Anonymous
Post 10/21/2025 23:04     Subject: Based solely on academics, rank the top 5 private high schools in DC/VA/MD
Anonymous wrote:The Basis bots earning their yuans on this thread. Likely a meaningless thread started by them as well to bring Basis in the conversation


I love Basis.
Anonymous
Post 10/21/2025 22:48     Subject: Based solely on academics, rank the top 5 private high schools in DC/VA/MD
Anonymous wrote:In terms of rigor, the Lycee Rochambeau is right up there and hasn't appeared here.

Yeah, so “rigorous” you graduate with a Maryland high school diploma after 11th grade…
Anonymous
Post 10/21/2025 20:31     Subject: Re:Based solely on academics, rank the top 5 private high schools in DC/VA/MD
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:1. BIM
2. Sidwell
3. GDS
4. STA/NCS
5. Maret


Agreed!

Maret doesn't belong in this list
Anonymous
Post 10/21/2025 16:34     Subject: Re:Based solely on academics, rank the top 5 private high schools in DC/VA/MD
Anonymous wrote:1. BIM
2. Sidwell
3. GDS
4. STA/NCS
5. Maret


Are these for high schools? Or also including middle schools?
Anonymous
Post 10/21/2025 16:16     Subject: Re:Based solely on academics, rank the top 5 private high schools in DC/VA/MD
Anonymous wrote:1. BIM
2. Sidwell
3. GDS
4. STA/NCS
5. Maret


Agreed!
Anonymous
Post 10/21/2025 16:15     Subject: Re:Based solely on academics, rank the top 5 private high schools in DC/VA/MD
1. BIM
2. Sidwell
3. GDS
4. STA/NCS
5. Maret
Anonymous
Post 10/21/2025 15:26     Subject: Based solely on academics, rank the top 5 private high schools in DC/VA/MD
If we are talking solely about academics, Basis has to be in the conversation. As a complete school including areas outside of academics is where Basis comes up short.
Anonymous
Post 10/21/2025 14:41     Subject: Based solely on academics, rank the top 5 private high schools in DC/VA/MD
Criteria will probably differ person to person, but when considering the schools that have wide reputations for having highly intellectual and hard-working students, very demanding curriculums, and teachers who hold students to high expectations, these 3 (really 4) come to mind right away: STA/NCS, Sidwell, and St. Anselm's Abbey.

Anonymous
Post 10/20/2025 23:52     Subject: Based solely on academics, rank the top 5 private high schools in DC/VA/MD
In terms of rigor, the Lycee Rochambeau is right up there and hasn't appeared here.
Anonymous
Post 10/20/2025 21:46     Subject: Based solely on academics, rank the top 5 private high schools in DC/VA/MD
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:WIS offers the hardest high school diploma anyone can obtain. The dual IB diploma. And the school has kids in top colleges in the US and around the world.

So I would definitely have them in the top five.



This.

WiS is a global brand. Others, day GDS for example, have zero recognition outside the DC elite bubble.


There is no way anyone can name a top 5 independent school. You can try to use college matriculation as a measure but honestly, we know that’s not very helpful. Also, WIS college matriculation looks no different than Maret, Gonzaga, or Prep for that matter.

In the world of DCUM the top schools will always be the most popular/elite schools.

Which will always be
NCS/STA
Sidwell
GDS
Maret
Holton


Maret does NOT belong in this group. It is a step below all of the schools listed above. There is nothing that distinguishes Maret from any other regular independent school found in random cities across the country. It’s a perfectly acceptable, yet very basic independent school.


No GDS is the one to go. There is a lot of hype for the school that is not backed up. It does not belong on the list. I really do not understand the hype around it.

Holton, Maret, NCS, STA, Sidwell


Is this true? Should we be concerned about GDS?
Anonymous
Post 11/23/2022 15:46     Subject: Based solely on academics, rank the top 5 private high schools in DC/VA/MD
Anonymous wrote:I find it a bit disheartening that only St Albans and St Anselms Abbey require 4 years of math. Girls and co-Ed schools keep it at 3 years. I’m sure many students go over the graduation requirements, but perhaps the bottom 20% of the class is weaker in math.


Uh. None of these schools are graduating kids who don’t take 4 years even if it isn’t required. Maybe one kids in a rare circumstance. T50 colleges expect 4yrs of math
Anonymous
Post 11/23/2022 15:14     Subject: Based solely on academics, rank the top 5 private high schools in DC/VA/MD
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I find it a bit disheartening that only St Albans and St Anselms Abbey require 4 years of math. Girls and co-Ed schools keep it at 3 years. I’m sure many students go over the graduation requirements, but perhaps the bottom 20% of the class is weaker in math.


Where are you getting this? And regardless, I’m guessing 98-99% of Big3/Top 5 school students are taking four years of math .. because that is what the top 50 colleges expect …


Look up each school’s graduation requirements. 3 years math for the named schools. Gotta bail out the weaker students.


Kids who have run through the math offerings probably take Stat or AP Stat next. It's not a big deal.
Anonymous
Post 11/22/2022 10:54     Subject: Based solely on academics, rank the top 5 private high schools in DC/VA/MD
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I find it a bit disheartening that only St Albans and St Anselms Abbey require 4 years of math. Girls and co-Ed schools keep it at 3 years. I’m sure many students go over the graduation requirements, but perhaps the bottom 20% of the class is weaker in math.


Where are you getting this? And regardless, I’m guessing 98-99% of Big3/Top 5 school students are taking four years of math .. because that is what the top 50 colleges expect …


Yes and most kids start Geometry in 9th so even if someone only takes three years they get through pre-calculous. Most adults don't use math beyond that level outside of school. And schools don't let you just take 4 major classes if you do drop math--it has to be replaced with an extra history, english, science, language, etc. Taking Economics in place of math may be more useful for some students long term.
Anonymous
Post 11/20/2022 16:31     Subject: Based solely on academics, rank the top 5 private high schools in DC/VA/MD
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I find it a bit disheartening that only St Albans and St Anselms Abbey require 4 years of math. Girls and co-Ed schools keep it at 3 years. I’m sure many students go over the graduation requirements, but perhaps the bottom 20% of the class is weaker in math.


Where are you getting this? And regardless, I’m guessing 98-99% of Big3/Top 5 school students are taking four years of math .. because that is what the top 50 colleges expect …


Look up each school’s graduation requirements. 3 years math for the named schools. Gotta bail out the weaker students.
Anonymous
Post 11/20/2022 16:19     Subject: Based solely on academics, rank the top 5 private high schools in DC/VA/MD
Anonymous wrote:I find it a bit disheartening that only St Albans and St Anselms Abbey require 4 years of math. Girls and co-Ed schools keep it at 3 years. I’m sure many students go over the graduation requirements, but perhaps the bottom 20% of the class is weaker in math.


Where are you getting this? And regardless, I’m guessing 98-99% of Big3/Top 5 school students are taking four years of math .. because that is what the top 50 colleges expect …