How “activist” is Sheridan?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:But we don’t want an entire curriculum /school identity centered on social justice, particularly in Lower School.

This is hardly an accurate description of the GDS curriculum.

NP. This is exactly how they describe themselves in the orientation and interview process. We went through it last year. DS got in but we chose another because of better location. But it is spot on for how they project.

[Anonymous]

OP you are a troll period.

Oh please you are a Trumper own it.

And leave the US with your kids. We do not need anymore kids growing up with idiot parents anymore in the US.

This whole thread is full of racists, antisemites and complete idiot trolls.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m a recent graduate of Sheridan (within the past 5 years). The school focuses *heavily* on social justice and activism. I attended Sheridan from Kindergarten until Eighth grade, and even in that time, I noticed changes.

In History/Civics courses, we were not allowed to learn about American history. We learned about every other culture under the sun, but never America. I have no issue with a balanced curriculum that includes a heavy dose of traditionally overlooked cultures, but it was odd for America to be omitted. There was no mention of the American Revolution or the Colonies. There was no talk of America’s contributions to World History. The basics of our government were not covered until the end of 8th grade.

The same was true in the Art and Music departments. We never talked about European composers or Painters.

When I started, we were allowed to take either French or Spanish. Around Middle School, that changed. The school began only offering Spanish classes, purportedly in the pursuit of ‘diversity’. I believe this decision was reversed a year or two later. At the time, they spoke of how Spanish was the language of more traditionally underserved cultures around the world.

One year, our Shakespeare unit was struck from the curriculum in favor of one that I seem to recall was called “social justice”. We watched news coverage of recent events and were lectured on the significance.

Those are just a few concrete examples.

I wanted to also mention the less concrete aspect. At Sheridan, there is “one true opinion.” And you’re expected to buy into it, wholeheartedly. Students are taught debatable opinions as gospel. In an environment like that, intellectual exploration is impossible. Sheridan prides itself on encouraging deep critical thinking, but this practice really cuts against all of the flowery language they stick in brochures.

If Sheridan taught you to write like this I want to send my kids there, regardless of their curriculum. 🤣

[Anonymous]

Their website says the only accept kids in K unless there is an opening from attrition. Is that true?

[Anonymous]

I am not a troll and have never voted R in any election and never would. I am sincerely looking for a school that isn’t conservative but also isn’t preoccupied with social justice at all levels. It is very hard to tell what’s going on from the outside especially with covid and politics being such a sensitive subject. My child is very young, sensitive and impressionable and I want his beliefs to evolve without constant “guidance”.

Social justice/DEI can be illuminating and constructive but when it’s the only “North Star” for a school, it can also be clumsy, inappropriate for early elementary and frankly hypocritical in the context of private ed. I have no real idea where Sheridan or gds, (or dcps for that matter!) fall. I don’t judge parents who would want either environment and maybe I’m naive for thinking a middle /neutral path exists but that would be my ideal. I can’t actually ask admissions people about this so I turn to this board. If my comments = Trumper in people’s minds, it seems unlikely I’ll find what I’m seeking.

Also, antisemites? Try admitting you’re Jewish on some campuses and not getting attacked immediately re: Israel.

[Anonymous]

This whole thread is funny.

Whatever you do at home will do far more to shape your kids political views than what they expose them to at school.

No school is going to turn your kid into a SJW, if that is what you are afraid of.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Their website says the only accept kids in K unless there is an opening from attrition. Is that true?

No.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Their website says the only accept kids in K unless there is an opening from attrition. Is that true?

No.

So they're lying? I'm confused.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’ve read on this board that social justice is hugely emphasized at GDS and the centerpiece of many of the school’s new initiatives. I have no idea how true this is but I’m wondering if Sheridan is thought of similarly? I know there are families who have been part of both communities and I’m hoping they might chime in.

We are moderate Democrats and agree or at least are comfortable with almost all progressive perspectives. But we don’t want an entire curriculum /school identity centered on social justice, particularly in Lower School. Would most early elementary kids at Sheridan describe themselves as “activists”? Or does that start in upper elementary /Middle? Thank you!

Would it be a bad thing if they did? The goal of activism is to move society towards a greater good. For individuals to advocate a position and both be the change they want to see. If kids see themselves as activist wouldn’t it mean they are being taught good civic and social engagement skills?

So is your question about education on activism or specific activism around social justice?

NP. In my mind, yes this would be a bad thing, especially for an elementary level school. Kids do not know enough - even your's, PP - to be little "activists." I prefer that they actually learn something for the $35,000 I'm spending on their education.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Their website says the only accept kids in K unless there is an opening from attrition. Is that true?

No.

So they're lying? I'm confused.

Well it might be true but it’s also true that they accept kids at different years, I know kids who moved there in 5th, 6th, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Their website says the only accept kids in K unless there is an opening from attrition. Is that true?

No.

It's true, but there are usually 1-3 spots a year for other grades b/c of attrition. Sometimes, sixth grade can have a few more spaces as some families peel off early to a terminal 12th grade school.

[Anonymous]

On the point that you want your child to come to their beliefs "naturally". There is no such thing as "natural." Your child will come to their beliefs based on a whole subset of factors. What you are saying is that you don't want your kid to be too disproportionately left-wing, which is totally your right as a parent, but your kid is still being influenced by a whole subset of society.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am not a troll and have never voted R in any election and never would. I am sincerely looking for a school that isn’t conservative but also isn’t preoccupied with social justice at all levels. It is very hard to tell what’s going on from the outside especially with covid and politics being such a sensitive subject. My child is very young, sensitive and impressionable and I want his beliefs to evolve without constant “guidance”.

Social justice/DEI can be illuminating and constructive but when it’s the only “North Star” for a school, it can also be clumsy, inappropriate for early elementary and frankly hypocritical in the context of private ed. I have no real idea where Sheridan or gds, (or dcps for that matter!) fall. I don’t judge parents who would want either environment and maybe I’m naive for thinking a middle /neutral path exists but that would be my ideal. I can’t actually ask admissions people about this so I turn to this board. If my comments = Trumper in people’s minds, it seems unlikely I’ll find what I’m seeking.

Also, antisemites? Try admitting you’re Jewish on some campuses and not getting attacked immediately re: Israel.

100% agree. I believe that kids need to learn *how* to think (and how to articulate those thoughts in both written and oral formats) -- not *what* to think. I am fine with my children growing up to be moderate Democrats like myself, Republicans, progressive/social justice activists, Marxists, etc., so long as they are kind/respectful to others and are able to support themselves. I would also avoid a school that teaches them that they have to be "activists" on particular issues, because invariably that means that they learn there is one acceptable way of thinking about that issue.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m a recent graduate of Sheridan (within the past 5 years). The school focuses *heavily* on social justice and activism. I attended Sheridan from Kindergarten until Eighth grade, and even in that time, I noticed changes.

In History/Civics courses, we were not allowed to learn about American history. We learned about every other culture under the sun, but never America. I have no issue with a balanced curriculum that includes a heavy dose of traditionally overlooked cultures, but it was odd for America to be omitted. There was no mention of the American Revolution or the Colonies. There was no talk of America’s contributions to World History. The basics of our government were not covered until the end of 8th grade.

The same was true in the Art and Music departments. We never talked about European composers or Painters.

When I started, we were allowed to take either French or Spanish. Around Middle School, that changed. The school began only offering Spanish classes, purportedly in the pursuit of ‘diversity’. I believe this decision was reversed a year or two later. At the time, they spoke of how Spanish was the language of more traditionally underserved cultures around the world.

One year, our Shakespeare unit was struck from the curriculum in favor of one that I seem to recall was called “social justice”. We watched news coverage of recent events and were lectured on the significance.

Those are just a few concrete examples.

I wanted to also mention the less concrete aspect. At Sheridan, there is “one true opinion.” And you’re expected to buy into it, wholeheartedly. Students are taught debatable opinions as gospel. In an environment like that, intellectual exploration is impossible. Sheridan prides itself on encouraging deep critical thinking, but this practice really cuts against all of the flowery language they stick in brochures.

Parent of Sheridan kids who were there when you were there. There was no prohibition on learning US History and in fact both of my kids learned US History while there. Just a few events I remembered being covered include the battle of Lexington and Concord, the Trail of Tears, Slavery, Westward Expansion, the history and development of Washington, DC, and more. They also learned about the three branches of government, how a bill becomes a law, and voting. At their new schools their teachers have commented on how well informed they are and their ability to see things from different perspectives.

My kids sang and performed songs by Bob Dylan, Cole Porter, George Gershwin,, etc. They were introduced to the music of Charlie Parker. Artists examined included Van Gogh, Pollock, Calder, etc.

The switch to Spanish was made when my high school student was in 1st or 2nd grade and was not made for diversity reasons from what I recall. We were upset by the change and followed the issue closely. It was a switch that was made to focus on one language instead of two with the intent that students would develop more proficiency in a language by the time they graduated. My kids did well with the change and both were placed in more advanced Spanish classes in high school. Spanish was selected because more people speak it in the US.

I’m not saying everything about Sheridan was perfect, but I had to explain that what this grad said was not what my kids experienced when they were at Sheridan in the past 5 years.

Both of my kids read Shakespeare in high school and were able to understand it despite not having rad it in middle school. Both of them had a much easier time analyzing texts in high school from a diverse range of authors than many of their classmates who were encountering the idea of danger of a single story for the first time.

[Anonymous]

Thank you to the parent PP. Would you mind sharing a bit more about you liked and didn’t like about the school? I know it’s been a few years but I’d appreciate your perspective!