GDS and Sidwell comparison?

[Anonymous]

We're applying for elementary school, but would like to keep DC at the school through 12th if they're thriving there. I've researched this board, but couldn't find a recent thread comparing these two schools. We liked what we saw virtually, but of course that's a far cry from actually visiting in person or having DC shadow a student. What are the major differences between them? Also, I realize they're both competitive.

Thank you!

[Anonymous]

Honestly, after you get into both, then ask the question. For most applicants, they're lucky if their kid gets into one, which is the one to which you will send your child.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Honestly, after you get into both, then ask the question. For most applicants, they're lucky if their kid gets into one, which is the one to which you will send your child.

This. If you are lucky to get into both, then use the time after to do the visit and see where your child vibes with better.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Honestly, after you get into both, then ask the question. For most applicants, they're lucky if their kid gets into one, which is the one to which you will send your child.

This. If you are lucky to get into both, then use the time after to do the visit and see where your child vibes with better.

It’s hard to get visits in now.

[Anonymous]

Yes, they'll offer in-person accepted student events. At Sidwell did last year. There was a whole program.

[Anonymous]

agree with all of above. wait to see if your dc is admitted. harsh to say, but lucky if you get one, let alone both. if you have that good fortune, then you'll have a choice.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Honestly, after you get into both, then ask the question. For most applicants, they're lucky if their kid gets into one, which is the one to which you will send your child.

This. If you are lucky to get into both, then use the time after to do the visit and see where your child vibes with better.

People say that now. And then, take a look at this message board in March and the responses from other people to anyone admitted to multiple schools and undecided between/among them will be "what!?! How can you not know where you're going to send your kid!!! How irresponsible of you!"

[Anonymous]

Twiddle dum and twiddle dee. Both good schools with great teachers but not necessarily geared for the STEM kid. Sidwell more mainstream in educational philosophy, more diverse students and better athletics while GDS is a little more innovative in terms of educational experience, more “woke”’ and more flexible curriculum than Sidwell. College admissions to the top schools is either legacy or $$$ or sports or some special hook. The regular smart but not super unique kid better set their sights on strong liberal arts colleges if they apply early decision. Both have super wealthy families and the middle class families in the donut hole feel squeezed with unabated tuition rises.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Honestly, after you get into both, then ask the question. For most applicants, they're lucky if their kid gets into one, which is the one to which you will send your child.

This. If you are lucky to get into both, then use the time after to do the visit and see where your child vibes with better.

People say that now. And then, take a look at this message board in March and the responses from other people to anyone admitted to multiple schools and undecided between/among them will be "what!?! How can you not know where you're going to send your kid!!! How irresponsible of you!"

No one says that. Anyway, given that the small number of admits and high yields for the PK/K classes at Sidwell and GDS in particular, we're talking about a handful of families where their child gets accepted into both. They're both excellent schools with progressive curricula, liberal families and teachers, and draw from similar populations. Just see where you get in, then stress out about the relatively minor differences between the two schools.

[Anonymous]

Sidwell is more prestigious.

[Anonymous]

When we toured both pre-covid, Sidwell seemed more competitive, in that there was a set goal that they expected each child to get to. GDS wanted to see growth from each child, but recognized that since each child started in a different place, they'd end in a different place too. We are very happy at GDS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:When we toured both pre-covid, Sidwell seemed more competitive, in that there was a set goal that they expected each child to get to. GDS wanted to see growth from each child, but recognized that since each child started in a different place, they'd end in a different place too. We are very happy at GDS.

Did "we" get into both?

[Anonymous]

We were going to apply for 9th to GDS and the admission officer pretty much told us there are 7 spots for new 9th grade boys. We crossed it off our list...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When we toured both pre-covid, Sidwell seemed more competitive, in that there was a set goal that they expected each child to get to. GDS wanted to see growth from each child, but recognized that since each child started in a different place, they'd end in a different place too. We are very happy at GDS.

Did "we" get into both?

*We* toured and *we* are happy. I never said who attended.

*We* didn't like Sidwell and didn't apply.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Honestly, after you get into both, then ask the question. For most applicants, they're lucky if their kid gets into one, which is the one to which you will send your child.

This is kind of a side point, but do schools share information about which applicants they plan to accept (in order to increase their yield, for example, and/or increase their selectivity factor)? Our child got an extra warm welcome at a school that we really liked, but then ended up waitlisted, even though child was accepted at much more competitive and (traditionally) sought-after schools. A friend in the know told us it was likely about gender and diversity balance in the class, plus sibling admits, but it still was surprising. Since then I've noticed posters on DCUM repeatedly saying that kids usually are only admitted to one of the most competitive schools (if any). But how is that possible? If a kid is a desirable admit to one of the big 3, for example, would the same be true for the other schools? Aren't they all looking for basically the same kind of student profile? Anyone with insight?