Sidwell vs GDS -- specific examples of what differentiates the two

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don’t have an answer, but my impression was that there were closet republicans at Sidwell but the gds families were all true believer progressives.

You would have to be a closeted Republican at Sidwell. I don’t know why those families wouldn’t just send their children to STA/NCS. I’m sure they would be much more comfortable at the Cathedral schools.

There are plenty of traditional conservatives at Sidwell. Much harder to find any Trump/MAGA types.

This is heartening. Thank you. That was my impression but the other poster denied it, suggesting it was as blanket liberal as I sense GDS is.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We were lucky to have the choice btw the two as well, as did a family we met at the school we chose later. We compared notes on key differences. Here are the top 10 that I recall:

1. GDS felt like it had a stronger community (school supporting the kids/events/parents volunteering).
2. Sidwell had a larger MS/HS campus for the kids to spread out.
3. GDS had a modern, new building for LS/MS (deceptively big).
4. HS at GDS had an open campus so kids come and go whenever they want. Not sure the rules at Sidwell.
5. Academics at both seemed really good. Teachers we met at both seemed really good.
6. Big focus at GDS on social justice, so it's integrated into the curriculum and assemblies. Very liberal.
7. Sidwell is a Quaker school, so they talked about God and have times of worship where they sit in silence so God can give them insights (this is how it was described to us, apologies if I'm misrepresenting).
8. Both schools courses of study seemed interesting and challenging. Parents at Sidwell shared there was pressure/expectation to do well and competition amongst peers, but that drove the kids. I was impressed by the kids they set-up for us to meet. Parents at GDS said it's challenging and kids study really hard to get a B.
9. GDS seemed more fun/joyful. Kids seemed more at ease.
10. Sidwell athletics seemed better.

We chose GDS.

GDS seems happier overall but the open campus open lunch off campus I think does not promote community. I think lunch time can be a time to know your community and sit at tables and get to know one another.

This is a nice theory, but in reality this sort of bonding doesn't really happen at Sidwell lunch (but it does at St Albans). The food is great and having access to the food is also great - but it's not a community building block.

Speak for yourself/your own children. My children are US students at Sidwell and they usually eat cafeteria lunch. They definitely enjoy spending time and bonding with their friends during lunchtime.

It is no more special at Sidwell than at GDS. We've had US students at both schools and they both tended to eat out once a week and eat at school with friends on other days. (And they both tend to eat out after school a few times a month when sports/school/life gets busy) Neither Sidwell, nor GDS has some special bonding magic at lunchtime more than the other. The students we know at St Albans have a far more structured lunch period ritual and I'd say that's a school where bonding at lunch is next level and a building block to their community.

The main difference is we had between the two kids was more effort was required for lunches for our GDS student. We thought this would be a huge hassle going in, but it wasn't really that bad. (And our Sidwell student had some food unexpected challenges along the way that made it harder than we thought - but again - not a big deal)

I don’t believe for one moment that your child attended Sidwell. If she/he had attended, you would know there’s a HUGE difference in convenience and time saved by having lunch on campus. I packed my children’s lunches through 6th grade (they each joined Sidwell in 7th), and I couldn’t wait to be released from that hellish chore.

You chose GDS, and that’s fine for you. My children wouldn’t change their lunch setup for GDS’ situation.

It’s kind of stupid…but isn’t lunch at Sidwell covered in tuition while it is not at GDS?

On this note. When our second went to GDS we were surprised to find books are included in tuition at GDS - they were not at Sidwell. (and those books were pricey!)

My child has been at Sidwell since 9th grade. We’ve never paid more than $250/year for books (a couple of classes don’t even use hard copy text books). Perhaps you think $250 annually for books is expensive.
I don’t.

Our largest year was over $500. Others were smaller. It depended on how many classes used a large bound textbook (even the online rental version of these can be expensive). Those textbooks tend to be science and math and language (before getting to literature level). In some years a teacher may have found a way to avoid using a textbook by collecting their own materials or the teacher used at textbook source with free online access was available. Those were appreciated.

Meanwhile - don't understand the edgy reply. I am just offering another difference related to what is included in tuition. There is no judgement my reply. OP is asking for differences. Someone said lunch is in Sidwell tuition, another said GDS tuition is lower. I'm adding books are included in GDS and are not at Sidwell.

We were in both communities and can speak to both. I have abstained from posting a laundry list of Sidwell is this and GDS is that because it isn't worth it, but I will reply to specific posts where I have info to add.

Each family (and student) can choose whether different factors they matter - most won't get to choose between these schools anyway. (But we did twice, and my kids split between the two - lunch mattered to one, books mattered to neither but was a nice surprise.)

Good luck OP. Hope you end up with a choice. If you do - find people you know to speak with. Don't choose go to either (or any private) based on what you expect out of college admissions. Go because your kid wants to be part of that community of students and teachers and they like the curriculum.

My response isn’t edgy, but yours is defensive. My child is a junior, and so far we have spent a grand total of
<$700 on books. [b]Contrast that with the more than $12,000 extra GDS families will spend on lunches, outside of tuition, over 4 years. I’ll take included lunch over included books any day of the week. It sounds like you prefer included textbooks, and that’s fine.

Yikes, that's almost $20 a day! I don't know anyone who is spending that much. Consider talking to your child about budgeting?

Door Dash isn’t cheap!

So don't door dash?

There might be lots of reasons for your family to prefer Sidwell over GDS, but the cost of lunch is a silly one. It doesn't have to be as expensive as you are projecting (and isn't, for the vast majority of families).

“…but the cost of lunch is a silly one.” Don’t substitute my values for yours. The opportunity costs of not having a school cafeteria (time, additional money above tuition, bonding with friends on campus, etc) are significant to me. GDS is not a good fit for our family for many reasons, including a lack of cafeteria, and you need to be ok with that fact.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We were lucky to have the choice btw the two as well, as did a family we met at the school we chose later. We compared notes on key differences. Here are the top 10 that I recall:

1. GDS felt like it had a stronger community (school supporting the kids/events/parents volunteering).
2. Sidwell had a larger MS/HS campus for the kids to spread out.
3. GDS had a modern, new building for LS/MS (deceptively big).
4. HS at GDS had an open campus so kids come and go whenever they want. Not sure the rules at Sidwell.
5. Academics at both seemed really good. Teachers we met at both seemed really good.
6. Big focus at GDS on social justice, so it's integrated into the curriculum and assemblies. Very liberal.
7. Sidwell is a Quaker school, so they talked about God and have times of worship where they sit in silence so God can give them insights (this is how it was described to us, apologies if I'm misrepresenting).
8. Both schools courses of study seemed interesting and challenging. Parents at Sidwell shared there was pressure/expectation to do well and competition amongst peers, but that drove the kids. I was impressed by the kids they set-up for us to meet. Parents at GDS said it's challenging and kids study really hard to get a B.
9. GDS seemed more fun/joyful. Kids seemed more at ease.
10. Sidwell athletics seemed better.

We chose GDS.

GDS seems happier overall but the open campus open lunch off campus I think does not promote community. I think lunch time can be a time to know your community and sit at tables and get to know one another.

This is a nice theory, but in reality this sort of bonding doesn't really happen at Sidwell lunch (but it does at St Albans). The food is great and having access to the food is also great - but it's not a community building block.

Speak for yourself/your own children. My children are US students at Sidwell and they usually eat cafeteria lunch. They definitely enjoy spending time and bonding with their friends during lunchtime.

It is no more special at Sidwell than at GDS. We've had US students at both schools and they both tended to eat out once a week and eat at school with friends on other days. (And they both tend to eat out after school a few times a month when sports/school/life gets busy) Neither Sidwell, nor GDS has some special bonding magic at lunchtime more than the other. The students we know at St Albans have a far more structured lunch period ritual and I'd say that's a school where bonding at lunch is next level and a building block to their community.

The main difference is we had between the two kids was more effort was required for lunches for our GDS student. We thought this would be a huge hassle going in, but it wasn't really that bad. (And our Sidwell student had some food unexpected challenges along the way that made it harder than we thought - but again - not a big deal)

I don’t believe for one moment that your child attended Sidwell. If she/he had attended, you would know there’s a HUGE difference in convenience and time saved by having lunch on campus. I packed my children’s lunches through 6th grade (they each joined Sidwell in 7th), and I couldn’t wait to be released from that hellish chore.

You chose GDS, and that’s fine for you. My children wouldn’t change their lunch setup for GDS’ situation.

It’s kind of stupid…but isn’t lunch at Sidwell covered in tuition while it is not at GDS?

On this note. When our second went to GDS we were surprised to find books are included in tuition at GDS - they were not at Sidwell. (and those books were pricey!)

My child has been at Sidwell since 9th grade. We’ve never paid more than $250/year for books (a couple of classes don’t even use hard copy text books). Perhaps you think $250 annually for books is expensive.
I don’t.

Our largest year was over $500. Others were smaller. It depended on how many classes used a large bound textbook (even the online rental version of these can be expensive). Those textbooks tend to be science and math and language (before getting to literature level). In some years a teacher may have found a way to avoid using a textbook by collecting their own materials or the teacher used at textbook source with free online access was available. Those were appreciated.

Meanwhile - don't understand the edgy reply. I am just offering another difference related to what is included in tuition. There is no judgement my reply. OP is asking for differences. Someone said lunch is in Sidwell tuition, another said GDS tuition is lower. I'm adding books are included in GDS and are not at Sidwell.

We were in both communities and can speak to both. I have abstained from posting a laundry list of Sidwell is this and GDS is that because it isn't worth it, but I will reply to specific posts where I have info to add.

Each family (and student) can choose whether different factors they matter - most won't get to choose between these schools anyway. (But we did twice, and my kids split between the two - lunch mattered to one, books mattered to neither but was a nice surprise.)

Good luck OP. Hope you end up with a choice. If you do - find people you know to speak with. Don't choose go to either (or any private) based on what you expect out of college admissions. Go because your kid wants to be part of that community of students and teachers and they like the curriculum.

My response isn’t edgy, but yours is defensive. My child is a junior, and so far we have spent a grand total of
<$700 on books. [b]Contrast that with the more than $12,000 extra GDS families will spend on lunches, outside of tuition, over 4 years. I’ll take included lunch over included books any day of the week. It sounds like you prefer included textbooks, and that’s fine.

Yikes, that's almost $20 a day! I don't know anyone who is spending that much. Consider talking to your child about budgeting?

Door Dash isn’t cheap!

So don't door dash?

There might be lots of reasons for your family to prefer Sidwell over GDS, but the cost of lunch is a silly one. It doesn't have to be as expensive as you are projecting (and isn't, for the vast majority of families).

“…but the cost of lunch is a silly one.” Don’t substitute my values for yours. The opportunity costs of not having a school cafeteria (time, additional money above tuition, bonding with friends on campus, etc) are significant to me. GDS is not a good fit for our family for many reasons, including a lack of cafeteria, and you need to be ok with that fact.

I'm completely OK that GDS was not a good fit for your family.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We were lucky to have the choice btw the two as well, as did a family we met at the school we chose later. We compared notes on key differences. Here are the top 10 that I recall:

1. GDS felt like it had a stronger community (school supporting the kids/events/parents volunteering).
2. Sidwell had a larger MS/HS campus for the kids to spread out.
3. GDS had a modern, new building for LS/MS (deceptively big).
4. HS at GDS had an open campus so kids come and go whenever they want. Not sure the rules at Sidwell.
5. Academics at both seemed really good. Teachers we met at both seemed really good.
6. Big focus at GDS on social justice, so it's integrated into the curriculum and assemblies. Very liberal.
7. Sidwell is a Quaker school, so they talked about God and have times of worship where they sit in silence so God can give them insights (this is how it was described to us, apologies if I'm misrepresenting).
8. Both schools courses of study seemed interesting and challenging. Parents at Sidwell shared there was pressure/expectation to do well and competition amongst peers, but that drove the kids. I was impressed by the kids they set-up for us to meet. Parents at GDS said it's challenging and kids study really hard to get a B.
9. GDS seemed more fun/joyful. Kids seemed more at ease.
10. Sidwell athletics seemed better.

We chose GDS.

GDS seems happier overall but the open campus open lunch off campus I think does not promote community. I think lunch time can be a time to know your community and sit at tables and get to know one another.

This is a nice theory, but in reality this sort of bonding doesn't really happen at Sidwell lunch (but it does at St Albans). The food is great and having access to the food is also great - but it's not a community building block.

Speak for yourself/your own children. My children are US students at Sidwell and they usually eat cafeteria lunch. They definitely enjoy spending time and bonding with their friends during lunchtime.

It is no more special at Sidwell than at GDS. We've had US students at both schools and they both tended to eat out once a week and eat at school with friends on other days. (And they both tend to eat out after school a few times a month when sports/school/life gets busy) Neither Sidwell, nor GDS has some special bonding magic at lunchtime more than the other. The students we know at St Albans have a far more structured lunch period ritual and I'd say that's a school where bonding at lunch is next level and a building block to their community.

The main difference is we had between the two kids was more effort was required for lunches for our GDS student. We thought this would be a huge hassle going in, but it wasn't really that bad. (And our Sidwell student had some food unexpected challenges along the way that made it harder than we thought - but again - not a big deal)

I don’t believe for one moment that your child attended Sidwell. If she/he had attended, you would know there’s a HUGE difference in convenience and time saved by having lunch on campus. I packed my children’s lunches through 6th grade (they each joined Sidwell in 7th), and I couldn’t wait to be released from that hellish chore.

You chose GDS, and that’s fine for you. My children wouldn’t change their lunch setup for GDS’ situation.

It’s kind of stupid…but isn’t lunch at Sidwell covered in tuition while it is not at GDS?

On this note. When our second went to GDS we were surprised to find books are included in tuition at GDS - they were not at Sidwell. (and those books were pricey!)

My child has been at Sidwell since 9th grade. We’ve never paid more than $250/year for books (a couple of classes don’t even use hard copy text books). Perhaps you think $250 annually for books is expensive.
I don’t.

Our largest year was over $500. Others were smaller. It depended on how many classes used a large bound textbook (even the online rental version of these can be expensive). Those textbooks tend to be science and math and language (before getting to literature level). In some years a teacher may have found a way to avoid using a textbook by collecting their own materials or the teacher used at textbook source with free online access was available. Those were appreciated.

Meanwhile - don't understand the edgy reply. I am just offering another difference related to what is included in tuition. There is no judgement my reply. OP is asking for differences. Someone said lunch is in Sidwell tuition, another said GDS tuition is lower. I'm adding books are included in GDS and are not at Sidwell.

We were in both communities and can speak to both. I have abstained from posting a laundry list of Sidwell is this and GDS is that because it isn't worth it, but I will reply to specific posts where I have info to add.

Each family (and student) can choose whether different factors they matter - most won't get to choose between these schools anyway. (But we did twice, and my kids split between the two - lunch mattered to one, books mattered to neither but was a nice surprise.)

Good luck OP. Hope you end up with a choice. If you do - find people you know to speak with. Don't choose go to either (or any private) based on what you expect out of college admissions. Go because your kid wants to be part of that community of students and teachers and they like the curriculum.

My response isn’t edgy, but yours is defensive. My child is a junior, and so far we have spent a grand total of
<$700 on books. [b]Contrast that with the more than $12,000 extra GDS families will spend on lunches, outside of tuition, over 4 years. I’ll take included lunch over included books any day of the week. It sounds like you prefer included textbooks, and that’s fine.

Yikes, that's almost $20 a day! I don't know anyone who is spending that much. Consider talking to your child about budgeting?

Door Dash isn’t cheap!

So don't door dash?

There might be lots of reasons for your family to prefer Sidwell over GDS, but the cost of lunch is a silly one. It doesn't have to be as expensive as you are projecting (and isn't, for the vast majority of families).

“…but the cost of lunch is a silly one.” Don’t substitute my values for yours. The opportunity costs of not having a school cafeteria (time, additional money above tuition, bonding with friends on campus, etc) are significant to me. GDS is not a good fit for our family for many reasons, including a lack of cafeteria, and you need to be ok with that fact.

I'm completely OK that GDS was not a good fit for your family.

Good. The lack of a school cafeteria is a deal breaker for me, and it’s not for you. Now, we can both move on.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don’t have an answer, but my impression was that there were closet republicans at Sidwell but the gds families were all true believer progressives.

You would have to be a closeted Republican at Sidwell. I don’t know why those families wouldn’t just send their children to STA/NCS. I’m sure they would be much more comfortable at the Cathedral schools.

There are plenty of traditional conservatives at Sidwell. Much harder to find any Trump/MAGA types.

This is heartening. Thank you. That was my impression but the other poster denied it, suggesting it was as blanket liberal as I sense GDS is.

I'd still say the majority of families and school values/teaching lean pretty liberal at Sidwell. It's just not expressed in the same way in the community at large like it is at GDS, or taught in the same way that it is at GDS. The Sidwell community parents are more likely to hold cards close to their vests (on many things, not just politics).

I do think traditional conservative parents would be more at ease at Sidwell vs GDS...but keep in mind the education will still lean liberal for sure. So, the further right someone is - the more they might want to lean more to Cathedral schools, Potomac, Catholics.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We were lucky to have the choice btw the two as well, as did a family we met at the school we chose later. We compared notes on key differences. Here are the top 10 that I recall:

1. GDS felt like it had a stronger community (school supporting the kids/events/parents volunteering).
2. Sidwell had a larger MS/HS campus for the kids to spread out.
3. GDS had a modern, new building for LS/MS (deceptively big).
4. HS at GDS had an open campus so kids come and go whenever they want. Not sure the rules at Sidwell.
5. Academics at both seemed really good. Teachers we met at both seemed really good.
6. Big focus at GDS on social justice, so it's integrated into the curriculum and assemblies. Very liberal.
7. Sidwell is a Quaker school, so they talked about God and have times of worship where they sit in silence so God can give them insights (this is how it was described to us, apologies if I'm misrepresenting).
8. Both schools courses of study seemed interesting and challenging. Parents at Sidwell shared there was pressure/expectation to do well and competition amongst peers, but that drove the kids. I was impressed by the kids they set-up for us to meet. Parents at GDS said it's challenging and kids study really hard to get a B.
9. GDS seemed more fun/joyful. Kids seemed more at ease.
10. Sidwell athletics seemed better.

We chose GDS.

GDS seems happier overall but the open campus open lunch off campus I think does not promote community. I think lunch time can be a time to know your community and sit at tables and get to know one another.

This is a nice theory, but in reality this sort of bonding doesn't really happen at Sidwell lunch (but it does at St Albans). The food is great and having access to the food is also great - but it's not a community building block.

Speak for yourself/your own children. My children are US students at Sidwell and they usually eat cafeteria lunch. They definitely enjoy spending time and bonding with their friends during lunchtime.

It is no more special at Sidwell than at GDS. We've had US students at both schools and they both tended to eat out once a week and eat at school with friends on other days. (And they both tend to eat out after school a few times a month when sports/school/life gets busy) Neither Sidwell, nor GDS has some special bonding magic at lunchtime more than the other. The students we know at St Albans have a far more structured lunch period ritual and I'd say that's a school where bonding at lunch is next level and a building block to their community.

The main difference is we had between the two kids was more effort was required for lunches for our GDS student. We thought this would be a huge hassle going in, but it wasn't really that bad. (And our Sidwell student had some food unexpected challenges along the way that made it harder than we thought - but again - not a big deal)

I don’t believe for one moment that your child attended Sidwell. If she/he had attended, you would know there’s a HUGE difference in convenience and time saved by having lunch on campus. I packed my children’s lunches through 6th grade (they each joined Sidwell in 7th), and I couldn’t wait to be released from that hellish chore.

You chose GDS, and that’s fine for you. My children wouldn’t change their lunch setup for GDS’ situation.

It’s kind of stupid…but isn’t lunch at Sidwell covered in tuition while it is not at GDS?

On this note. When our second went to GDS we were surprised to find books are included in tuition at GDS - they were not at Sidwell. (and those books were pricey!)

My child has been at Sidwell since 9th grade. We’ve never paid more than $250/year for books (a couple of classes don’t even use hard copy text books). Perhaps you think $250 annually for books is expensive.
I don’t.

Our largest year was over $500. Others were smaller. It depended on how many classes used a large bound textbook (even the online rental version of these can be expensive). Those textbooks tend to be science and math and language (before getting to literature level). In some years a teacher may have found a way to avoid using a textbook by collecting their own materials or the teacher used at textbook source with free online access was available. Those were appreciated.

Meanwhile - don't understand the edgy reply. I am just offering another difference related to what is included in tuition. There is no judgement my reply. OP is asking for differences. Someone said lunch is in Sidwell tuition, another said GDS tuition is lower. I'm adding books are included in GDS and are not at Sidwell.

We were in both communities and can speak to both. I have abstained from posting a laundry list of Sidwell is this and GDS is that because it isn't worth it, but I will reply to specific posts where I have info to add.

Each family (and student) can choose whether different factors they matter - most won't get to choose between these schools anyway. (But we did twice, and my kids split between the two - lunch mattered to one, books mattered to neither but was a nice surprise.)

Good luck OP. Hope you end up with a choice. If you do - find people you know to speak with. Don't choose go to either (or any private) based on what you expect out of college admissions. Go because your kid wants to be part of that community of students and teachers and they like the curriculum.

My response isn’t edgy, but yours is defensive. My child is a junior, and so far we have spent a grand total of
<$700 on books. [b]Contrast that with the more than $12,000 extra GDS families will spend on lunches, outside of tuition, over 4 years. I’ll take included lunch over included books any day of the week. It sounds like you prefer included textbooks, and that’s fine.

Yikes, that's almost $20 a day! I don't know anyone who is spending that much. Consider talking to your child about budgeting?

Door Dash isn’t cheap!

So don't door dash?

There might be lots of reasons for your family to prefer Sidwell over GDS, but the cost of lunch is a silly one. It doesn't have to be as expensive as you are projecting (and isn't, for the vast majority of families).

“…but the cost of lunch is a silly one.” Don’t substitute my values for yours. The opportunity costs of not having a school cafeteria (time, additional money above tuition, bonding with friends on campus, etc) are significant to me. GDS is not a good fit for our family for many reasons, including a lack of cafeteria, and you need to be ok with that fact.

I'm completely OK that GDS was not a good fit for your family.

Good. The lack of a school cafeteria is a deal breaker for me, and it’s not for you. Now, we can both move on.

You are tiresome (I'm not PP) .

[Anonymous]

They both are but it’s not surprising.

[Anonymous]

Sidwell is playing DeMatha in hoops n the upcoming season.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don’t have an answer, but my impression was that there were closet republicans at Sidwell but the gds families were all true believer progressives.

You would have to be a closeted Republican at Sidwell. I don’t know why those families wouldn’t just send their children to STA/NCS. I’m sure they would be much more comfortable at the Cathedral schools.

There are plenty of traditional conservatives at Sidwell. Much harder to find any Trump/MAGA types.

This is heartening. Thank you. That was my impression but the other poster denied it, suggesting it was as blanket liberal as I sense GDS is.

I'd still say the majority of families and school values/teaching lean pretty liberal at Sidwell. It's just not expressed in the same way in the community at large like it is at GDS, or taught in the same way that it is at GDS. The Sidwell community parents are more likely to hold cards close to their vests (on many things, not just politics).

I do think traditional conservative parents would be more at ease at Sidwell vs GDS...but keep in mind the education will still lean liberal for sure. So, the further right someone is - the more they might want to lean more to Cathedral schools, Potomac, Catholics.

Thank you again. We are actually just centrist democrats and decidedly not progressive. I am turned off by GDS’ progressiveness and feel more comfortable at a more balanced school. I know about the cathedrals (and Potomac), but the good publics seem actually less ideologue than gds does. It’s the dogmatic liberalism and concomitant need to thrust it down the kids throats that rubs me the wrong way at gds. I sense it’s a spectrum but I was hoping Sitwell was less in your face progressive and had conservatives (not trumpers is fine!)

[Anonymous]

We’ve had two kids go through the GDS LS and MS. Nothing can be fairly characterized as having been thrust down their throats.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Totally different parent vibe, too. Both "progressive" of course, but the GDS vibe is "we really are a public school family but [insert random excuse why they are now paying $55k a year for private school]" whereas Sidwell families don't even pretend.

I love this!

GDS: “We are a public school family and drive Subarus, but due to Phoebe’s trust fund and neither of us ever having gone to public school in our lives and our belief that Gia and Genni can only thrive with small classes and curated lunch options we (or Phoebe’s trust) are now paying $55K for each child to attend GDS. We’re both Feds and democrats and believe strongly in having good public education though.”

Sidwell: “Tony and I want Max and Peter to get the best education they can.”

See -- you get it.

I am the OP of this comment and I straight up have had multiple GDS parents say to me "we really are public school parents but..." and most of the time it is either a trust or grandparents paying tuition, too, while they have some save the world/two fed jobs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We were lucky to have the choice btw the two as well, as did a family we met at the school we chose later. We compared notes on key differences. Here are the top 10 that I recall:

1. GDS felt like it had a stronger community (school supporting the kids/events/parents volunteering).
2. Sidwell had a larger MS/HS campus for the kids to spread out.
3. GDS had a modern, new building for LS/MS (deceptively big).
4. HS at GDS had an open campus so kids come and go whenever they want. Not sure the rules at Sidwell.
5. Academics at both seemed really good. Teachers we met at both seemed really good.
6. Big focus at GDS on social justice, so it's integrated into the curriculum and assemblies. Very liberal.
7. Sidwell is a Quaker school, so they talked about God and have times of worship where they sit in silence so God can give them insights (this is how it was described to us, apologies if I'm misrepresenting).
8. Both schools courses of study seemed interesting and challenging. Parents at Sidwell shared there was pressure/expectation to do well and competition amongst peers, but that drove the kids. I was impressed by the kids they set-up for us to meet. Parents at GDS said it's challenging and kids study really hard to get a B.
9. GDS seemed more fun/joyful. Kids seemed more at ease.
10. Sidwell athletics seemed better.

We chose GDS.

GDS seems happier overall but the open campus open lunch off campus I think does not promote community. I think lunch time can be a time to know your community and sit at tables and get to know one another.

This is a nice theory, but in reality this sort of bonding doesn't really happen at Sidwell lunch (but it does at St Albans). The food is great and having access to the food is also great - but it's not a community building block.

Speak for yourself/your own children. My children are US students at Sidwell and they usually eat cafeteria lunch. They definitely enjoy spending time and bonding with their friends during lunchtime.

It is no more special at Sidwell than at GDS. We've had US students at both schools and they both tended to eat out once a week and eat at school with friends on other days. (And they both tend to eat out after school a few times a month when sports/school/life gets busy) Neither Sidwell, nor GDS has some special bonding magic at lunchtime more than the other. The students we know at St Albans have a far more structured lunch period ritual and I'd say that's a school where bonding at lunch is next level and a building block to their community.

The main difference is we had between the two kids was more effort was required for lunches for our GDS student. We thought this would be a huge hassle going in, but it wasn't really that bad. (And our Sidwell student had some food unexpected challenges along the way that made it harder than we thought - but again - not a big deal)

I don’t believe for one moment that your child attended Sidwell. If she/he had attended, you would know there’s a HUGE difference in convenience and time saved by having lunch on campus. I packed my children’s lunches through 6th grade (they each joined Sidwell in 7th), and I couldn’t wait to be released from that hellish chore.

You chose GDS, and that’s fine for you. My children wouldn’t change their lunch setup for GDS’ situation.

It’s kind of stupid…but isn’t lunch at Sidwell covered in tuition while it is not at GDS?

On this note. When our second went to GDS we were surprised to find books are included in tuition at GDS - they were not at Sidwell. (and those books were pricey!)

My child has been at Sidwell since 9th grade. We’ve never paid more than $250/year for books (a couple of classes don’t even use hard copy text books). Perhaps you think $250 annually for books is expensive.
I don’t.

Our largest year was over $500. Others were smaller. It depended on how many classes used a large bound textbook (even the online rental version of these can be expensive). Those textbooks tend to be science and math and language (before getting to literature level). In some years a teacher may have found a way to avoid using a textbook by collecting their own materials or the teacher used at textbook source with free online access was available. Those were appreciated.

Meanwhile - don't understand the edgy reply. I am just offering another difference related to what is included in tuition. There is no judgement my reply. OP is asking for differences. Someone said lunch is in Sidwell tuition, another said GDS tuition is lower. I'm adding books are included in GDS and are not at Sidwell.

We were in both communities and can speak to both. I have abstained from posting a laundry list of Sidwell is this and GDS is that because it isn't worth it, but I will reply to specific posts where I have info to add.

Each family (and student) can choose whether different factors they matter - most won't get to choose between these schools anyway. (But we did twice, and my kids split between the two - lunch mattered to one, books mattered to neither but was a nice surprise.)

Good luck OP. Hope you end up with a choice. If you do - find people you know to speak with. Don't choose go to either (or any private) based on what you expect out of college admissions. Go because your kid wants to be part of that community of students and teachers and they like the curriculum.

My response isn’t edgy, but yours is defensive. My child is a junior, and so far we have spent a grand total of
<$700 on books. [b]Contrast that with the more than $12,000 extra GDS families will spend on lunches, outside of tuition, over 4 years. I’ll take included lunch over included books any day of the week. It sounds like you prefer included textbooks, and that’s fine.

Yikes, that's almost $20 a day! I don't know anyone who is spending that much. Consider talking to your child about budgeting?

A wrap with a piece of fruit and a seltzer is $20 from booeymonger. Just a wrap or sandwich is $16 with tax, but if you eat there you can’t bring in your own fruit or chips or seltzer. Northwest DC doesn’t have inexpensive fast casual dining options. For a sandwich or salad (with tax) you will spend $15-17.

[Anonymous]

Whole Foods is three blocks away. Not hard to get lunch for $10 (or much less) there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Whole Foods is three blocks away. Not hard to get lunch for $10 (or much less) there.

That’s way more effort than I would want to make as a high school kid just trying to grab a quick lunch.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Whole Foods is three blocks away. Not hard to get lunch for $10 (or much less) there.

That’s way more effort than I would want to make as a high school kid just trying to grab a quick lunch.

We buy frozen meals at trader Joe's each weekend that my student brings for lunch. Minimal effort, way less than $20 (less than $10!), and plenty of classmate bonding.