Anonymous wrote:

Enough with the Tom Sawyer psychology. Why would anyone give out confidential Board-type data on an anonymous website?

You are certainly no Board member. Your longstanding relationship with Norwood must be with the janitorial services since the information the poster requests is not high level, NSA, or sercret but information any intelligent parent would like to help inform decisions about private schools for their children.

We are new to the area. Five or so years ago, we almost committed to sending our 2 children to St Francis (Potomac). We liked the leadership and their block education curriculum (particularly for math) so children were appropriately placed in math classes based on ability, accomplishments, and performance) and not age and grade. On revisits we discovered that while PK, K, and grade 1 were loaded there were less than 8 students in the graduating 5th grade classroom. There appeared to be important student attrition in the higher elementary grades. We instead opted for our local public school (later HGC and middle school magnet programs). Six to 9 months later we read in the Gazette about the merger of St Francis with St Andrews (Potomac area). In retrospect, we are happy we did not plunk down $50K for the 2 kids and went with our gut regarding the viability of the school.

Any private school in this market unwilling to share (transparent) the numbers of students in their grades and graduating classes raises a huge red flag and should not deservice any attention in the education marketplace.

Are you then surprised there have been discussions about a merger in the past ... and most surely in future?

signed Huck Fin

No, but common...do you really think there is a substantial difference between K at Norwood, Beauvoir, St. Pats, WES, Maret, and the like? (+ Sidwell) For the average resilient 5-yr-old with sound body and mind (tissues, organs and cells intact) I doubt there is any difference here save various and sundry preferences related to friends, residence etc.

Anonymous wrote:Wrong. The K-8 model is dying and people aren't opting for it (primarily because of the hassle of trying to find a HS for their kid).

The only people are Norwood are those who got rejected at schools like Sidwell, Cathedral schools, etc.

You are also incorrect about the Bullis merger. They really regret it now because it would have provided stability and a future. Norwood's existence is now tenuous.

The K-8 model is absolutely not dying. When we were looking at schools, we only considered K-6/K-8. I do not believe you know what kind of person/student your 5 year old will be by the time they are high school aged. To choose a K based on where you want your kid to go to high school is highly misguided.

On a similar note, I transferred to a K-12 for 9th grade. The overwhelming majority of "lifers" at my high school ended up being totally odd ducks. The rest of us talk about how grateful we weren't lifers.

Anonymous wrote:Wrong. The K-8 model is dying and people aren't opting for it (primarily because of the hassle of trying to find a HS for their kid).

The only people are Norwood are those who got rejected at schools like Sidwell, Cathedral schools, etc.

You are also incorrect about the Bullis merger. They really regret it now because it would have provided stability and a future. Norwood's existence is now tenuous.

Anonymous wrote:Wrong. The K-8 model is dying and people aren't opting for it (primarily because of the hassle of trying to find a HS for their kid).

The only people are Norwood are those who got rejected at schools like Sidwell, Cathedral schools, etc.

You are also incorrect about the Bullis merger. They really regret it now because it would have provided stability and a future. Norwood's existence is now tenuous.

Enough with the Tom Sawyer psychology. Why would anyone give out confidential Board-type data on an anonymous website?

Anonymous wrote:

K-8/pre-k-6th or 8th include Norwood, St. Patricks, NPS, Langley, Sheriden, Woods, WES, and that's only what I can come up with in 1 second. The model is not dying. People like this model some don't. There is no worry about getting your kid in HS. I have done it two times now without stress and with great results, all at their first choice. One more to go and still love the model.

If I knew Norwood's numbers I would give them, but I don't. And to put he Bullis thing to rest, there is no regret at all. I have worked at Norwood for a long time and NEVER heard a single soul utter a regret. You may be referring to a parent you spoke to but there isn't an employee or administrator who feels regret. I was even there when the topic came up and there wasn't even much to think about when they said no, pretty quickly.

Harpings:

1. Do you recall the merger of a K-5 school in Potomac with Saint Andrews School about 4 to 5 years ago? Do you know why this happened? Do you recall what the attrition rate was from Grade K through Grade 5?

2. Since you have worked at Norwood for a long time but acknowledge you "do not know the Norwood numbers":

i. How many student graduated in each graduating class from 2008 through 2013? Is that number declining, rising or staying the same?
ii. Do you have any 5-yr trend data about the size of each graduating class?
iii. Do you have any 5-yr trend data about the student attrition rates in the higher elementary and middle school years?

Convince us you indeed have worked at Norwood for a longtime and are knowledgeable.

Anonymous wrote:How do you know that? What role did you play in the process?

K-8/pre-k-6th or 8th include Norwood, St. Patricks, NPS, Langley, Sheriden, Woods, WES, and that's only what I can come up with in 1 second. The model is not dying. People like this model some don't. There is no worry about getting your kid in HS. I have done it two times now without stress and with great results, all at their first choice. One more to go and still love the model.

If I knew Norwood's numbers I would give them, but I don't. And to put he Bullis thing to rest, there is no regret at all. I have worked at Norwood for a long time and NEVER heard a single soul utter a regret. You may be referring to a parent you spoke to but there isn't an employee or administrator who feels regret. I was even there when the topic came up and there wasn't even much to think about when they said no, pretty quickly.

Anonymous wrote:K-8/pre-k-6th or 8th include Norwood, St. Patricks, NPS, Langley, Sheriden, Woods, WES, and that's only what I can come up with in 1 second. The model is not dying. People like this model some don't. There is no worry about getting your kid in HS. I have done it two times now without stress and with great results, all at their first choice. One more to go and still love the model.

If I knew Norwood's numbers I would give them, but I don't. And to put he Bullis thing to rest, there is no regret at all. I have worked at Norwood for a long time and NEVER heard a single soul utter a regret. You may be referring to a parent you spoke to but there isn't an employee or administrator who feels regret. I was even there when the topic came up and there wasn't even much to think about when they said no, pretty quickly.