Does kid need all As to get into Sidwell

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It sounds absolutely miserable. I am stressed just thinking about it. Why does anyone want to go?

Some kids really thrive on it. It isn't for everyone. There are a ton of great schools in the area.

Also, the kids are incredibly prepared for college, like to the point that for most of them, college is easier.

I have heard people say the whole college is easier line many times with regard to these schools and it is such a head scratcher to me. Is this a goal? Why would anyone want college to be easier? An education should build not peak in high school!

I think I can answer this because I went to a magnet hs that was considered harder than college for many. It really depends on where you go to college. Many friends thought college was easier and they were able to focus on internships, athletics, etc. I went to Hopkins and college was not easier for me but I felt well prepared, unlike a lot of my peers who came from easier schools, both public and private.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Middle school parent here - tonight’s homework included an English writing assignment (multiple parts), a Math worksheet, Science reading and questions, History writing assignment, no foreign language tonight. Some assignments were started in class. It took my child about 2 hours with breaks to finish.

Thank you. That's a lot. Is it possible to finish some homework in class or do the teachers not give enough time most days?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Middle school parent here - tonight’s homework included an English writing assignment (multiple parts), a Math worksheet, Science reading and questions, History writing assignment, no foreign language tonight. Some assignments were started in class. It took my child about 2 hours with breaks to finish.

Thank you. That's a lot. Is it possible to finish some homework in class or do the teachers not give enough time most days?

Maybe a bit. But, for most part, this work needs to be done at home. DC needs to have excellent organizational skills (executive functioning). Deadlines nearly every single day of the week.

[Anonymous]

Another Sidwell parent here. Mind you: kids aren't all just staying at home getting their school work done. The kids who excel are successfully balancing social life (and pressures), academic rigor often made worse by poor teaching/school support, parental expectations and extra curricular (additional pressure as many of their classmates are performing at the highest level -- nationally highly ranked - in sports as well). Plus the randomness of life. Covid, other illnesses, family stresses etc that hit most families at some point or the other. The school accommodates a bit but you are largely on your own.

[Anonymous]

I don’t want to call out any family friends but people do leave these schools in order to succeed academically and athletically elsewhere, and have a less crazy life and equal success.

At least in banking or something you’re learning in the job and have tons of exit opps in 3 years at better jobs and balance. For 9-12 why go through hell for the same exit opps as a more sane top public or balance private.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m surprised they don’t have a higher rate of kids leaving the school. How do they determine at 5 if this is the type of kid that would thrive on 2-3 hours of homework a night in middle school??

I have always wondered this.

They do counsel out - from behavior that impedes learning or classroom disruption in lower grades, ability to handle add’l wok in ms, and DEFINITELY for HS

[Anonymous]

DC is in a highly competitive school similar to Sidwell and it's not abnormal for 1-3 kids each year to leave right before 9th usually to another great private.

I wouldn't say they were counseled out but by then kids and parents know more about their learning style and what they'd like for their high school experience. One child of a family friend who left when DC was in early elementary is now at a great medical school.

[Anonymous]

Parent with a MS kid at Sidwell who came in late LS. Thanks for this honesty. This bums me out to hear, but I'm glad to know it. Would you say there's joy and enthusiasm about the learning? I went to fairly intense schools myself, but I was proud to read challenging literature and be part of a literary tradition, and to learn complex facts about history, etc. I loved my research projects. Sidwell parents, do you get the sense that kids get the chance to feel this way?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My middle schooler at gds doesn’t have that much work

It’s coming. High school at GDS is 3-4 hours a night. They are very proud of this fact and tell all prospective high school students and their parents.

That's simply not true. My high schooler doesn't have nearly that much, and he gives tours as well, and no one in the admissions office would have said that.

[Anonymous]

Parent with a MS kid at Sidwell who came in late LS. Thanks for this honesty. This bums me out to hear, but I'm glad to know it. Would you say there's joy and enthusiasm about the learning? I went to fairly intense schools myself, but I was proud to read challenging literature and be part of a literary tradition, and to learn complex facts about history, etc. I loved my research projects. Sidwell parents, do you get the sense that kids get the chance to feel this way?

Joy and enthusiasm? I don't have a kid there but my friends who do certainly don't talk about it that way? They talk about kids comparing grades and even trying to get other kids grades reduced. Doesn't sound so joyful to me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: My middle schooler at gds doesn’t have that much work It’s coming. High school at GDS is 3-4 hours a night. They are very proud of this fact and tell all prospective high school students and their parents. That's simply not true. My high schooler doesn't have nearly that much, and he gives tours as well, and no one in the admissions office would have said that.

Just curious how much does your high schooler have?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Parent with a MS kid at Sidwell who came in late LS. Thanks for this honesty. This bums me out to hear, but I'm glad to know it. Would you say there's joy and enthusiasm about the learning? I went to fairly intense schools myself, but I was proud to read challenging literature and be part of a literary tradition, and to learn complex facts about history, etc. I loved my research projects. Sidwell parents, do you get the sense that kids get the chance to feel this way?

Joy and enthusiasm? I don't have a kid there but my friends who do certainly don't talk about it that way? They talk about kids comparing grades and even trying to get other kids grades reduced. Doesn't sound so joyful to me.

My DD is there and it is a grind and intense. But she loves it. She adores most of her teachers. Loves the classes. So, there is joy. Not sure what you’re talking about with trying to get others grades reduced. There’s really no sharing of grades.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My middle schooler at gds doesn’t have that much work

It’s coming. High school at GDS is 3-4 hours a night. They are very proud of this fact and tell all prospective high school students and their parents.

That's simply not true. My high schooler doesn't have nearly that much, and he gives tours as well, and no one in the admissions office would have said that.

Our tour guide did not say 3-4 hours but I think they may have said 2-3 or more each night. They definitely mentioned it was a lot of homework. The interviewer did too.

[Anonymous]

What can you tell us about stories of what happened with college admissions years back? Weren't parents stalking the counselors and badmouthing competing kids? Has the culture improved?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kids came from a K-8 that sends 3-4 to Sidwell each year. They don’t necessarily take the smartest kids in the grade however each kid has a major hook. And, the kids who go each year are extremely wealthy, not just full pay.

This is a pattern I have noticed. or they are legacy.