Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As long as your child fits the low maintenance mold of a school like NPS, you’ll be fine. But don’t have a kid who is an outlier. Visible diversity, as a PP said, is useful for admissions. Less visible, not so much.

A friend’s wife once said she looked around at the new parents function and realized they were the diversity. They are Jewish.

Well gee. Did they not know that the P in NPS stands for Presbyterian?

Yes, they did. She just it was funny that they were as diverse as it gets there.

That sounds like a throwaway comment PP. Being Jewish (and there are quite a few Jewish families, as well as other faiths and atheist/agnostic) is not as 'diverse as it gets" at NPS. It is certainly one aspect of diversity there (faith).

Following...

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:NPS is constantly telling people "it is come as you are" "we are such a warm nurturing environment" "we have no bullies. we have core values". I feel like if all of this were true you wouldn't need to constantly say it. We would all just see it.

You do see it as a parent there. Core values are discussed regularly so young children internalize them. Not all things are for parents.

I didn’t see it as a parent there but that’s why we didn’t stay long. We’re also a family of color. I could see this as being a wonderful place for white children.

PP, what led you to leave the school? Did you find it unwelcoming? If you did, was it the students, the teachers, or the parents? What could the school have done better? Was attending a tough commute?

What did you do next? Was trying out a private, majority white school in ward 3 a mistake, or a useful experience?

We have young children at NPS. If they notice the race of their classmates, they have never mentioned it.

I’m curious too. I’m willing to commute for what best for my kid but I don’t want him in an uncomfortable situation as an AA kid. My friends whose daughter is AA and now attends Holton swears by NPS

We are another family of color who didn't stay long. Felt the school had a long way to go, but seems they've made some ground since.

What drove you away? The kids? Parents? Teachers? Too few AA families? Location? Unwelcoming vibe for you? For your child?

Curious where you all are going because most of the DC privates have this issue. We go to a private in VA that’s not popular on this board but the diversity is there and the community is great

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:NPS is constantly telling people "it is come as you are" "we are such a warm nurturing environment" "we have no bullies. we have core values". I feel like if all of this were true you wouldn't need to constantly say it. We would all just see it.

You do see it as a parent there. Core values are discussed regularly so young children internalize them. Not all things are for parents.

I didn’t see it as a parent there but that’s why we didn’t stay long. We’re also a family of color. I could see this as being a wonderful place for white children.

PP, what led you to leave the school? Did you find it unwelcoming? If you did, was it the students, the teachers, or the parents? What could the school have done better? Was attending a tough commute?

What did you do next? Was trying out a private, majority white school in ward 3 a mistake, or a useful experience?

We have young children at NPS. If they notice the race of their classmates, they have never mentioned it.

I’m curious too. I’m willing to commute for what best for my kid but I don’t want him in an uncomfortable situation as an AA kid. My friends whose daughter is AA and now attends Holton swears by NPS

We are another family of color who didn't stay long. Felt the school had a long way to go, but seems they've made some ground since.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:NPS is constantly telling people "it is come as you are" "we are such a warm nurturing environment" "we have no bullies. we have core values". I feel like if all of this were true you wouldn't need to constantly say it. We would all just see it.

You do see it as a parent there. Core values are discussed regularly so young children internalize them. Not all things are for parents.

I didn’t see it as a parent there but that’s why we didn’t stay long. We’re also a family of color. I could see this as being a wonderful place for white children.

PP, what led you to leave the school? Did you find it unwelcoming? If you did, was it the students, the teachers, or the parents? What could the school have done better? Was attending a tough commute?

What did you do next? Was trying out a private, majority white school in ward 3 a mistake, or a useful experience?

We have young children at NPS. If they notice the race of their classmates, they have never mentioned it.

I’m curious too. I’m willing to commute for what best for my kid but I don’t want him in an uncomfortable situation as an AA kid. My friends whose daughter is AA and now attends Holton swears by NPS

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:NPS is constantly telling people "it is come as you are" "we are such a warm nurturing environment" "we have no bullies. we have core values". I feel like if all of this were true you wouldn't need to constantly say it. We would all just see it.

You do see it as a parent there. Core values are discussed regularly so young children internalize them. Not all things are for parents.

I didn’t see it as a parent there but that’s why we didn’t stay long. We’re also a family of color. I could see this as being a wonderful place for white children.

PP, what led you to leave the school? Did you find it unwelcoming? If you did, was it the students, the teachers, or the parents? What could the school have done better? Was attending a tough commute?

What did you do next? Was trying out a private, majority white school in ward 3 a mistake, or a useful experience?

We have young children at NPS. If they notice the race of their classmates, they have never mentioned it.

It's too bad perspective parents didn't have the opportunity to participate in the "typical" admissions process.
If your child is accepted, speak to multiple current families. Talk to Malcolm Lester. Kick the tires.

I have a child "graduating" NPS in the spring.
We've seen first hand schools with great reputations blow zoom sessions.
It is not very reassuring but I think it is the nature of the beast.
I have found the best info comes from current families.

Positive news- schools are trying to get us on campus (or back for some) before we have to make a decision.
Good luck!

Anonymous wrote:NPS has several second generation Jewish families, meaning Jewish parents who went to NPS and are sending their Jewish kids there, too. For a very small school that's only 50 years old, that's notable.

NPS is trying to become more racially diverse. I believe it to be a very honest effort.

I agree with this 100%. I'm very grateful my kids go there. The core values plus their commitment to community is one of the many reasons why.

NPS has several second generation Jewish families, meaning Jewish parents who went to NPS and are sending their Jewish kids there, too. For a very small school that's only 50 years old, that's notable.

NPS is trying to become more racially diverse. I believe it to be a very honest effort.

... thought it was funny ...

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As long as your child fits the low maintenance mold of a school like NPS, you’ll be fine. But don’t have a kid who is an outlier. Visible diversity, as a PP said, is useful for admissions. Less visible, not so much.

A friend’s wife once said she looked around at the new parents function and realized they were the diversity. They are Jewish.

Well gee. Did they not know that the P in NPS stands for Presbyterian?

Yes, they did. She just it was funny that they were as diverse as it gets there.

Anonymous wrote:As long as your child fits the low maintenance mold of a school like NPS, you’ll be fine. But don’t have a kid who is an outlier. Visible diversity, as a PP said, is useful for admissions. Less visible, not so much.

A friend’s wife once said she looked around at the new parents function and realized they were the diversity. They are Jewish.

Well gee. Did they not know that the P in NPS stands for Presbyterian?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:NPS is constantly telling people "it is come as you are" "we are such a warm nurturing environment" "we have no bullies. we have core values". I feel like if all of this were true you wouldn't need to constantly say it. We would all just see it.

You do see it as a parent there. Core values are discussed regularly so young children internalize them. Not all things are for parents.

I didn’t see it as a parent there but that’s why we didn’t stay long. We’re also a family of color. I could see this as being a wonderful place for white children.

Anonymous wrote:NPS is constantly telling people "it is come as you are" "we are such a warm nurturing environment" "we have no bullies. we have core values". I feel like if all of this were true you wouldn't need to constantly say it. We would all just see it.

You do see it as a parent there. Core values are discussed regularly so young children internalize them. Not all things are for parents.