Anonymous
Post 06/15/2013 13:59     Subject: Private School for Ordinary Middle Class Family
OP if you are in a good public school, definitely wait until middle school. We did, and I'm so very glad! Not only did we save the money, but now kids have lifelong neighborhood friends, with whom they are still close after parting ways at middle school. Your life will be infinitely easier if you don't have to drive kids too. Really.
Anonymous
Post 06/15/2013 13:57     Subject: Private School for Ordinary Middle Class Family
We're decidedly middle class and I don't feel out of place at Green Acres. Plenty of families have two working parents and are only doing one vacation a year.

I would encourage you to look at schools early and often. Look at the classes beyond pre-k and k. You have plenty of time to make a decision. The open houses will start in the fall.

I think your current preschool/daycare provider's insights are really important. Our experience was that the director knew the kids and knew which kids would do well in a private setting versus a public setting.
Anonymous
Post 06/15/2013 13:22     Subject: Private School for Ordinary Middle Class Family
Anonymous wrote:I can speak to Sheridan, as we have been a family there for years now -- like St Pats, there is definitely great wealth there too, and also normal middle class folks, but EVERYONE there is made to feel equal and people are not showy about their wealth. You honestly don't know folks are loaded until you get invited for a play date at their $2M CC/Bethesda/NW home, and even then, there is no pretense, just love for the kids, and a sense of community. We are not at all wealthy and have always felt perfectly comfortable at Sheridan, including at the auction, where money is being thrown around. There is something for everyone to buy at the auction (I scored items for $40 & $60 each this past year). There is a real culture of embracing everyone at Sheridan. Its a wonderful school, academically and socially and we'd love to have you come take a look at it if you are looking for a lovely community for your family.


I would say the exact same thing about NPS. There is certainly a lot of wealth at the school, but there are also many people who openly discuss how tough it is to pay private school tuition. Regardless, kindness is engrained into the culture of the school. The parents are all very welcoming and most are low-key about their wealth, so you don't really know who has money and who doesn't.
Anonymous
Post 06/15/2013 12:37     Subject: Private School for Ordinary Middle Class Family
We've liked Grace in Kensington. We've met very grounded, kind families from a wide variety of backgrounds. Visit if you can.
Anonymous
Post 06/15/2013 09:46     Subject: Private School for Ordinary Middle Class Family
I can speak to Sheridan, as we have been a family there for years now -- like St Pats, there is definitely great wealth there too, and also normal middle class folks, but EVERYONE there is made to feel equal and people are not showy about their wealth. You honestly don't know folks are loaded until you get invited for a play date at their $2M CC/Bethesda/NW home, and even then, there is no pretense, just love for the kids, and a sense of community. We are not at all wealthy and have always felt perfectly comfortable at Sheridan, including at the auction, where money is being thrown around. There is something for everyone to buy at the auction (I scored items for $40 & $60 each this past year). There is a real culture of embracing everyone at Sheridan. Its a wonderful school, academically and socially and we'd love to have you come take a look at it if you are looking for a lovely community for your family.
Anonymous
Post 06/15/2013 09:41     Subject: Private School for Ordinary Middle Class Family
We have a HHI of $250K and have a child enrolled at one of the schools on your list. Its still a big sacrifice even at our income level to pay that tuition, especially because we have a younger chid who is coming up and will enroll in the next 3 years (he's only 2 right now). That said, we live a VERY modest life -- teeny tiny house, with no major improvements or renovations, simple vacations and no brand new cars. We try to keep our other debts very low because investing in our child's education is most important to us.
If I were you, I would apply for financial aid at these schools. You never know -- you just might qualify.
Anonymous
Post 06/14/2013 20:10     Subject: Private School for Ordinary Middle Class Family
St Pats..yes there is wealth but also middle class. The head of school discourages any large displays of wealth..even put a stop to parents giving huge teacher gifts. I have no idea how much anyone makes. This filters down to the kids..it's a nice school.
Anonymous
Post 06/14/2013 20:00     Subject: Re:Private School for Ordinary Middle Class Family
Anonymous wrote:Can't say enough good things about Woods Academy for all the reasons you are looking for. We transferred our child after an underwhelming experience at our highly-sought-after Bethesda public school. I am so glad that we were encouraged to consider Woods as an alternative. Woods really seems to embrace each child's individual potential. I love their mission statement..."an inclusive Catholic community preparing boys and girls to lead lives of significance". They're really serious about the inclusive part---all denominations are welcome and represented. Because it's independent, the tuition is more expensive than parochial options but I firmly believe it's the best money we've ever spent. We are solidly middle class (by DC standards) and have seen a wide spectrum of income levels at Woods but have never been made to feel inferior. It's a special place where my child is thriving. Best of luck with your decision.


OP here - thanks!
Anonymous
Post 06/14/2013 19:59     Subject: Private School for Ordinary Middle Class Family
Anonymous wrote:Would be interested in OP personal reasons why no Norwood. I too am looking for K next year.


OP here - Norwood is an excellent school and you should not hesitate to go there.
Anonymous
Post 06/14/2013 19:52     Subject: Re:Private School for Ordinary Middle Class Family
Can't say enough good things about Woods Academy for all the reasons you are looking for. We transferred our child after an underwhelming experience at our highly-sought-after Bethesda public school. I am so glad that we were encouraged to consider Woods as an alternative. Woods really seems to embrace each child's individual potential. I love their mission statement..."an inclusive Catholic community preparing boys and girls to lead lives of significance". They're really serious about the inclusive part---all denominations are welcome and represented. Because it's independent, the tuition is more expensive than parochial options but I firmly believe it's the best money we've ever spent. We are solidly middle class (by DC standards) and have seen a wide spectrum of income levels at Woods but have never been made to feel inferior. It's a special place where my child is thriving. Best of luck with your decision.
Anonymous
Post 06/14/2013 18:55     Subject: Private School for Ordinary Middle Class Family
Would be interested in OP personal reasons why no Norwood. I too am looking for K next year.
Anonymous
Post 06/14/2013 17:24     Subject: Private School for Ordinary Middle Class Family
OP we decided on catholic k-8 and then any school for high school. We are sort of liberal minded but decided to raise our kids in catholic church. Are you considering raising your kids catholic? Parish schools will do a much better job with religion than CCD. And its a pain to have your kids go to CCD (or whatever they call it now - sorry i haven't kept up). We have 3 kids and this made it affordable for us. Also it kept our kids as kids in middle school and fairly respectful - something catholic schools are good at. Our oldest is going to a big 3 school next year on his own choice but we were open to any school he wanted. Good luck!
Anonymous
Post 06/14/2013 16:21     Subject: Private School for Ordinary Middle Class Family
Anonymous wrote:You will feel out of place at Green Acres.


OP here - any additional information? Our daycare center's director actually suggested to DH that we look at it and DH really wants it on the list to at least visit. (She's actually the one who first suggested private vs. public.)
Anonymous
Post 06/14/2013 16:11     Subject: Re:Private School for Ordinary Middle Class Family
Anonymous wrote:Why have you ruled out Beauvoir, Sidwell, GDS and Maret? They are the schools with the largest endowment funds and are best equipped to provide financial aid to middle income families.


OP here - interesting point about finiancial aid. I basically ruled them out because I think there is no shot of getting in. We know no one and don't fit into any special category. I figure I should focus our energy.

Beauvoir and Primary Day I ruled out because they don't go up to 5th. I really would like to avoid going through the application process again so soon.

As for Norwood, that is not on the list for personal reasons.
Anonymous
Post 06/14/2013 15:38     Subject: Private School for Ordinary Middle Class Family
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I would add Norwood and primary day to your list. We have friends at Norwood with an income of 150,000 and they are very comfortable there. People don't know how much money people make--or they dont care. Yes, people might be hesitant to send their kid home on a play date if it was in sw dc, but other then that, dd has been in huge mansions and row houses for play dates with no issues. Dd is at primary day.


PP, you must not live in DC or know anything about the different quadrants. There is nothing wrong with SW DC and there are some nice homes in SW. There is also a major revitalization taking place near the waterfront area Please stop making such uninformed statements.


Yes, that Arena Stage neighborhood is cringeworthy.