Anonymous wrote:How about Norwood? We are in the process of applying. Everyone we've met seems very friendly and the children seem genuinely happy. The head of school had experience at a Friends school before Norwood and seems to focus on "Down to Earth" things--challenging curriculum, limiting homework, plenty of outdoor time, lots of art and music, and kind, caring faculty. I think tuition is $32-33k?

You should ask in more depth about how much time is spent outside and where they spend recess when its wet,where the lower school children eat their lunch etc. It may have 38 acres of rolling green grass, but actual time spent outside, is minimal.

How about Norwood? We are in the process of applying. Everyone we've met seems very friendly and the children seem genuinely happy. The head of school had experience at a Friends school before Norwood and seems to focus on "Down to Earth" things--challenging curriculum, limiting homework, plenty of outdoor time, lots of art and music, and kind, caring faculty. I think tuition is $32-33k?

Another recommendation for Sheridan. Our family's motivations were similar to OP's at the time we were picking out a school many years ago.

Contrary to something a PP said, the school isn't a repository for just those kids who "need a smaller setting or whose public is lousy. No VIPs." What a weird thing to say. I'd say that the largest subgroup within the student body is kids whose parents actively, purposefully sought out a progressive education model. Because of that fact, it's true that the parent body is largely down to earth and laid back. You have to be laid back to some extent when your kids don't receive neat, conventional letter grades until 8th grade.

Anonymous wrote:St Anselm's is a special and wonderful place.

But not for girls.

Friends Community in College Park. Many professors at MD have their kids there. Or Holy Redeemer in College Park.

I'm very happy at Maret. We're one of those families who don't qualify for aid, but finances are tight after tuition. We're very comfortable at Maret and it's a very low key school. The kids don't dress up for school and the parents are typically in jeans whenever that's an option. There are a lot of wealthy families and sometimes it's hard not to notice (like when you have a pool play date or something), but almost everyone makes an effort to avoid any conspicuous displays of wealth.

I am in a very different area but the wealth here is extreme.
At some of the schools we looked at, having your own jet was just normal.


We felt most at home at a private language immersion/international school and fingers are crossed that ds gets in. There are many families from that country, but also a lot of non native speaker families choosing it too.

I would also consider WES. We also live in NW DC and have been at WES for four years (including the current academic year). Our experience has been quite positive.

OP, we are like you and have been at Holton for two years in MS. Little social issues if any. We love it there so far

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OMG GDS

You can't obsess on Harvard, propose a massive development for Tenleytown and stress out about ranking among local independent schools and then claim you are "down-to-earth." You are the least dte school in the dmv.
"GDS has a down-to-earth atmosphere with a strong social justice tradition in the urban context."

Jealous much? Haters gonna hate.

Ugh. This trite nonsense again. Can you please come up with something original? If I hear some use "much" in the same way you've used it, or if I hear some say "haters gonna hate" again, I'm going barf.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Look for a religious school with a uniform requirement - Catholic, Episcopalian, or Presbyterian tho NPS only goes to grade 5. Or go left - Waldorf or Oneness Family or Montessori. Good luck.

Thanks! That's what my instinct was. Either religious or granola.

NP here -- Well, you're more realistic than I was -- my dream school was religious/spiritual and granola. So, you clearly get that within the parameters of DC independent schools and the crazy materialistic, status-conscious culture of this area generally, finding a place that has a more down-to-earth community is tough and a matter of relative judgment. That said, I'd urge you to take a look at St. Andrew's. Our DC is in the upper school there, and we really like the community and sense of values. We've had 2 older kids at "fancier" independent schools in the area that talk the talk of humility and empathy, but are really about status, power and money. St. Andrew's walks the walk.

Take a look at Sheridan. Wealth is not worshipped, small in size, family feel, strong academics.

St Anselm's is a special and wonderful place.

Anonymous wrote:St. Anselm's Abbey School really fits the bill from our perspective so far. It's obviously not an option for your daughters, but it seems to confirm your insight that a religious school will be more likely to have a group of parents who are less focused on wealth and public consumption.

I agree. Very down to earth and humble. The most positive school environment we have encountered for our children (i.e., independent Catholic church based parochial, traditional private and public). By far the best overall environment and quality of education.

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