Do you mean writing assignments or science projects? Do private schools just not take any standardized testing? Thanks!

DCPS is ok in NW DC. We have many friends who love it. We left it for private school. I have noticed the projects are almost a year behind the privates. Probably because of the time spent/wasted on standardized testing.

We just started in the PK4 program, and we love it. We had a great experience at a charter school last year, which was much more diverse. We miss that, but the logistics of the drop off/pick up prompted the move to Lafayette. I agree with previous comments that it's a very close community, which is nice. The HSA does a great job fostering a sense of community. After school enrichment offerings are fantastic. We are happy that they have started incorporating more foreign language into the curriculum. I wish there was more of it, but some is better than none. There seems to be more outside and play time compared to our charter school, which has been great. The little ones need that I think, and our son is more excited to go to school than he was last year. He is learning new things every day, and is really exited about learning to read. I haven't read through all the comments (I can only stomach so much negativity), but you should know that the PK4 program (all programs) are lottery based, so your little one isn't guaranteed a spot. Also, there isn't enough room for all the kids in the aftercare program. Something to consider if you're a working mom. I don't know the aftercare situation at other schools, but if you're shopping around that might be something you can ask about. Good luck!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Class sizes are not too big, the community is close-knit (many families remain on the school ground and surrounding park well after school hours), the kids seem to stay friends through MS and HS. It has a more suburban feel than Murch or the Janney site (AU Park has a more suburban feel, but the school itself is right off Wisconsin Ave), but not like in MoCo - kids and dropped off and picked up at the school, which fosters the community feel. The school will be vastly improved once the renovations are completed. Diversity, which is a big factor for many in choosing DC schools, is more multicultural than, say socioeconomic, but your child(ren) will be surrounded by children of many different backgrounds.

Incidentally, I don't think you could go wrong with Janney, Murch, or Mann either (or several other schools in the area - I don't mean to leave anyone out) - they just each have their own character. You asked about Lafayette, though, so I think it makes sense to stick to your question. And, if you are limited in how much time you will have to look around, I think you will do well with CCDC.

What about Eaton? I don't hear much about it, especially when mentioned along with Janney, Lafayette and Mann.

Eaton, too. It's why I said I didn't mean to leave anyone out. It does depend on what OP is looking for, though. If the starting place is Lafayette, then perhaps that's the feel OP is going for? Eaton has a different feel - not worse, not better, just different. OP may not have a lot of time to check out every school, either, so, to the extent OP is trying to get a sense about Lafayette, I thought I might just stick with that.

Deal and Wilson for HS are fine schools. Great? No, not really, but they offer many incredible experiences that your child will never get in a suburban HS. Some would argue that more than makes up any academic difference that may exist.

What academic differences?

NP here. No idea. All I know is that many of my neighbors kids at top SLAC or Ivys went to Wilson. We've had babysitters who are now at Columbia, Swarthmore, Wesleyan, NYU, Yale and Colby.

PP here: That's been our experience too. And judging from my kids' classmates in ES and MS, it will be much the same for years to come.

You are right, but the perception is there nonetheless. Otherwise you simply wouldn't see people choosing to move at the end of ES because of the schools. That said, I said any academic difference that "may" exist - I think I tried to keep it pretty neutral. But, if we all want to suggest that Wilson is just as good as Whitman and BCC in all things, that's fine, too. Whatever makes you happy.

No one from our ES moved to MoCo at the end of ES. Not. One. Kid. Out of about 90. And no one said "just as good in all things," but you said Deal and Wilson are "fine. Great? Not really." That was not neutral. But whatever makes you happy.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Class sizes are not too big, the community is close-knit (many families remain on the school ground and surrounding park well after school hours), the kids seem to stay friends through MS and HS. It has a more suburban feel than Murch or the Janney site (AU Park has a more suburban feel, but the school itself is right off Wisconsin Ave), but not like in MoCo - kids and dropped off and picked up at the school, which fosters the community feel. The school will be vastly improved once the renovations are completed. Diversity, which is a big factor for many in choosing DC schools, is more multicultural than, say socioeconomic, but your child(ren) will be surrounded by children of many different backgrounds.

Incidentally, I don't think you could go wrong with Janney, Murch, or Mann either (or several other schools in the area - I don't mean to leave anyone out) - they just each have their own character. You asked about Lafayette, though, so I think it makes sense to stick to your question. And, if you are limited in how much time you will have to look around, I think you will do well with CCDC.

What about Eaton? I don't hear much about it, especially when mentioned along with Janney, Lafayette and Mann.

Eaton, too. It's why I said I didn't mean to leave anyone out. It does depend on what OP is looking for, though. If the starting place is Lafayette, then perhaps that's the feel OP is going for? Eaton has a different feel - not worse, not better, just different. OP may not have a lot of time to check out every school, either, so, to the extent OP is trying to get a sense about Lafayette, I thought I might just stick with that.

Deal and Wilson for HS are fine schools. Great? No, not really, but they offer many incredible experiences that your child will never get in a suburban HS. Some would argue that more than makes up any academic difference that may exist.

What academic differences?

NP here. No idea. All I know is that many of my neighbors kids at top SLAC or Ivys went to Wilson. We've had babysitters who are now at Columbia, Swarthmore, Wesleyan, NYU, Yale and Colby.

PP here: That's been our experience too. And judging from my kids' classmates in ES and MS, it will be much the same for years to come.

You are right, but the perception is there nonetheless. Otherwise you simply wouldn't see people choosing to move at the end of ES because of the schools. That said, I said any academic difference that "may" exist - I think I tried to keep it pretty neutral. But, if we all want to suggest that Wilson is just as good as Whitman and BCC in all things, that's fine, too. Whatever makes you happy.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:aides in PK are abusive (2 in particular) and the teachers put up with it. very academic, way too academic, but thats true of everywhere now.

Are you a parent of a current PK student? Curious because last year, these kind of concerns were addressed and at lease one staffing change was made which many saw as a solution.

The staffing change left behind one other aid who is rougher, harsher, and less patient than I'd like, although I don't know that I would call her abusive (though I was happy that my kid wasn't in her class).

Our aide this year is great. This was addressed and dealt with last year.

Anonymous wrote:aides in PK are abusive (2 in particular) and the teachers put up with it. very academic, way too academic, but thats true of everywhere now.

Are you a parent of a current PK student? Curious because last year, these kind of concerns were addressed and at lease one staffing change was made which many saw as a solution.

aides in PK are abusive (2 in particular) and the teachers put up with it. very academic, way too academic, but thats true of everywhere now.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Class sizes are not too big, the community is close-knit (many families remain on the school ground and surrounding park well after school hours), the kids seem to stay friends through MS and HS. It has a more suburban feel than Murch or the Janney site (AU Park has a more suburban feel, but the school itself is right off Wisconsin Ave), but not like in MoCo - kids and dropped off and picked up at the school, which fosters the community feel. The school will be vastly improved once the renovations are completed. Diversity, which is a big factor for many in choosing DC schools, is more multicultural than, say socioeconomic, but your child(ren) will be surrounded by children of many different backgrounds.

Incidentally, I don't think you could go wrong with Janney, Murch, or Mann either (or several other schools in the area - I don't mean to leave anyone out) - they just each have their own character. You asked about Lafayette, though, so I think it makes sense to stick to your question. And, if you are limited in how much time you will have to look around, I think you will do well with CCDC.

What about Eaton? I don't hear much about it, especially when mentioned along with Janney, Lafayette and Mann.

Eaton, too. It's why I said I didn't mean to leave anyone out. It does depend on what OP is looking for, though. If the starting place is Lafayette, then perhaps that's the feel OP is going for? Eaton has a different feel - not worse, not better, just different. OP may not have a lot of time to check out every school, either, so, to the extent OP is trying to get a sense about Lafayette, I thought I might just stick with that.

Deal and Wilson for HS are fine schools. Great? No, not really, but they offer many incredible experiences that your child will never get in a suburban HS. Some would argue that more than makes up any academic difference that may exist.

What academic differences?

NP here. No idea. All I know is that many of my neighbors kids at top SLAC or Ivys went to Wilson. We've had babysitters who are now at Columbia, Swarthmore, Wesleyan, NYU, Yale and Colby.

PP here: That's been our experience too. And judging from my kids' classmates in ES and MS, it will be much the same for years to come.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Class sizes are not too big, the community is close-knit (many families remain on the school ground and surrounding park well after school hours), the kids seem to stay friends through MS and HS. It has a more suburban feel than Murch or the Janney site (AU Park has a more suburban feel, but the school itself is right off Wisconsin Ave), but not like in MoCo - kids and dropped off and picked up at the school, which fosters the community feel. The school will be vastly improved once the renovations are completed. Diversity, which is a big factor for many in choosing DC schools, is more multicultural than, say socioeconomic, but your child(ren) will be surrounded by children of many different backgrounds.

Incidentally, I don't think you could go wrong with Janney, Murch, or Mann either (or several other schools in the area - I don't mean to leave anyone out) - they just each have their own character. You asked about Lafayette, though, so I think it makes sense to stick to your question. And, if you are limited in how much time you will have to look around, I think you will do well with CCDC.

What about Eaton? I don't hear much about it, especially when mentioned along with Janney, Lafayette and Mann.

Eaton, too. It's why I said I didn't mean to leave anyone out. It does depend on what OP is looking for, though. If the starting place is Lafayette, then perhaps that's the feel OP is going for? Eaton has a different feel - not worse, not better, just different. OP may not have a lot of time to check out every school, either, so, to the extent OP is trying to get a sense about Lafayette, I thought I might just stick with that.

Deal and Wilson for HS are fine schools. Great? No, not really, but they offer many incredible experiences that your child will never get in a suburban HS. Some would argue that more than makes up any academic difference that may exist.

What academic differences?

NP here. No idea. All I know is that many of my neighbors kids at top SLAC or Ivys went to Wilson. We've had babysitters who are now at Columbia, Swarthmore, Wesleyan, NYU, Yale and Colby.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Class sizes are not too big, the community is close-knit (many families remain on the school ground and surrounding park well after school hours), the kids seem to stay friends through MS and HS. It has a more suburban feel than Murch or the Janney site (AU Park has a more suburban feel, but the school itself is right off Wisconsin Ave), but not like in MoCo - kids and dropped off and picked up at the school, which fosters the community feel. The school will be vastly improved once the renovations are completed. Diversity, which is a big factor for many in choosing DC schools, is more multicultural than, say socioeconomic, but your child(ren) will be surrounded by children of many different backgrounds.

Incidentally, I don't think you could go wrong with Janney, Murch, or Mann either (or several other schools in the area - I don't mean to leave anyone out) - they just each have their own character. You asked about Lafayette, though, so I think it makes sense to stick to your question. And, if you are limited in how much time you will have to look around, I think you will do well with CCDC.

What about Eaton? I don't hear much about it, especially when mentioned along with Janney, Lafayette and Mann.

Eaton, too. It's why I said I didn't mean to leave anyone out. It does depend on what OP is looking for, though. If the starting place is Lafayette, then perhaps that's the feel OP is going for? Eaton has a different feel - not worse, not better, just different. OP may not have a lot of time to check out every school, either, so, to the extent OP is trying to get a sense about Lafayette, I thought I might just stick with that.

Deal and Wilson for HS are fine schools. Great? No, not really, but they offer many incredible experiences that your child will never get in a suburban HS. Some would argue that more than makes up any academic difference that may exist.

What academic differences?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Class sizes are not too big, the community is close-knit (many families remain on the school ground and surrounding park well after school hours), the kids seem to stay friends through MS and HS. It has a more suburban feel than Murch or the Janney site (AU Park has a more suburban feel, but the school itself is right off Wisconsin Ave), but not like in MoCo - kids and dropped off and picked up at the school, which fosters the community feel. The school will be vastly improved once the renovations are completed. Diversity, which is a big factor for many in choosing DC schools, is more multicultural than, say socioeconomic, but your child(ren) will be surrounded by children of many different backgrounds.

Incidentally, I don't think you could go wrong with Janney, Murch, or Mann either (or several other schools in the area - I don't mean to leave anyone out) - they just each have their own character. You asked about Lafayette, though, so I think it makes sense to stick to your question. And, if you are limited in how much time you will have to look around, I think you will do well with CCDC.

What about Eaton? I don't hear much about it, especially when mentioned along with Janney, Lafayette and Mann.

Eaton, too. It's why I said I didn't mean to leave anyone out. It does depend on what OP is looking for, though. If the starting place is Lafayette, then perhaps that's the feel OP is going for? Eaton has a different feel - not worse, not better, just different. OP may not have a lot of time to check out every school, either, so, to the extent OP is trying to get a sense about Lafayette, I thought I might just stick with that.

Deal and Wilson for HS are fine schools. Great? No, not really, but they offer many incredible experiences that your child will never get in a suburban HS. Some would argue that more than makes up any academic difference that may exist.

Anonymous wrote:My child's friend just moved to a private HS from Deal and is having to repeat Geometry and start language at Spanish I so I'm not sure exceptional is the best descriptor.

Well my DC was admitted to a "big 3" private from Deal and took algebra 2 and French 3 in 9th. Transition was seamless. I think Deal does exceptionally well managing an incredibly large and diverse student body. With 1,300 kids Deal is a big school and with those numbers not everyone is going to do fabulously well. My brother went to Whitman and barely graduated. Do you hold that against Whitman? I sure don't.

Anonymous wrote:My child's friend just moved to a private HS from Deal and is having to repeat Geometry and start language at Spanish I so I'm not sure exceptional is the best descriptor.

You're right. Based on this one kid's outcome, it cannot be exceptional. Our bad. Nevermind that he was admitted to the truly exceptional private, despite being poor at math.