Big 3, Big 5??

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Big 3 is BIM, Sidwell, and GDS.

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

+1. Yet a lot of DCUM parent remain mired in the past. This is 2024, people.

-1 BIM is NOT in DC. But I agree that GDS is up there with Sidwell.

BIM was rated #1 in the DMV, as PP posted. Sidwell and GDS were #2 and #3 respectively.

Big 3/5 refers to the DMV, not DC specifically.

I don’t know a single person at BIM
or know of anyone who has ever attended that school or been there. Whatever rating you are referring to is absolutely meaningless.

[Anonymous]

Big 3:

Georgetown Prep
Georgetown Prep
Georgetown Prep

Good night!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Big 3 is BIM, Sidwell, and GDS.

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

+1. Yet a lot of DCUM parent remain mired in the past. This is 2024, people.

-1 BIM is NOT in DC. But I agree that GDS is up there with Sidwell.

BIM was rated #1 in the DMV, as PP posted. Sidwell and GDS were #2 and #3 respectively.

Big 3/5 refers to the DMV, not DC specifically.

I don’t know a single person at BIM
or know of anyone who has ever attended that school or been there. Whatever rating you are referring to is absolutely meaningless.

Yawn... Who are you and who cares you don't know a single person at anywhere.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:People....look at the the college admits.
GDS is #1 this year-with the most imprssoev results in a very difficult year. So if you are basing your "Big Three" on when you went to school in the 80's, I guess you can discount it, but for those of us living in 2024- GDS is the hardest school in the DMV to be accepted to and has the best admits this year. So for a current Big three list:
GDS
Sidwell
St Albans

The Big 3 is dead. Long live the Big 2. Sidwell and GDS are top of the heap. St. Alban's was #1 in the 80s, but no longer attracts same volume of top applicants and is easier to get into now. There are a number of area schools - boys, girls, and co-ed - that have tougher acceptance rates nowadays and stronger college placements. Washingtonian latest rankings reflect that (included St. Albans at #5). St. Alban's is still a terrific school, just not as sought after as it once was. Everyone agrees HYP are the Big 3 Ivies. Nobody tries to say the P stands for Penn or that Yale should be replaced by Cornell. DC area private schools has a Big 2 and lots of outstanding schools that are close.

St. Albans had the best 2023 college placement in the DMV. 1/7 to Ivies and most of the rest to top 25.

1. My experience has been that high schools that post their 5 year college matriculation list (STA, Madeira, etc) tend to not do as well as high schools that post a 4 year matriculation list or lists for each recent graduating class (Sidwell, GDS, Maret); and

2. Are you seriously trying to convince us that Bama, Arizona State University, the University of Dayton, Elizabeth City State University, Fisk University, JMU, LSU, Montgomery College (!!!), Mount St. Mary's University, Sewanee, Shepherd University, Temple, VCU, Whittier College, Whitworth University, etc are “top 25”?!?

Please stop!

https://www.stalbansschool.org/academics/college-counseling/college-matriculations#

I am actually looking at the list from 2023 that was sent out in the mail to families in the community and 1 in 7 students went to Ivies and many many others went to top 25 schools. Several to Georgetown and Univ Chicago. Small class only 76.

Within the last 5 years, a STA student went to Montgomery College! No words.

Sidwell too

Not within the last 5 years. Post the list. The STA list is posted.

Why not within the last 6 years? Or the Last 10 years? What difference does it make if it's within the last 5 years or the last 10 years? Fact is there were kids from Sidwell who went to MC.

Because:
1. I don’t believe you;
2. Your statement is meaningless without proof; and
3. The timeframe matters. Twenty years ago, Ivies had admissions rates that climbed above 20%. That fact is completely irrelevant to college applicants now.

If you're a Sidwell parent, check the school matriculation list for 2018-2022, not the latest one that the school updated.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:People....look at the the college admits.
GDS is #1 this year-with the most imprssoev results in a very difficult year. So if you are basing your "Big Three" on when you went to school in the 80's, I guess you can discount it, but for those of us living in 2024- GDS is the hardest school in the DMV to be accepted to and has the best admits this year. So for a current Big three list:
GDS
Sidwell
St Albans

The Big 3 is dead. Long live the Big 2. Sidwell and GDS are top of the heap. St. Alban's was #1 in the 80s, but no longer attracts same volume of top applicants and is easier to get into now. There are a number of area schools - boys, girls, and co-ed - that have tougher acceptance rates nowadays and stronger college placements. Washingtonian latest rankings reflect that (included St. Albans at #5). St. Alban's is still a terrific school, just not as sought after as it once was. Everyone agrees HYP are the Big 3 Ivies. Nobody tries to say the P stands for Penn or that Yale should be replaced by Cornell. DC area private schools has a Big 2 and lots of outstanding schools that are close.

St. Albans had the best 2023 college placement in the DMV. 1/7 to Ivies and most of the rest to top 25.

1. My experience has been that high schools that post their 5 year college matriculation list (STA, Madeira, etc) tend to not do as well as high schools that post a 4 year matriculation list or lists for each recent graduating class (Sidwell, GDS, Maret); and

2. Are you seriously trying to convince us that Bama, Arizona State University, the University of Dayton, Elizabeth City State University, Fisk University, JMU, LSU, Montgomery College (!!!), Mount St. Mary's University, Sewanee, Shepherd University, Temple, VCU, Whittier College, Whitworth University, etc are “top 25”?!?

Please stop!

https://www.stalbansschool.org/academics/college-counseling/college-matriculations#

I am actually looking at the list from 2023 that was sent out in the mail to families in the community and 1 in 7 students went to Ivies and many many others went to top 25 schools. Several to Georgetown and Univ Chicago. Small class only 76.

Within the last 5 years, a STA student went to Montgomery College! No words.

Sidwell too

Not within the last 5 years. Post the list. The STA list is posted.

Why not within the last 6 years? Or the Last 10 years? What difference does it make if it's within the last 5 years or the last 10 years? Fact is there were kids from Sidwell who went to MC.

Because:
1. I don’t believe you;
2. Your statement is meaningless without proof; and
3. The timeframe matters. Twenty years ago, Ivies had admissions rates that climbed above 20%. That fact is completely irrelevant to college applicants now.

If you're a Sidwell parent, check the school matriculation list for 2018-2022, not the latest one that the school updated.

No. You should post it here for everyone to see.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Big 3:

Georgetown Prep
Georgetown Prep
Georgetown Prep

Good night!

How many Supreme Court justices does your “Big 3” school have?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:People....look at the the college admits.
GDS is #1 this year-with the most imprssoev results in a very difficult year. So if you are basing your "Big Three" on when you went to school in the 80's, I guess you can discount it, but for those of us living in 2024- GDS is the hardest school in the DMV to be accepted to and has the best admits this year. So for a current Big three list:
GDS
Sidwell
St Albans

The Big 3 is dead. Long live the Big 2. Sidwell and GDS are top of the heap. St. Alban's was #1 in the 80s, but no longer attracts same volume of top applicants and is easier to get into now. There are a number of area schools - boys, girls, and co-ed - that have tougher acceptance rates nowadays and stronger college placements. Washingtonian latest rankings reflect that (included St. Albans at #5). St. Alban's is still a terrific school, just not as sought after as it once was. Everyone agrees HYP are the Big 3 Ivies. Nobody tries to say the P stands for Penn or that Yale should be replaced by Cornell. DC area private schools has a Big 2 and lots of outstanding schools that are close.

St. Albans had the best 2023 college placement in the DMV. 1/7 to Ivies and most of the rest to top 25.

1. My experience has been that high schools that post their 5 year college matriculation list (STA, Madeira, etc) tend to not do as well as high schools that post a 4 year matriculation list or lists for each recent graduating class (Sidwell, GDS, Maret); and

2. Are you seriously trying to convince us that Bama, Arizona State University, the University of Dayton, Elizabeth City State University, Fisk University, JMU, LSU, Montgomery College (!!!), Mount St. Mary's University, Sewanee, Shepherd University, Temple, VCU, Whittier College, Whitworth University, etc are “top 25”?!?

Please stop!

https://www.stalbansschool.org/academics/college-counseling/college-matriculations#

I am actually looking at the list from 2023 that was sent out in the mail to families in the community and 1 in 7 students went to Ivies and many many others went to top 25 schools. Several to Georgetown and Univ Chicago. Small class only 76.

Within the last 5 years, a STA student went to Montgomery College! No words.

Sidwell too

Not within the last 5 years. Post the list. The STA list is posted.

Why not within the last 6 years? Or the Last 10 years? What difference does it make if it's within the last 5 years or the last 10 years? Fact is there were kids from Sidwell who went to MC.

Because:
1. I don’t believe you;
2. Your statement is meaningless without proof; and
3. The timeframe matters. Twenty years ago, Ivies had admissions rates that climbed above 20%. That fact is completely irrelevant to college applicants now.

GDS was Obamas first choice btw

You and GDS wish. There are articles where Michelle Obama clearly states that Sidwell was their family’s first choice. Seethe!

Obamas loved GDS and its mission and history. Definitely was their first choice.

At the time the US Secret Service had major concerns about security and egress at the MacArthur campus (now a DC high school, but that’s another thread). They already had a plan for Sidwell because of Chelsea Clinton. The consolidated GDS campus on Wisconsin Avenue was planned to address USSS concerns so that GDS can accommodate future VVIP protectee (POTUS or VPOTUS) families.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:People....look at the the college admits.
GDS is #1 this year-with the most imprssoev results in a very difficult year. So if you are basing your "Big Three" on when you went to school in the 80's, I guess you can discount it, but for those of us living in 2024- GDS is the hardest school in the DMV to be accepted to and has the best admits this year. So for a current Big three list:
GDS
Sidwell
St Albans

The Big 3 is dead. Long live the Big 2. Sidwell and GDS are top of the heap. St. Alban's was #1 in the 80s, but no longer attracts same volume of top applicants and is easier to get into now. There are a number of area schools - boys, girls, and co-ed - that have tougher acceptance rates nowadays and stronger college placements. Washingtonian latest rankings reflect that (included St. Albans at #5). St. Alban's is still a terrific school, just not as sought after as it once was. Everyone agrees HYP are the Big 3 Ivies. Nobody tries to say the P stands for Penn or that Yale should be replaced by Cornell. DC area private schools has a Big 2 and lots of outstanding schools that are close.

St. Albans had the best 2023 college placement in the DMV. 1/7 to Ivies and most of the rest to top 25.

1. My experience has been that high schools that post their 5 year college matriculation list (STA, Madeira, etc) tend to not do as well as high schools that post a 4 year matriculation list or lists for each recent graduating class (Sidwell, GDS, Maret); and

2. Are you seriously trying to convince us that Bama, Arizona State University, the University of Dayton, Elizabeth City State University, Fisk University, JMU, LSU, Montgomery College (!!!), Mount St. Mary's University, Sewanee, Shepherd University, Temple, VCU, Whittier College, Whitworth University, etc are “top 25”?!?

Please stop!

https://www.stalbansschool.org/academics/college-counseling/college-matriculations#

I am actually looking at the list from 2023 that was sent out in the mail to families in the community and 1 in 7 students went to Ivies and many many others went to top 25 schools. Several to Georgetown and Univ Chicago. Small class only 76.

Within the last 5 years, a STA student went to Montgomery College! No words.

Sidwell too

Not within the last 5 years. Post the list. The STA list is posted.

Why not within the last 6 years? Or the Last 10 years? What difference does it make if it's within the last 5 years or the last 10 years? Fact is there were kids from Sidwell who went to MC.

Because:
1. I don’t believe you;
2. Your statement is meaningless without proof; and
3. The timeframe matters. Twenty years ago, Ivies had admissions rates that climbed above 20%. That fact is completely irrelevant to college applicants now.

GDS was Obamas first choice btw

You and GDS wish. There are articles where Michelle Obama clearly states that Sidwell was their family’s first choice. Seethe!

Obamas loved GDS and its mission and history. Definitely was their first choice.

At the time the US Secret Service had major concerns about security and egress at the MacArthur campus (now a DC high school, but that’s another thread). They already had a plan for Sidwell because of Chelsea Clinton. The consolidated GDS campus on Wisconsin Avenue was planned to address USSS concerns so that GDS can accommodate future VVIP protectee (POTUS or VPOTUS) families.

GDS parents are obsessed with the fact that the Obamas chose Sidwell. Let it go!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:People....look at the the college admits.
GDS is #1 this year-with the most imprssoev results in a very difficult year. So if you are basing your "Big Three" on when you went to school in the 80's, I guess you can discount it, but for those of us living in 2024- GDS is the hardest school in the DMV to be accepted to and has the best admits this year. So for a current Big three list:
GDS
Sidwell
St Albans

The Big 3 is dead. Long live the Big 2. Sidwell and GDS are top of the heap. St. Alban's was #1 in the 80s, but no longer attracts same volume of top applicants and is easier to get into now. There are a number of area schools - boys, girls, and co-ed - that have tougher acceptance rates nowadays and stronger college placements. Washingtonian latest rankings reflect that (included St. Albans at #5). St. Alban's is still a terrific school, just not as sought after as it once was. Everyone agrees HYP are the Big 3 Ivies. Nobody tries to say the P stands for Penn or that Yale should be replaced by Cornell. DC area private schools has a Big 2 and lots of outstanding schools that are close.

St. Albans had the best 2023 college placement in the DMV. 1/7 to Ivies and most of the rest to top 25.

1. My experience has been that high schools that post their 5 year college matriculation list (STA, Madeira, etc) tend to not do as well as high schools that post a 4 year matriculation list or lists for each recent graduating class (Sidwell, GDS, Maret); and

2. Are you seriously trying to convince us that Bama, Arizona State University, the University of Dayton, Elizabeth City State University, Fisk University, JMU, LSU, Montgomery College (!!!), Mount St. Mary's University, Sewanee, Shepherd University, Temple, VCU, Whittier College, Whitworth University, etc are “top 25”?!?

Please stop!

https://www.stalbansschool.org/academics/college-counseling/college-matriculations#

I am actually looking at the list from 2023 that was sent out in the mail to families in the community and 1 in 7 students went to Ivies and many many others went to top 25 schools. Several to Georgetown and Univ Chicago. Small class only 76.

Within the last 5 years, a STA student went to Montgomery College! No words.

Sidwell too

Not within the last 5 years. Post the list. The STA list is posted.

Why not within the last 6 years? Or the Last 10 years? What difference does it make if it's within the last 5 years or the last 10 years? Fact is there were kids from Sidwell who went to MC.

Because:
1. I don’t believe you;
2. Your statement is meaningless without proof; and
3. The timeframe matters. Twenty years ago, Ivies had admissions rates that climbed above 20%. That fact is completely irrelevant to college applicants now.

GDS was Obamas first choice btw

You and GDS wish. There are articles where Michelle Obama clearly states that Sidwell was their family’s first choice. Seethe!

Obamas loved GDS and its mission and history. Definitely was their first choice.

At the time the US Secret Service had major concerns about security and egress at the MacArthur campus (now a DC high school, but that’s another thread). They already had a plan for Sidwell because of Chelsea Clinton. The consolidated GDS campus on Wisconsin Avenue was planned to address USSS concerns so that GDS can accommodate future VVIP protectee (POTUS or VPOTUS) families.

GDS parents are obsessed with the fact that the Obamas chose Sidwell. Let it go!

Something I've read on this board that strikes me as true: "GDS talks a lot about Sidwell. Sidwell doesn't talk about GDS."

We're a former GDS family, FWIW.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:People....look at the the college admits.
GDS is #1 this year-with the most imprssoev results in a very difficult year. So if you are basing your "Big Three" on when you went to school in the 80's, I guess you can discount it, but for those of us living in 2024- GDS is the hardest school in the DMV to be accepted to and has the best admits this year. So for a current Big three list:
GDS
Sidwell
St Albans

The Big 3 is dead. Long live the Big 2. Sidwell and GDS are top of the heap. St. Alban's was #1 in the 80s, but no longer attracts same volume of top applicants and is easier to get into now. There are a number of area schools - boys, girls, and co-ed - that have tougher acceptance rates nowadays and stronger college placements. Washingtonian latest rankings reflect that (included St. Albans at #5). St. Alban's is still a terrific school, just not as sought after as it once was. Everyone agrees HYP are the Big 3 Ivies. Nobody tries to say the P stands for Penn or that Yale should be replaced by Cornell. DC area private schools has a Big 2 and lots of outstanding schools that are close.

St. Albans had the best 2023 college placement in the DMV. 1/7 to Ivies and most of the rest to top 25.

1. My experience has been that high schools that post their 5 year college matriculation list (STA, Madeira, etc) tend to not do as well as high schools that post a 4 year matriculation list or lists for each recent graduating class (Sidwell, GDS, Maret); and

2. Are you seriously trying to convince us that Bama, Arizona State University, the University of Dayton, Elizabeth City State University, Fisk University, JMU, LSU, Montgomery College (!!!), Mount St. Mary's University, Sewanee, Shepherd University, Temple, VCU, Whittier College, Whitworth University, etc are “top 25”?!?

Please stop!

https://www.stalbansschool.org/academics/college-counseling/college-matriculations#

I am actually looking at the list from 2023 that was sent out in the mail to families in the community and 1 in 7 students went to Ivies and many many others went to top 25 schools. Several to Georgetown and Univ Chicago. Small class only 76.

Within the last 5 years, a STA student went to Montgomery College! No words.

Sidwell too

Not within the last 5 years. Post the list. The STA list is posted.

Why not within the last 6 years? Or the Last 10 years? What difference does it make if it's within the last 5 years or the last 10 years? Fact is there were kids from Sidwell who went to MC.

Because:
1. I don’t believe you;
2. Your statement is meaningless without proof; and
3. The timeframe matters. Twenty years ago, Ivies had admissions rates that climbed above 20%. That fact is completely irrelevant to college applicants now.

GDS was Obamas first choice btw

You and GDS wish. There are articles where Michelle Obama clearly states that Sidwell was their family’s first choice. Seethe!

Obamas loved GDS and its mission and history. Definitely was their first choice.

At the time the US Secret Service had major concerns about security and egress at the MacArthur campus (now a DC high school, but that’s another thread). They already had a plan for Sidwell because of Chelsea Clinton. The consolidated GDS campus on Wisconsin Avenue was planned to address USSS concerns so that GDS can accommodate future VVIP protectee (POTUS or VPOTUS) families.

GDS parents are obsessed with the fact that the Obamas chose Sidwell. Let it go!

Something I've read on this board that strikes me as true: "GDS talks a lot about Sidwell. Sidwell doesn't talk about GDS."

We're a former GDS family, FWIW.

The great Walter Payton once said, "When you're good at something, you'll tell everyone. When you're great at something, they'll tell you."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:People....look at the the college admits.
GDS is #1 this year-with the most imprssoev results in a very difficult year. So if you are basing your "Big Three" on when you went to school in the 80's, I guess you can discount it, but for those of us living in 2024- GDS is the hardest school in the DMV to be accepted to and has the best admits this year. So for a current Big three list:
GDS
Sidwell
St Albans

The Big 3 is dead. Long live the Big 2. Sidwell and GDS are top of the heap. St. Alban's was #1 in the 80s, but no longer attracts same volume of top applicants and is easier to get into now. There are a number of area schools - boys, girls, and co-ed - that have tougher acceptance rates nowadays and stronger college placements. Washingtonian latest rankings reflect that (included St. Albans at #5). St. Alban's is still a terrific school, just not as sought after as it once was. Everyone agrees HYP are the Big 3 Ivies. Nobody tries to say the P stands for Penn or that Yale should be replaced by Cornell. DC area private schools has a Big 2 and lots of outstanding schools that are close.

St. Albans had the best 2023 college placement in the DMV. 1/7 to Ivies and most of the rest to top 25.

1. My experience has been that high schools that post their 5 year college matriculation list (STA, Madeira, etc) tend to not do as well as high schools that post a 4 year matriculation list or lists for each recent graduating class (Sidwell, GDS, Maret); and

2. Are you seriously trying to convince us that Bama, Arizona State University, the University of Dayton, Elizabeth City State University, Fisk University, JMU, LSU, Montgomery College (!!!), Mount St. Mary's University, Sewanee, Shepherd University, Temple, VCU, Whittier College, Whitworth University, etc are “top 25”?!?

Please stop!

https://www.stalbansschool.org/academics/college-counseling/college-matriculations#

I am actually looking at the list from 2023 that was sent out in the mail to families in the community and 1 in 7 students went to Ivies and many many others went to top 25 schools. Several to Georgetown and Univ Chicago. Small class only 76.

Within the last 5 years, a STA student went to Montgomery College! No words.

Sidwell too

Not within the last 5 years. Post the list. The STA list is posted.

Why not within the last 6 years? Or the Last 10 years? What difference does it make if it's within the last 5 years or the last 10 years? Fact is there were kids from Sidwell who went to MC.

Because:
1. I don’t believe you;
2. Your statement is meaningless without proof; and
3. The timeframe matters. Twenty years ago, Ivies had admissions rates that climbed above 20%. That fact is completely irrelevant to college applicants now.

GDS was Obamas first choice btw

You and GDS wish. There are articles where Michelle Obama clearly states that Sidwell was their family’s first choice. Seethe!

Obamas loved GDS and its mission and history. Definitely was their first choice.

At the time the US Secret Service had major concerns about security and egress at the MacArthur campus (now a DC high school, but that’s another thread). They already had a plan for Sidwell because of Chelsea Clinton. The consolidated GDS campus on Wisconsin Avenue was planned to address USSS concerns so that GDS can accommodate future VVIP protectee (POTUS or VPOTUS) families.

GDS parents are obsessed with the fact that the Obamas chose Sidwell. Let it go!

Something I've read on this board that strikes me as true: "GDS talks a lot about Sidwell. Sidwell doesn't talk about GDS."

We're a former GDS family, FWIW.

I agree. I rarely hear my children (Sidwell US students) or their friends talking about GDS or other schools. If another school comes up in conversation, it’s almost always related to an upcoming sporting event where Sidwell is playing that particular school.

On a semi-related sports note, Sidwell lets GDS’ track team practice on its track. And this is the thanks we get—jeez! 😂

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:People....look at the the college admits.
GDS is #1 this year-with the most imprssoev results in a very difficult year. So if you are basing your "Big Three" on when you went to school in the 80's, I guess you can discount it, but for those of us living in 2024- GDS is the hardest school in the DMV to be accepted to and has the best admits this year. So for a current Big three list:
GDS
Sidwell
St Albans

The Big 3 is dead. Long live the Big 2. Sidwell and GDS are top of the heap. St. Alban's was #1 in the 80s, but no longer attracts same volume of top applicants and is easier to get into now. There are a number of area schools - boys, girls, and co-ed - that have tougher acceptance rates nowadays and stronger college placements. Washingtonian latest rankings reflect that (included St. Albans at #5). St. Alban's is still a terrific school, just not as sought after as it once was. Everyone agrees HYP are the Big 3 Ivies. Nobody tries to say the P stands for Penn or that Yale should be replaced by Cornell. DC area private schools has a Big 2 and lots of outstanding schools that are close.

St. Albans had the best 2023 college placement in the DMV. 1/7 to Ivies and most of the rest to top 25.

1. My experience has been that high schools that post their 5 year college matriculation list (STA, Madeira, etc) tend to not do as well as high schools that post a 4 year matriculation list or lists for each recent graduating class (Sidwell, GDS, Maret); and

2. Are you seriously trying to convince us that Bama, Arizona State University, the University of Dayton, Elizabeth City State University, Fisk University, JMU, LSU, Montgomery College (!!!), Mount St. Mary's University, Sewanee, Shepherd University, Temple, VCU, Whittier College, Whitworth University, etc are “top 25”?!?

Please stop!

https://www.stalbansschool.org/academics/college-counseling/college-matriculations#

I am actually looking at the list from 2023 that was sent out in the mail to families in the community and 1 in 7 students went to Ivies and many many others went to top 25 schools. Several to Georgetown and Univ Chicago. Small class only 76.

Within the last 5 years, a STA student went to Montgomery College! No words.

Sidwell too

Not within the last 5 years. Post the list. The STA list is posted.

Why not within the last 6 years? Or the Last 10 years? What difference does it make if it's within the last 5 years or the last 10 years? Fact is there were kids from Sidwell who went to MC.

Because:
1. I don’t believe you;
2. Your statement is meaningless without proof; and
3. The timeframe matters. Twenty years ago, Ivies had admissions rates that climbed above 20%. That fact is completely irrelevant to college applicants now.

GDS was Obamas first choice btw

You and GDS wish. There are articles where Michelle Obama clearly states that Sidwell was their family’s first choice. Seethe!

Obamas loved GDS and its mission and history. Definitely was their first choice.

At the time the US Secret Service had major concerns about security and egress at the MacArthur campus (now a DC high school, but that’s another thread). They already had a plan for Sidwell because of Chelsea Clinton. The consolidated GDS campus on Wisconsin Avenue was planned to address USSS concerns so that GDS can accommodate future VVIP protectee (POTUS or VPOTUS) families.

GDS parents are obsessed with the fact that the Obamas chose Sidwell. Let it go!

Something I've read on this board that strikes me as true: "GDS talks a lot about Sidwell. Sidwell doesn't talk about GDS."

We're a former GDS family, FWIW.

I agree. I rarely hear my children (Sidwell US students) or their friends talking about GDS or other schools. If another school comes up in conversation, it’s almost always related to an upcoming sporting event where Sidwell is playing that particular school.

On a semi-related sports note, Sidwell lets GDS’ track team practice on its track. And this is the thanks we get—jeez! 😂

According to DCUM, GDS graciously let Sidwell get the Obama family, so maybe you’re not being grateful.

On a serious note, I’m amazed that this is still a discussion on here 15 years after the fact.

[Anonymous]

On a serious note, I’m amazed that this is still a discussion on here 15 years after the fact.

That's likely because GDS thought they'd finally break into the Big 3 with the Obamas and when they weren't chosen, it was a reminder that they still weren't getting a seat at the table. So instead of just letting it go, they are hell bent on trying to blame security for the reason the Obamas didn't choose them.

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:People....look at the the college admits.
GDS is #1 this year-with the most imprssoev results in a very difficult year. So if you are basing your "Big Three" on when you went to school in the 80's, I guess you can discount it, but for those of us living in 2024- GDS is the hardest school in the DMV to be accepted to and has the best admits this year. So for a current Big three list:
GDS
Sidwell
St Albans

The Big 3 is dead. Long live the Big 2. Sidwell and GDS are top of the heap. St. Alban's was #1 in the 80s, but no longer attracts same volume of top applicants and is easier to get into now. There are a number of area schools - boys, girls, and co-ed - that have tougher acceptance rates nowadays and stronger college placements. Washingtonian latest rankings reflect that (included St. Albans at #5). St. Alban's is still a terrific school, just not as sought after as it once was. Everyone agrees HYP are the Big 3 Ivies. Nobody tries to say the P stands for Penn or that Yale should be replaced by Cornell. DC area private schools has a Big 2 and lots of outstanding schools that are close.

St. Albans had the best 2023 college placement in the DMV. 1/7 to Ivies and most of the rest to top 25.

1. My experience has been that high schools that post their 5 year college matriculation list (STA, Madeira, etc) tend to not do as well as high schools that post a 4 year matriculation list or lists for each recent graduating class (Sidwell, GDS, Maret); and

2. Are you seriously trying to convince us that Bama, Arizona State University, the University of Dayton, Elizabeth City State University, Fisk University, JMU, LSU, Montgomery College (!!!), Mount St. Mary's University, Sewanee, Shepherd University, Temple, VCU, Whittier College, Whitworth University, etc are “top 25”?!?

Please stop!

https://www.stalbansschool.org/academics/college-counseling/college-matriculations#

I am actually looking at the list from 2023 that was sent out in the mail to families in the community and 1 in 7 students went to Ivies and many many others went to top 25 schools. Several to Georgetown and Univ Chicago. Small class only 76.

Within the last 5 years, a STA student went to Montgomery College! No words.

Sidwell too

Not within the last 5 years. Post the list. The STA list is posted.

Why not within the last 6 years? Or the Last 10 years? What difference does it make if it's within the last 5 years or the last 10 years? Fact is there were kids from Sidwell who went to MC.

Because:
1. I don’t believe you;
2. Your statement is meaningless without proof; and
3. The timeframe matters. Twenty years ago, Ivies had admissions rates that climbed above 20%. That fact is completely irrelevant to college applicants now.

GDS was Obamas first choice btw

You and GDS wish. There are articles where Michelle Obama clearly states that Sidwell was their family’s first choice. Seethe!

Obamas loved GDS and its mission and history. Definitely was their first choice.

At the time the US Secret Service had major concerns about security and egress at the MacArthur campus (now a DC high school, but that’s another thread). They already had a plan for Sidwell because of Chelsea Clinton. The consolidated GDS campus on Wisconsin Avenue was planned to address USSS concerns so that GDS can accommodate future VVIP protectee (POTUS or VPOTUS) families.

GDS parents are obsessed with the fact that the Obamas chose Sidwell. Let it go!

Something I've read on this board that strikes me as true: "GDS talks a lot about Sidwell. Sidwell doesn't talk about GDS."

We're a former GDS family, FWIW.

I agree. I rarely hear my children (Sidwell US students) or their friends talking about GDS or other schools. If another school comes up in conversation, it’s almost always related to an upcoming sporting event where Sidwell is playing that particular school.

On a semi-related sports note, Sidwell lets GDS’ track team practice on its track. And this is the thanks we get—jeez! 😂

According to DCUM, GDS graciously let Sidwell get the Obama family, so maybe you’re not being grateful.

On a serious note, I’m amazed that this is still a discussion on here 15 years after the fact.

I’m equally amazed that GDS parents keep bringing this up on DCUM. I’m convinced that some of these parents are genuinely hurt the Obamas chose Sidwell over GDS. The Obama daughters are now adults with college degrees. Please move on!

[Anonymous]

All of you are discussing it like it happened yesterday. Sidwell parents crowing and GDS parents spluttering.

Move on.