Difference Between GDS, Maret and Sidwell for HS?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Completely depends on the DC and what they want, because in the case of those 3 schools there are really no significant differences academically, other than possibly a few less math/science upper level course options at Maret because of its smaller, size, and your DC will be very well-prepared for college and exposed to interesting and smart classmates and stimulating teachers at all 3, so should completely come down to the feel of the social aspects of the school, the nature of the particular graduating class being joined, and interest in particular extracurriculars that are stronger or of more interest to your DC at one school or the other. Don't over think now, apply to all three, see if your kid is lucky enough to even get into one of the three, and then have DC go back and do visits/shadows and make a decision.

I'm not sure that the academic rigor at the three schools is comparable. Have your DC do the visits, and she will get a sense of the rigor of each HS program and whether it's right for her.

[Anonymous]

Mainly agree with 8:54 except to add that Maret does offer very good upper level science and math classes and has the new benefit of being part of the Malone Schools Online Network which offers an array of very interesting and rigorous classes as part of a nationwide consortium of other private schools. Honestly, the differences in these schools is so minor that it will come down to feel and which school(s) your child gets into. It would be hard to go wrong with any of them.

[Anonymous]

They're all fine schools and have more similarities than differences. It's only four years and the greater base of the kind of student your child is built. GL!

[Anonymous]

We went through this process last year, looking at the same three schools as well as a few less intense options. Our student, were he writing this, would tell you that all three schools have excellent academic programs, and you can't go wrong. He'd also say that there are significant differences in atmosphere, and esprit de corps. He was able to determine that by spending the day at all three schools, as well as talking with the peers he knew who were successful at each. My advice as a parent is to let your student assess this on their own. HS is hard around here, and feeling wanted by the school, as well as invested in your own future success is more important than contrasting the brand image of these schools. Best of luck -- I'm sure your student will make the best choice for his/herself.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Maret's sports are pretty good. It regularly beats the bigger schools in baseball and football. I'm a Sidwell parent

Maret has had a very strong baseball team in recent years; the coach runs one of the major club baseball programs. In football, although they've had some good results in the past 5 years they are struggling with numbers right now and are trying to convince their league to go to 7 v. 7 football. Basketball also very good. All of these are for boys' sports -- that's where they put the recruiting emphasis. The school does not appear to care all that much about the girls' sports programs.