Anonymous
Post 02/27/2015 17:14     Subject: Re:McDonogh School in Baltimore
Anonymous wrote:
The Mcdonogh of today is nothing like the Mcdonogh of 15 years ago -- there is a number of new buildings (due to a large bequest), a recent emphasis on recruiting athletes (take a look at the records of recent teams, all the major sports --men's and women's have undefeated seasons, and a renewed emphasis on the 5 day boarding program for the upper school.


I don't think that necessarily changes the overall character of McDonogh. Teamwork, general participation, and fitness are clearly still a priority. They offer opportunities for the best of the best when it comes to sports and that's something some number of kids are looking for. Many of these kids have been playing sports since they were toddlers and it's not surprising some of them are truly excellent and would love to play and work in an environment which is highly competitive. My children's schools have "lost" a few kids to McDonogh because the sports programs were compelling. My children's schools have also "gained" a few kids from McDonogh but not one has said it was because sports was overshadowing everything.

One of the reasons my children go to private schools is because the opportunity to play varsity sports at our local public high school is vanishingly small except for the most talented. McDonogh's not on our radar partly for that reason. Fortunately, there are many other wonderful schools to choose from. If my children didn't want to play varsity sports or were exceptionally talented at sports, McDonogh would be fantastic. I'm envious of some of the musical opportunities available to their students!
Anonymous
Post 02/27/2015 15:48     Subject: Re:McDonogh School in Baltimore
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:My DH attended McDonogh from 1-12 and thinks no greater school has ever existed. Of course, he graduated in 1998, so I'm sure things may be different now. However, the daughter of a family friend currently attends and her experience seems similar. DH's experience was very positive and we would definitely send our kids there if we still lived in the area. He was the first generation son of recent immigrants who prioritized spending money on education, so he was not one of the "rich kids" at all. However, he pointed out that there wasn't really a line between the well-off kids and the super rich kids, likely because many of the kids had attended school together for more than 10 years, since well before they developed socio-economic awareness. There was also a good amount of racial and ethnic diversity when he attended. He described the sport culture in that everyone played sports, even if they weren't very good. He thought of it as more of an emphasis on fitness and teamwork, and he happily played JV lacrosse and soccer without ever participating in a non-school league. Academics are top-notch and upper school coursework is very rigorous. The campus is amazing and the school has an incredible endowment to maintain and improve its facilities. FWIW, McDonogh granted my husband a (small) 4-year scholarship for medical school, more than 6 years after he graduated from high school, as part of its commitment to its alumni.


The Mcdonogh of today is nothing like the Mcdonogh of 15 years ago -- there is a number of new buildings (due to a large bequest), a recent emphasis on recruiting athletes (take a look at the records of recent teams, all the major sports --men's and women's have undefeated seasons, and a renewed emphasis on the 5 day boarding program for the upper school.


pp, should also add that college placement is improving.
Anonymous
Post 02/27/2015 15:47     Subject: Re:McDonogh School in Baltimore
My DH also went there 9-12 and loved it. Did track and field but wasn't a particularly serious athlete. Was involved in music/theater. With all the new building that has been going on it looks like they've been trying to improve the music/dance/theater programs in addition to sports.
Anonymous
Post 02/27/2015 15:45     Subject: Re:McDonogh School in Baltimore
Anonymous wrote:My DH attended McDonogh from 1-12 and thinks no greater school has ever existed. Of course, he graduated in 1998, so I'm sure things may be different now. However, the daughter of a family friend currently attends and her experience seems similar. DH's experience was very positive and we would definitely send our kids there if we still lived in the area. He was the first generation son of recent immigrants who prioritized spending money on education, so he was not one of the "rich kids" at all. However, he pointed out that there wasn't really a line between the well-off kids and the super rich kids, likely because many of the kids had attended school together for more than 10 years, since well before they developed socio-economic awareness. There was also a good amount of racial and ethnic diversity when he attended. He described the sport culture in that everyone played sports, even if they weren't very good. He thought of it as more of an emphasis on fitness and teamwork, and he happily played JV lacrosse and soccer without ever participating in a non-school league. Academics are top-notch and upper school coursework is very rigorous. The campus is amazing and the school has an incredible endowment to maintain and improve its facilities. FWIW, McDonogh granted my husband a (small) 4-year scholarship for medical school, more than 6 years after he graduated from high school, as part of its commitment to its alumni.


The Mcdonogh of today is nothing like the Mcdonogh of 15 years ago -- there is a number of new buildings (due to a large bequest), a recent emphasis on recruiting athletes (take a look at the records of recent teams, all the major sports --men's and women's have undefeated seasons, and a renewed emphasis on the 5 day boarding program for the upper school.
Anonymous
Post 02/27/2015 15:33     Subject: Re:McDonogh School in Baltimore
My DH attended McDonogh from 1-12 and thinks no greater school has ever existed. Of course, he graduated in 1998, so I'm sure things may be different now. However, the daughter of a family friend currently attends and her experience seems similar. DH's experience was very positive and we would definitely send our kids there if we still lived in the area. He was the first generation son of recent immigrants who prioritized spending money on education, so he was not one of the "rich kids" at all. However, he pointed out that there wasn't really a line between the well-off kids and the super rich kids, likely because many of the kids had attended school together for more than 10 years, since well before they developed socio-economic awareness. There was also a good amount of racial and ethnic diversity when he attended. He described the sport culture in that everyone played sports, even if they weren't very good. He thought of it as more of an emphasis on fitness and teamwork, and he happily played JV lacrosse and soccer without ever participating in a non-school league. Academics are top-notch and upper school coursework is very rigorous. The campus is amazing and the school has an incredible endowment to maintain and improve its facilities. FWIW, McDonogh granted my husband a (small) 4-year scholarship for medical school, more than 6 years after he graduated from high school, as part of its commitment to its alumni.
Anonymous
Post 02/27/2015 14:02     Subject: McDonogh School in Baltimore
Anonymous wrote:
I don't know that I buy the line that St. Paul's and/or GFS parents are more conspicuous consumers than anyone else - I feel like that's kind of a false stereotype that stems from their location in Greenspring Valley but isn't borne out by what I see on playing fields there vs. any of the Roland Park schools or McDonogh. I think if you part them all in a line-up, you'd be very hard-pressed to tell a St. Paul's mom from a Bryn Mawr one.


All the private schools are expensive and have wealthy families. They just show it in different ways. There might be more Subarus at Park and more Lexus SUVs at Gilman, but the parents all have the same ranges of jobs and go on expensive vacations.
Anonymous
Post 02/27/2015 13:58     Subject: McDonogh School in Baltimore
Like most of the schools in Baltimore, McDonogh is great. Since tuition is covered and the bus fits your schedule, why not give it a go?

There is no question that a bond develops among kids and families who are in school together from those very early years, one that I find far outweighs socio-economic status (at least in Baltimore). So try it and see if that happens for you - if not, you can always move somewhere else.

Very true about McDonogh recruiting athletes, which is a little strange and kind of dispiriting for the home-grown kids who know they'll never get a chance to be varsity. But that's 10 years down the line - who knows how much things will change by then, or if your kid will even care?

I don't know that I buy the line that St. Paul's and/or GFS parents are more conspicuous consumers than anyone else - I feel like that's kind of a false stereotype that stems from their location in Greenspring Valley but isn't borne out by what I see on playing fields there vs. any of the Roland Park schools or McDonogh. I think if you part them all in a line-up, you'd be very hard-pressed to tell a St. Paul's mom from a Bryn Mawr one.
Anonymous
Post 02/27/2015 13:51     Subject: Re:McDonogh School in Baltimore
Anonymous wrote:Don't do aftercare at McD. Bc so many kids take the bus, almost no one is at aftercare so not much fun for the kids. Other schools have much more robust programs with organized clubs etc.
wrt to length of ride, we initially thought the bus was great bc we picked up DS at 4:45 so really didn't need childcare. BUT my kid hated waiting around 20 min before getting on bus and then 25 min ride home. He had no time to play. We ended moving into the city and putting him in a school here with a 7 min commute (we are in mt wash- sounds as though you are too?).
Good luck with your decision.


Thanks for the info about aftercare. Makes sense that fewer kids would be using aftercare due to the bus system.
Anonymous
Post 02/27/2015 13:38     Subject: Re:McDonogh School in Baltimore
Don't do aftercare at McD. Bc so many kids take the bus, almost no one is at aftercare so not much fun for the kids. Other schools have much more robust programs with organized clubs etc.
wrt to length of ride, we initially thought the bus was great bc we picked up DS at 4:45 so really didn't need childcare. BUT my kid hated waiting around 20 min before getting on bus and then 25 min ride home. He had no time to play. We ended moving into the city and putting him in a school here with a 7 min commute (we are in mt wash- sounds as though you are too?).
Good luck with your decision.
Anonymous
Post 02/27/2015 12:27     Subject: McDonogh School in Baltimore
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:PP, I should add that all were well qualified applicants. One of my children was accepted there, but I think despite the many wonderful qualities of the school, the location is a negative for those living closer in, at least it is for us.


We live in the city and DH and I both work downtown, so the location is not ideal. But the bus makes it possible. And I love the idea of never having to pack a lunch again.


Just make sure you are comfortable with the bus pick up and drop off times. The bus trip can be lengthy.


Talked to a neighbor whose daughter is at McDonogh and thankfully we are one of the last stops on the North Baltimore route (Hampden/Roland Park/ Mount Washington) before heading up to school, and one of the first off on the way back. Honestly, in one way it would be nice if he were on the bus longer. A longer bus ride would make it less likely that we'd need to hire a babysitter to meet him at the bus on the way home. I know they have aftercare but I can't deal with driving all the way up there to pick up every day.


Sounds like a great fit, then, congrat!
Anonymous
Post 02/27/2015 12:05     Subject: McDonogh School in Baltimore
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:PP, I should add that all were well qualified applicants. One of my children was accepted there, but I think despite the many wonderful qualities of the school, the location is a negative for those living closer in, at least it is for us.


We live in the city and DH and I both work downtown, so the location is not ideal. But the bus makes it possible. And I love the idea of never having to pack a lunch again.


Just make sure you are comfortable with the bus pick up and drop off times. The bus trip can be lengthy.


Talked to a neighbor whose daughter is at McDonogh and thankfully we are one of the last stops on the North Baltimore route (Hampden/Roland Park/ Mount Washington) before heading up to school, and one of the first off on the way back. Honestly, in one way it would be nice if he were on the bus longer. A longer bus ride would make it less likely that we'd need to hire a babysitter to meet him at the bus on the way home. I know they have aftercare but I can't deal with driving all the way up there to pick up every day.
Anonymous
Post 02/27/2015 12:01     Subject: McDonogh School in Baltimore
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:PP, I should add that all were well qualified applicants. One of my children was accepted there, but I think despite the many wonderful qualities of the school, the location is a negative for those living closer in, at least it is for us.


We live in the city and DH and I both work downtown, so the location is not ideal. But the bus makes it possible. And I love the idea of never having to pack a lunch again.


Just make sure you are comfortable with the bus pick up and drop off times. The bus trip can be lengthy.
Anonymous
Post 02/27/2015 11:52     Subject: McDonogh School in Baltimore
Anonymous wrote:PP, I should add that all were well qualified applicants. One of my children was accepted there, but I think despite the many wonderful qualities of the school, the location is a negative for those living closer in, at least it is for us.


We live in the city and DH and I both work downtown, so the location is not ideal. But the bus makes it possible. And I love the idea of never having to pack a lunch again.
Anonymous
Post 02/27/2015 11:50     Subject: McDonogh School in Baltimore
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I am not Jewish but I think that Schechter has a solid academic reputation and the kids transfer out to many schools when it ends at 8th grade or before. I've been impressed with the kids that I've met from there.

Like others, I've seen kids flow pretty freely across the Baltimore private schools. My neighbor who is on the board at Calvert seems to think that McDonough has the tightest admissions at the moment but lots of my kids from my neighborhood still seem to be admitted at grades other than k.


I think Calvert and Gilman are still harder to get into. Everyone I know who applied to Mcdonogh got in this year, at various grades and most were not typical entry point (although all were lower school).


I think McDonogh's overall admissions rates are skewed because it is so much harder to get in to 9th grade than any other entry point. The admissions officer we met with told us that they had 10 times as many applicants as spots for 9th grade last year. Much easier to get in to other grades.