application for K, the results are still up in the air, but so far we like HM and Chapin the best. One question is still about SS vs Co-ed. Plus a reserved girl which loves science and math, wondering what would be a better fit. Thank you!
I have a boy but if I had a girl interested in science and math on a more reserved side, I would go with SS. We contemplated SS vs coed as well and in the end went with SS because I wanted 1) smaller school/class and 2) strong bond and friendship with same gender.
We are in a somewhat similar boat, although we're interested more interested Spence. For what I understand (and this is splitting hairs because the SS schools are way more similar than different), Chapin is probably a little better suited to more reserved girls than Spence, which seems to have a slightly more boisterous crew. Nightingale struck me as somewhere in the middle and we didn't apply to Brearley, but I would imagine any girl who loves math and science would be happy there too?
We love HM as well and I get the impression they can handle many types of children there. It seems especially in the lower grades there are a lot of teachers and specialists who interact with the kids and can bring them out of their shell.
And IMO, staying in SS for entire 13 years seems not the best option. But I can see my child staying in HM for the entire 13 years if she is the right fit (e.g. driven and smart enough)
@Anonymous This is purely anecdotal, but I've heard there is academic support throughout the years at HM. Without a doubt, it's a pressure cooker with high expectations for the kids, but they still want the kids to thrive and get into good colleges. My friend who went there said there is a "no soldier left behind" mentality.
No first hand experience since DC is only in K, but from my understanding unless you are a major donor or “somebody“(read: a person with a name on the building) you will get counseled out if you can’t hack it. Also why would you want your child to be on the bottom somewhere if he or she can be at least an average if not better elsewhere and have confidence in him/herself.
We are Ina similar boat as we are focused on hm and collegiate. We really hope we have the luxury of choice !!!! For us hm would be better logistically - but our psd seems to prefer. Collegiate
Tbh I'm not sure. She seems to think/imply that collegiate is a very special place, and families don't regret going there. We know a few.kids who were counseled out of hm (around 3rd grade), but then again we know someone in prek who says there's no pressure and it's very nurturing. So I have to think it starts intensifying Around 2nd grade ? And they weed out those who can't make it?
^ adding noone we have spoken to has described hm upper school as warm and nurturing - it's a pressure cooker. And it's a gamble bc who knows at 4 if the child can handle
Make that middle school but I think that’s the case with all privates. We know somebody at Browning which obviously is not the same caliber academically and they said come 3rd grade things pick up very fast (pace and content)
We are at C and have spoken to several families during the admission process. They all love the school. we are in K so probably too early to be stressed or anxious. Happy to answer Qs about the school or the admissions process in general.
@Anonymous Thanks! How did you know C was the right fit for your son? How would you describe his classmates and would you say there is something they all have in common?
We spoke to several families at each school where we applied, and I found that to be very helpful. We also did all tours and events which I know is not possible now but do the online ones and if they have multiple, do that. We found that actually seeing the school more than once helped a lot since you start noticing what the school keeps emphasizing. We wanted a close knit community and very strong academics and C is both of those things. so far, the school has been very thoughtful in its approach and we are very happy.
Some thoughts:
1) Spoke to family with multiple kids at HM. He said the best personality is one that is like a kid researcher, who is fine doing many hours of homework/studies a night. One kid thrived, one kid suprisingly took to it, and the other they think HM will not be a fit for.
2) Easier to do SS to start and then go coed
3) A few have suggested to us that SS is better at younger ages as the classrooms can be more orderly/designed for each sex
Interesting. So hard to tell with a 4/5 yo. Almost better to wait and apply to MS because by then you have a much better idea. What do you mean by "easier to do SS to start and then go coed"?
@Anonymous I think they mean that coed is the more natural setting, so easier to start with SS and see how it goes and then switch to coed if SS isn't ideal. The other way you are taking a leap of faith on SS at a time when there is less room for error in choice.
I have a boy but if I had a girl interested in science and math on a more reserved side, I would go with SS. We contemplated SS vs coed as well and in the end went with SS because I wanted 1) smaller school/class and 2) strong bond and friendship with same gender.
I heard there is unavoidable girl hierarchy in all girls school. is that true? not sure if my daughter can handle the girl drama
We are in a somewhat similar boat, although we're interested more interested Spence. For what I understand (and this is splitting hairs because the SS schools are way more similar than different), Chapin is probably a little better suited to more reserved girls than Spence, which seems to have a slightly more boisterous crew. Nightingale struck me as somewhere in the middle and we didn't apply to Brearley, but I would imagine any girl who loves math and science would be happy there too?
We love HM as well and I get the impression they can handle many types of children there. It seems especially in the lower grades there are a lot of teachers and specialists who interact with the kids and can bring them out of their shell.
Thank you so much for the input! What about MS, is HM becoming very competitive and less nurturing in middle school?
And IMO, staying in SS for entire 13 years seems not the best option. But I can see my child staying in HM for the entire 13 years if she is the right fit (e.g. driven and smart enough)
@Anonymous This is purely anecdotal, but I've heard there is academic support throughout the years at HM. Without a doubt, it's a pressure cooker with high expectations for the kids, but they still want the kids to thrive and get into good colleges. My friend who went there said there is a "no soldier left behind" mentality.
so instead in all girls school it is more supportive? meaning doesn't counsel out because of academic reasons?
No first hand experience since DC is only in K, but from my understanding unless you are a major donor or “somebody“(read: a person with a name on the building) you will get counseled out if you can’t hack it. Also why would you want your child to be on the bottom somewhere if he or she can be at least an average if not better elsewhere and have confidence in him/herself.
We are Ina similar boat as we are focused on hm and collegiate. We really hope we have the luxury of choice !!!! For us hm would be better logistically - but our psd seems to prefer. Collegiate
Prefers Collegiate to HM in general or for your ds in particular? Did she say why?
Tbh I'm not sure. She seems to think/imply that collegiate is a very special place, and families don't regret going there. We know a few.kids who were counseled out of hm (around 3rd grade), but then again we know someone in prek who says there's no pressure and it's very nurturing. So I have to think it starts intensifying Around 2nd grade ? And they weed out those who can't make it?
^ adding noone we have spoken to has described hm upper school as warm and nurturing - it's a pressure cooker. And it's a gamble bc who knows at 4 if the child can handle
Agree with that, but Collegiate is also a pressure cooker by the time high school rolls around.
Make that middle school but I think that’s the case with all privates. We know somebody at Browning which obviously is not the same caliber academically and they said come 3rd grade things pick up very fast (pace and content)
That's true. Do you think the collegiate students are happy kids? Or like stressed anxious kids? We actually don't know anyone there
We are at C and have spoken to several families during the admission process. They all love the school. we are in K so probably too early to be stressed or anxious. Happy to answer Qs about the school or the admissions process in general.
@Anonymous Thanks! How did you know C was the right fit for your son? How would you describe his classmates and would you say there is something they all have in common?
We spoke to several families at each school where we applied, and I found that to be very helpful. We also did all tours and events which I know is not possible now but do the online ones and if they have multiple, do that. We found that actually seeing the school more than once helped a lot since you start noticing what the school keeps emphasizing. We wanted a close knit community and very strong academics and C is both of those things. so far, the school has been very thoughtful in its approach and we are very happy.
Some thoughts: 1) Spoke to family with multiple kids at HM. He said the best personality is one that is like a kid researcher, who is fine doing many hours of homework/studies a night. One kid thrived, one kid suprisingly took to it, and the other they think HM will not be a fit for. 2) Easier to do SS to start and then go coed 3) A few have suggested to us that SS is better at younger ages as the classrooms can be more orderly/designed for each sex
Interesting. So hard to tell with a 4/5 yo. Almost better to wait and apply to MS because by then you have a much better idea. What do you mean by "easier to do SS to start and then go coed"?
@Anonymous I think they mean that coed is the more natural setting, so easier to start with SS and see how it goes and then switch to coed if SS isn't ideal. The other way you are taking a leap of faith on SS at a time when there is less room for error in choice.
@anonymous but why don't start with coed if it is more natural?
Just FYI: Chapin is starting to give feedback. We just got ours from PSD today.
Good or bad ,?
@Anonymous Good! We'll see!