Gilman

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The website says 66% of faculty have advanced degrees.

My son graduated from Gilman. Most students who enter in middle school or high school are the usual age for each. They’re transferring from 5th grade in public or private and have not done pre-first anywhere.

Great school in every way. Diverse, challenging, and supportive. No one school is perfect for everyone. Good luck with your search.

OK, whatever I read about Gilman said 58%. Whatever. I've served on boards of privates and we want to see 100%

Gilman is an academic powerhouse with a strong record of sending boys to elite colleges. I don't care what you think because you don't live in Baltimore or know the school so your observations are pointless.

[Anonymous]

OP, you need to take a long hard look at other privates. I find it weird people say "no religious schools" and automatically won't look at Friends, which, to me, is ignorance. And take a long hard look at magnet programs too. If you can barely afford the full tuition at 35k, what about college savings? That is more important.

[Anonymous]

Op, I would consider Friends and Saint Paul’s to not really be religious despite the religious affiliation. I know, for example, Jewish students at both schools. If you are in the city, I would take a look at both as well as Park. Mcdonogh has a free bus.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Op, I would consider Friends and Saint Paul’s to not really be religious despite the religious affiliation. I know, for example, Jewish students at both schools. If you are in the city, I would take a look at both as well as Park. Mcdonogh has a free bus.

I attended a JDS and would never subject my child to that or vice versa, not enough diversity in culture or thought. Our family is also interfaith and it really makes it uneven in the grand scheme of things. It's complicated, but we have to aim for neutrality at all costs.

I grew up in the private school circuit, so I'm familiar with most of the options you mentioned and definitely agree with you, it's just that my values truly do not align with mixing religion & education and I'm having a hard time getting past that to be more open minded and cast a wider net.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Op, I would consider Friends and Saint Paul’s to not really be religious despite the religious affiliation. I know, for example, Jewish students at both schools. If you are in the city, I would take a look at both as well as Park. Mcdonogh has a free bus.

I attended a JDS and would never subject my child to that or vice versa, not enough diversity in culture or thought. Our family is also interfaith and it really makes it uneven in the grand scheme of things. It's complicated, but we have to aim for neutrality at all costs.

I grew up in the private school circuit, so I'm familiar with most of the options you mentioned and definitely agree with you, it's just that my values truly do not align with mixing religion & education and I'm having a hard time getting past that to be more open minded and cast a wider net.

If you have a public option that is acceptable to you, that sounds fine. However, it sounds like the public option has not been challenging enough. I would not count on admission to either Mcdonogh or Gilman in 9th, although it is certainly possible. If you truly won’t look at Friends or Saint Paul’s (which are nothing like a Jewish day school), than Park would be the only other option.

[Anonymous]

Many private schools will ask you to apply for the grade your son would be in without skipping-or at acceptance time, offer you admission for that grade only. It is common practice. You should be very upfront with the admissions office if that is not something you are willing to do.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Op, I would consider Friends and Saint Paul’s to not really be religious despite the religious affiliation. I know, for example, Jewish students at both schools. If you are in the city, I would take a look at both as well as Park. Mcdonogh has a free bus.

I attended a JDS and would never subject my child to that or vice versa, not enough diversity in culture or thought. Our family is also interfaith and it really makes it uneven in the grand scheme of things. It's complicated, but we have to aim for neutrality at all costs.

I grew up in the private school circuit, so I'm familiar with most of the options you mentioned and definitely agree with you, it's just that my values truly do not align with mixing religion & education and I'm having a hard time getting past that to be more open minded and cast a wider net.

You are bringing preconceived biases to quite different schools. And it's only detrimental. Friends, for example, would be the perfect school for an interfaith family in so many ways. But you need to visit more schools than just Gilman even if just because admissions is no guarantee and if you are already getting these vibes from Gilman the odds are your kid isn't going to be accepted. Baltimore does have seemingly many private schools but once you start pigeonholing your kid into certain categories and with certain restrictions, suddenly the options become much more limited.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Many/most kids at Gilman do a "pre-1st" year after kindergarten and before 1st grade. This is extremely common for all but the oldest kids in the grade.

This means that a solid number of the boys (more than half?) turn 15 in their 8th grade year or the summer. They will turn 16 as freshmen.

If I were you, I'd think long and hard about what that would mean for my super young 9th grader. (I have a kid who will start 9th as a 13-year-old. I get it.)

This is true at nearly all the independent schools that are k-12 in Baltimore. The exception might be the catholic schools like Loyola and Calvert Hall, since they don’t have lower schools. Op may also find their pricing more palatable.

My DS went to Calvert Hall and Cathedral. Most of the boys in his Cathedral MS class did pre-first and then most of them went to CH or Loyola.

[Anonymous]

What ES/MS did he attend? It isn't difficult to get straight As in public school, especially these days.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The website says 66% of faculty have advanced degrees.

My son graduated from Gilman. Most students who enter in middle school or high school are the usual age for each. They’re transferring from 5th grade in public or private and have not done pre-first anywhere.

Great school in every way. Diverse, challenging, and supportive. No one school is perfect for everyone. Good luck with your search.

OK, whatever I read about Gilman said 58%. Whatever. I've served on boards of privates and we want to see 100%

Gilman is an academic powerhouse with a strong record of sending boys to elite colleges. I don't care what you think because you don't live in Baltimore or know the school so your observations are pointless.

You have gilman issues

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Our family, very recently started considering private school, Gilman in particular. We did not consider other private schools due to distance & religious affiliation. Having visited Gilman, I'm reconsidering our approach to not look at other schools.

While our student is very gifted, we have concerns about admissions after our visit. See, our student skipped a grade two years ago. Public school was not providing him a challenging enough environment, he was testing out of every subject and performing well above grade level for many years. At the time, private school was only a passing thought due to cost. When we mentioned our students grade elevation during our visit, we received mixed responses from the admissions team. A concern that had not crossed my mind until that conversation. Maturity & social development seemed to be a point of general concern, but I don't believe they were speaking about my child directly.

However, over the past two years our financial situation has changed and we would now be able to pay for tuition in full. While we could swing 35k, it would be a considerable amount of savings that would be sacrificed. We would still like to apply for FA.

For context, our student is very poised and mature, maintains a 3.9, is active in a handful of clubs/sports. Our student also has ADHD and requires medication to maintain focus which is well controlled. Executive functioning skills are very good and do not require any additional accommodations. Grade skipped was 6th grade.

1. What is the general consensus on students who skip a grade/gifted students.
2. Even though the FA application is separate, will it have an impact on admissions?
3. How selective is Gilman? (No stats available online and did not feel comfortable asking directly.)

I suspect they probably were describing your child but most of us don't want to hear the negative.

a few thoughts:

1) never heard of Gilman so looked it up
2) it's not boarding so I'm assuming you live in Baltimore?
3) 58% of teachers don't have advanced degrees. that's a red flag for me. our privates insisted on teachers working or obtaining their Masters degrees.
4) You said he's "very gifted" (the term used is "profoundly gifted") but Gilman doesn't seem to be oriented towards either giftedness or ADHD. Maybe I read too fast.
5) whether or not you think you can swing $35K a year is irrelevant to them. You will have to provide extensive financials to get financial aid. Every school is different. We never received aid.
6) while skipping grades used to be a positive a few decades back it is a practice frowned upon now. In fact, we have the other problem of children being "red-shirted" to give them more years of maturation before they compete for college, so yes, skipping two years is odd and something you will have to explain. That's why we now have 7 year olds in K. My own DD was red-shirted by her private and it was absolutely the best thing in the world for her.
6) If you live in the DC area the perfect school for you would be Commonwealth Academy because it serves both gifted and ADHD. But it's in Alexandria, VA.

best of luck

If you aren’t familiar with Gilman, maybe you just not respond. Never change DCUM.

and just what are YOU contributing to this post? absolutely nothing but criticism. PP acknowledged they didn't know about Gilman up front but has served on private school boards and other PPs think the comments valid. Does it make you feel better to try and find one fault in a post and deride the person offering comment -- with no other constructive comments of your own? Try offering up some constructive thoughts here and not tear down other PPs. WHAT A THOUGHT!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Our family, very recently started considering private school, Gilman in particular. We did not consider other private schools due to distance & religious affiliation. Having visited Gilman, I'm reconsidering our approach to not look at other schools.

While our student is very gifted, we have concerns about admissions after our visit. See, our student skipped a grade two years ago. Public school was not providing him a challenging enough environment, he was testing out of every subject and performing well above grade level for many years. At the time, private school was only a passing thought due to cost. When we mentioned our students grade elevation during our visit, we received mixed responses from the admissions team. A concern that had not crossed my mind until that conversation. Maturity & social development seemed to be a point of general concern, but I don't believe they were speaking about my child directly.

However, over the past two years our financial situation has changed and we would now be able to pay for tuition in full. While we could swing 35k, it would be a considerable amount of savings that would be sacrificed. We would still like to apply for FA.

For context, our student is very poised and mature, maintains a 3.9, is active in a handful of clubs/sports. Our student also has ADHD and requires medication to maintain focus which is well controlled. Executive functioning skills are very good and do not require any additional accommodations. Grade skipped was 6th grade.

1. What is the general consensus on students who skip a grade/gifted students.
2. Even though the FA application is separate, will it have an impact on admissions?
3. How selective is Gilman? (No stats available online and did not feel comfortable asking directly.)

I suspect they probably were describing your child but most of us don't want to hear the negative.

a few thoughts:

1) never heard of Gilman so looked it up
2) it's not boarding so I'm assuming you live in Baltimore?
3) 58% of teachers don't have advanced degrees. that's a red flag for me. our privates insisted on teachers working or obtaining their Masters degrees.
4) You said he's "very gifted" (the term used is "profoundly gifted") but Gilman doesn't seem to be oriented towards either giftedness or ADHD. Maybe I read too fast.
5) whether or not you think you can swing $35K a year is irrelevant to them. You will have to provide extensive financials to get financial aid. Every school is different. We never received aid.
6) while skipping grades used to be a positive a few decades back it is a practice frowned upon now. In fact, we have the other problem of children being "red-shirted" to give them more years of maturation before they compete for college, so yes, skipping two years is odd and something you will have to explain. That's why we now have 7 year olds in K. My own DD was red-shirted by her private and it was absolutely the best thing in the world for her.
6) If you live in the DC area the perfect school for you would be Commonwealth Academy because it serves both gifted and ADHD. But it's in Alexandria, VA.

best of luck

If you aren’t familiar with Gilman, maybe you just not respond. Never change DCUM.

and just what are YOU contributing to this post? absolutely nothing but criticism. PP acknowledged they didn't know about Gilman up front but has served on private school boards and other PPs think the comments valid. Does it make you feel better to try and find one fault in a post and deride the person offering comment -- with no other constructive comments of your own? Try offering up some constructive thoughts here and not tear down other PPs. WHAT A THOUGHT!

I’m a Gilman parent who posted more than once on this thread. The hysterics are unnecessary.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My investment advisor graduated from Gilman. He is African American. He liked his time there and felt like his education was well rounded. He donates to Gilman now.

He grew up in Baltimore and I think Gilman was his ticket out.

Pretty sure most students at Gilman grew up in Baltimore given that it's located in Baltimore.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Op, I would consider Friends and Saint Paul’s to not really be religious despite the religious affiliation. I know, for example, Jewish students at both schools. If you are in the city, I would take a look at both as well as Park. Mcdonogh has a free bus.

I attended a JDS and would never subject my child to that or vice versa, not enough diversity in culture or thought. Our family is also interfaith and it really makes it uneven in the grand scheme of things. It's complicated, but we have to aim for neutrality at all costs.

I grew up in the private school circuit, so I'm familiar with most of the options you mentioned and definitely agree with you, it's just that my values truly do not align with mixing religion & education and I'm having a hard time getting past that to be more open minded and cast a wider net.

You are bringing preconceived biases to quite different schools. And it's only detrimental. Friends, for example, would be the perfect school for an interfaith family in so many ways. But you need to visit more schools than just Gilman even if just because admissions is no guarantee and if you are already getting these vibes from Gilman the odds are your kid isn't going to be accepted. Baltimore does have seemingly many private schools but once you start pigeonholing your kid into certain categories and with certain restrictions, suddenly the options become much more limited.

Agreed. I definitely have biases. In addition to being interfaith, our blended family is on the opposite spectrum politically. We would be kidding ourselves if we didn't acknowledge culture fit.

What's really driving my decision? The main factor? I took a long hard look at those I grew up with and where they attended private school and who and where they are now.
Hands down, those who graduated from Gilman are the most well rounded and have the best character. It's not just limited to success, because yes they are all successful in their own ways. The men I know who graduated from Gilman consistently stand out in every arena compared to those who choose other schools.

Philanthropy is also very important to me because I have been apart of and now have had the opportunity to serve the underserved community. The heart, soul and generosity of those I know who attended Gilman is truly unmatched... and that's what I want for my child. That's what I know he can evolve into with the care and consideration that Gilman puts into their program.

We're putting all of our eggs in one basket and yes we will be devastated if he does not receive an offer of admissions, so I anxiously wrote this post hoping for advice on how to navigate potential road blocks with the admissions team.

Do I write this on the supplemental more or less? What do I share with the admissions team and what do I leave out? What conversations need to be had? Should I request letters of recommendation from alumni/ do an alumni interview?

We're hear to learn and prepare and give our kid the best shot.

[Anonymous]

Get over the weird fixation on Gilman. 9th grade admissions are challenging without red flags.