GDS...is it as good as its reputation?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just to clarify as the poster of the anecdote about the GDS graduates in college, it was clear these two kids had each actually told the professor what was wrong with the class. I was astounded, but all kids do boneheaded, entitled, rude things sometimes. It was weirder to me that everyone at the open house was nodding and smiling at this description.

That said, most professors would be thrilled that someone actually looked at the syllabus before asking questions that are answered in the syllabus.

Some of the GDS kids do act like they believe that they're the smartest guys in the room.

I think you'll find some kids like that at any HS. Certainly, you'll find lots of college freshmen who act that way (at least at the schools where I've studied/taught). (What's GDSly about the story is HoS/parent reaction as well as the fact that it was the contents of a syllabus that prompted the students' critiques).

[Anonymous]

This was not true about GDS many years ago but it has now officially become the loudest, most obnoxious school in DC. Unlike a school like Landon which is a runner up in the category, GDS has nothing it can actually point to in terms of demonstratable success. It only claims success in one area - college admissions and it never provides evidence to back it up. At least Landon has its won-loss record and recruiting history to show for itself.

[Anonymous]

If you say the same thing loudly and over and over again, it becomes true.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you say the same thing loudly and over and over again, it becomes true.

That's the Washington way of spin. And there are tons of successful people who know how to fake it 'till they make it.

[Anonymous]

I was at that open house where the HOS told that story about the GDS graduate and the professor's syllabus. It fell pretty flat, and I'd be surprised if he is still telling that joke at open houses. There may have been some nervous titters. I inwardly cringed at the story, and my husband and I both thought it was a very odd story, but in the context of everything else the HOS and the other presenters said that day, it was the only off-moment during the open house.

To the extent that other posters are judging GDS parents because some parents may have laughed or smiled and nodded at the anecdote, I suspect that they were the nervous applicant parents who didn't want to be seen as doing anything "wrong" during the open house. And some parents at open houses can be surprisingly awful or tone-deaf. I saw plenty of obnoxious parent behavior during open houses at several schools - parents asking questions in a group setting that were very specific to their child and designed to advertise their kid's superiority. But I suspect those parents didn't wind up at GDS, or at least I haven't met those types of people during the 6 years my kids have been at GDS.

In short, I would advise people to not judge GDS based on questionable parent behavior at open houses because those parents' kids don't necessarily wind at GDS. The vast majority of parents I've met at GDS over the years have been wonderful - down-to-earth, friendly, kind, engaged, and supportive of all kids.

[Anonymous]

Grads not only think they know more than their college professors, but also tout that they show up their professors as a evidence of their high school training?

Sounds pretty douchy.

[Anonymous]

How can you change the culture of a school? Can you force it or does it have to happen in an organic way? If GDS realized that it has become a loud, douchy school, could it take steps to fix it?

[Anonymous]

My guess is that the syllabi didn't include experiences or POVs that GDS kids are used to considering. You don't have to assume that you know more than your professor to recognize such an omission and to have a sense of what kinds of texts are out there that could be used to bring that POV into the mix in a particular course.

Here's the thing. Many GDS parents value critical thinking and especially an ability to question/think beyond the parameters in which a question has been framed (e.g. conventionally or by someone in a position of authority). And many, if not most, GDS teachers encourage these kinds of intellectual habits, among others.

There's a separate question of manners (and different assumptions in this thread re how such questioning would manifest itself -- loud/"douchy" vs. appropriate intellectual engagement), but the basic principles are think for yourself (don't just accept what you're taught as gospel and/or parrot back whatever you think will get you the best grade) and seriously consider alternative points of view.

There are people who believe, almost categorically, that kids should defer to adults and adults should defer to status-superiors, whether in principle or for pragmatic reasons.

[Anonymous]

^those are beliefs that are at odds with GDS's pedagogical approach, but they don't invalidate that approach. That's one of the upsides of private schools -- (if you can afford them,) you get to choose one that's consistent with your own beliefs/values.

[Anonymous]

I should probably add that those principles are likely to play out differently in the hands of investment bankers and real estate developers than they play out when espoused by artists, scientists, activists, or teachers.

[Anonymous]

People with this described GDS attitude who start working in my company and demand unearned perks, renegotiate salary and think all their ideas are superb don't last long. Maybe it's generational, but for now there are others who are innovative and still work well with a team.

[Anonymous]

+1
I know the type as well. Entitled, smart but not that smart, selfish, inexperienced but don't realize it. Don't last more than 6 months in my office.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Actual GDS parent here. Obviously, we're partial to GDS and the quality and depth of its high school academics are a good fit for our child. But, your child will be well served at all the schools mentioned already. There are differences among them, but they are all excellent. But, because of their selectivity and huge number of applicants, odds are that you will not be choosing among multiple acceptances.

What's important at the consideration stage of the process is figuring out where you think your child will thrive. Open houses are a piece of the process, but they are like cattle calls filled with lots of families that may or not be serious about attending the school. That's why they are a little cursory. The real sense of the school will come when you do a tour and play date and interview. Your child will come home with opinions to consider with yours. It is also perfectly appropriate to decide not to proceed with the application if the tour and play date didn't feel right.

Thanks. Of course I will be choosing from multiple acceptances - my child is about as good as they come . Seriously, you are absolutely correct which is why I hesitate to not see the process through because I want to maximize our options of getting into at least one of our top choices.

Omg are we talking about a kindergartener here? She's as good as they come? Really - just your child?
This is why I totally refused this process when our kids were young. Your child will be especially insufferable
as an teen and adult unless these schools are good at teaching humility somehow (which I doubt).
Maybe she'll do herself a favor and have terribly rebellious teenage years so she can 'get over herself'.

You will fit right in at this school - I hear that thinking your kid is the best thing on the planet is de rigeur there.
Don't apply anywhere else!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Actual GDS parent here. Obviously, we're partial to GDS and the quality and depth of its high school academics are a good fit for our child. But, your child will be well served at all the schools mentioned already. There are differences among them, but they are all excellent. But, because of their selectivity and huge number of applicants, odds are that you will not be choosing among multiple acceptances.

What's important at the consideration stage of the process is figuring out where you think your child will thrive. Open houses are a piece of the process, but they are like cattle calls filled with lots of families that may or not be serious about attending the school. That's why they are a little cursory. The real sense of the school will come when you do a tour and play date and interview. Your child will come home with opinions to consider with yours. It is also perfectly appropriate to decide not to proceed with the application if the tour and play date didn't feel right.

Thanks. Of course I will be choosing from multiple acceptances - my child is about as good as they come . Seriously, you are absolutely correct which is why I hesitate to not see the process through because I want to maximize our options of getting into at least one of our top choices.

Omg are we talking about a kindergartener here? She's as good as they come? Really - just your child?
This is why I totally refused this process when our kids were young. Your child will be especially insufferable
as an teen and adult unless these schools are good at teaching humility somehow (which I doubt).
Maybe she'll do herself a favor and have terribly rebellious teenage years so she can 'get over herself'.

You will fit right in at this school - I hear that thinking your kid is the best thing on the planet is de rigeur there.
Don't apply anywhere else!

Sigh... She was making a joke. However, I'm sure you had a great time getting to bash both GDS and a child you've never met. Job well done!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Actual GDS parent here. Obviously, we're partial to GDS and the quality and depth of its high school academics are a good fit for our child. But, your child will be well served at all the schools mentioned already. There are differences among them, but they are all excellent. But, because of their selectivity and huge number of applicants, odds are that you will not be choosing among multiple acceptances.

What's important at the consideration stage of the process is figuring out where you think your child will thrive. Open houses are a piece of the process, but they are like cattle calls filled with lots of families that may or not be serious about attending the school. That's why they are a little cursory. The real sense of the school will come when you do a tour and play date and interview. Your child will come home with opinions to consider with yours. It is also perfectly appropriate to decide not to proceed with the application if the tour and play date didn't feel right.

Thanks. Of course I will be choosing from multiple acceptances - my child is about as good as they come . Seriously, you are absolutely correct which is why I hesitate to not see the process through because I want to maximize our options of getting into at least one of our top choices.

Omg are we talking about a kindergartener here? She's as good as they come? Really - just your child?
This is why I totally refused this process when our kids were young. Your child will be especially insufferable
as an teen and adult unless these schools are good at teaching humility somehow (which I doubt).
Maybe she'll do herself a favor and have terribly rebellious teenage years so she can 'get over herself'.

You will fit right in at this school - I hear that thinking your kid is the best thing on the planet is de rigeur there.
Don't apply anywhere else!

Can you imagine what potty training is like?