Maret or GDS (US)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My child left Maret after 9th grade because it started to feel very small very quickly. It is a personal thing, but that is why we left. GDS has a bigger feel to it.

Sure, but op’s kid will be new in upper school. Not a lifer or similar.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:On GDS HS lunch: I never pack lunches for my DC. She either packs her own or goes off campus most days; there's also bagel truck nearby. Never orders Doordash, and I'd say Doordash kids are a minority. Most kids go out for lunch together, in packs. It's not a big deal at all.

As for the PP who said GDS kids are "more street" than Maret, I don't know what that's supposed to mean, but in our family having street smarts is a good thing.

Thanks - this is helpful....

But going out for lunch daily to me - is just as bad as Doordash. I know walking over to a store or food truck is cheaper because no delivery costs....but it's still eating out daily at a cost that would be higher than a cafeteria. And I presume less healthy - but maybe that's not true?

[Anonymous]

Different communities and vibes - ask parents there about the schools

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:NP here - also starting GDS US this fall! I have a question about lunch since it's not included? Do the students usually bring their own packed lunch, or do they go off campus every day? I can see an upper-level student heading off campus often, but don't really want my 9th grader off campus every day. what do most kids do? Also where do they eat on campus?

This is seriously the straw that broke the camels back for us. I cannot deal with lunches anymore.

They're in high school.... can't they pack their own lunch? I went to a HS without lunch, and my parents gave me some money that I could either spend on cheap lunches in the area, or could pocket and pack my own lunch. 14-18 year olds should have no problem making themselves a turkey sandwich the night before school.

I'm not PP - even if this is true - not having the option for lunch on campus requires families to shop and plan to have food even if the student packs the lunch. For one of my kids, GDS not having lunch was the last straw in their own decision....they went to a different school because no lunch available on campus felt very inconvenient.

Exactly. And permitting/ encouraging kids to order door dash for lunch every day is absurd.

Right? So expensive and unhealthy. It's crazy.

What's weird is they said they would create some sort of grab and go options in the LS/MS kitchen to offer the HS students (when that building was in progress) - but clearly that didn't happen. I wonder of having COVID in between allowed them to skate by this issue without families complaining (but we are not at GDS so maybe families did complain).

HS kids do have the opportunity to get food at the LMS cafeteria, but nobody does according to my kid because the food isn't great. I don't think the current situation is ideal, as I would an in-school option, but with the amount of wasted food in the LMS cafeteria, I'm not sure the current situation is worse.

Good to know.... we were told that this couldn't be done when we asked on our tour. (maybe the kid was misinformed)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:On GDS HS lunch: I never pack lunches for my DC. She either packs her own or goes off campus most days; there's also bagel truck nearby. Never orders Doordash, and I'd say Doordash kids are a minority. Most kids go out for lunch together, in packs. It's not a big deal at all.

As for the PP who said GDS kids are "more street" than Maret, I don't know what that's supposed to mean, but in our family having street smarts is a good thing.

Thanks - this is helpful....

But going out for lunch daily to me - is just as bad as Doordash. I know walking over to a store or food truck is cheaper because no delivery costs....but it's still eating out daily at a cost that would be higher than a cafeteria. And I presume less healthy - but maybe that's not true?

They are near Whole Foods and my kid goes to the salad bar often, or to pick up a sandwich. Very easy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:On GDS HS lunch: I never pack lunches for my DC. She either packs her own or goes off campus most days; there's also bagel truck nearby. Never orders Doordash, and I'd say Doordash kids are a minority. Most kids go out for lunch together, in packs. It's not a big deal at all.

As for the PP who said GDS kids are "more street" than Maret, I don't know what that's supposed to mean, but in our family having street smarts is a good thing.

Thanks - this is helpful....

But going out for lunch daily to me - is just as bad as Doordash. I know walking over to a store or food truck is cheaper because no delivery costs....but it's still eating out daily at a cost that would be higher than a cafeteria. And I presume less healthy - but maybe that's not true?

They are near Whole Foods and my kid goes to the salad bar often, or to pick up a sandwich. Very easy.

The novelty of eating off campus wears off after a while. My GDS senior only eats off campus on Fridays, and usually within a two block radius of the school. Most days, I pack a lunch. Even though she could do it herself, I don't mind doing it and if it means eating something healthier and cheaper, I am happy to do so.
And, to echo PPs, no HSer orders from the LMS dining hall. I do wish they at least offered a salad bar or fresh fruit in the cafe area of the forum....

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My child left Maret after 9th grade because it started to feel very small very quickly. It is a personal thing, but that is why we left. GDS has a bigger feel to it.

When did your kid start at Maret?

[Anonymous]

GDS for depth in courses, academic excellence, better social scene because there are MORE kids like in the real world. Less hand holding.
Maret for kids who need small class size and more hand holding though the former is a better prep for college and the world. How do I know this? We switched from Maret to GDS.

[Anonymous]

The lunch thing is a non starter. Can’t imagine a high school decision being made because of the presence or absence of school lunch! Your kid will figure it out fast; and you don’t have to agree to daily or weekly DoorDash. Let your child have a big (only?) say in this. Guide toward Maret if they need more handholding and an easier curriculum. Guide toward GDS if they are drawn to more in depth intellectual endeavors. The larger size can be socially much better; it’s also less white and sporty. So depends what your kid is drawn to

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:GDS for depth in courses, academic excellence, better social scene because there are MORE kids like in the real world. Less hand holding.
Maret for kids who need small class size and more hand holding though the former is a better prep for college and the world. How do I know this? We switched from Maret to GDS.

GDS admins would be embarrassed if they saw a parent write this.

In terms of material covered, Maret and GDS are similar. GDS has more homework, but whether that’s a positive is unclear.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The lunch thing is a non starter. Can’t imagine a high school decision being made because of the presence or absence of school lunch! Your kid will figure it out fast; and you don’t have to agree to daily or weekly DoorDash. Let your child have a big (only?) say in this. Guide toward Maret if they need more handholding and an easier curriculum. Guide toward GDS if they are drawn to more in depth intellectual endeavors. The larger size can be socially much better; it’s also less white and sporty. So depends what your kid is drawn to

With an equally good option to consider it’s absolutely a factor.

Remember that you are paying basically the same price for all of these schools and yet somehow, every school except GDS figures out how to include lunch in those tuition dollars.

A kid eating lunch out 5 days a week will cost you another $50- $75 a week, easily.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:every school except GDS figures out how to include lunch in those tuition dollars

It's an open campus. The school is giving their HS students a choice to go elsewhere for lunch. Feature, not bug.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:every school except GDS figures out how to include lunch in those tuition dollars

It's an open campus. The school is giving their HS students a choice to go elsewhere for lunch. Feature, not bug.

For a school that promotes equity, they should make sure that everyone has access to an affordable lunch option. And I say this as someone who thinks GDS is a great school!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The lunch thing is a non starter. Can’t imagine a high school decision being made because of the presence or absence of school lunch! Your kid will figure it out fast; and you don’t have to agree to daily or weekly DoorDash. Let your child have a big (only?) say in this. Guide toward Maret if they need more handholding and an easier curriculum. Guide toward GDS if they are drawn to more in depth intellectual endeavors. The larger size can be socially much better; it’s also less white and sporty. So depends what your kid is drawn to

You can have a very smart kid who can make this decision for themselves and yet have lunch be a factor.

My older child chose his HS based on the best food options - which was fine because all his HS options had great academics. He likes food and eat a lot and he didn't want to have to figure out lunch each day at GDS (whether that planning for the week on what to bring/pack from home or where to go on days to eat out). He still brings the the "no cafeteria" factor up as the main negative about GDS.

Meanwhile, my second kid barely ever eats lunch. He doesn't care that GDS doesn't have lunch and tells this to older brother all the time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:every school except GDS figures out how to include lunch in those tuition dollars

It's an open campus. The school is giving their HS students a choice to go elsewhere for lunch. Feature, not bug.

For a school that promotes equity, they should make sure that everyone has access to an affordable lunch option. And I say this as someone who thinks GDS is a great school!

Agreed - Sidwell and Maret both have breakfast available and it really helps for students that commute long distances.