Beauvoir PreK vs GDS PreK

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Another GDS parent. I understand what your tester was saying, OP, and I think it's real. It's the difference between "here's how to do this" and "do this" (with the understanding that the teacher is there to help if you need it). My kid strongly preferred the latter approach, but it did sometimes have the effect of making mountains out of molehills.

And, yes, a child's preferences or needs wrt this issue could easily change over time. It's not "now or never" and, with Beauvoir, it's a foregone conclusion that you will have -- and must take -- the opportunity to reevaluate your DC's needs and learning style again in a few years.

Thanks for your insight. It's helpful. Good to know either way, I don't think we will be making a bad choice.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No, I believe that Beauvoir teachers tell their students "here's how to do this" and GDS teachers are more likely to say "do this" and let students approach "how" in their own way. (Which could mean a variety of things, depending on a teacher's style -- e.g. laying out a range of different approaches, being non-directive but available to help, checking in and talking through what a child is doing and why).

Pedagogically, it's a difference between teacher-led and student-led learning -- and, just to be clear, it's a continuum and I don't think either school is on the far end of the spectrum. But arguably the two schools are on different sides of the middle (which is the tester's claim)

Now that I have a better understanding of what you meant by "this is how you do this" vs "do this" (I confused the two initially), I think our tester was on the mark with our DC. DC is much better when it is explained to DC how to do something first. Just being told to "do this" without first knowing what that looks like could confuse DC and lead to frustration. It is of course my hope that in the process DC learns to eventually become more independently analytical and a problem solver. But I do think the tester may have accurately picked up on that trait. I also suspect some of it is also hoe DC has been raised to think. I very much guide DC on how to be analytical and think through things vs allowing the freedom to figure it out. My own issues of course, but I recognize it may have impacted how DC learns.

[Anonymous]

NP: this has been a really good read. We applied to both GDS and Beauvoir for PreK for our DC as well. We were admitted to Beauvoir and WL at GDS. While I don't anticipate getting a spot off the WL for GDS the responses provided here have helped me feel really good about our acceptance to Beauvoir. We really liked both schools and could have easily flipped a coin trying to decide between the two.

OP best of luck to you in making your final decision! If you do choose Beauvoir I'm sure I'll paths with cross their.

[Anonymous]

There*

[Anonymous]

NP: we applied to GDS, Sidwell and Beauvoir. Didn't get great results. Denied at Sidwell and wait listed at both Beauvoir and GDS. We liked all three schools. Found them all to be very different but in a good way. I can't think of anything negative about any of the three, though we did find it puzzling that for the same tuition GDS does not provide lunch. Apparently that will change when they move to their new facilities though. OP congrats to you. Your DC is lucky to have options. Fingers crossed we will be offered the spot at either school you decline. Do you mind sharing your child's gender?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:NP: we applied to GDS, Sidwell and Beauvoir. Didn't get great results. Denied at Sidwell and wait listed at both Beauvoir and GDS. We liked all three schools. Found them all to be very different but in a good way. I can't think of anything negative about any of the three, though we did find it puzzling that for the same tuition GDS does not provide lunch. Apparently that will change when they move to their new facilities though. OP congrats to you. Your DC is lucky to have options. Fingers crossed we will be offered the spot at either school you decline. Do you mind sharing your child's gender?

Male (Biracial - AA/Asian)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No, I believe that Beauvoir teachers tell their students "here's how to do this" and GDS teachers are more likely to say "do this" and let students approach "how" in their own way. (Which could mean a variety of things, depending on a teacher's style -- e.g. laying out a range of different approaches, being non-directive but available to help, checking in and talking through what a child is doing and why).

Pedagogically, it's a difference between teacher-led and student-led learning -- and, just to be clear, it's a continuum and I don't think either school is on the far end of the spectrum. But arguably the two schools are on different sides of the middle (which is the tester's claim)

Now that I have a better understanding of what you meant by "this is how you do this" vs "do this" (I confused the two initially), I think our tester was on the mark with our DC. DC is much better when it is explained to DC how to do something first. Just being told to "do this" without first knowing what that looks like could confuse DC and lead to frustration. It is of course my hope that in the process DC learns to eventually become more independently analytical and a problem solver. But I do think the tester may have accurately picked up on that trait. I also suspect some of it is also hoe DC has been raised to think. I very much guide DC on how to be analytical and think through things vs allowing the freedom to figure it out. My own issues of course, but I recognize it may have impacted how DC learns.

That's so funny -- I almost mentioned this in my previous post, but decided it might just be a distraction. My take is that one category of kids who can be overwhelmed by the open-ended approach early on is highly analytical kids. Presented with seven different ways (or no particular way) to do some task, they may spend as much or more time trying to analyze the best approach as they do engaging in the task. Conversely, give them a way of doing it and they're likely to do it -- while simultaneously or subsequently analyzing the strength and weaknesses or limits of the recommended approach. And this is often just a phase (either in their own intellectual development or their experience with a particular field), because once they've developed their tool kit, they have principles for selecting which approach works best for which type of project and appreciate being given the freedom to use their own best judgment.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No, I believe that Beauvoir teachers tell their students "here's how to do this" and GDS teachers are more likely to say "do this" and let students approach "how" in their own way. (Which could mean a variety of things, depending on a teacher's style -- e.g. laying out a range of different approaches, being non-directive but available to help, checking in and talking through what a child is doing and why).

Pedagogically, it's a difference between teacher-led and student-led learning -- and, just to be clear, it's a continuum and I don't think either school is on the far end of the spectrum. But arguably the two schools are on different sides of the middle (which is the tester's claim)

Now that I have a better understanding of what you meant by "this is how you do this" vs "do this" (I confused the two initially), I think our tester was on the mark with our DC. DC is much better when it is explained to DC how to do something first. Just being told to "do this" without first knowing what that looks like could confuse DC and lead to frustration. It is of course my hope that in the process DC learns to eventually become more independently analytical and a problem solver. But I do think the tester may have accurately picked up on that trait. I also suspect some of it is also hoe DC has been raised to think. I very much guide DC on how to be analytical and think through things vs allowing the freedom to figure it out. My own issues of course, but I recognize it may have impacted how DC learns.

That's so funny -- I almost mentioned this in my previous post, but decided it might just be a distraction. My take is that one category of kids who can be overwhelmed by the open-ended approach early on is highly analytical kids. Presented with seven different ways (or no particular way) to do some task, they may spend as much or more time trying to analyze the best approach as they do engaging in the task. Conversely, give them a way of doing it and they're likely to do it -- while simultaneously or subsequently analyzing the strength and weaknesses or limits of the recommended approach. And this is often just a phase (either in their own intellectual development or their experience with a particular field), because once they've developed their tool kit, they have principles for selecting which approach works best for which type of project and appreciate being given the freedom to use their own best judgment.

OTOH, my highly analytical child thrives on open-ended approaches. It can be awful for kids who are analytical to be told to do something one way, when his way--which is just as logical, but different--is not recognized. Being shown multiple ways of approaching a problem, and multiple perspectives, broadens the analytical abilities of kids who might otherwise see something in only one way. There is a heavy emphasis even in the lower school to be able to assess a situation, do research, provide critical perspectives, and then to present your work. You see this over and over in the humanities, social sciences, and science classes.

[Anonymous]

Honestly, both of these schools use the same progressive teaching styles, " responsive clsssroom" , etc..

The differences:

Beauvoir has a huge outdoor green space : Bishops Garden , Olmstead Woods, giant play ground and their own pool. Plus a hot lunch that is free.

GDS is set in a cement parking lot and they don't feed your kid anything.

Beauvoir has an affiliation with the Episcopal Church and a parent body made up of just about every religion, including atheists, muslims, sikhs, hindus, jews and various protestant and catholics denominations.

GDS is mostly Jewish

[Anonymous]

GDS is secular and the school community includes people of every religion that the PP mentioned. There's no Jewish majority.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:NP: we applied to GDS, Sidwell and Beauvoir. Didn't get great results. Denied at Sidwell and wait listed at both Beauvoir and GDS. We liked all three schools. Found them all to be very different but in a good way. I can't think of anything negative about any of the three, though we did find it puzzling that for the same tuition GDS does not provide lunch. Apparently that will change when they move to their new facilities though. OP congrats to you. Your DC is lucky to have options. Fingers crossed we will be offered the spot at either school you decline. Do you mind sharing your child's gender?

Male (Biracial - AA/Asian)

My son is AA prek and I chose Beauvoir for some of the reasons highlighted (structured environment, not a real need to focus education on social justice for primary years, ability for child to play and learn). In my opinion, GDS is better for upper grades. I had many parents who children attended GDS that Beauvoir is a better choice of you are looking for a school that is geared towards early education.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:NP: we applied to GDS, Sidwell and Beauvoir. Didn't get great results. Denied at Sidwell and wait listed at both Beauvoir and GDS. We liked all three schools. Found them all to be very different but in a good way. I can't think of anything negative about any of the three, though we did find it puzzling that for the same tuition GDS does not provide lunch. Apparently that will change when they move to their new facilities though. OP congrats to you. Your DC is lucky to have options. Fingers crossed we will be offered the spot at either school you decline. Do you mind sharing your child's gender?

Male (Biracial - AA/Asian)

My son is AA prek and I chose Beauvoir for some of the reasons highlighted (structured environment, not a real need to focus education on social justice for primary years, ability for child to play and learn). In my opinion, GDS is better for upper grades. I had many parents who children attended GDS that Beauvoir is a better choice of you are looking for a school that is geared towards early education.

GDS has a great early education program. Besides personal preferences, as a PP has said, research has shown how important is to introduce social justice concepts at an early age.

At GDS PK-K play, explore, analyze.... Teachers are truly nurturing and professional, and use an age appropriate induction method.

Beauvoir playgroup is amazing, yes, but it is huge as well. Not necessarily the best alternative for every 4-5 year old (there are a lot of not so "easy" spots, hard surfaces, etc... that might be challenging for the most little ones).

One of GDS's classrooms has a nice porch. It is full of light and the favorite spots for kids in that classroom. It has a direct access to the Big Toy -a very nice playground of a reduce and more manageable size. Certainly not as astonishing as Beauvoir's (at all), but in my opinion good enough.

Finally, I like to cook for my kid every day, and plan my DC lunch box is nice. As I am the one preparing the meals I am certain that what he/she is eating is healthy and good, I can customize his/her meals to our cultural preferences, and I can be sure it is a fresh balanced meal. I thought that the fact that GDS was not providing lunch was going to be a big logistic nightmare for us. So far it has not been like that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:NP: we applied to GDS, Sidwell and Beauvoir. Didn't get great results. Denied at Sidwell and wait listed at both Beauvoir and GDS. We liked all three schools. Found them all to be very different but in a good way. I can't think of anything negative about any of the three, though we did find it puzzling that for the same tuition GDS does not provide lunch. Apparently that will change when they move to their new facilities though. OP congrats to you. Your DC is lucky to have options. Fingers crossed we will be offered the spot at either school you decline. Do you mind sharing your child's gender?

Male (Biracial - AA/Asian)

My son is AA prek and I chose Beauvoir for some of the reasons highlighted (structured environment, not a real need to focus education on social justice for primary years, ability for child to play and learn). In my opinion, GDS is better for upper grades. I had many parents who children attended GDS that Beauvoir is a better choice of you are looking for a school that is geared towards early education.

GDS has a great early education program. Besides personal preferences, as a PP has said, research has shown how important is to introduce social justice concepts at an early age.

At GDS PK-K play, explore, analyze.... Teachers are truly nurturing and professional, and use an age appropriate induction method.

Beauvoir playgroup is amazing, yes, but it is huge as well. Not necessarily the best alternative for every 4-5 year old (there are a lot of not so "easy" spots, hard surfaces, etc... that might be challenging for the most little ones).

One of GDS's classrooms has a nice porch. It is full of light and the favorite spots for kids in that classroom. It has a direct access to the Big Toy -a very nice playground of a reduce and more manageable size. Certainly not as astonishing as Beauvoir's (at all), but in my opinion good enough.

Finally, I like to cook for my kid every day, and plan my DC lunch box is nice. As I am the one preparing the meals I am certain that what he/she is eating is healthy and good, I can customize his/her meals to our cultural preferences, and I can be sure it is a fresh balanced meal. I thought that the fact that GDS was not providing lunch was going to be a big logistic nightmare for us. So far it has not been like that.

No dog is this fight. My DC does not go to either. However, when we touring schools and deciding on whether to apply we found the playground facilities at GDS to be subpar in comparison to many of the other schools. As for the lunch, I think it's fine for a school to not provide it but when your tuition is the same cost as ones that do it really begs the question. As a working mom, I like that my DC current school at least provides a hot lunch program. The last thing I have time to do on a daily basis is prepare lunches. But that's a personal preference. As for teaching about social justice this may be true for non-minority children. As a minority this isn't a concept that I personally thinks needs to be emphasized in a curriculum so early. In my opinion the benefit depends on the targeted audience.

[Anonymous]

Tomorrow takes place the GDS Lower School Admitted Student & Family Reception. I suggest you attend!

[Anonymous]

Definitely Beauvoir OP!!! The accepted parents reception today was amazing, and sealed the deal for us. Hope you are closer to making a decision. Good luck!