GDS or Sidwell for HS

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks everyone for the advice. Yes we have scheduled visits. I think culturally GDS might be a better fit as she is not as well rounded as most Sidwell kids; but she is afraid that GDS academics is not as rigorous as Sidwell.

You are clearly inclined to Sidwell.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Actually, GDS has an equally strong Quaker focus, which really, really resonates with some kids.

Love the dry wit. You made me laugh out loud.

Don't forget the pipeline to Harvard.

Do you have insecurity issuess? This is absurd. PP was simply sharing her/his experience/opinion. It is surprising how much bitterness and resentment you guys have towards GDS. You are acting like mean superficial empty highschool girls.....

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is one that you can sort out for yourself. Spend 15 minutes in each school and your impression will be formed. Pick a nice day like today and observe the migration of students. Are kids heading off campus or staying on campus?

At GDS, they have to go off campus for lunch. That wouldn't be a metric I would use for high school.

[Anonymous]

You just made my point.

[Anonymous]

She should shadow again. Her concern about GDS academics not being as rigorous as Sidwell is unfounded. She should go where she thinks she would be happiest for HS.

[Anonymous]

She'll join the vast majority of kids who got into both schools and pick Sidwell.

[Anonymous]

Academically both great. Socially depends on the class dynamics. The one thing I would say at Sidwell is that the teachers expect the students to advocate for themselves. Very little parent involvement in the student- teacher relationship so of you hint a bump it will be up to your daughter to sort it out by herself. My DC loves Sidwell but he has very strong skills as a self advocate and uses them to get extra support from the teachers who respond very well to students but not parents. The breadth of opportunities offered by Sidwell is breath-taking. As a Sr my kid has gone with the school over sea several times ( very different and better for him than family trips) , represented the school
Nationally and had the kind of internships. I only dreamed of, . He met with Supreme Court justices, civil rights leaders, etc. He also has sung opera with Professional opera singers. I know I bragging so please forgive me but we are very simple people and these types of opportunities are meaningful for us not because of the contacts with prestigious people but because of what he has learned about the world.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Academically both great. Socially depends on the class dynamics. The one thing I would say at Sidwell is that the teachers expect the students to advocate for themselves. Very little parent involvement in the student- teacher relationship so of you hint a bump it will be up to your daughter to sort it out by herself. My DC loves Sidwell but he has very strong skills as a self advocate and uses them to get extra support from the teachers who respond very well to students but not parents. The breadth of opportunities offered by Sidwell is breath-taking. As a Sr my kid has gone with the school over sea several times ( very different and better for him than family trips) , represented the school
Nationally and had the kind of internships. I only dreamed of, . He met with Supreme Court justices, civil rights leaders, etc. He also has sung opera with Professional opera singers. I know I bragging so please forgive me but we are very simple people and these types of opportunities are meaningful for us not because of the contacts with prestigious people but because of what he has learned about the world.

Nice post. Very informative. FWIW I don't think you are bragging. Someone is asking, you are sharing your experience. Point.

[Anonymous]

The PP could have been written by a parent from STA, NCA, Maret, GDS or many other top privates in this area....not to mention many of the top publics. Your daughter will have to decide. Not to be mean, but it would be foolish if you decide for her based on what you read on this site. She must be very bright if she was accepted to both schools, so she will be able to figure it out. It's like choosing between Microsoft or Mac.....they both get the work done.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The PP could have been written by a parent from STA, NCA, Maret, GDS or many other top privates in this area....not to mention many of the top publics. Your daughter will have to decide. Not to be mean, but it would be foolish if you decide for her based on what you read on this site. She must be very bright if she was accepted to both schools, so she will be able to figure it out. It's like choosing between Microsoft or Mac.....they both get the work done.

Love the analogy.

[Anonymous]

This is totally about the kid end the environment needed for him or her to do her best. There is not one answer to this question! You need to reflect on what your child needs and think about the school the best aligns with then.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Academically both great. Socially depends on the class dynamics. The one thing I would say at Sidwell is that the teachers expect the students to advocate for themselves. Very little parent involvement in the student- teacher relationship so of you hint a bump it will be up to your daughter to sort it out by herself. My DC loves Sidwell but he has very strong skills as a self advocate and uses them to get extra support from the teachers who respond very well to students but not parents. The breadth of opportunities offered by Sidwell is breath-taking. As a Sr my kid has gone with the school over sea several times ( very different and better for him than family trips) , represented the school
Nationally and had the kind of internships. I only dreamed of, . He met with Supreme Court justices, civil rights leaders, etc. He also has sung opera with Professional opera singers. I know I bragging so please forgive me but we are very simple people and these types of opportunities are meaningful for us not because of the contacts with prestigious people but because of what he has learned about the world.

Good for your son!

[Anonymous]

I agree that the entitlement evident in some of these posts is startling. I not sure these parents realize that their attitudes sneak out during school interviews and may actually hurt there kids chances. As to the question of college admissions. I know exactly how I will react because I have an older son who graduated from Sidwell in recent years. He didn't get into his top choice. So he went to an excellent second tier college and is doing well. We certainly did not feel entitled to a space at a particular college.

[Anonymous]

Oops posted to the wrong forum. Please excuse. It was supposed to be on the feeder school thread. Please forgive

[Anonymous]

OP here. Many thanks for the constructive comments. We have committed with GDS.