When did GDS become so well regarded?

[Anonymous]

The GDS cornerstone statement sums up why GDS is very well-regarded in Washington, DC:

Academic Excellence
Educational Innovation
Social Justice

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’ve been on DCUM too long, but the original “Big 3” was Sidwell, NCS and STA. Back when my oldest was applying to high schools, about 8-9 years ago, Maret was sometimes included in the Big 3 when the Cathedral schools were lumped together. But GDS was an also-ran.

The Obamas also toured Maret, FWIW. There were some comments at the time that the school looked too much like a southern plantation, although DCUM had a (rather crazed) Maret booster who kept insisting that the Obamas had definitely chosen Maret, and this led to a pretty funny thread around the same time as the “what were you doing when your kid got into private school” thread. Ah, the golden years on DCUM. But I don’t pretend to know what Michelle actually thought about Maret.

IMO, GDS rose in perception when a lot of Obama appointees, encouraged by Holder, sent their kids there. The prominent-parent connection may possibly also explain recent Ivy results, but I don’t pretend to know that, either.

Anyway, watch for it all to change in another 10 years when a new President sends her kids to maybe St. Anselms or Stone Ridge (think Jackie O). Pretty sure the only constant will be that the Cathedral Schools remain near the top, because they’ve educated the so-called elite longer than anyone else, including Sidwell.

We moved into DC a few years ago, and no one recommended us looking into GDS. It was Sidwell, Cathedral schools, Maret, WIS if we wanted bilingual.

Perhaps GDS cornered the second-level Dem staffer market for a while -- except, why don't they just go a public?

"Second-level Dem staffer"?! Tell that to Congressman and Constitutional Law Professor Jamie Raskin, Class of 79.

https://www.gds.org/page/news-detail?pk=1075228

Never heard of him (or her).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We moved into DC a few years ago, and no one recommended us looking into GDS. It was Sidwell, Cathedral schools, Maret, WIS if we wanted bilingual.

Perhaps your friends could sense that the kids weren't Harvard material.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’ve been on DCUM too long, but the original “Big 3” was Sidwell, NCS and STA. Back when my oldest was applying to high schools, about 8-9 years ago, Maret was sometimes included in the Big 3 when the Cathedral schools were lumped together. But GDS was an also-ran.

The Obamas also toured Maret, FWIW. There were some comments at the time that the school looked too much like a southern plantation, although DCUM had a (rather crazed) Maret booster who kept insisting that the Obamas had definitely chosen Maret, and this led to a pretty funny thread around the same time as the “what were you doing when your kid got into private school” thread. Ah, the golden years on DCUM. But I don’t pretend to know what Michelle actually thought about Maret.

IMO, GDS rose in perception when a lot of Obama appointees, encouraged by Holder, sent their kids there. The prominent-parent connection may possibly also explain recent Ivy results, but I don’t pretend to know that, either.

Anyway, watch for it all to change in another 10 years when a new President sends her kids to maybe St. Anselms or Stone Ridge (think Jackie O). Pretty sure the only constant will be that the Cathedral Schools remain near the top, because they’ve educated the so-called elite longer than anyone else, including Sidwell.

We moved into DC a few years ago, and no one recommended us looking into GDS. It was Sidwell, Cathedral schools, Maret, WIS if we wanted bilingual.

Perhaps GDS cornered the second-level Dem staffer market for a while -- except, why don't they just go a public?

"Second-level Dem staffer"?! Tell that to Congressman and Constitutional Law Professor Jamie Raskin, Class of 79.

https://www.gds.org/page/news-detail?pk=1075228

Never heard of him (or her).

Then that is an admission of ignorance. He was a recognized Con Law professor and commentator before becoming the Congressman respresenting Bethesda, Potomac and Silver Spring.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Too easy to get in, especially lower years.

You have absolutely no proof.

Just the track record at DC's private.

[Anonymous]

well-regarded by whom?

[Anonymous]

GDS parents please stop acting so insecure. It makes you seem insecure. GDS is a really good school, nobody questions that. Stop, just, stop.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The GDS cornerstone statement sums up why GDS is very well-regarded in Washington, DC:

Academic Excellence
Educational Innovation
Social Justice

Also,

Worldwide Justice
Optimized Learning
Amazing Innovation

Isn't GDS awesome awesome?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The GDS cornerstone statement sums up why GDS is very well-regarded in Washington, DC:

Academic Excellence
Educational Innovation
Social Justice

Also,

Worldwide Justice
Optimized Learning
Amazing Innovation

Isn't GDS awesome awesome?

GDS school motto is a powerpoints presentation

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The GDS cornerstone statement sums up why GDS is very well-regarded in Washington, DC:

Academic Excellence
Educational Innovation
Social Justice

Also,

Worldwide Justice
Optimized Learning
Amazing Innovation

Isn't GDS awesome awesome?

GDS school motto is a powerpoints presentation

Powerpoints Presentation Oh Yeah.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The GDS cornerstone statement sums up why GDS is very well-regarded in Washington, DC:

Academic Excellence
Educational Innovation
Social Justice

Because they’re great at devising mindless platitudes?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The GDS cornerstone statement sums up why GDS is very well-regarded in Washington, DC:

Academic Excellence
Educational Innovation
Social Justice

Because they’re great at devising mindless platitudes?

You mean:

Mindless Platitudes

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The GDS cornerstone statement sums up why GDS is very well-regarded in Washington, DC:

Academic Excellence
Educational Innovation
Social Justice

Because they’re great at devising mindless platitudes?

You mean:

Mindless Platitudes

And

Hype for Harvard

[Anonymous]

From what I’ve seen, GDS invokes a love/hate reaction. Either it’s a perfect fit for your child and family or you think it’s an artificially created utopian environment with little basis in reality. The only way to find out which camp you’re in is to spend some time there - both though the traditional paths of admissions as well as through attending their events - adult education talks, performances, games, community meetings etc. I have to admit for our family, having looked now for three kids and crossing it off for each, while the school looks diverse, it invokes too much a sense of diversity for appearance sake and has undercurrents of elitism and privilege that I didn’t expect from a school that started as a model of open inclusion. Friends who attended GDS in the 80s seem to think the downward spiral came with in influx of significant interest and wealth over the last 15 years. A risk of its own success, I guess...there’s a fit for everyone in this area...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:From what I’ve seen, GDS invokes a love/hate reaction. Either it’s a perfect fit for your child and family or you think it’s an artificially created utopian environment with little basis in reality. The only way to find out which camp you’re in is to spend some time there - both though the traditional paths of admissions as well as through attending their events - adult education talks, performances, games, community meetings etc. I have to admit for our family, having looked now for three kids and crossing it off for each, while the school looks diverse, it invokes too much a sense of diversity for appearance sake and has undercurrents of elitism and privilege that I didn’t expect from a school that started as a model of open inclusion. Friends who attended GDS in the 80s seem to think the downward spiral came with in influx of significant interest and wealth over the last 15 years. A risk of its own success, I guess...there’s a fit for everyone in this area...

Well, it is quite tough to promote "social justice" while charging obscene tuition fees.