC will be well prepared. Grace is age appropriate in their teaching, and follow the responsive classroom model. Again - calling or visiting is the best way to have your questions answered.

From their website:
"Our academic program is challenging and individualized. We use Everyday Math, a comprehensive mathematics curriculum developed by the University of Chicago School Mathematics Project. Every classroom teacher has another teacher offering math support several times a week.

Our reading program is Guided Reading by Fountas and Pinnell. Each student is assessed at the beginning of the year to find his/her independent reading and instructional reading levels. Students are introduced to a variety of genres including fiction, non-fiction, textbooks, magazines, and online articles. A full-time reading specialist works in all classrooms with all students.

In addition to the strong core subjects taught by classroom teachers, we have a wonderful group of specialists. I am proud of the range of experiences in science, music, art, physical education, computer, and Spanish that are offered to our students by these gifted educators."

Anonymous wrote:This post is of interest to me as well since I am also considering nearby Silver Spring private school options. I continue to hear great things about Grace and I've visited the school and was impressed with how warm and inviting everyone was, but I haven't been able to really determine how academically challenging the school is compared to my local elementary school, Rock View. I can't compare how they perform on test and quite frankly, most positive posts don't mention anything about academics there... focus is more on small class size and warm community environment. I obvoiusly want a warm learning environment, but I want to make sure that my daughter will be challenged at a higher level than she would be at our local school. Any help in comparing the cirriculum and the academic rigor of Grace vs. Public would be greatly appreciated.

It is a nice learning environment. They differentiate in reading and word study/spelling. There is no differentiation in math that I know of and they use Everyday Math. Many graduates over the past few years went to St. Andrew's, which is a really good school for a range of learners.

Current Grace parent here. A few thoughts - first, I think if you look at where Grace kids end up for 6th grade and beyond, you'll find they are admitted to schools that are highly regarded for their academics in the area. As another, admittedly smaller sample size, point of comparison, Grace students consistently do well at the Mid-Atlantic Episcopal Schools Association academic fair and compete well against students from schools like St. Albans, WES, and St. Andrews. Third, from personal experience with my DC, I feel good about the level of academic rigor, particularly in the areas of science, math, and reading. The work is appropriately challenging for students who want more advanced work, but the teachers have the resources to give attention to students who need extra help in particular areas. In particular, I would highlight the school's reading specialist and the science teacher, who are both exceptional and creative teachers. We have been so happy with the experience our DC is having at Grace and think DC will be well prepared for life after Grace.

This post is of interest to me as well since I am also considering nearby Silver Spring private school options. I continue to hear great things about Grace and I've visited the school and was impressed with how warm and inviting everyone was, but I haven't been able to really determine how academically challenging the school is compared to my local elementary school, Rock View. I can't compare how they perform on test and quite frankly, most positive posts don't mention anything about academics there... focus is more on small class size and warm community environment. I obvoiusly want a warm learning environment, but I want to make sure that my daughter will be challenged at a higher level than she would be at our local school. Any help in comparing the cirriculum and the academic rigor of Grace vs. Public would be greatly appreciated.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Lowell looks great but is close to $40k a year. Sheridan and Grace. Sandy spring has a bus but is way too far out.

These tuition numbers are not correct. The middle schools at Lowell and Sheridan are almost identically priced -- about $32,500 (Lowell may be about $150 more for the entire year). Both schools charge a a couple of thousands less below 4th grade, and much less for preschool. OP - it's an easy Google search to confirm.

Fees, lunch, and after-care add up to about $40k at Lowell. Not sure about Sheridan, the whole weird school founder leaving left us cold on sending DCs there.

FYI, the previous head of Sheridan was not the founder. Lowell and Sheridan have nearly identical tuition, but Sheridan includes lunch. This is somewhat irrelevant though because in my opinion Sheridan is out of the way for the desired location. Not that it's too far, just not on the way unless they work over there.

Another very happy Grace parent here. Come to an open house, or just schedule a tour and get a sense of what they offer. www.geds.org

I'm long time parent and my youngest is set to graduate next year. I'm really gonna miss it! They are the real deal.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sheridan is nowhere near Silver Spring.

Depends where in Silver Spring...from downtown Silver Spring it is about 15 minutes.

Right. We live in downtown SS and are a Sheridan family. Its 15 minutes. If you are far out SS (20905, 20904, 20906), yes its much farther. And in that case, looking at sandy spring friends might be a better choice. But if you are considering Lowell. then Sheridan is not much further of a drive.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Lowell looks great but is close to $40k a year. Sheridan and Grace. Sandy spring has a bus but is way too far out.

These tuition numbers are not correct. The middle schools at Lowell and Sheridan are almost identically priced -- about $32,500 (Lowell may be about $150 more for the entire year). Both schools charge a a couple of thousands less below 4th grade, and much less for preschool. OP - it's an easy Google search to confirm.

Fees, lunch, and after-care add up to about $40k at Lowell. Not sure about Sheridan, the whole weird school founder leaving left us cold on sending DCs there.

Anonymous wrote:Sheridan is nowhere near Silver Spring.

Depends where in Silver Spring...from downtown Silver Spring it is about 15 minutes.

I only know Grace by reputation as a very fine school, and based on our experience at a different independent Episcopal middle and high school I am big fan of inclusive Episcopal schools and believe that the chapels should not stand in the way of a family that is not religious or practices a different faith. Indeed, I think they can set a tone that has advantages over some secular privates.

That said, I think it is very different to send a middle school child or teenager to such a school, as opposed to an elementary school child. As a Jewish parent, I am very happy with the education my children received in middle and high school at an Episcopal school, but I would not send my elementary school children to any school that included different religious observances.

^^^ DCs not DC's. Ugh, spellcheck.

Anonymous wrote:OP, please don't discard Grace Episcopal -- parochial schools and Diocesan schools are quite different, and Grace is an incredible school with a very fine school head. I no longer live in DC, my own DC didn't attend, I have no vested interest in supporting the school -- but I did live in Rock Creek Forest for 8 years and am familiar with all the local independent choices as well as the public schools near you. You have many good choices (including those mentioned here): my shout out to Grace is simply so that you won't automatically exclude it simply because of the affiliation with the Episcopal church. GL!

Our DC's did attend Grace and it's an amazing place, with great teachers and a warm community. However, there is chapel once a week, and although the greatest emphasis is on personal reflection, hymns are sung and it sounds like that sort of thing might be a problem for OP. Lowell might be a better fit for OP.

Anonymous wrote:Lowell looks great but is close to $40k a year. Sheridan and Grace. Sandy spring has a bus but is way too far out.

Lowell and Sheridan cost roughly the same.