Thanks to all who have posted thoughts and experiences on the flight schools. After visiting DCA and ATP I am even more convinced that the FBO is the way to go for me.
If anyone is curious, ATP is getting ready to have a 'significant price increase' according to a phone call I received no more than two weeks ago. When I asked how much the gentleman would not/could not say, but I think it was a mixture of pressure to sign up 'before our rates go up' and potentially to help cover the note on the new fleet of Diamond Jets.
Flying at 5 tonight!