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Moving with middle and (entering) high school age children from northeast to RTP area in NC. Would much appreciate any insights to help compare/contrast private schools in the area. ideally want to keep the kids in the same school, but they are all "different learners." We are coming out of high-high-pressure schools, and dont need that experience again, but want to make sure each would be supported, or rise to whatever level they're capable of.
On our radar are: Cary Academy, Durham Academy, Ravenscroft, Trinity and Carolina Friends.
In particular - Carolina Friends sounds interesting, but see that it's very small, and wonder if it is really has a credible academic program (?) Also, it doesnt seem to have a real athletics/PE program for kids interested in sports lacrosse, softball/baseball, swimming, track.
Cardinal Gibbons as well. No need to be Catholic to attend.
When I was growing up in Durham 35+ years ago, CFS was definitely different, not "rote learning" but very Montessori-like in the lack of traditional academic practices.
I'm not sure how many people here will have had a child at two or more of any of those schools. I've got a child at Gibbons, are you only interested in secular schools?
How do you think CFS is different now - do you mean it's stronger now, or then, in terms of academic rep?
QUOTE=BoBromhal;50762214]Cardinal Gibbons as well. No need to be Catholic to attend.
When I was growing up in Durham 35+ years ago, CFS was definitely different, not "rote learning" but very Montessori-like in the lack of traditional academic practices.[/quote]
I have no idea if CFS is the same or different. I'd be a bit surprised if they suddenly changed their way of being though. the website sure doesn't make me think they've changed.
CFS is low pressure and more of a Montessori approach according to friends who go there. It is too low pressure for me and non-traditional from what I hear.
Cary academy and ravenscroft are at the other extreme. Highly competitive, high pressure and high performing children. I know people with kids at both and they’re happy with them but complain about the pressure and competitive nature.
I really think it depends on your goals and your children. I’d tour them all and decide after.
was thinking secular - as it would be jarring for my kids to have any kind of Bible curriculum.
Does Cardinal Gibbons have a religious curricula?
Yes, four years of theology. While you don't have to be Catholic to attend, it is a Catholic school, mass attendance is required when there are all school masses. I'm not sure if you're Catholic or not but Catholics are not big on bible study. I'm not sure where you're from in the NE but compared to the Catholic schools on Long Island, I call it "Catholic School Lite", though. My son went to public school till he went to Gibbons. We rarely *ahem* go to church.
This is an area with a lot of middle to upper middle to upper class people with college educations (and beyond...highest percentage of PhDs on the east coast or something like that)....when you live in an area like that you're going to have high pressure schools. People aren't paying $20K and up for CA and Ravenscroft so their kids can twiddle their thumbs My neighbor thought CFS was a great fit for her kids, which told me all I need to know about it
You should definitely take a tour of all the schools preferably with your kids and see what you think.
Is there a reason you don't want public schools? They're pretty good in our area.
I have friends who have kids at Carolina Friends. They like it a lot, but too rich for my blood. You will find that most of the non-religious private schools, including Friends, but maybe not quite as much there, do have a little more keeping-up-with-the-Joneses going on than public schools, although you can also find that in certain cliques in public schools.
Friends has a great Ultimate Frisbee program. I think they made it to the national championships or whatever the equivalent is in Ultimate.
FWIW, Friends is Quaker so there is a smidge of religion there, too, but it's very lite. They do a meditative "settling in" each morning.
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My neighbor thought CFS was a great fit for her kids, which told me all I need to know about it
