Anonymous wrote:Has the OP clarified whether they are willing to look at K-8 schools or are they definitely looking to enroll for the 6-12 duration?

This is key because it definitely affects the scope of the possibilities. There are some very fine K-8 schools in the area.

What about Charles Smith Jewish Day School? I've heard that they accept kids at all grade levels and that they have programs to bring non-Hebrew speakers into the fold.

One PPs comment about GDS as being less intense/competitive academically than Sidwell/STA not correct and many facets of the PPs statement are uninformed and clearly based on no direct experience. I think the OP had the correct feeling about GDS to start with perhaps as not being appropriate for her child if he is prone to anxiety about performance. The middle school workload/expectations are very high, especially in 8th, and the high school is very academically intense. Yes, there are more kids than perhaps at Sidwell that are focused on arts and not gunning only for very top academic colleges, but definitely the majority of students are much more similar to Sidwell/STA than to the other schools being suggested (ST Andrews, Bullis, Field, Burke, etc). And the comment about sports there not particularly accurate either, not STA for sure, but within the MAC in many sports comparable or better than Sidwell. But no one goes to either of the schools for the sports exactly! There is plenty of rah rah school spirit for boys and girls soccer games, basketball, volleyball, and track/X-country, the strongest sports (for girls in the AA division of ISL for all of them, and have often finished at the top or close in the past few years; for boys soccer and X-country/track have won MAC or MAC tournaments in past few years at least once or twice).
What about Potomac School? It is reasonably academic, has a pretty rah rah sports environment, is not religious at all and while in VA, is very easy to reach from DC since right over the Chain Bridge, depending on where you live may be closer than St Andrews or Bullis.


I wholly agree with this post. The Middle School, particularly 8th, is pretty intense. I actually think the HS so far in our experience deals with different ranges of kids better than the Middle School, which seems to teach to the top, but I would not say there is a "slow" track. But it does not sound like you need a slow track. On the sports side, kids are enthusiastic and there is something to be said for a school where you have a good chance of making the team and playing. Also, and there was a thread on this a month or so ago, 6th grade can be a difficult entry year socially but if your DC knows kids there it will be easier. My sense is that entering at 9th can be a smoother transition, although I am sure there are varying opinions on that. St. Andrews struck us as very nurturing, and I have no direct experience with Bullis but have heard raves about it.

Has the OP clarified whether they are willing to look at K-8 schools or are they definitely looking to enroll for the 6-12 duration?

As a parent of a Jewish kid at St. Andrew's myself, I can confirm it's no problem at all. If you want to talk to a Jewish parent there just call the admission's office and ask them. SAES checks a lot of OPs boxes: 1) 6th grade will be an entry point/beginning of middle school next year; 2) one school takes OP's son from 6-12; 3) wide range of students -- so less peer pressure than at some schools; 4) sports teams vary -- some good, some not, some middle of the road depending on your sport, but nice, new outdoor fields; 5) the school is very into helping each different kid reach his or her potential in a nurturing way; 6) good academics that can be great academics for student who elect to challenge themselves in the most rigorous classes.

For each school, I would check whether 6th grade is an entry year. If it is not, I would avoid the school. DC started a school in 6th and it was not an entry year and it was not a good experience -- no support from the school for new students because it was not an entry year. I also would avoid K-8 schools. The kids there have basically been together since K and may not be very welcoming to a newcomer. The atmosphere can be very insular, despite what the admissions office says.

I'd second the suggestion to check out Landon. I think the school does a poor job of PR - it's really more diverse than they are given credit for being.

Field is a lot like Burke in terms of sports and the rah rah thing, so consider that when you look at it. It has become difficult to get into, though not as difficult as Maret. GDS can be a pressure cooker, I suspect the folks promoting it have younger students. In the upper grades it isn't for the faint of heart. St. Andrews is really a good suggestion as is Bullis and Potomac.

Pretty much all the privates have entry/expansion in 6th grade.

One PPs comment about GDS as being less intense/competitive academically than Sidwell/STA not correct and many facets of the PPs statement are uninformed and clearly based on no direct experience. I think the OP had the correct feeling about GDS to start with perhaps as not being appropriate for her child if he is prone to anxiety about performance. The middle school workload/expectations are very high, especially in 8th, and the high school is very academically intense. Yes, there are more kids than perhaps at Sidwell that are focused on arts and not gunning only for very top academic colleges, but definitely the majority of students are much more similar to Sidwell/STA than to the other schools being suggested (ST Andrews, Bullis, Field, Burke, etc). And the comment about sports there not particularly accurate either, not STA for sure, but within the MAC in many sports comparable or better than Sidwell. But no one goes to either of the schools for the sports exactly! There is plenty of rah rah school spirit for boys and girls soccer games, basketball, volleyball, and track/X-country, the strongest sports (for girls in the AA division of ISL for all of them, and have often finished at the top or close in the past few years; for boys soccer and X-country/track have won MAC or MAC tournaments in past few years at least once or twice).
What about Potomac School? It is reasonably academic, has a pretty rah rah sports environment, is not religious at all and while in VA, is very easy to reach from DC since right over the Chain Bridge, depending on where you live may be closer than St Andrews or Bullis.

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Actually, I am nearly adament that my child not attend a school with any religious underpinning - youay not agree or be frustrated that I won't look at WES or whatever, but hardly a crazy request on my part. And I do want an academic environment - I led the post by saying the kid is smart (quite smart in fact, but now I'll be probably be of calling him "gifted," which he is not). My impression of Sidwell and GDS and St. Albans is that they are for the tip top academically, or kids who are very competitive - neither of those describe my kid. I think he is awesome but he needs a place which will encourage him to shine. Sounds like there are a few schools that could fit the bill, and we'll take a look at them next year. Thanks to the many posters who provided helpful suggestions.

St. Albans ---> episcopal. ---> religious underpinning --->> so why did you bring it up, op?

Sidwell -->. Quaker ---> religious underpinning --->> so why did you bring it up, op?

The families I know at St Andrews are Jewish And they are very happy there - I really don't think your child would feel out of place there.

Also In addition to Field, GDS, Maret, St Andrews- consider Sandy Sping Friends and Potomac.

If you are willing to consider k-8 schools (you might want to at least tour some) - I'd add Norwood

I feel like Sheridan is too small and tight knit to join that late in the game - even though it is a great place. And I am not familiar enough with Lowell to comment on joining at 6th.