Forum Index
»
Private & Independent Schools
Are Average Scoring kids ever accepted into Sidwell?
![[Post New]](/jforum/templates/default/images/icon_minipost_new.gif){kind=icon}
Anonymous
| Just wondering because of all of the post...because I was a average scoring child as youth but got accepted into The Field School...so is it about the actual numbers or actually thier willingness to take a chance on a child...because the scores dont reflect how hard a child would or will work to achieve success. |
Anonymous
| I don't know. But as a parent at the school, I would want to make sure that my average scoring kid could handle the workload and pace of learning. I have some firsthand experience with the struggles and pain comes from underachieving at Sidwell. I don't believe tests tell the entire future, but they can be a pretty good indicator of high level academic performance. |
Anonymous
|
Doubt it unless they are connected, legacy, sibling or potential big donor.
Once they have filled their class with the above, the applicant pool is so strong that they can pick what they feel will make up a good class. Unless you fill a certain niche, I would look at other schools if you are committed to a private school education. |
Jasmine
Member Offline
Member Offline
| pp, is this the case too for middle and high school at Sidwell or more so the earlier grades? |
Anonymous
| This is for the K class...I know its tough even with high scores but didnt know if averagekids were even considered especially if the teacher rec and school visit is good. |
Anonymous
| I think it gets harder as you get older especially for entry into HS. |
Anonymous
In general, yes, but there are still kids with average grades and scores who get in at the HS level b/c parents are big donor prospects. As a PP suggested, it might not be the best outcome for the kid, but it still happens. |
Anonymous
| Answer: Yes |
Anonymous
| Yes, definitely. It's about more than scores and grades. |
Anonymous
| But is Sidwell's curriculum that challenging? I think that Sidwell and other Big private schools offer an enriched curriculum and great resources, but is is teaching at a level equivalent to a gifted program? Why couldn't an "average" kid do okay--I don't believe that everyone is getting A's and that is controlling for sibs, legacies, etc. |
Anonymous
| I really don't think they take many chances. There may be some stellar students who don't test well but I don't think many of those are accepted. I think being a big donor/potential donor does make a big difference for students under say 90% on SSATs. Being a legacy isn't worth much based on personal experience. And as a pp pointed out - it is not the place for average students, even hard working ones. Those students will be FAR happier somewhere else (and there are many of them at Field, your alma mater). |
Anonymous
| Like most of the privates, the really talented kids can take more APs and honors. The standard courseload is fine for most kids. I'm not saying it's easy, but there are definitely 'average' students there doing fine. (I'm related to two of them.) |
Anonymous
|
Doubt it unless they are connected, legacy, sibling or potential big donor.
Once they have filled their class with the above, the applicant pool is so strong that they can pick what they feel will make up a good class. This. The pool is so strong that they can rule out anyone with one "suspect" subtest score and still have scads to choose from. |
Anonymous
I know not everybody is getting top grades, but I also know that Sidwell is a place where the kids are very much aware of the academic pecking order. The place can really crush the kids who are getting average grades. Why would anyone want that for their kids? |
Anonymous
| The answer is "no" unless someone has big check writing capabilities or is an URM in high demand because of some special skill -- sports, starred in a Broadway show, etc. |