GDS parent review

[Anonymous]

We are moving to the DC area and are in the midst of applying to schools. Our kids are in elementary school already so they will be applying as transfers for 3rd and 4th grade. It is much harder to get a sense of the schools when you fly down for a quick tour (which we did); there's not the opportunity to ask a bunch of parents or neighbors about their experiences.

A friend told me about this site and so I am asking here.

One of the ones we are most interested in is GDS. Would parents mind sharing their & their kids' experiences with the lower school? Are they generally positive? Are the kids happy at school? Do they get enough time to run around and play or is it really heavily focused on academics? What about homework? Is there a ton? Does GDS have good communication with parents? Are the kids excited about learning and do they look forward to going to school?

I know, of course, that many of these answers will be influenced by your child's individual personality (e.g., looking forward to going to school)... but I want a general picture of the school and whether the kids enjoy it, get enough outdoor/indoor play time (it IS elementary school after all), if they are learning and the school is fostering a love of learning, etc.

Thanks!
-Soon to Be DC Parent

[Anonymous]

In 3rd and 4th grade, there's one recess (after lunch) everyday and PE 4/5 days. Homework is reasonable and my DC thought both years were really fun and interesting. Kids move around a lot in the school -- it's not a sit in one room all day kind of school. And some classes other than PE (eg drama and music) will involve physical activity. Art studio seems pretty free range as well. Science sometimes had them outside doing things like leaf collecting and categorization, dissecting flowers, etc.

Kids run in to school in the morning and have to be dragged out in the afternoon. Most of what they're doing is academic but it's done in ways that are creative and hands-on (e.g. Greek drama festival, crime scene investigation in science)

Communication between parents and school could be better. Wasn't an issue for me (I have an education background and a talkative kid), but has been for some other parents I know.

[Anonymous]

How long is the recess?

[Anonymous]

I think it's 20-25 minutes.