Sidwell vs. Georgetown Day School -- pros and cons

[Anonymous]

We made the mistake of one at both. Sidwell is the clear winner for us after 8 years of perspective. You can't go wrong and so many things can at GDS. The kids that tend to do well there tow the line and are the kinds of kids you'll find marching at protests for cause close to them, deep thinkers, self starters, independent. Preppier, more mainstream kids, kids who thrive and grow in structure will do better at Sidwell. This rang true in college admissions for us in this years class, our daughter included at GDS.

[Anonymous]

Let’s talk about the parents- it couldn’t be more different.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We made the mistake of one at both. Sidwell is the clear winner for us after 8 years of perspective. You can't go wrong and so many things can at GDS. The kids that tend to do well there tow the line and are the kinds of kids you'll find marching at protests for cause close to them, deep thinkers, self starters, independent. Preppier, more mainstream kids, kids who thrive and grow in structure will do better at Sidwell. This rang true in college admissions for us in this years class, our daughter included at GDS.

It is not a mistake to have one at both schools. And your buckets don't match up to our experience (I am not going to create buckets)

Our GDS student is not a protest marcher and is the preppy mainstream type. Our Sidwell student is more of the deep thinker, self starter, independent type.

I will say that GDS is a much friendlier, happier place for a kid who turns out not to be one who finds themselves not able to compete among their peers at Sidwell. There's is a very narrow road at Sidwell and a lot of competition. At GDS, there is more support and acceptance for a student who isn't able to grind out the top grades in all the hardest classes. And, even at Sidwell, for kids who can grind out A's in all the top classes - most don't enjoy the journey.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Let’s talk about the parents- it couldn’t be more different.

Very true but I’d still let my kid choose their preference - it’s not about ‘me’

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We made the mistake of one at both. Sidwell is the clear winner for us after 8 years of perspective. You can't go wrong and so many things can at GDS. The kids that tend to do well there tow the line and are the kinds of kids you'll find marching at protests for cause close to them, deep thinkers, self starters, independent. Preppier, more mainstream kids, kids who thrive and grow in structure will do better at Sidwell. This rang true in college admissions for us in this years class, our daughter included at GDS.

It is not a mistake to have one at both schools. And your buckets don't match up to our experience (I am not going to create buckets)

Our GDS student is not a protest marcher and is the preppy mainstream type. Our Sidwell student is more of the deep thinker, self starter, independent type.

I will say that GDS is a much friendlier, happier place for a kid who turns out not to be one who finds themselves not able to compete among their peers at Sidwell. There's is a very narrow road at Sidwell and a lot of competition. At GDS, there is more support and acceptance for a student who isn't able to grind out the top grades in all the hardest classes. And, even at Sidwell, for kids who can grind out A's in all the top classes - most don't enjoy the journey.

Ps - and you can’t know in advance where your kid will fall in the ‘grind it out’ spectrum and whether that will be hitting a wall of ability or a wall in how they respond to culture/pressure. Sidwell is not where I’d send a kid I wasn’t sure how they’d perform in that pressure cooker. There can be a lot of pressure at GDS based on course load - but there is more support if you find you aren’t able to grind it out with the others. There are also more fellow peers who find it acceptable to listen to school messaging to seek balance. (Sidwell may suggest balance but it’s far less acceptable among peers)

[Anonymous]

I've seen kids switch between the schools and report to be much happier with their choice. To be clear, I have seen Sidwell kids go to GDS and GDS kids go to Sidwell. I've seen parents with kids prefer one over the other. It is such an individual decision. Both schools are rigorous and both schools do a ton of virture signaling. It's safe to say that Sidwell is more traditional and GDS is more loosey goosey. Both schools are rigourous, both do a lot of virture signaling, although GDS is enormously distracted by social justice issues, causing a little more division there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: I've seen kids switch between the schools and report to be much happier with their choice. To be clear, I have seen Sidwell kids go to GDS and GDS kids go to Sidwell. I've seen parents with kids prefer one over the other. It is such an individual decision. Both schools are rigorous and both schools do a ton of virture signaling. It's safe to say that Sidwell is more traditional and GDS is more loosey goosey. Both schools are rigourous, both do a lot of virture signaling, although GDS is enormously distracted by social justice issues, causing a little more division there.

Let the student choose

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We made the mistake of one at both. Sidwell is the clear winner for us after 8 years of perspective. You can't go wrong and so many things can at GDS. The kids that tend to do well there tow the line and are the kinds of kids you'll find marching at protests for cause close to them, deep thinkers, self starters, independent. Preppier, more mainstream kids, kids who thrive and grow in structure will do better at Sidwell. This rang true in college admissions for us in this years class, our daughter included at GDS.

I think of kids who tow the line as being the opposite of deep thinkers and independent. I'm also wondering why you think those characteristics are negative (since based on your description of the differences, you say Sidwell is the clear winner).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We made the mistake of one at both. Sidwell is the clear winner for us after 8 years of perspective. You can't go wrong and so many things can at GDS. The kids that tend to do well there tow the line and are the kinds of kids you'll find marching at protests for cause close to them, deep thinkers, self starters, independent. Preppier, more mainstream kids, kids who thrive and grow in structure will do better at Sidwell. This rang true in college admissions for us in this years class, our daughter included at GDS.

I think of kids who tow the line as being the opposite of deep thinkers and independent. I'm also wondering why you think those characteristics are negative (since based on your description of the differences, you say Sidwell is the clear winner).

I’m. It the PP but one who noted earlier that I found these buckets to be off. In the end - your child should be the one who visits both shadow days and determines which school feels better for them in terms of classmates and future friends. The schools have a very different feel - my kids were able to determine for themselves (correctly) where they thought they’d fit. They made two different choices.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do another shadow day. Both give a ton of homework that is outside the normal for high school. Find out about stuff that will make your and your kid’s life better.

Stuff like does one not give homework over breaks. How much homework over the weekend. Does either give a full week off for Thanksgiving. What is the class schedule -block or other. Is there parking when your kid can drive.

Sidwell is a big 3 if that is important to you.[u/quote]

So is GDS.

No GDS is not the big 3. The big three have always been the Two cathedral schools and Sidwell.

That's odd. So does that mean there is only a Big 2 for the pk-3 years, i.e. Beauvoir and Sidwell?
The big 3 comprises: Cathedral Schools (Beauvoir/NCS/STA), GDS and Sidwell.

[Anonymous]

What did you choose? We had the same choice, plus STA, and chose Sidwell. Fingers crossed!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What did you choose? We had the same choice, plus STA, and chose Sidwell. Fingers crossed!

Well I, for one, think your son made the right choice. Welcome to Sidwell!

[Anonymous]

We chose Sidwell too! Excited!

[Anonymous]

FWIW it is "toe the line"

[Anonymous]

Chose GDS. Was a tough call.