I’m leaning towards NPS over BVR for many of the reasons already stated—but what gives me pause are the potential social consequences of such small classes.

What if three girls are buddies and three are outliers? Would they have more friend options at BVR? Or is NPS so much “nicer” they have ways of avoiding exclusion? I’m not sure why I’m so concerned because it hasn’t been an issue in preschool but it’s something I worry about, especially with all the chatter about parents who already know each other socially…

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Interested to hear more about the difference in differentiation at nps and bvr. Both said they offer opportunities for acceleration and extra help
but curious to hear some personal experiences

Truth is, you’ll have a hard time finding a sorry. Who have experienced both such as myself. We left BVR and went to NPS. We still have went quite sure we knew what would be best for DC to 12th. Other then facilities, they are actually quite similar. I will say. That NPS is a bit more nurturing. There were time where I felt like a number at BVR or if I asked a teacher a question about my kid, I was being a bother. That’s part of the reason why we didn’t apply right away to STA. Just felt like it would be a continuation.

Academically, they’re about the same. I had a great experience at both. However, NPS I believe I had a more personable experience and my child was more comfortable there. Realized late the we not dear child wanted single sex and ended up at Maret for 7th.

Just to be clear, when we left BVR, we left after graduating.

But Beauvoir has two teachers per class and nps has one. There's no differentiation at Beauvoir for bright kids?

Poster with a kid at both BVR/NPS. Yes two teachers in BVR but it still didn’t change the fact of 20-22 kids. Child had a good experience but I would’ve started at NPS if I had to do it all over again. They don’t do differentiated learning. They break up in two groups based on ability but the other poster is correct, they won’t differentiate for very advanced.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Interested to hear more about the difference in differentiation at nps and bvr. Both said they offer opportunities for acceleration and extra help
but curious to hear some personal experiences

Truth is, you’ll have a hard time finding a sorry. Who have experienced both such as myself. We left BVR and went to NPS. We still have went quite sure we knew what would be best for DC to 12th. Other then facilities, they are actually quite similar. I will say. That NPS is a bit more nurturing. There were time where I felt like a number at BVR or if I asked a teacher a question about my kid, I was being a bother. That’s part of the reason why we didn’t apply right away to STA. Just felt like it would be a continuation.

Academically, they’re about the same. I had a great experience at both. However, NPS I believe I had a more personable experience and my child was more comfortable there. Realized late the we not dear child wanted single sex and ended up at Maret for 7th.

Just to be clear, when we left BVR, we left after graduating.

But Beauvoir has two teachers per class and nps has one. There's no differentiation at Beauvoir for bright kids?

Thanks so much, PP! In your experience, would one or the other be better for a child who is very advanced in just one area?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Interested to hear more about the difference in differentiation at nps and bvr. Both said they offer opportunities for acceleration and extra help
but curious to hear some personal experiences

Truth is, you’ll have a hard time finding a sorry. Who have experienced both such as myself. We left BVR and went to NPS. We still have went quite sure we knew what would be best for DC to 12th. Other then facilities, they are actually quite similar. I will say. That NPS is a bit more nurturing. There were time where I felt like a number at BVR or if I asked a teacher a question about my kid, I was being a bother. That’s part of the reason why we didn’t apply right away to STA. Just felt like it would be a continuation.

Academically, they’re about the same. I had a great experience at both. However, NPS I believe I had a more personable experience and my child was more comfortable there. Realized late the we not dear child wanted single sex and ended up at Maret for 7th.

Just to be clear, when we left BVR, we left after graduating.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Interested to hear more about the difference in differentiation at nps and bvr. Both said they offer opportunities for acceleration and extra help
but curious to hear some personal experiences

Truth is, you’ll have a hard time finding a sorry. Who have experienced both such as myself. We left BVR and went to NPS. We still have went quite sure we knew what would be best for DC to 12th. Other then facilities, they are actually quite similar. I will say. That NPS is a bit more nurturing. There were time where I felt like a number at BVR or if I asked a teacher a question about my kid, I was being a bother. That’s part of the reason why we didn’t apply right away to STA. Just felt like it would be a continuation.

Academically, they’re about the same. I had a great experience at both. However, NPS I believe I had a more personable experience and my child was more comfortable there. Realized late the we not dear child wanted single sex and ended up at Maret for 7th.

Someone not sorry - typo

Anonymous wrote:Interested to hear more about the difference in differentiation at nps and bvr. Both said they offer opportunities for acceleration and extra help
but curious to hear some personal experiences

Truth is, you’ll have a hard time finding a sorry. Who have experienced both such as myself. We left BVR and went to NPS. We still have went quite sure we knew what would be best for DC to 12th. Other then facilities, they are actually quite similar. I will say. That NPS is a bit more nurturing. There were time where I felt like a number at BVR or if I asked a teacher a question about my kid, I was being a bother. That’s part of the reason why we didn’t apply right away to STA. Just felt like it would be a continuation.

Academically, they’re about the same. I had a great experience at both. However, NPS I believe I had a more personable experience and my child was more comfortable there. Realized late the we not dear child wanted single sex and ended up at Maret for 7th.

Interested to hear more about the difference in differentiation at nps and bvr. Both said they offer opportunities for acceleration and extra help
but curious to hear some personal experiences

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DH and I are struggling to compare the vibe/warmth of these two schools. Which is closer knit? More meal trains and the like? Which has more kids having play dates at country clubs? More legacies? Trying to assess how welcome we will feel and any insights are appreciated!

Beauvoir is more diverse for sure no doubt. That being said within the school a large percentage belong to the same club and they tend to not be the nicest or most inclusive people. Plus 1/2 of the board belongs to the same club.

Definitely untrue

It is true that NPS is not very diverse

I am an AA parent and it is not as diverse as other schools. However, they are a work in process in that area ad we have no complaints. We feel very welcome.

Typo - *work in progress*

We applied to BVR and NPS and got into both. We were truly on the fence about which school to choose.

NPS felt like a much warmer and friendlier community than BVR did for us, but I worried about the very small class sizes- especially as the kids get older. The school is not diverse, and the facilities are fine, but nothing special. I was also a little paranoid about my kid going to school right under a giant cell tower. Most of the kids from NPS get into great schools, including NCS and STA, but NCS/STA are more of a lock from BVR.

BVR has more Type A families and is not a good school for kids that have any type of special need or behavioral issues, or even kids that are too smart, as they don’t differentiate in any way for them. BVR has amazing facilities and of course the playground, but the teachers aren’t as nurturing as they are at other schools. BVR would be the obvious choice if your child wants to go to NCS or STA.

Anonymous wrote:A few things as a BVR to NCS family:
The Chevy moms are a small subset and not all of them are terrible, many are really nice. There are definitely people who are not in any club at all who are really not nice. That’s life. You find your people and your child will too. The auction is fine, but know that you do not have to go. It is fun to go to a party in the Cathedral, you can sit with friends, the money is for a good cause. But I know plenty of people who just don’t go. We go some years, others years no. Parent volunteering, you don’t have to do that either. It’s certainly appreciated but I didn’t experience the “jockeying”—the administration selects most people for the larger roles. This continues at NCS and frankly, the unpleasant parents don’t usually volunteer to do much at all. We are a pretty normal family as far as private school goes and I think if you’re comfortable with your own self and life, not envious of the Club or private planes etc., BVR/NCS are terrific schools and our entire family has had a positive experience.

I love this line!

NPS is very welcoming and warm. Not much experience with BVR other than an open house (which I wasn't a fan of)

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DH and I are struggling to compare the vibe/warmth of these two schools. Which is closer knit? More meal trains and the like? Which has more kids having play dates at country clubs? More legacies? Trying to assess how welcome we will feel and any insights are appreciated!

Beauvoir is more diverse for sure no doubt. That being said within the school a large percentage belong to the same club and they tend to not be the nicest or most inclusive people. Plus 1/2 of the board belongs to the same club.

Definitely untrue

It is true that NPS is not very diverse

I am an AA parent and it is not as diverse as other schools. However, they are a work in process in that area ad we have no complaints. We feel very welcome.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DH and I are struggling to compare the vibe/warmth of these two schools. Which is closer knit? More meal trains and the like? Which has more kids having play dates at country clubs? More legacies? Trying to assess how welcome we will feel and any insights are appreciated!

Beauvoir is more diverse for sure no doubt. That being said within the school a large percentage belong to the same club and they tend to not be the nicest or most inclusive people. Plus 1/2 of the board belongs to the same club.

Definitely untrue

It is true that NPS is not very diverse

A few things as a BVR to NCS family:
The Chevy moms are a small subset and not all of them are terrible, many are really nice. There are definitely people who are not in any club at all who are really not nice. That’s life. You find your people and your child will too. The auction is fine, but know that you do not have to go. It is fun to go to a party in the Cathedral, you can sit with friends, the money is for a good cause. But I know plenty of people who just don’t go. We go some years, others years no. Parent volunteering, you don’t have to do that either. It’s certainly appreciated but I didn’t experience the “jockeying”—the administration selects most people for the larger roles. This continues at NCS and frankly, the unpleasant parents don’t usually volunteer to do much at all. We are a pretty normal family as far as private school goes and I think if you’re comfortable with your own self and life, not envious of the Club or private planes etc., BVR/NCS are terrific schools and our entire family has had a positive experience.