Hi granddaughter goes to Capitol Hill Day School. She is getting a wonderful education and is making a lot of friends. I like that they're so creative in their education and that they're casual in their dress. The students are rewarded for good behavior. I'm very happy that she is there. read more

Our daughter has been at CHDS for two years and we love the community, the school's stable leadership, and the pedagogy. It's a little sad that a very small number of parents have taken to Yelp to air grievances, because in our experience the vast majority of parents - and students - are thrilled to be at the school. The idea that CHDS does not take bullying seriously is just plain wrong, as is the idea that the school does not listen to feedback. The truth is, the Head of School is wonderfully accessible (we know this from personal experience) and has a reputation as one of DC's best and longest-serving educational leaders. The teachers are devoted, respond quickly to questions and concerns, and focus on student-centered, inquiry-based learning. The parents get along with each other and build friendships outside of class. The field trips teach soft skills and critical thinking far more rapidly than everyday classroom learning. The building is beautiful, the student body is diverse, the faculty turnover is low, the communication robust, and the destinations for graduates impressive. Most important, our daughter comes home from school happy each day. read more

Really terrible school; didn't listen to parent concerns, my kids were bullied and treated terribly, and worst of all the teachers weren't great either. Use your 33,000 dollars and go elsewhere! read more

Thinking about enrolling in Capitol Hill Day School? Don't... I am leaving Capitol Hill Day School (CHDS) after a maddening year that has exacerbated the pre-existing shortcomings of the school. If I thought these problems were consequences of the pandemic, I wouldn't leave. If I thought the problems were limited to the duration of the pandemic, I wouldn't leave. Unfortunately, the school's response to the pandemic happens to be just one devastating manifestation of its unwillingness to work with or hear from the community it is supposed to serve. The effects of this lack of community engagement will be felt long after the pandemic recedes. I cannot, in good conscience, justify pouring more money into a school that is unwilling to improve, doesn't want to hear from its community, and aggressively suppresses feedback. While the school sold us on a commitment to community and our children, it revealed itself to be an arrogant institution with an insular decision making process, determined to avoid any critique or suggestion from what it considers to be "outsiders." It also punishes those that don't fall in line. A written plea for a "listening session" from a collection of concerned parents led to angry responses by the school and board, including suggestions by both that those parents should take their children and leave. Some parents, familiar with the school's aversion and reaction to feedback, signed the letter "Anonymous," citing next to their signature concerns of retribution by the school and board . Such concerns are well-founded. Typically, the school delivers such retribution privately through intimidating phone calls by the head of school or a board member. But in at least one occasion witnessed by an entire class of parents, the chair of the board publicly humiliated and excoriated a toddler's parent who expressed concern about the effect of the school's program on her child's social and emotional development. More recently, the head of school told parents that concerns about the children's well-being are better understood as a reflection of parental anxiety than the school's lack of performance. The school's definition of "engagement" is to just tell parents what's going to happen right before it's happening. Witness for example, the demise of the French curriculum, which the school had aggressively marketed to many of us just a few months prior to securing our enrollment. Out of the blue, in a paragraph buried in anodyne email a few days before the start of the school year, parents were informed that French would no longer be offered...ever. I wish I believed the school would reverse course after the pandemic and interact more thoughtfully with the community. But the school's drive to remain insular existed well before the pandemic. Frankly, it's bewildering. What's so threatening about engaging with the community and opening itself to feedback? While we can't predict how the next crisis will further exacerbate the school's unwillingness to work with its community or receive feedback, it's easy to see how its obstinate refusal to receive and incorporate input is already a major liability. Predictably, the school's approach - its consequences laid bare by the pandemic - apparently led to the lowest re-enrollment rate in recent history. Young families in particular - the future of the school - have decided to cut their losses and send their kids to other schools. Over the last 50 years, CHDS has had little incentive to improve given the lack of alternatives on Capitol Hill. Perhaps the historic drop in re-enrollment, the lower-than-expected application rate reported this year, and parents' increased willingness to consider major moves in light of the pandemic will motivate CHDS to change before it's too late for the institution. We could not afford to wait until it got its act together. read more

Wonderful and joyful learning community. Independent thinking, risk taking, and integrity are just as important as the basics. And then there's field education -- a gem of a school... read more

This school is worst than public school. If I could give it no stars I would. My daughter went here for a year and it was the worst decision I have ever made for her learning, social and emotional well-being. She was physically bullied and nothing was done to address the situation. We were ignored as a family. She was also graphically and verbal called a rational name in which the school did not address until I made it an issue. There is a serious lack of authority in the administration. I had no faith in them and my daughter didn't trust the faculty because of the lack of addressing her daily adversities. Please don't send your child to this school. I would hate for your family to be disappointed as my family has. Good luck. read more

We've got two kids at CHDS and couldn't be happier with the school! The curriculum is student-curiosity driven, engaging, and connected to the incredible resources our area offers through near weekly field trips/field education. The faculty are so caring and compassionate - they really see each child for who they are and work to bring out their best. We've also loved the community of families we've met there - it's a diverse and welcoming place where are kids are thriving! read more

No one school is perfect, but we have had a great experience at CHDS. They are responsive to issues and proactive in addressing potential problems. The progressive curriculum was a good fit for our family. read more

Do a LOT of research on the Reggio Emilio model of learning before enrolling your child in this school! CHDS is good for socialization, stimulating curiosity, and personal interaction. The best things they offer are field learning (field trips) and experiential education for the children and a lot of communication/networking among the parents. However, if your focus is on your child's education in the "fundamentals," this is not the school for you. From what I have experienced, it falls significantly short on academic rigor, even at the Pre-K and Kindergarten levels. Do not ask for a clear/written curriculum or even a weekly lesson plan - you will not get one. Do not expect a focus on educating the child on the fundamentals that other comparable aged children are learning (basic spelling, letter sounds, sound blends, reading, writing, number awareness, basic math) - you will not get it. Despite being one of the most expensive private schools in D.C., you should expect to pay for additional learning programs for your child to keep up academically with their counterparts in other scholastic programs. read more