Are you ok? |
| Also waiting on Madeira boarding. Accepted at GDS. Agree that the staggered timing is very frustrating. Will have to make our decision without benefit of shadow day at Madeira. |
| Maybe call Madeira - maybe they let you visit this week? |
I’m good, thank you. When I originally said Madeira was trying to diversify, I meant admitting students that had other talents beyond academic—I wasn’t thinking about race at all…Anyway, onwards and upwards…I can’t remember from the interview what percentage of boarders are international and how that might play in the admissions process. |
Same. Which way are you leaning? Because of a change in family circumstances, it’s boarding or bust for us. |
Not sure. My daughter is very intrigued by the idea of boarding. Madeira has a beautiful campus and my daughter enjoyed staying there at summer camp. She is doing GDS shadow day tomorrow so we will see how that goes, but I think Madeira is still her first choice. My wife thinks GDS will provide stronger academics, but I’ve told her I’m not sure that is true. I’m somewhat on the fence. I see the appeal of Madeira but my biggest reservation is the mod schedule. I see the benefits, but knowing my daughter I wonder if she will experience learning loss—particularly in a subject like math. We also have an application in to St. Andrew’s in DE, but my daughter isn’t into that school as much. I basically told her that if she is going to consider boarding schools she should look at more than one so we picked that one. Bottom line—I have no idea what we will do. |
STA also has boarders. Some of the kids are actually local DC and board for a variety of reasons. |
I would go with GDS. Madeira is a great school but very very socially and geographically isolated. |
I hesitated about the mod schedule as well but I know some people love it. We also applied to St Andrews and its DD’s first choice. I just can’t tell what kind of shot she has. The school has repeatedly told us she’s a good candidate but that they have a ton of great applicants this year. DD is in at a few day schools here, some very competitive, but she really wants SAS. I just can’t tell is those admissions are harder because they draw from all over? She’s a great kid, diverse interests, interviews well but no real hook. |
Yes, thank you. That's exactly what I meant. |
| If going back to visit will help, call the Director of Admissions at Madeira and see if you can visit sooner rather than later. |
I would not worry about learning loss. The Mod system actually works very well at Madeira, and the teachers are always available if your daughter wants or seeks out additional help or practice. I know it seems strange to have a potential gap in the learning process, but I have to say I was pleasantly surprised with how it all worked out. |
Just in case I can help at all: I have two ds. One is a graduate of GDS. The other is a graduate of St Andrew's (DE). The experience of boarding at St. Andrews was superior to GDS (and I think the kids would say that as well). I also knew/know many of my son's female friends from St Andrews. If your daughter gets in, you should go to the event(s). Or ask me anything..... |
Not PP, but did you post in the GDS high school mega thread? I just ask for the sake of context. |
Can you share more about your son's experience at St. Andrews. Is it a pressure cooker. |