Is Sidwell really Sadwell?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:^^^
then why do you send your daughter there?

Good question. Have to admit we did consider transferring. But, like I said, school is remarkably good. And once you’re there, it’s risky to transfer to a new school Junior Year. Better to just grit your teeth and plough through. I. Words of Abe Lincoln “This too shall pass”

So you didn’t come to this realization about Sidwell until your daughter was in 10th grade? That doesn’t sound plausible. Just admit that you’re addicted to prestige. Like Harvard’s medical school, Sidwell’s “name” has you in a stranglehold. Well, you’re getting what you signed up for [shrug].

Honest question so I will answer it. Joined in 9th grade. Got some early warning signs that this place is toxic but we thought we should give it an honest shot. By the end of first term 9th grade, we were pretty sure. By March or April we were positive. But all transfer deadlines had expired. Then we were in 10th grade and you could apply in 10th grade fall but would not actually transfer until Junior fall. So, in some sense you are correct, we have to lie in this slimy, horrid, toxic soup of a bed that we all affectionately adore as “sadwell no friends.” Oh well.

No you don’t! If a school is so bad that your child’s mental health is at stake, you remove your child from the school. It’s as simple as that. You can find an alternative public, even if you have to move your residence to do so. I know I would, if I was in your shoes.

[Anonymous]

I don’t think it’s that dramatic. Sorry to suggest it’s affecting mental health. We are tough cookies too. We are just saying people are yucky, toxic and mean at sidwell. Narcissistic and super annoying. Of course, if it affects health I would pull out in a heart beat. Thanks for your concern. You obviously don’t send your kids to sidwell. I sense a human being in you. Kidding.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:^^^
then why do you send your daughter there?

This is such a tired response.....

Perhaps, but a VERY valid question.

Not for HS with 9th grade admissions. The school does NOT present itself in a way that a prospective student or parent would see the true culture. And for kids/parents that want the academics, the school a huge draw. When we went to the admissions events as current parents (while younger sibling was considering options) - it was truly remarkable how different the presentation was from reality.

Stop making excuses for your poor vetting. Yes, for HS with 9th grade admissions. If you toured the school, had your child participate in a shadow day, and spoke with multiple Sidwell families (as I did) you would have had a clear understanding of the school culture.

You decided to ignore all of the signs that Sidwell wasn’t a good fit for YOUR child because you wanted the name. That’s on you.

I'm not talking about our own decisions. I am a community member and I see a variety of experiences and they have validity. I'm telling you from an INSIDE perspective that it was truly remarkable how much of what these families are pointing to as difficulties or concerns is not at all apparent in how the school presents itself in admissions. I know you are very happy but stop pointing fingers at others and saying "why are you there" or "go elsewhere" - you have a very simplistic and closed minded view. The school is not even transparent for current families and they are very far from fully open and forthcoming in admissions. They think they don't need to do more because they have plenty of demand. That's true - but that doesn't mean it's a good thing. Especially for applicants and even more so for applicants who don't have a large network of DMV private school families to draw upon.

The families that are bringing up concerns in this thread have valid ones....it doesn't negate that you have no concerns or that you don't have the same ones they do. But, guess what, the fact that you are ok doesn't negate their concerns either. You are insufferable.

Well said, and I love the ending - "you are insufferable." So true about the PP, and what a funny insult.

So let's bring this thread to a landing. Lots of bad stuff said about the school, and lots of further bad stuff said about the people SAYING the bad stuff, which sort of proves the point that there are a lot of mean and insufferable people in the community. I would say the thread is running about 70-30 or maybe 60-40 in favor of the school being a sad and toxic place.

perhaps the whole thread can be summed up this way - where there is that much smoke, there's certainly some fire.

This!

[Anonymous]

+5

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:^^^
then why do you send your daughter there?

Good question. Have to admit we did consider transferring. But, like I said, school is remarkably good. And once you’re there, it’s risky to transfer to a new school Junior Year. Better to just grit your teeth and plough through. I. Words of Abe Lincoln “This too shall pass”

So you didn’t come to this realization about Sidwell until your daughter was in 10th grade? That doesn’t sound plausible. Just admit that you’re addicted to prestige. Like Harvard’s medical school, Sidwell’s “name” has you in a stranglehold. Well, you’re getting what you signed up for [shrug].

Honest question so I will answer it. Joined in 9th grade. Got some early warning signs that this place is toxic but we thought we should give it an honest shot. By the end of first term 9th grade, we were pretty sure. By March or April we were positive. But all transfer deadlines had expired. Then we were in 10th grade and you could apply in 10th grade fall but would not actually transfer until Junior fall. So, in some sense you are correct, we have to lie in this slimy, horrid, toxic soup of a bed that we all affectionately adore as “sadwell no friends.” Oh well.

Sorry your child has no friends at Sadwell. 😢 My child attends Sidwell and has plenty of friends and a robust social life. It’s the tale of two schools. Your child attends the version I know nothing about.

Why do posters say things like this? So obviously insincere and mean. About a child. PP, why?

[Anonymous]

FWIW, all public schools and some private schools will accept mid-year transfers. If you are that miserable it is worth a shot to call around.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don’t think it’s that dramatic. Sorry to suggest it’s affecting mental health. We are tough cookies too. We are just saying people are yucky, toxic and mean at sidwell. Narcissistic and super annoying. Of course, if it affects health I would pull out in a heart beat. Thanks for your concern. You obviously don’t send your kids to sidwell. I sense a human being in you. Kidding.

The word “toxic” has become as misused as “iconic.”

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:^^^
then why do you send your daughter there?

Good question. Have to admit we did consider transferring. But, like I said, school is remarkably good. And once you’re there, it’s risky to transfer to a new school Junior Year. Better to just grit your teeth and plough through. I. Words of Abe Lincoln “This too shall pass”

So you didn’t come to this realization about Sidwell until your daughter was in 10th grade? That doesn’t sound plausible. Just admit that you’re addicted to prestige. Like Harvard’s medical school, Sidwell’s “name” has you in a stranglehold. Well, you’re getting what you signed up for [shrug].

Honest question so I will answer it. Joined in 9th grade. Got some early warning signs that this place is toxic but we thought we should give it an honest shot. By the end of first term 9th grade, we were pretty sure. By March or April we were positive. But all transfer deadlines had expired. Then we were in 10th grade and you could apply in 10th grade fall but would not actually transfer until Junior fall. So, in some sense you are correct, we have to lie in this slimy, horrid, toxic soup of a bed that we all affectionately adore as “sadwell no friends.” Oh well.

Sorry your child has no friends at Sadwell. 😢 My child attends Sidwell and has plenty of friends and a robust social life. It’s the tale of two schools. Your child attends the version I know nothing about.

Why do posters say things like this? So obviously insincere and mean. About a child. PP, why?

Because many posts on this board are merely made up, and people don’t believe them. I’m not saying this post is not true, just that other people may not believe it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:^^^
then why do you send your daughter there?

Good question. Have to admit we did consider transferring. But, like I said, school is remarkably good. And once you’re there, it’s risky to transfer to a new school Junior Year. Better to just grit your teeth and plough through. I. Words of Abe Lincoln “This too shall pass”

So you didn’t come to this realization about Sidwell until your daughter was in 10th grade? That doesn’t sound plausible. Just admit that you’re addicted to prestige. Like Harvard’s medical school, Sidwell’s “name” has you in a stranglehold. Well, you’re getting what you signed up for [shrug].

Honest question so I will answer it. Joined in 9th grade. Got some early warning signs that this place is toxic but we thought we should give it an honest shot. By the end of first term 9th grade, we were pretty sure. By March or April we were positive. But all transfer deadlines had expired. Then we were in 10th grade and you could apply in 10th grade fall but would not actually transfer until Junior fall. So, in some sense you are correct, we have to lie in this slimy, horrid, toxic soup of a bed that we all affectionately adore as “sadwell no friends.” Oh well.

Sorry your child has no friends at Sadwell. 😢 My child attends Sidwell and has plenty of friends and a robust social life. It’s the tale of two schools. Your child attends the version I know nothing about.

Why do posters say things like this? So obviously insincere and mean. About a child. PP, why?

Because many posts on this board are merely made up, and people don’t believe them. I’m not saying this post is not true, just that other people may not believe it.

So that makes it ok to say something mean about a friend-less child? Mmm hmm.

[Anonymous]

+1 as we learn at sidwell in our shared moment of silence, see “the light in all” Give me a break. For Sidwell parents it’s more like smother all in “darkness” so any light that did exist gets extinguished “for all”

[Anonymous]

Sidwell continues to be THEE topic of conversation on DCUM. As Oscar Wilde once said: “There’s only one thing in the world worse than being talked about, and that is not being talked about.”

I’m sure Sidwell appreciates the free publicity. Carry on…

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:2 kids at Sidwell. I think the school is not the problem. Everywhere has college anxiety. That’s everywhere. But for my other Sidwell parents on the line, let’s be honest. The social culture (especially among girls) is toxic. There are cliques. Mean girls. Bullying. Mental cruelty. Kids who are excluded from friend groups. This non-stop mean social culture amongst entitled high school kids is nasty. We stay because the school is academically really good. Some of the best teachers. The Upper School principal is legendary and a role model. I just wish the kids would be like him. We can’t wait to leave because the kids at this place are Spoiled, narcissistic brats. And yes let’s talk about the secret mental health audit and survey.

“There are cliques. Mean girls. Bullying. Mental cruelty. Kids who are excluded from friend groups.”

1. How does this differ from any affluent school in the DMV, public or private?
2. What, exactly, should Sidwell do about cliques, mean boys/girls, and social exclusion? How can Sidwell crack the code on a tale as old as time?
3. Please explain how Sidwell can make students befriend students they otherwise wouldn’t want to befriend?
4. Finally, good on Sidwell for commissioning a mental health audit. How many other private schools have done that recently (especially places with multiple recent suicides. I’m looking at you, Landon and Harvard-Westlake).

Did they share the findings of the survey with the community? If not, then I fail to see the value of doing it.

[Anonymous]

You all are being trolled by two persons that you’d likely not want to associate with anyway

Certainly not hurting for entitlement. Needless to say none of this is true

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:2 kids at Sidwell. I think the school is not the problem. Everywhere has college anxiety. That’s everywhere. But for my other Sidwell parents on the line, let’s be honest. The social culture (especially among girls) is toxic. There are cliques. Mean girls. Bullying. Mental cruelty. Kids who are excluded from friend groups. This non-stop mean social culture amongst entitled high school kids is nasty. We stay because the school is academically really good. Some of the best teachers. The Upper School principal is legendary and a role model. I just wish the kids would be like him. We can’t wait to leave because the kids at this place are Spoiled, narcissistic brats. And yes let’s talk about the secret mental health audit and survey.

“There are cliques. Mean girls. Bullying. Mental cruelty. Kids who are excluded from friend groups.”

1. How does this differ from any affluent school in the DMV, public or private?
2. What, exactly, should Sidwell do about cliques, mean boys/girls, and social exclusion? How can Sidwell crack the code on a tale as old as time?
3. Please explain how Sidwell can make students befriend students they otherwise wouldn’t want to befriend?
4. Finally, good on Sidwell for commissioning a mental health audit. How many other private schools have done that recently (especially places with multiple recent suicides. I’m looking at you, Landon and Harvard-Westlake).

Did they share the findings of the survey with the community? If not, then I fail to see the value of doing it.

They absolutely did.

[Anonymous]

You all realize the survey was done b/c the national epidemic of mental health issues in this age group, part the girls. So Sidwell did the right thing, did the other schools? I hope so but genuinely love the school and see no reason to look over my shoulder all the time

I’m really only posting b/c it’s pathetic how many of these thread pop around the time WL are closing