Sidwell vs GDS upper school

[Anonymous]

OP,
Does your child have an opinion?

[Anonymous]

Any differences in college placement?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Sidwell has a much stronger reputation nationally. But from the standpoint churning out great students, I think both schools are on equal footing. You really can't go wrong -- just ask your DC to make the final decision.

No doubt true wrt people who are not involved in education -- e.g. a random business acquaintance from another part of the country will be more likely to have heard of Sidwell (because of First Family type coverage) than GDS. That said, college admissions officers nationwide know GDS and would consider it on a par academically with Sidwell (though may expect a different kind of kid/education, based on their experiences with graduates of both schools).

Agree that this is a call the DC should make unless the parents came out of the process with strong qualms about one school or the other. You can get a great education at either school and WYSIWYG wrt the different environments. So whichever one has your DC most excited is probably the right choice.

[Anonymous]

GDS kids, being generally more artistic, are going to be a little morescraggily in their appearance. They party a little harder. Sidwell kids are bit more uptight and competitive. Sidwell's campus is, by far, superior. GDS has a real spirit of creativity which is obvious the minute you walk in the door. Teaching staffs at both schools are very experienced. I see the discussion about grading and I really do think Sidwell grades harder. My kids' tutors tell me that Sidwell is very tough academically compared to other schools they are involved with. From a discipline standpoint, Sidwell is pretty stiff. GDS more lax.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Sidwell's campus is, by far, superior.

How so? I really like GDS's and haven't been taken with Sidwell's so I wonder whether this is a matter of aesthetics/taste or facilities and, if facilities, whether it's sports or academics or both.

[Anonymous]

Agree that the prior comment about the campus is weird. The GDS US building is well-designed, and with the recent addition of the forum, athletic center and the renovation of the science labs, is beautiful and to my taste a lot nicer than the 60's era upper school at Sidwell. There is no central meeting place for the students in the high school other than outside (currently a construction site) or the senior center (hang out only for seniors). I would also wonder about the statement about GDS partying harder, I think just partying different. And varies a lot class to class. I think lots of stereotypes being thrown around that are not necessarily current or based on direct experience. With recent experience with both high schools, I haven't seen any particular differences in the numbers of kids really in trouble with partying, or even the drug of choice (ie alcholol vs pot and other drugs). Regarding college admisssions I agree with prior post saying that Sidwell's national reputation among the lay public vs GDS is meaningless, the admissions offices know each high quality school very well and don't see any particular differences regarding liklihood of admission at either place. There are really good college councilors at both schools.

[Anonymous]

Most years -- Sidwell has a much better college placement record than GDS

[Anonymous]

Sidwell's campus is five or six acres with athletic facilities and almost every single building has been renovated in the last five years. The brand new gym, weight room, dance studio, wrestling cage, changing rooms are on par with any college. Sidwell has a large grass baseball/soccer field - one of the last real grass fields in the city. It has a brand new turf football and lacrosse field. And another a lacrosse/field hockey on Wisconsin Ave. This spring contruction on its new studio arts facilities will be completed. GDS has many strengths but it just doesn't have the campus that other schools have including STA, Sidwell, Landon, etc.


The GDS building is nice and totally fits in with the GDS aesthetic but the two campuses are not the same league.

[Anonymous]

As much as I like Sidwell's campus, I would not equate its facilities as being on par with colleges, much less Georgetown Prep, Episcopal or Landon.

[Anonymous]

Yes, pp, but Sidwell is in DC and the others are in the burbs-- no comparison.

[Anonymous]

Sounds like Sidwell has more (and more differentiated) fields, but GDS's new gym/dance studio, etc is also recent construction and looked like a college to me. Amazing theatre space as well. And labs. Not saying Sidwell's facilities aren't as good, just saying that I can't imagine turning down GDS HS based on the campus/facilities, unless the issue is one involving a specific sport.

[Anonymous]

I didn't say Georgetown Prep. There is no school in the area that can compare to G'town prep. I would say that Landon is comparable. It definitely has more fields, but the new Sidwell gym is spectacular, as will be the arts facilities, the new middle school building. I don't know the Episcopal campus well but the gym and the track seemed a little tired the last time I was there. If you have only seen the Sidwell campus from the street, you are missing a lot. STA campus is wonderful and has a pool, something Sidwell does not have. STA's location is also majestic with the Bishops Garden and the Cathedral.

[Anonymous]

Most years -- Sidwell has a much better college placement record than GDS

really?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Most years -- Sidwell has a much better college placement record than GDS

From what I've seen the last few years, they're quite comparable and which school did better in any given year varies. In both schools, your DC ends up competing with classmates first and that can be a disadvantage (e.g. compared to how your DC might do if s/he were at another school where s/he was more of a standout or where fewer classmates were legacies). But same kid is likely to have the same results wrt college admissions coming from Sidwell or GDS.


The only way the choice between these two school is likely to be decisive wrt a given kid/s college admissions prospects is if (a) one school is likely to bring out more of the best in that kid or (b) if more kids with the same/better hooks for a particular college end up in the given kid's HS class at the chosen school than would have been the other school. (A) argues for go for the school that brings out the best in your DC and don't worry about exmission stats. (B) is completely unpredictable at this stage.

[Anonymous]

I wold pick the one your child liked the best. Splitting hairs here about college placement, etc. Both are top schools.