Anonymous wrote:OP here - my partner and I both feel that a lengthy commute would sort of go against the outdoor philosophy we are going for so we're only looking in DC proper. We purchased a home in Forrest Hills adjacent to the Park (moving in May from the Bay area) and we're hoping for something close by. I'm a little surprised that there is not such a school in relatively close proximity! Definitely sounds like an opportunity for the right educator.

If this was so important, you should have moved to a neighborhood near a school. You do realize you moved to the city right? Rock Creek Park is not habitable - it's a steep ravine. That's the only reason it's not developed.

Frankly, you sound like just the sort of entitled person who is going to be appalled at ALL the differences between your old city and your new one. Time to get over yourself and look beyond what you know to experience something different.

Anonymous wrote:OP here - my partner and I both feel that a lengthy commute would sort of go against the outdoor philosophy we are going for so we're only looking in DC proper. We purchased a home in Forrest Hills adjacent to the Park (moving in May from the Bay area) and we're hoping for something close by. I'm a little surprised that there is not such a school in relatively close proximity! Definitely sounds like an opportunity for the right educator.

You probably should have looked into this before buying your house. Unfortunately in this area, you cannot simultaneously demand a bespoke private preschool for your child and have a philosophical objection to a commute. Also if by "the Park" you mean Rock Creek Park, it's not really set up the way you might be thinking for something like an outdoors preschool. It's basically a ravine with a busy commuting road and creek running through it. Some nice spots for hiking but not like parks in California.

Our family loves The Lab School of Washington. At the Elementary campus they have an urban farm, daily PE outside, and daily academic clubs (think history) one of which is focused on naturalists and meets in an outdoor classroom daily. For an urban school it is truly a wonderful setting. The academic support for students is truly amazing and their arts program can't be beat.

OP, will your child be starting kindergarten in the fall or in fall 2017? As you probably know deadlines have passed for fall 2016. Nonetheless, it's always worth calling a school that interests you.

We live in Forest Hills and love it. Sheridan is worth looking into if there are spots open.

Anonymous wrote:OP here - my partner and I both feel that a lengthy commute would sort of go against the outdoor philosophy we are going for so we're only looking in DC proper. We purchased a home in Forrest Hills adjacent to the Park (moving in May from the Bay area) and we're hoping for something close by. I'm a little surprised that there is not such a school in relatively close proximity! Definitely sounds like an opportunity for the right educator.

OP, Sheridan's head of school came from the Bay Area a couple of years ago. I believe her previous school was in Marin County but I may have that wrong.

Can you give an example of a SF-area school that does have the outdoor 'focus' you're talking about? That might help.

Altho, as a practical matter, if you're living in Forest Hills and don't want to commute (understandable) too far for school, your options are rather limited IF outdoor focus /envt'l ed is truly the priority.

I too moved here from the West Coast, and my children attend Sheridan precisely because I wanted to capture what I could of the SF/Portland/Seattle ethos. whatever that means

Welcome to DC. You'll LOVE living that close to Rock Creek Park

Anonymous wrote:OP here - my partner and I both feel that a lengthy commute would sort of go against the outdoor philosophy we are going for so we're only looking in DC proper. We purchased a home in Forrest Hills adjacent to the Park (moving in May from the Bay area) and we're hoping for something close by. I'm a little surprised that there is not such a school in relatively close proximity! Definitely sounds like an opportunity for the right educator.

Sheridan is the closest private school to Forest Hills.

Anonymous wrote:OP here - my partner and I both feel that a lengthy commute would sort of go against the outdoor philosophy we are going for so we're only looking in DC proper. We purchased a home in Forrest Hills adjacent to the Park (moving in May from the Bay area) and we're hoping for something close by. I'm a little surprised that there is not such a school in relatively close proximity! Definitely sounds like an opportunity for the right educator.

Apologies if you're intimately familiar with DC, but if the length of your commute is a concern, you may find that there are parts of Maryland (Bethesda) that are much closer to your new home than many other parts of DC proper. But as others have suggested, Sheridan is likely to be about as close to what you're looking for in DC proper and is a lovely school.

OP here - my partner and I both feel that a lengthy commute would sort of go against the outdoor philosophy we are going for so we're only looking in DC proper. We purchased a home in Forrest Hills adjacent to the Park (moving in May from the Bay area) and we're hoping for something close by. I'm a little surprised that there is not such a school in relatively close proximity! Definitely sounds like an opportunity for the right educator.

Bump

Slightly off-topic, but the lower school head at Sheridan did indeed come from Burgundy, and she is absolutely wonderful. We were at Burgundy when she was the head of academic and student support. She listens to the kids, knows how to level with them when they need that (as my child regularly did!). and absolutely loves her students.

She was a huge fan of the Cove campus at Burgundy and definitely understood the value of outdoor education. I would encourage you to reach out to her about how outdoor education fits into the plans at Sheridan, since that is clearly a big consideration for you.

And hats off to you, OP, for understanding how important being in nature is for your child. It was critically important to my child's learning experience at Burgundy!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sheridan - they have the mountain campus

Pretty sure they're selling or have sold the mountain campus:
http://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/400150.page

Waldorf School in Bethesda close to Glen Echo would be a good choice. They are outside every day.

Sheridan hasn't sold the mountain campus. Additionally, their new head of lower school came from Burgundy and is working on expanding Sheridan's outdoor education in DC. Whether this means greater use of Rock Creek Park, I don't know.

Sheridan isn't selling the mountain campus. that thread ^ was starting and perpetuated by someone who doesn't attend the HoS or board meetings.

Look at Burgundy. They have a 500 acre campus in WV that the kids go to 2xs a year for outdoor education.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sheridan - they have the mountain campus

Pretty sure they're selling or have sold the mountain campus:
http://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/400150.page

Waldorf School in Bethesda close to Glen Echo would be a good choice. They are outside every day.

Sheridan hasn't sold the mountain campus. Additionally, their new head of lower school came from Burgundy and is working on expanding Sheridan's outdoor education in DC. Whether this means greater use of Rock Creek Park, I don't know.

Anonymous wrote:Sheridan - they have the mountain campus

Pretty sure they're selling or have sold the mountain campus:
http://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/400150.page

Waldorf School in Bethesda close to Glen Echo would be a good choice. They are outside every day.

We have 2 Sudbury schools in MD - one in upper Marlboro, not too far from the east side of DC, & the other in Baltimore. These are likely exactly what you are looking for programmatically, but they are not in DC proper.