I know you are in Upper NW, but we were in exactly the same position a handful of years ago and transferred our DC to CHDS (we do not live on the Hill so it did involve a commute). We visited three schools and upon visiting our DC said "I really want to go here". It was the perfect place for us -- warm, diverse, down to earth, enriching in every way: lots of writing in MS, nice kids, no focus on cars or clothes, kids are really friends in MS, etc. HS application process came around, and it was relatively stress free and worked out for everyone in the class. The other K-8 schools might be the same way, and are closer! Honestly, it changed things entirely for our child. Good luck OP!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's all relative but the most down-to-earth people I know at privates are at St. Patrick's.

That's funny. The wealthiest (and not down to earth at all) people I've met are there.

There is definitely money, but people who can look beyond that and be a true friend.

Yes but its hard to be a true friend with incredibly uptight people.

Uptight? Definitely not St. Patrick's!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's all relative but the most down-to-earth people I know at privates are at St. Patrick's.

That's funny. The wealthiest (and not down to earth at all) people I've met are there.

There is definitely money, but people who can look beyond that and be a true friend.

Yes but its hard to be a true friend with incredibly uptight people.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's all relative but the most down-to-earth people I know at privates are at St. Patrick's.

That's funny. The wealthiest (and not down to earth at all) people I've met are there.

There is definitely money, but people who can look beyond that and be a true friend.

I'd also suggest looking at Sheridan. You'll still see lots of Uggs/expensive cell phones etc. but there are a lot of laid back folks there as well.

St Pat's people are down to earth? Noooo

Anonymous wrote:GDS has a down-to-earth atmosphere with a strong social justice tradition in the urban context.

ROFL

Anonymous wrote:It's all relative but the most down-to-earth people I know at privates are at St. Patrick's.

That's funny. The wealthiest (and not down to earth at all) people I've met are there.

It's all relative but the most down-to-earth people I know at privates are at St. Patrick's.

Anonymous wrote:Look for the old money. We don't show it. DC has no idea that we have a ton of money - we live in a small house and drive old cars. I'm determined not to raise a spoiled brat.

yeah we know people like you, you don't have much money left though, most of the time, just hanging onto the past.

Look for the old money. We don't show it. DC has no idea that we have a ton of money - we live in a small house and drive old cars. I'm determined not to raise a spoiled brat.

The most down to earth school I have come across is a long way from DC. Its the Topanga Mountain school where the kids sit under the trees for lessons and spend their days almost entirely outside.

Down to earth around here, in the DC area, would be highly unusual, though I'd love to see it.

NPS a thousand times over. Our family is very down to earth in a multitude of ways and has felt incredibly welcomed by the community from the second we stepped on campus.

First, not in DC. Second, look further afield. I wish I had looked at some of the privates way out in MoCo and HoCo. But if here, look at religious or crunchy.

OMG GDS

You can't obsess on Harvard, propose a massive development for Tenleytown and stress out about ranking among local independent schools and then claim you are "down-to-earth." You are the least dte school in the dmv.
"GDS has a down-to-earth atmosphere with a strong social justice tradition in the urban context."