Sidwell vs Walls

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I've watched this play out very closely for 3 years: I have DCPS kids (3) who are in Big3 high schools. best friends are at Walls.

Your kids will work much harder at Sidwell and learn more but they'll get into a better college from Walls. (But does high school have to be this challenging? That is the question.) The school spirit part of high school may be better at Sidwell.

Why do you think a student will get into a better college from Walls? Do you have data that indicates students from these two schools, with similar stats, do better coming from Walls? Where’s the proof?

I'm not the PP you are referring to but I agree with their assessment re college admissions.

Based on what…Instagram posts? That’s self-selecting. Where is the actual data to back up the speculation?

I’d suggest pulling up the UC admissions data by high school. It’s the best “actual data” out there.

UC?

So admissions data for only 9 public colleges in CA? No, that’s not nearly enough. Can someone point to an admissions data source for all colleges?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We are choosing Walls over Maret. We actually have a friend choosing Walls over GDS so there goes a spot open. Boy

Would you be a new Maret family or has your kid already been there? If you are already a family there, what about the high school experience is not as good at Maret?

[Anonymous]

It seems like student life outside of academics would be more full at Sidwell...or would it not?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It seems like student life outside of academics would be more full at Sidwell...or would it not?

Definitely more full and well-rounded at Sidwell.

[Anonymous]

In you are someone that looks at value, it's not close. Sidwell is not $55K better than Walls. The top kids are pretty much the same. Just don't lie to yourself and say "it's not about college admission." But four years from know you're pissed over the money you've spent.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:In you are someone that looks at value, it's not close. Sidwell is not $55K better than Walls. The top kids are pretty much the same. Just don't lie to yourself and say "it's not about college admission." But four years from know you're pissed over the money you've spent.

I agree that Sidwell isn’t $55K better than Walls. It’s about $40K (max!) better—better curriculum, better/more consistent teaching, better educated/higher credentialed faculty, better campus/academic/sports facilities, better extracurricular activities, better cafeteria food, better school spirit, better alumni engagement, etc.

However, both schools will prepare you for college. Sidwell will just prepare you better—in both writing and STEM. If you can’t afford Sidwell, go to Walls. It’s like a bare-bones, “just-the-facts ma’am” Sidwell.

There’s no evidence to support prior statements that Walls has better college admissions, but I would like to see it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In you are someone that looks at value, it's not close. Sidwell is not $55K better than Walls. The top kids are pretty much the same. Just don't lie to yourself and say "it's not about college admission." But four years from know you're pissed over the money you've spent.

I agree that Sidwell isn’t $55K better than Walls. It’s about $40K (max!) better—better curriculum, better/more consistent teaching, better educated/higher credentialed faculty, better campus/academic/sports facilities, better extracurricular activities, better cafeteria food, better school spirit, better alumni engagement, etc.

However, both schools will prepare you for college. Sidwell will just prepare you better—in both writing and STEM. If you can’t afford Sidwell, go to Walls. It’s like a bare-bones, “just-the-facts ma’am” Sidwell.

There’s no evidence to support prior statements that Walls has better college admissions, but I would like to see it.

I don't understand the comment that Sidwell will prepare you better for college in both writing and STEM...the amount of homework assigned is not the barometer of preparation. They will both prepare you just fine for college.

A huge difference is that Walls has none of its own facilities. If you play a sport, you are traveling somewhere for practice and games...possibly a good 45 minute+ metro ride from school depending on the sport.

[Anonymous]

They are both good options. Is money a factor for you? If it is, I would pick Walls.
If not, then Sidwell probably has the edge.
I do question whether it is important to work as hard as kids do at Sidwell.
Kids should be having fun and exploring life and having time to just do nothing.
Walls seems like a good school although I’m guessing the teacher quality is more uneven than Sidwell.
I did hear that Walls had a strong college admissions year this year while Sidwell had a mediocre year.
Walls also gives you the option to take GW classes. If your kid can be in the top 10% of students at Walls, I’m sure they will do well with college admissions

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In you are someone that looks at value, it's not close. Sidwell is not $55K better than Walls. The top kids are pretty much the same. Just don't lie to yourself and say "it's not about college admission." But four years from know you're pissed over the money you've spent.

I agree that Sidwell isn’t $55K better than Walls. It’s about $40K (max!) better—better curriculum, better/more consistent teaching, better educated/higher credentialed faculty, better campus/academic/sports facilities, better extracurricular activities, better cafeteria food, better school spirit, better alumni engagement, etc.

However, both schools will prepare you for college. Sidwell will just prepare you better—in both writing and STEM. If you can’t afford Sidwell, go to Walls. It’s like a bare-bones, “just-the-facts ma’am” Sidwell.

There’s no evidence to support prior statements that Walls has better college admissions, but I would like to see it.

I don't understand the comment that Sidwell will prepare you better for college in both writing and STEM...the amount of homework assigned is not the barometer of preparation. They will both prepare you just fine for college.

A huge difference is that Walls has none of its own facilities. If you play a sport, you are traveling somewhere for practice and games...possibly a good 45 minute+ metro ride from school depending on the sport.

Are you really trying to debate that writing and STEM courses are equal at these two schools?!? Sidwell offers at least 3 levels of math/grade, and 2 levels of science/grade. Sidwell also has a whole computer science and engineering department. I will let Sidwell’s own words address the writing topic:

“In 9th grade, students explore literary genres: short stories, novels, poetry, essays, and drama. Tenth grade takes students on a journey through British literature, 11th grade offers literature of the United States, and 12th grade features a variety of topics and genres, often rooted in teachers’ particular passions and interests…Students regularly practice supporting their claims with evidence and are pushed to think critically and creatively. Writing improvement also requires regular practice, and students do so through journals, analytical essays, and creative pieces that develop their voices and strengthen their skills. Students are also encouraged to meet with their teachers for more individualized attention.”

Do you HONESTLY think that type of writing instruction and support is available at Walls?

I agree that both schools will prepare you for college. Objectively speaking, Sidwell will prepare you better.

[Anonymous]

Didn’t Walls have missing French and science teachers for a semester (or longer)? That would never happen at Sidwell.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We are choosing Walls over Maret. We actually have a friend choosing Walls over GDS so there goes a spot open. Boy

Oh good. Tell admissions you are transferring your spot to my kid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In you are someone that looks at value, it's not close. Sidwell is not $55K better than Walls. The top kids are pretty much the same. Just don't lie to yourself and say "it's not about college admission." But four years from know you're pissed over the money you've spent.

I agree that Sidwell isn’t $55K better than Walls. It’s about $40K (max!) better—better curriculum, better/more consistent teaching, better educated/higher credentialed faculty, better campus/academic/sports facilities, better extracurricular activities, better cafeteria food, better school spirit, better alumni engagement, etc.

However, both schools will prepare you for college. Sidwell will just prepare you better—in both writing and STEM. If you can’t afford Sidwell, go to Walls. It’s like a bare-bones, “just-the-facts ma’am” Sidwell.

There’s no evidence to support prior statements that Walls has better college admissions, but I would like to see it.

I don't understand the comment that Sidwell will prepare you better for college in both writing and STEM...the amount of homework assigned is not the barometer of preparation. They will both prepare you just fine for college.

A huge difference is that Walls has none of its own facilities. If you play a sport, you are traveling somewhere for practice and games...possibly a good 45 minute+ metro ride from school depending on the sport.

Sports are the big difference. Other than that it's basically the same kids.

[Anonymous]

This post is a ridiculous comparison. If you have money, go to Sidwell. If you don't you are stuck with Walls.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just go in Walls. Anyone else considering?

No it is a jungle.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In you are someone that looks at value, it's not close. Sidwell is not $55K better than Walls. The top kids are pretty much the same. Just don't lie to yourself and say "it's not about college admission." But four years from know you're pissed over the money you've spent.

I agree that Sidwell isn’t $55K better than Walls. It’s about $40K (max!) better—better curriculum, better/more consistent teaching, better educated/higher credentialed faculty, better campus/academic/sports facilities, better extracurricular activities, better cafeteria food, better school spirit, better alumni engagement, etc.

However, both schools will prepare you for college. Sidwell will just prepare you better—in both writing and STEM. If you can’t afford Sidwell, go to Walls. It’s like a bare-bones, “just-the-facts ma’am” Sidwell.

There’s no evidence to support prior statements that Walls has better college admissions, but I would like to see it.

I don't understand the comment that Sidwell will prepare you better for college in both writing and STEM...the amount of homework assigned is not the barometer of preparation. They will both prepare you just fine for college.

A huge difference is that Walls has none of its own facilities. If you play a sport, you are traveling somewhere for practice and games...possibly a good 45 minute+ metro ride from school depending on the sport.

Sports are the big difference. Other than that it's basically the same kids.

Another big difference: Sidwell students, on average, are richer than kids from Walls. How do I know? Only about 20% of Sidwell students receive financial aid.