Don't immediately assume you have to go to the suburbs like Bethesda. I think if you've been in London previously you may prefer being in DC itself. The public schools in NW DC listed in this chain are all very good and have lots of international families. Generally considered to be better then the schools in Georgetown and lots more outdoor space in the neighborhoods then Georgetown too. Take a look at them, I thin you'll be surprised.

Anonymous wrote:Publicly funded school starts a year later in the US, but most middle class parents have their children in preschool starting at age 2-3. (I think you guys call this nursery). The city of DC has publicly funded preschool, which starts at age 3 in many parts of the city. In the far northwest neighborhoods that you are looking in, public preschool starts at age 4, but there are not enough spots for all residents , due to school overcrowding, so many families in those neighborhoods send kids to private preschools. Starting at age 5, every child is guaranteed a spot in their assigned local school, so after age 5, it isn't the crazy scramble that you have in London. If you'd like a publicly funded preschool spot for your child before age 5, you have to enter a lottery. That will be a little reminiscent of home.

In Bethesda, which is in a different state, and therefore a different education authority, publicly funded education begins at 5, and again, every child get a slot in their local school. Most parents in Bethesda would send their kids to a private preschool, starting at age 3.

Religious schools don't get public money in the US, due to the separation of church and state.

Parents are also more involved in education here. There are active Parent Teacher Associations, and they provide a lot of extras for the schools: book sales, afterschool programs in some cases, weekend funfairs etc.

This is so true. OP, this could really be great for you. If you aren't working, this is a great way to meet lots of people.

You could also consider McLean or Arlington. They are close in surburbs in Virginia. If you pick something in Jamestown elementary or Chesterbrook elementary you will be close driving distance to Chain Bridge (which takes you into the city).

All the MCPS elementaries near the NW part of DC and in a radius of 5+ miles are good and so are the high schools. The U.S. Has separation of church and state so no public religious schools.

I am very grateful for all those kind and informative responses. Enormously helpful. Now I know where to start looking on the map and planning my various visits in a fortnight. A million thanks x

Also OP, because this is DC you will find you will be among a ton of families in similar situations to yours. There are so many international families and it's wonderful. It also means you are not alone in asking a million questions about how things work!!

Publicly funded school starts a year later in the US, but most middle class parents have their children in preschool starting at age 2-3. (I think you guys call this nursery). The city of DC has publicly funded preschool, which starts at age 3 in many parts of the city. In the far northwest neighborhoods that you are looking in, public preschool starts at age 4, but there are not enough spots for all residents , due to school overcrowding, so many families in those neighborhoods send kids to private preschools. Starting at age 5, every child is guaranteed a spot in their assigned local school, so after age 5, it isn't the crazy scramble that you have in London. If you'd like a publicly funded preschool spot for your child before age 5, you have to enter a lottery. That will be a little reminiscent of home.

In Bethesda, which is in a different state, and therefore a different education authority, publicly funded education begins at 5, and again, every child get a slot in their local school. Most parents in Bethesda would send their kids to a private preschool, starting at age 3.

Religious schools don't get public money in the US, due to the separation of church and state.

Parents are also more involved in education here. There are active Parent Teacher Associations, and they provide a lot of extras for the schools: book sales, afterschool programs in some cases, weekend funfairs etc.

sophie123 wrote:Really helpful. Am making a list of all suggestions ahead of a visit this month. Any others? Most grateful.

I think you need to keep in mind the commute. It can be brutal around here. Clearly the closer to downtown, the shorter the commute. Make sure you and your partner try it out from various points when you come to visit.

How long will you be here? In the city I would suggest looking at the neighborhoods that feed to:

Janney (AU Park)
Key (Palisades)
Lafayette (Chevy Chase DC)
Murch (Chevy Chase/North Cleveland Park)
Horace Mann (Spring Valley, Wesley Heights)

These are often referred to as JKLMM schools.

In Bethesda I would look at the neighborhoods that feed to:
Wood Acres
Westbrook
Bannockburn
Bethesda Elemenatry
Somerset
Bradley Hills Elementary
Chevy Chase Elementary/Rosemary Hills

Anonymous wrote:OP, keep in mind that the academics aren't necessarily stronger at these catholic schools. Your kids may be more challenged in public. It just depends on the school and your kid.

I think this is very true. Our child is in catholic now and the teacher quality and academics are ok but don't seem as strong as public. Plus we have a big class which may or may not concern you depending on age of your child. Definitely do your research on the catholic school and visit the classroom to see how they are interacting and the space.

Anonymous wrote:
The Woods Academy is in a different league than those other Catholic schools. It's lovely but super expensive and not what OP is looking for.

Bethesda is a great choice. Work with a realtor and request to look at homes in the "Whitman cluster". Within that cluster, you will not find a bad elementary school. Bradley Hills Elementary and Wood Acres Elementary are fantastic. But others are great as well. Welcome to DC!!!

OP, for what it's worth -- a home in the "Whitman cluster" will get you a school filled with the children of affluent people with advanced degrees. (It will also get you another $bundleofmoney in rent.) It will not necessarily get you better teachers, a better curriculum, or a better administration, compared to other schools in the Montgomery County Public School system.

Really helpful. Am making a list of all suggestions ahead of a visit this month. Any others? Most grateful.

Thank you so much.

Lafayette Elementary in northwest DC is a top elem school.

Anonymous wrote:

sophie123 wrote:eldest is 8-year-old boy

Ok, so you are looking for elementary schools. There are lots of good catholic schools if that's the way that you want to go. I would note that they tend to be more religious than their counterparts in the UK, FYI. I would also say that at the elementary level you are going to find that the class sizes are similar to those in public school. If you are looking for a more traditional school, however, catholic might be the way to go. Some to look at:

Blessed Sacrament
St. Bartholomew's
Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School
Saint Jane Frances de Chantal Catholic
The Wood's Academy

The Woods Academy is in a different league than those other Catholic schools. It's lovely but super expensive and not what OP is looking for.

Bethesda is a great choice. Work with a realtor and request to look at homes in the "Whitman cluster". Within that cluster, you will not find a bad elementary school. Bradley Hills Elementary and Wood Acres Elementary are fantastic. But others are great as well. Welcome to DC!!!

Thank you all. That is a very helpful list of RC schools.

Final Q, which public schools in northwest DC have made you and your children happy? Anyone reading, please tell me!