Georgetown Day School or Sidwell Friends?

[Anonymous]

He is not into “sport” or interested in a school “with a strong academic culture”. ??? Good luck.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:He is not into “sport” or interested in a school “with a strong academic culture”. ??? Good luck.

If you read the whole sentence, op misspoke. Op said her kid was academic and indifferent to sport, then seemed to mean to say not into athletic culture.

[Anonymous]

The schools are more alike than different and I know several families where one of their kids went to one while the other child chose the other. So apply to both and see what happens.

[Farmer]

Anonymous wrote:He is not into “sport” or interested in a school “with a strong academic culture”. ??? Good luck.

Sorry, I meant "athletic".

[Anonymous]

If you're interested in a school with a strong Quaker culture, look at Sandy Spring Friends School. It's not as prestigious as Sidwell -- for what that's worth -- but it much better incorporates Quaker values.

[Anonymous]

Admission is very competitive at both school. Just apply to more schools. Covid is impacting admission. Public is playing catch up. Online school is now youtube time for most kids without supervision. Parents are frustrated. Parents need to work. It is hard to be a teacher and be working at the same time. Private school seems to be the most viable option with covid variants out there. Tour both. My son is enjoying where he is accepted.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Good luck getting into either - you should apply to both and more and cross your fingers.

This. +1000

I'd like to win the lottery and I'm wondering if I should buy a Ferrari or a boat first - please advise.

I’d go with a Ferrari or Lamborghini first so you can then hitch your yacht to the back. Please put a “ Honk if you love DCUM” sticker on the boat and car so we know to wave at you!

[Anonymous]

I think people underestimate that GDS likes their sports too, they just don’t have football.

[Anonymous]

Looks at Washington International School (WIS) if you want a more international vibe and a good foundation in foreign languages. It's also less competitive on the application front than GDS and Sidwell but still a well-regarded school.

[Anonymous]

Does GDS have the same pressure cooker vibe as Sidwell and NCS/STA?

[Anonymous]

You really need to be admitted first.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Does GDS have the same pressure cooker vibe as Sidwell and NCS/STA?

Yes, but they also need to perfect the art of acting chill about it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:He is not into “sport” or interested in a school “with a strong academic culture”. ??? Good luck.

If the school has athletics, they value athletic culture.

[Anonymous]

Whether your son gets into either school will depend on how bright he is and whether you as a family and he as a kid fit into said school's culture. Apply, but don't set your heart on being admitted. There are a lot of quirky factors on whether you'll be admitted to either school. At GDS, it helps if you're Jewish or URM. At Sidwell, it helps if you're a wealthy, influential democrat or an URM.

I grew up in Quaker schools (Philly), but believe me Sidwell is NOT A QUAKER SCHOOL. Maybe it was once upon a time, but it's now a school for the wealthy elite of DC. The headmaster is sleazy and into schmoozing with prominent Democrats whose kids are treated with special kid gloves. Lest people say this is sour grapes, I have a child enrolled, and she loves her teachers and classmates, but I am not fond of the school administration, especially the headmaster, who needs to go. Sidwell's COVID response was pathetic. Probably the worse of the Big 3.

You use progressive education and liberal politics as though they're interchangeable. They're not. Progressive education is a specific pedagogy. GDS is somewhat progressive. Sidwell is not.

WIS is NOT well-respected in the area except by WIS parents and their gullible friends.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Whether your son gets into either school will depend on how bright he is and whether you as a family and he as a kid fit into said school's culture. Apply, but don't set your heart on being admitted. There are a lot of quirky factors on whether you'll be admitted to either school. At GDS, it helps if you're Jewish or URM. At Sidwell, it helps if you're a wealthy, influential democrat or an URM.

I grew up in Quaker schools (Philly), but believe me Sidwell is NOT A QUAKER SCHOOL. Maybe it was once upon a time, but it's now a school for the wealthy elite of DC. The headmaster is sleazy and into schmoozing with prominent Democrats whose kids are treated with special kid gloves. Lest people say this is sour grapes, I have a child enrolled, and she loves her teachers and classmates, but I am not fond of the school administration, especially the headmaster, who needs to go. Sidwell's COVID response was pathetic. Probably the worse of the Big 3.

You use progressive education and liberal politics as though they're interchangeable. They're not. Progressive education is a specific pedagogy. GDS is somewhat progressive. Sidwell is not.

WIS is NOT well-respected in the area except by WIS parents and their gullible friends.

So much truth about the hos/admin worshipping the super wealthy. Similar problems at sta, as another thread right now gets into. Op, consider whether you want to deal with this, as it's pretty problematic at the top schools.