Anonymous
01/26/2009 14:01
Subject: Re:Beauvoir
Anonymous wrote:There are PLENTY of Jewish families at Beauvoir. My kids were not the only practicing ones, and greatly enjoyed sharing latkes before winter break and having mini seders there every year. And there are plenty of Jewish families at NCS and STA too. Don't just get your advice from these Boards! Ask the admissions office to recommend families to speak to about this kind of issue (whether same sex family, different religion, single parent, whatever). You can get the scoop from speaking directly to someone who was in your shoes.
People ask us all the time why would we go to these schools as a Jewish family. Interestingly, the rabbis at our temple never ask that, as they know the answer: they are great schools and welcome people of all faiths. In fact, I think my kids have a stronger sense of their Jewish identity by being at these schools.
Let me qualify plenty before people say more. We have never felt like we were alone, swimming in some sea of WASPs. We felt welcomed, we felt part of the community, we felt our heritage was respected and we continue to feel these things.
Great advice definitely ask the admissions office at STA & NCS to recommend you same sex and single parent families to speak to.
Anonymous
01/26/2009 13:41
Subject: Re:Beauvoir
Does anyone know what Beauvoir applications are looking like this year? More or less than last year?
Anonymous
01/26/2009 13:07
Subject: Re:Beauvoir
There are PLENTY of Jewish families at Beauvoir. My kids were not the only practicing ones, and greatly enjoyed sharing latkes before winter break and having mini seders there every year. And there are plenty of Jewish families at NCS and STA too. Don't just get your advice from these Boards! Ask the admissions office to recommend families to speak to about this kind of issue (whether same sex family, different religion, single parent, whatever). You can get the scoop from speaking directly to someone who was in your shoes.
People ask us all the time why would we go to these schools as a Jewish family. Interestingly, the rabbis at our temple never ask that, as they know the answer: they are great schools and welcome people of all faiths. In fact, I think my kids have a stronger sense of their Jewish identity by being at these schools.
Let me qualify plenty before people say more. We have never felt like we were alone, swimming in some sea of WASPs. We felt welcomed, we felt part of the community, we felt our heritage was respected and we continue to feel these things.
People ask us all the time why would we go to these schools as a Jewish family. Interestingly, the rabbis at our temple never ask that, as they know the answer: they are great schools and welcome people of all faiths. In fact, I think my kids have a stronger sense of their Jewish identity by being at these schools.
Let me qualify plenty before people say more. We have never felt like we were alone, swimming in some sea of WASPs. We felt welcomed, we felt part of the community, we felt our heritage was respected and we continue to feel these things.
Anonymous
01/25/2009 18:44
Subject: Re:Beauvoir
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Does anyone have an idea of how the academics at Beauvoir compare to Norwood or WES?
I have heard that Norwood does a better job of preparing kids for schools like STA and NCS than Beauvoir does. I found that interesting since Beauvoir is supposed to be the feeder. No clue on WES.
If that's true, than why does Norwood have an abysmal exmissions track record at STA.
Anonymous
01/08/2009 13:23
Subject: Re:Beauvoir
Anonymous wrote:any jewish children at beauvoir?
A sprinkling. But of that sprinkling, a number are from families where only one parent is Jewish, not really practicising, or are WASP wannabes.
Anonymous
01/06/2009 18:07
Subject: Re:Beauvoir
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Can other diverse parents speak to their experiences at Beauvoir positive or negative????? Please if possible please state what type of diverse family you are. TIA
Also to the single gay parent that posted regarding your situations are you still at the school? or have you and your children tranferred to another school? If so what school? Did your DC complete Beauvoir?
Our DC is a Beauvoir alum.
Now at STA?! If so, I'd love to hear about your experience now. My guess is that it would make your Beauvoir experience positively warm and fuzzy in comparison . . .
Yes at STA now. Actually at STA there are no claims that it is a warm and fuzzy environment. There's a little diversity there and have encountered support from some faculty members. We're taking it day by day. DS has friends, feels somewhat connected to STA, he's very fond of his teachers and loves playing sports. His social life is 95% non-STA related.
Anonymous
01/06/2009 17:47
Subject: Re:Beauvoir
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:
Yes, regardless of any diversity issues that my family and social subset experienced, I can say that I truly do love Beauvoir. And, most importantly, my ds has cherished memories of his teachers and friends. He felt cared about and loved there. Couldn't ask for anything more.
What diversity issues have your family and social subset experienced? Please elaborate.
We were a small group of non-traditional and economically diverse families that were of a different fit at Beauvoir. You wouldn't describe any of us as shy or reserved. We volunteered at school functions and in our children's classrooms. In general, we usually felt out-of-place during parent mixers so would only converse with each other. In comparing notes, most of us experienced being ignored on some level, i.e., not being looked at, at all, stilted one-on-one conversations (wouldn't describe it as small talk awkwardness), feeling "cliqued out" with no where to fit in, icky moments when class distinctions would become all-too apparent -- chit-chat about exotic, vacation plans.
That is how I feel now living in NW DC! However, I am as white as they come and not a minority but I don't come from the proper "pedigree" to fit into some social circles of DC. I feel your pain in regards to cliches.
Anonymous
01/06/2009 17:42
Subject: Re:Beauvoir
any jewish children at beauvoir?
Anonymous
01/04/2009 19:41
Subject: Re:Beauvoir
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Can other diverse parents speak to their experiences at Beauvoir positive or negative????? Please if possible please state what type of diverse family you are. TIA
Also to the single gay parent that posted regarding your situations are you still at the school? or have you and your children tranferred to another school? If so what school? Did your DC complete Beauvoir?
Our DC is a Beauvoir alum.
Now at STA?! If so, I'd love to hear about your experience now. My guess is that it would make your Beauvoir experience positively warm and fuzzy in comparison . . .
Anonymous
01/04/2009 19:38
Subject: Re:Beauvoir
Anonymous wrote:Can other diverse parents speak to their experiences at Beauvoir positive or negative????? Please if possible please state what type of diverse family you are. TIA
Also to the single gay parent that posted regarding your situations are you still at the school? or have you and your children tranferred to another school? If so what school? Did your DC complete Beauvoir?
Our DC is a Beauvoir alum.
Anonymous
01/04/2009 19:36
Subject: Re:Beauvoir
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:
Yes, regardless of any diversity issues that my family and social subset experienced, I can say that I truly do love Beauvoir. And, most importantly, my ds has cherished memories of his teachers and friends. He felt cared about and loved there. Couldn't ask for anything more.
What diversity issues have your family and social subset experienced? Please elaborate.
We were a small group of non-traditional and economically diverse families that were of a different fit at Beauvoir. You wouldn't describe any of us as shy or reserved. We volunteered at school functions and in our children's classrooms. In general, we usually felt out-of-place during parent mixers so would only converse with each other. In comparing notes, most of us experienced being ignored on some level, i.e., not being looked at, at all, stilted one-on-one conversations (wouldn't describe it as small talk awkwardness), feeling "cliqued out" with no where to fit in, icky moments when class distinctions would become all-too apparent -- chit-chat about exotic, vacation plans.
By "non-traditional," do you mean single parents or gay/lesbian couples.
Yes, both.
Thanks for satisfying our curiosity. Do you think your experience would have been different had you gone to say, GDS? And if so, did you have the GDS option and simply elect not to take it?
We also applied at GDS the same year that we were accepted at Beauvoir and was accepted by both. Chose Beauvoir because we were looking for more structure. Our experience probably would have been different at GDS not sure it would have been a great fit for our ds.