<p>Thanks Hcos12893!!!</p>
<p>I wish I lived in AFairfax (many of my friends go to TJ and love it) or was a boy so i could appply to Georgetown prep … I almost applied to National Cathedral what about the boys version of that? Or Georgetown Day?</p>
<p>Please continue giving me your thoughts!</p>
<p>Please continue to post. Thank you!</p>
<p>Ok man so basicaly i live in MD, Bethesda and I know loads of people who go to Private High Schools in the area and so here is my list 1.Sidwell Friends, 2. GPrep 3. Washington International School and St. Albans 4. Bullis School 5. Maret School 6 .Georgetown Day School 7. Gonzaga College High School 8. St Johns High School</p>
<p>ohh and in Bethesda there is Landon which I go to and that is really good, euhm if you got any questions ask me and I can answer on most questions about these schools.</p>
<p>Laters</p>
<p>The above list is not exactly what most people think. I urge you to explore real sources of information rather than a message board as you are not getting good information. </p>
<p>The top independent schools in DC, often called the Big 3, are National Cathedral (for girls)/St Albans (for boys), Sidwell and Georgetown Day. Maret is a runner up. As is the Potomac School, in Virginia, but not even mentioned yet. Check out the matriculation statistics for proof for these schools. Having said that, these 3 schools (really 4) are very different. </p>
<p>Sidwell may be favored by Obama, but mostly b/c they were used to security issues given Chelsea Clinton and a bunch of other Dems went there (incl Biden’s grandchildren). It is a quaker school, and has separate campuses for lower school and upper school. Known as a pressure cooker, and some kids they take early on are later tutored up the wazoo or “counseled” out. But solid teaching, lots of sports and arts opportunities. Just had a pedophile scandal though.</p>
<p>St Albans/NCS is thought to be more structured. There are some joint classes starting in 7th/8th grade (both schools start in 4th) and EC opportunities (music, drama, cross country) but the schools operate separately, and the campuses are on opposite sides of the National Cathedral. The academics are unparalleled, which leads to the rep of a pressure cooker too. Sports are part of school, and everyone has to do something. The typical graduating class for STA is 70 something boys so there are lots of opportunities. The Cathedral schools have as good a college placement as any US school, the Wall Street Journal ratings had them in the top 20 in the country.</p>
<p>Georgetown Day (GDS) is the least structured, or at least the is the conventional wisdom. More liberal reputation. Great academics and college placement. Known as more artsy and funky, sports are extra, after school. There is no football team for example, but strong soccer/basketball and other sport teams.</p>
<p>Maret is up and coming and has become much more desirable in the past 10 years or so. People there love it. Starts in K goes through 12, all at one beautiful campus. Much smaller though so you have to like your class! Solid sports opportunities.</p>
<p>Potomac has the most space since it is right across the river in Virginia and has a beautiful campus. Solid academics and sports. Lots of Northern Virginia high tech money poured into the school.</p>
<p>Washington International awards an IB but is not considered as academic/athletic/art-supported as the others. Kind of like the next tier. Most people would put Bullis in the next tier too.</p>
<p>Georgetown Prep is one of several Catholic schools which have huge athletic programs (DeMatha, Gonzaga are the other boys schools, St Johns is co-ed). Not known for being academic powerhouses, and also mostly for catholic boys, as it is hard to get in to Prep, DeMatha and Gonzaga given they cost so much less. Out of these schools, Gonzaga and Prep are about equal, whereas DeMatha is further out in the suburbs but sports might be even a bit better. St Johns is usually second tier to the others, but coed so there is that. Great baseball at St Johns.</p>
<p>Landon is the same as the catholic schools, but not religiously affiliated, an all boys athletic powerhouse but again not known for academics. Lots of kids go to good colleges, but usually because they are recruited lax players.</p>
<p>Thanks for that awesome insight! If you habe it, more would be appreciated!</p>
<p>Thanks, crar24, for your post. Your summaries of the schools are spot-on, from what I know from having been a parent in this geographical region for 13+ years.</p>
<p>crar24, while I admire your attempt to distinguish the top D.C. area prep schools, there are a couple of errors that respectively, I would like to correct. </p>
<p>I speak humbly from the vantage point of someone who has just applied their son to six separate top private schools in the area. Our family has done painstaking research on all of them. Each in their own right is excellent. The real answer is that the “best schools” are truly determined by how they match up with the criteria established by your own respective decision making process.</p>
<p>For example, you cite that Sidwell Friends it the best area private school. Yes, it is outstanding academically. But it is also a Quaker school and some applicants would view this as a strong negative, purely for personal preference reasons. Also, with the exception of a few sports like soccer, it is overall relatively weak athletically. So, if those are important in your decision making criteria, then SF is certainly not the best area private school. I cite this just as an example.</p>
<p>I would also observe, again respectively, that you have it very wrong on some of the Catholic/Jesuit schools and that you over generalize.</p>
<p>There is a reason Georgetown Prep has a 23% acceptance rate, statistically making it one of the 10 most difficult schools to get into in the country. It is because of their quality intersection of spiritual platform, athletics, and yes, academics. If those three are important to you collectively, then frankly, GP is unsurpassed. And at $27K year, it is certainly not inexpensive (most of the other Catholic schools are diocese schools that are subsized, making them less expenseive). You do not give nearly enough credit to them academically. Their average SAT board scores are very near the top, within 25 points of for example, Sidwell and the Potomac School. I believe you may be generalizing them with some other the other “catholic” schools like DeMatha (unsurpassed in athletics), St. John’s, Good Counsel, etc. Those schools clearly, while solid academically, are not on the par of a GP, SF, Potomac, St. Albans, etc.</p>
<p>I can provide much more detail on specific experiences as of very recently with the following schools: Virginia (Potomac, Flint Hill), D.C. (St. Albans, Gonzaga), Maryland (Georgetown Prep, Landon) to anyone in need or of interest.</p>
<p>Thanks for your insights, as we too have direct experiences with many of these schools too, and have done our share of reasearch as well. </p>
<p>I actually never said Sidwell was the best area private school. Considered to be one of the best, but not the best. I wouldn’t even apply my kids there though as I don’t personally care for some aspects of the school. And you are wrong on the athletics there, they do well within their division (as their Mid Atlantic Athletic conference is weaker than the Interschool Athletic Conference – IAC which includes Landon,St Albans, St Stephens/St Agnes, Episcopal, Prep). Mid Atlantic includes Maret, Georgetown Day, Flint Hill, Potomac. Tennis is strong there, as is cross country and some of the girls sports teams like basketball.</p>
<p>How many National Merit scholars from Prep? None from 2009 or 2010 as far as I can tell, yet quite a few from NCS/St Albans, Sidwell and Georgetown Day.</p>
<p>But this is why stats only tell a partial story.</p>
<p>You obviously are a big Prep supporter. Prep is a good school if you are a Catholic Athlete. Go onto the independent school forum of DC urban moms and see what people say about Prep. Not everyone thinks the school is comparable to the Big 3. In fact, the 23% acceptance rate is hardly one of the 10 most dififcult schools in the country. Most of the NYC schools are more difficult, let alone the BS discussed here. And, by the way, St Anselms SAT scores are even higher and St Albans does not publish their info.</p>
<p>The stats for Gtown Prep are also misleading as so many boys go on to Jesuit colleges, namely Georgetown among others (though perhaps they could have easily been accepted to Harvard for example). So you have to look deeper that just some of the stats you cite.</p>
<p>And $27k is cheap! Most of the other elite schools are about $8,000 more. That is significant (30% more). </p>
<p>Most boys who apply to Prep don’t apply to Sidwell or St Albans. Just not the same kinds of schools. Maybe Gonzaga or Landon. </p>
<p>I am not trying to say Gtown Prep is not a great school. Just that the stats you cite are not a complete picture. As you say “their quality intersection of spiritual platform, athletics, and yes, academics” is unsurpassed – I am not so sure I agree. Surely Sidwell and its Quaker model compare (despite your diss on their athletics), and surely the Cathedral schools compare (though some may think episcopal schools hardly qualify as having a spritual platform) and surely even Georgetown Day (which may not have a spiritual platform but a “freedom for the individual” one and has fewer athletic opportunities). </p>
<p>The best thing for anyone to do is to do their homework and find the school that fits best.</p>
<p>GO NATIONAL CATHEDRAL SCHOOL!!!</p>
<p>Lol trust me i would know. 
seriously the best school on the planet! 
:)</p>
<p>sorry to burst bubbles, but MD magnets are where its at.</p>
<p>for serious.</p>
<p>No way… I wouldnt go to blair if you paid me…and whats so special about Richard Montgomery, I know people who scored in the 60s on their SSAT and arent that bright who got in there. Plus its only IB, plenty of local high schools have IB. Im almost zoned for TJ and we couldve moved( I live in VA) but I didnt apply seeing as Im not really a science/math person.</p>
<p>Hey there!</p>
<p>Currently I live in Montgomery County, MD and I know plenty of people who both go to public and private schools around the region. </p>
<p>From what I’ve seen and heard, the best schools are as follows:</p>
<p>Best Co-Ed:
- Sidwell (My best friend actually went there, and I know many people who graduated/attend/are applying there. My best friend LOVED it there. It’s very diverse, great classes, friendly environment. Overall, it’s known as the “Harvard of D.C. Private Schools”. However, it’s pretty hard to get in to if you apply to the upper school. I heard they only have 25 or so open slots for 9th graders, but then again, I know at least 4 people who got in as freshmen. Finally, the people I know who graduated there absolutely adored their experience. Currently, one attends Tufts University in Boston. She says that the school prepared her for many things, gave her many opportunities and still keeps in touch with her friends. Another friend who graduated attends Carnegie Mellon in PA. He was the captain of the varsity tennis team and enjoyed his time there as well.)</p>
<p>Honorable Mention: I don’t know much about the other co-ed schools except for Bullis, but I do know a great school called Good Counsel, located in the suburbs of D.C. They have an amazing sports program, and many athletes from Good Counsel go on to play in the NCAA. Recently, one of my friends transferred there just so she could play on the volleyball team.)</p>
<p>Best All-Girls:
- Holton-Arms (About this school, I have a ton of friends who go there, and say they love it. They have great classes and good opportunities. However, there are some down sides. Holton has a reputation for being a “snobby” school, and the girls there are extremely privileged, as they come from very wealthy families. But then again, not all of them are bad, and the school has a great record.)</p>
<ol>
<li>National Cathedral (The campus is AMAZING! It’s situated on the Cathedral close, and is pretty much the most picturesque campus ever. The classes, from what I heard, are pretty challenging and give you a good education. Also, they have a great program with St. Alban’s, which is their brother school.)</li>
</ol>
<p>Best All-Boys:
- St. Alban’s & Georgetown Prep (These are the two best boys schools in the region, in my opinion. Georgetown Prep has a high SSAT score, and has a great athletics program and facilities. Recently, they spent millions to build their new athletics complex. St. Alban’s has, once again, an amazing campus. Located on Cathedral Close, the building’s very pretty. Also, they have a sister program with NCS. However, be warned. The people who go here are very priviliged children of wealthy families.)</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Landon & Gonzaga (These are mainly sports schools. I know Landon’s a solid all around school with a WICKED lax program. Gonzaga’s great at all sports, and I know about 5 people who go there who are on sports teams. My friend’s brother who went to Gonzaga went on to attend Harvard, and he said Gonzaga was great for preparing him.)</p></li>
<li><p>DeMatha (Actually, I don’t know much about this school, except for the fact it’s got an amazing sports program. It’s always in the Washington Post sports section, but I don’t hear anything about their academics, which is why I put it down here.)</p></li>
</ol>
<p>Best Public Schools:
- TJHHST (Once again, I know a ton of people who go there. It’s consistently ranked the number one school in the NATION by various reports, and extremely hard to get into. However, it’s a very challenging environment, and very competitive. The sports are okay, but I don’t know much about their sports except for the Volleyball and swimming programs. Also, it’s very math and science oriented.)</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Richard Montgomery IB Program (Actually, I’m probably going here next year if I don’t get into the private schools I applied to. It is a very TOUGH school. It places a great emphasis on writing, speaking and the humanities. When I went to the recent open house, they said that they have on average 4 hours of homework a day, and tough exams. It’s a very competitive, humanities oriented IB Program. Oh, and to BlueRaven: This IB program is different. It’s the only one that you have to apply to get into, and they accept only 100 applicants out of 900 or so each year. I’ll admit that there are some dumb kids who go there, but then again, doesn’t every school have them? Finally, I got a 97% on my SSAT, and RM is a great school for me.)</p></li>
<li><p>Montgomery Blair Magnet (I know sooo many people who go there. My middle school actually feeds into Blair, and about 50 kids from my school go there every year. It’s got an amazing science program. The kids who go there are automatically enrolled in Pre-Calc or higher as a freshman. The science and math teachers there are very dedicated to their jobs, and are on the borderline of being “eccentric”, in a good way. There’s not that much homework, as long as you manage your time wisely, and you meet great friends every year. Also, they ALWAYS have finalists in competitions such as Siemens, Intel, etc. Although the non-magnets at Blair might not be great, the magnet program is amazing. About the sports there: I know people on the volleyball, basketball, football, field hockey, lacrosse and cheerleading teams there. They’re not that bad.)</p></li>
</ol>
<p>Sorry about the long post, but I hope it helps!</p>
<p>If you want any more info, especially about the public schools, feel free to PM me.</p>
<p>Here are some private day schools in the tri-state area other than NCS and STA that I personally think are great…</p>
<ul>
<li><p>Sidwell Friends School: The fact that Obama’s daughters go here, that it has excellent academics, and that it has mostly kind, open-minded students makes Sidwell Friends a great school which is very well known in the tri-state area. However, its athletics are not top notch, and the fact that it’s not even on Urban Dictionary allows people to question how well known it is outside of the tri-state bubble. </p></li>
<li><p>Maret School: Commonly referred to as the “happiest place on earth”, Maret is certainly a very “artsy” school. Known for their slightly less traditional approach to teaching, Maret seems to attract many great students who are looking for a school that will give them an education that is a little less focused on academics, and a little better-rounded. </p></li>
<li><p>GDS aka Georgetown Day School: GDS is a VERY liberal school, known for its wild students who love to have a good time. This school it definitely not for the shy, conservative kid. At GDS, students take a more relaxed approach at academics… and pretty much everything else they do too. So long as everybody is having a good time and behaving within reasonable boundaries, all is well at GDS. I know to some it may seem like I am bad-mouthing this school, but I’m really not. Its a fabulous institution, and its relaxed, “go-with-the-flow” environment is perfect for a kid who doesn’t want to be stuck in a pressure-filled, cut-throat environment, which can often be present at more serious schools such as NCS, STA, Georgetown Prep, and Sidwell. </p></li>
<li><p>SSSA aka St. Stephens and St. Agnes School: SSSA is a school which boasts a strong academic program, an ok arts program, and an athletic program that is OUT OF THIS WORLD. This school would be the perfect place for a kid who is a strong athlete, and wants an education that will challenge them academically as well as push them to become the best person they can be. </p></li>
</ul>
<p>Georgetown Prep: This school is all boys, and bears eerie resemblance to St. Albans. They are both religious, although perhaps at Georgetown Prep things are done with a little more focus on tradition and spirituality than they are at St. Albans. Also, Georgetown Prep does not offer the close relationship with an all girls school that STA offers. </p>
<p>That being said, there are many other great schools in the tri-state area that do not make my personal top-schools list, but they are great institutions anyway! Below I will list some…</p>
<ul>
<li><p>Holton-Arms School: This school is all girls, and is (at least in my opinion) too much like NCS… without the superb academics, athletics. It has a brother school called Landon, but the two schools are not nearly as close as NCS and STA.</p></li>
<li><p>Landon School: This school is all boys, and is (again, at least in my opinion) too much like STA… without the superb academics, arts. Its sister school is Holton-Arms, but like I said before, they are not nearly as close as NCS and STA.</p></li>
</ul>
<p>I wont describe the rest of the schools that are great but do not make my personal top-schools list due to lack of time, but here they are:</p>
<ul>
<li>Georgetown Visitation</li>
<li>St. Patricks</li>
<li>Holy child </li>
<li>Bullis</li>
</ul>
<p>I hope through this post I managed to help you get a feel for some of the great schools in the tri-state area! Please keep in mind though, that this is all just my personal opinion and in sharing it I had no intensions of offending anybody. Also, what works for me may not work for you and the best way to choose a school is to visit and see if you can picture yourself there. Talking to students, faculty and staff can also help.</p>
<p>@girlsasme</p>
<p>I meant no offense. One of my best friends is going there and certainly isn’t dumb. It just seems I know a lot of people who are not very bright who got in there, so it put me off.</p>
<p>Wow! Awesome posts. Thanks. If you have it, keep it coming.</p>
<p>“But it is also a Quaker school and some applicants would view this as a strong negative, purely for personal preference reasons.”</p>
<p>I’m sure you meant no offense, 3ballday, but someone could make that same statement about <em>any</em> school with a religious affliliation. Substitute “Catholic” or “Jewish” for “Quaker” and see if it sits as well with you. </p>
<p>I don’t mean to be overly PC, but it’s amazing to me how many “religious” families on these boards feel no discomfort taking potshots at Quakers!</p>
<p>I don’t think it was a potshot. I’d perfectly understand why a Quaker would view a Catholic (or Jewish) school as a serious negative. I know many Catholics (and Jews) who insist on Catholic or Jewish schools for their children. I’m sure there are Quaker families who feel the same way. If religious instruction is important to a family, why wouldn’t they look at a different religious affliation as a negative? It’s more about the importance of their own religion than anything else.</p>
<p>neato, I’m not questioning why a religious family would prefer a school of their own religious affiliation for their child if religious instruction/values were a priority, but referring to another’s religious tradition as a “strong negative” strikes me as a bit extreme, especially in response to a general question about private schools in the DC area.</p>
<p>I have Jewish friends who have attended Catholic schools, and know many, many Muslim, Jewish and Catholic families (including observant ones) who have sent their children to Quaker institutions. Obviously, if these families were observant <em>and</em> their top priority is religious affinity, a Quaker school might not be appropriate, but a “strong negative”? Really?</p>