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

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Or just bring lunch.

I get this is a deal breaker for some. But no lunch doesn’t mean a kid eats out every day - I suppose those kids exist but none of the families I know I support daily take out lunch.

Also - lunch is 50 min. Longer if you have a free period on either end.

It's weird that people who don't go to GDS/don't like GDS have to make up an imaginary image of what lunch is like to justify their dislike. It's ok not to like GDS -- no school is for everyone -- but dislike it on the facts!

It’s a fact that GDS doesn’t have an US cafeteria. That’s one of the reasons I don’t like GDS for my children, but it’s not the only reason.

Thank God. School dodged a bullet there.

And we definitely dodged the GDS bullet. My children are so happy they’re not “hoppers.” 😂

[Anonymous]

Why is GDS anti-cafeteria? Sidwell has wonderful cafeteria food and also great lunch options nearby. Sidwell for the win!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why is GDS anti-cafeteria? Sidwell has wonderful cafeteria food and also great lunch options nearby. Sidwell for the win!

GDS probably decided that having an US cafeteria was somehow inequitable.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Not much difference between the two schools - both are full of nerds.

Sidwell lowers their admissions standards to recruit some athletes to entertain their nerds.

Do you have proof if this? Because from what I have seen, the kids on the teams are mostly like the other students. Maybe you are projecting a racial bias?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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

What do your conservative friends at the school think about that?

There are no conservatives at GDS.

Of course there are. Plenty of fiscal conservatives.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not much difference between the two schools - both are full of nerds.

Sidwell lowers their admissions standards to recruit some athletes to entertain their nerds.

Do you have proof if this? Because from what I have seen, the kids on the teams are mostly like the other students. Maybe you are projecting a racial bias?

They are talking about boys basketball. And yes the basketball market is totally separate from the regular admissions process. Any given player can be smart or not, but it doesn’t matter. These players are recruited in the summer from the EYBL/grass roots circuit. The best players on Sidwell came in during 10th and 11th grade from St. John’s and Bishop McNamara. But “lowering admissions standards” is a misconception. It’s just a completely different process that plays out separate from normal admissions. These kids aren’t taking away your spot in regular admissions in the normal entry years.

[Anonymous]

Regarding basketball, the above is correct. There is basically now a transfer portal for top players every summer and these kids transfer from school to school that way. But it’s not just Sidwell, they are just more successful. It works the same way at Maret and the rest of the MAC schools. The GDS program is less well established so they don’t get as strong of players as Sidwell, but they would take them through the same summer process if any of those players wanted to move there. But we are talking 5-6 kids at most spread among four classes that are brought in like this and it’s often sophomore and juniors. So it’s pretty irrelevant to overall admissions.

[Anonymous]

I am glad that Sidwell has strong boys and girls basketball teams that the school supports and promotes. The benefits to the school of having such programs extend far beyond mere wins and losses.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am glad that Sidwell has strong boys and girls basketball teams that the school supports and promotes. The benefits to the school of having such programs extend far beyond mere wins and losses.

Yes those lifers sitting on the bench learn a lot.

[Anonymous]

Agreed. The lifer benchwarmers learn that in some endeavors their parents' money and privilege will only get them so far.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Or just bring lunch.

I get this is a deal breaker for some. But no lunch doesn’t mean a kid eats out every day - I suppose those kids exist but none of the families I know I support daily take out lunch.

Also - lunch is 50 min. Longer if you have a free period on either end.

It's weird that people who don't go to GDS/don't like GDS have to make up an imaginary image of what lunch is like to justify their dislike. It's ok not to like GDS -- no school is for everyone -- but dislike it on the facts!

You are replying to my post. We have had kids at both GDS and Sidwell - so none of this is imaginary. We were clearly open to both schools. I agree, not every school is for everyone (my kids included - as they chose two different ones).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am glad that Sidwell has strong boys and girls basketball teams that the school supports and promotes. The benefits to the school of having such programs extend far beyond mere wins and losses.

Yes those lifers sitting on the bench learn a lot.

Those lifers are learning a very valuable lesson: If you don’t want to be a bench warmer, you need to play better.

[Anonymous]

lunch is no biggie - kids at GDS - either we pack lunch, or kids walk in a group to grab lunch somewhere fun (pizza, wherever) it has a college vibe and nice to get some fresh air and steps in, enjoy the semi-urban vibe- the teachers are so amazing too because they will meet with kids over lunch to discuss ideas/chat - just a super, engaged community with a lifelong love of learning!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Or just bring lunch.

I get this is a deal breaker for some. But no lunch doesn’t mean a kid eats out every day - I suppose those kids exist but none of the families I know I support daily take out lunch.

Also - lunch is 50 min. Longer if you have a free period on either end.

It's weird that people who don't go to GDS/don't like GDS have to make up an imaginary image of what lunch is like to justify their dislike. It's ok not to like GDS -- no school is for everyone -- but dislike it on the facts!

You are replying to my post. We have had kids at both GDS and Sidwell - so none of this is imaginary. We were clearly open to both schools. I agree, not every school is for everyone (my kids included - as they chose two different ones).

Yes, I was agreeing with you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am glad that Sidwell has strong boys and girls basketball teams that the school supports and promotes. The benefits to the school of having such programs extend far beyond mere wins and losses.

What benefits?