<p>Hi,
A new-comer to this forum (and to the US education system!), hoping for some help with getting a feel for private schools in Washington DC. We are thinking of relocating from London in UK and wonder if there is any chance to get our 10-year old son into one of top schools this fall - is that realistic at all or too tight? If not, when should we start applying for next year? Which schools could you recommend for a creative quirky type of a kid who also has good marks in academics? We want a high-achieving school but a nice and nurturing place for him to be as well. Also, suppose has to be not too far from a similar high school, since he'll be moving up soon? As you can see, completely lost, so any advice would be so much appreciated.</p>
<p>I don’t know what the timing is - but for quirky - I think of Georgetown Day. You could also look at the list of schools the Obamas looked at: Sidwell (top-notch Quaker school, my dh went there), the Washington International school, and Maret.</p>
<p>Check out [Prep</a> School Admissions - College Confidential](<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/prep-school-admissions/]Prep”>Prep School Admissions - College Confidential Forums) as well.</p>
<p>Is there a reason that you are looking at private schools only? The DC area has some of the top public school systems in the country (Montgomery Co. MD, Fairfax Co., VA etc.)</p>
<p>I agree with FallGirl. DC area schools are top-notch. I have friends who put their kids into private schools with average results.</p>
<p>Again, wrong subforum.</p>
<p>Seems to be an epidemic lately of Cafe threads opening in PF.</p>
<p>For quirky in DC - I second Georgetown Friends. And you may have a chance to get in there for next year (which I am not sure is the case for some of the others)</p>
<p>And caution - not all DC area public schools are good. Some are, but a number are not</p>
<p>You need to think about where you would be working, and how far you are willing to commute to work. If you live in DC, there are excellent public elementary schools in the neighborhoods west of Rock Creek Park, but most of the middle and high schools are struggling. You might investigate [The</a> British School of Washington](<a href=“http://www.britishschool.org/washington]The”>http://www.britishschool.org/washington) which follows the British curriculum through 12th grade.</p>
<p>I live in Montgomery County. Many of our public schools are excellent [Montgomery</a> County Public Schools, Rockville, MD](<a href=“http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/]Montgomery”>http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/) Some of the best high schools include: Bethesda-Chevy Chase, Winston Churchill, Walter Johnson, Richard Montgomery, Walt Whitman, and Thomas S. Wootton. If you visit the school district website, you will find links to all of the high schools and the elementary and middle schools that feed into them. Several high schools in Montgomery County offer IB programs, others offer other specialized programs. Happykid is at Walter Johnson, and knows tons of “quirky academic” kids there. They all seem to be very happy with their school.</p>
<p>Resources for information about private schools in the DC area (and all kinds of other kid/family stuff) include: [Welcome</a> to WashingtonParent.com](<a href=“http://www.washingtonparent.com/]Welcome”>http://www.washingtonparent.com/) [Washington</a> FAMILY Magazine](<a href=“http://www.washingtonfamily.com/]Washington”>http://www.washingtonfamily.com/) </p>
<p>A lot depends on how long you expect to be in the US, and where you would prefer to send your children for their university-level education. If they will be returning to the UK, you need to be certain that their secondary education here will prepare them for university admission there.</p>
<p>Wishing you all the best.</p>
<p>Many application deadlines are in February. So you need to get the research and contacts done ASAP.</p>
<p>Berry, do you mean Sidwell Friends? Jemma1, if you’re relocating from London, why not consider the British School of Washington?</p>
<p>think about IB program at Washington International School
think Maret and Georgetown Day</p>
<p>mashaishere - sorry I meant Georgetown Day - they are know for the creativeness / quirkiness of their student body</p>
<p>
And their financial aid, too. Here’s Georgetown Day’s FA link showing their need-based philosophy.
[Georgetown</a> Day School ~ Financial Aid](<a href=“http://www.gds.org/podium/default.aspx?t=122751]Georgetown”>http://www.gds.org/podium/default.aspx?t=122751)</p>
<p>No one is considering Alice Deal or Wilson? I loved those schools, and I feel that I got a remarkable sense of the city as a whole.</p>