FAQ: What is the "Big 3"? (or "Big 5", or "Big 10", etc)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Based on how Ivy admission officers would rank the schools, it is:

1. GDS
2. SFS
3. STA/Cathedral

This.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:GDS rocks now more than ever, IMHO. GDS was compelling enough for it to be the Obamas' first choice for their daughters. Too bad the Secret Service veteoed it because they had concerns about the flow of the Palisades campus driveway. That's why the Obamas finally wound up at Sidwell.

That's not what they told me.

Ah the usual anti-GDS troll strikes again. Despite this jerk pretending to be a GDS booster, GDS is a top 3/5 school.

In no order top ACADEMIC PRIVATE schools in the area are:

Sidwell
Cathedral schools but St Albans is stronger than NCS
GDS
Holton
Maret
Potomac

This is the truth and anyone who is honest about it knows it.

[Anonymous]

GDS top spot?? You must be CRAZY!

https://www.niche.com/k12/search/best-private-k12-schools/

Sidwell#4 in the nation...GDS #49 and Maret even beats GDS at #26. I'd say the PP does not know what he/she is talking about!


???

Just clicked on the link you shared.

GDS #15 (in nation-out of 2200 schools); Maret is #36

[Anonymous]

I'm surprised that Holton hasn't been mentioned more. It's ranked #28 (Private k - 12) above Maret AND Potomac. I think NCS is amazing and we got into both but my daughter had the final say and she was much more comfortable at Holton. I also don't agree with what another said about the entrance process being harder at NCS. We went through the process there, Holton, St. Andrews, Barrie and The Park School. NCS and Holton were neck in neck as far as the difficulty of interview, requirements, etc. The standards for private schools in this area are pretty high. Some not as high as others but honestly I think that I can name easily 20 schools off the top of my head that offer an amazing education...all with their own set of pros and cons. Not every school is for every kid (or every family). At the end of the day it's an EXTREMELY personal choice. One that should be respected. Especially by the people who didn't have to make it.

[Anonymous]

Holton has a lot of explaining to do these days. Yesterday they sent students into Washington to support Dr. Ford. They are in favor of accusations of boys from neighboring schools, with zero evidence. Holton is an excellent option for politically liberal families.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Holton has a lot of explaining to do these days. Yesterday they sent students into Washington to support Dr. Ford. They are in favor of accusations of boys from neighboring schools, with zero evidence. Holton is an excellent option for politically liberal families.

Testimony is evidence. Duh.

[Anonymous]

We just wrapped our child’s HS search and while I read a few of these forums during the process (with healthy skepticism) I purposefully steered clear of this one as I didn’t want it to influence our search. Now, with applications, tours, visits, and interviews done I went ahead and read the thread. I’m really glad I avoided it this far. It adds little value in understanding any of the schools and is more a social reflection on elitism in DC. It’s remarkable to me how much energy is wasted on something so petty.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We just wrapped our child’s HS search and while I read a few of these forums during the process (with healthy skepticism) I purposefully steered clear of this one as I didn’t want it to influence our search. Now, with applications, tours, visits, and interviews done I went ahead and read the thread. I’m really glad I avoided it this far. It adds little value in understanding any of the schools and is more a social reflection on elitism in DC. It’s remarkable to me how much energy is wasted on something so petty.

This.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We just wrapped our child’s HS search and while I read a few of these forums during the process (with healthy skepticism) I purposefully steered clear of this one as I didn’t want it to influence our search. Now, with applications, tours, visits, and interviews done I went ahead and read the thread. I’m really glad I avoided it this far. It adds little value in understanding any of the schools and is more a social reflection on elitism in DC. It’s remarkable to me how much energy is wasted on something so petty.

This.

Yes. It should be un-stickied so it doesn't serve as people's first introduction to the forum.

[Anonymous]

So I have a question … for a middle of the road family what would you consider the top three or four schools to look at in DC and VA? We are not uber-liberal, nor are we ultra conservative - is there such a thing as a 'middle of the road' school in the area? Outstanding academics is our top priority but it would be nice if the school was also aligned with our philosophy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We just wrapped our child’s HS search and while I read a few of these forums during the process (with healthy skepticism) I purposefully steered clear of this one as I didn’t want it to influence our search. Now, with applications, tours, visits, and interviews done I went ahead and read the thread. I’m really glad I avoided it this far. It adds little value in understanding any of the schools and is more a social reflection on elitism in DC. It’s remarkable to me how much energy is wasted on something so petty.

Agree. Would be curious to know where you ended up applying?

[Anonymous]

There are many great schools in DC/MD/VA but the Big Three originally refer to STA, Sidwell, and NCS.

[Anonymous]

1. GDS
2. Sidwell
3. NCS

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There are many great schools in DC/MD/VA but the Big Three originally refer to STA, Sidwell, and NCS.

By who? NCS/STA is always after GDS. Check the rankings and stop this bs.

https://www.niche.com/k12/search/best-private-high-schools/m/washington-dc-metro-area/

[Anonymous]

I think in this area, the top 3 coed K-12 schools are:
Sidwell Friends, GDS and Maret.

I think the lists should be kept separate for coed vs single-sex schools.
St. Albans and NCS are universally regarded as the best boys' and girls' schools in this area (respectively), and I am sure there are several contenders for the other spots in the "top 3/5/10" etc.