Sidwell - why don't many families in nw dc apply to sidwell, even though it is one of the top 2?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes, this poster sounds like they want only their own kind at Beauvoir/NPS, exactly the reason many of those people do not want Sidwell, which is significantly more heterogeneous. Unfortunately, admissions are so competitive that even if those of us who would prefer Sidwell on all counts will also apply to Beauvoir & NPS.

Sidwell is not more heterogeneous. The vast majority of students are from NW DC and we discovered that staff was grossly unfamiliar with schools out of the "neighborhood." Cool urban chic teens.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yep, you got it PP. I actually think you've described people like me very well. While Sidwell might fit my politics, I think it's too liberal an environment for my young kids. (Plus, lower school is really inconvenient, wherever in the 'burbs it's located).

Sidwell's lower school is in Bethesda, just a bit over the D.C. line. Hardly, sniff, the 'burbs.

True not too far into the burbs. BUT I live in the DC, have a smaller house than if I was in the burbs and this was a deliberate choice to have a short commute and more family time. Sending DD to Sidwell would have wiped out all those advantages, even if my work colleagues cannot believe we chose Beauvoir over Sidwell. Sidwell was probably a better match for our family, including DH and I, but made less of a difference to DD who is thriving at Beauvoir. I find some of the culture, for want of a better word, at Beauvoir more than a little nauseating but I am not the one at school there.

Do tell!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This top group of privates are helpful not placing top students in ivies, but also in placing their "upper middle of the pack" students at strong schools... ie. Duke, Vanderbilt, Michigan, UVA... These competitive universities "weight" (give preference) to applicants from these top tier schools because historically the kids who have gone on to them have historically performed well there and were exceptionally prepared. There are also strong relationships between the college counselors at the top tier privates and many universities where admission is extremely competitive.

This too is debatable. There is some evidence that students from the middle of the pack are accepted over higher-performing students (grades, test scores), when these middle-of-the-pack students have legacy, athletic or other advantages. Otherwise, being middle-of-the-pack at a top private may well be worse, in terms of college admissions, than being the top student at a nearby public, depending on the public.

I do agree with the argument about college counselors having a strong relationship with top universities. But it may not be enough to offset the first point.

[Anonymous]

.

[Anonymous]

BUMP

[Anonymous]

Why?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It is hilarious that some parent or staffer from NPS or St. Patrick's is actually mention those 2 schools in the same breath as Beauvoir. Sidwell has plenty of old money WASPS. More jews of course b/c of aversion to mandatory chapel if you go on STA. I graduated Sidwell--my brother from STA. The second tier schools are just that. second tier. Stop these fake posts where people lump them with top tier schools and pretend they're something their not. I guess it makes it easier to sleep at night instead of facing the fact that your'e wasting 30gs at some middling school just so you don't have to be near a few jews, latinos and blacks *sigh*.

... and this is why I am not going to apply to Sidwell.

[Anonymous]

Because you want to avoid blacks, jews and latinos?

[Anonymous]

Nope. Because of this:

Anonymous wrote:Wow--crass condescension, stereotyping and grammatical errors all in one post! Such a fine advertisement for Sidwell.

[Anonymous]

Could this thread be laid to rest? It was started nearly 2 1/2 years ago and revived the other day for reasons unknown. The offensive remark requoted on this page was written on 1/6/09. The remark was indeed offensive on several levels. But if people really think the attitude and abilities reflected in that ugly post reflect norms for Sidwell or any school, then those folks are similarly guilty of condescension and gross generalizations.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We didn't apply because the prospect of several-to-12 years of Sidwell seemed too rigorous. Can I say that? Sometimes I think I might be the only NWDC parent who does -not- want a very challenging curriculum for her child.

Appropriately challenging, yes. But not burnt out by age 15. We personally know of a small group of Sidwell (and NCS) former students, lifers, who were counseled out.

A sane parent has been found in upper caucasia ! How refreshing.

[Anonymous]

PP - same thing occurred to me when my 5th grade PUBLIC SCHOOL (accelerated program) child told me that he did not want to struggle to take 9th grade algebra next year (in 6th grade), as some of his peers are doing, and would rather do that in 7th grade. All too fast - told him to not worry about it and just learn how to think. And if you want to accelerate, you can actually do better in public.

[Anonymous]

Honestly, we never even considered it. We did apply to St. Pats, Beauvoir and NPS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:While most of my NW neighbors are liberal, there is a part of them that seeks and old school, stodgy, and yes conservative education. Call them hypocrites, limousine liberals, or WASP wannabes. Thus, the popularity of Beauvoir, St. Pats, NPS and the like.

I don't consider NPS to be "stodgy."