GDS or WIS for elementary school?

[Anonymous]

Does Oyster teach Spanish grammar?

[Anonymous]

yes

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DCs began in preK at WIS and ended 12th grade at GDS. I think the model of WIS for Primary, and GDS for Middle and Upper School is almost ideal. Excellent education.

Interesting. If you don't mind, what were your reasons for changing to GDS? Was it due to weaknesses in the WIS MS/US, or weaknesses in the GDS LS (for not having started there)? What do you see as the advantages of a GDS US education?

My children did not lose their fluency, as they had studied at WIS from preK through 6th/7th grade (making the switch during middle school). GDS offers challenging middle school language options.

I find WIS's Primary program is extremely kind, nuturing, loving, supportive, and friendly. It gives you the gift of fluency in a second language, and a very solid educational foundation. The middle school is also very good, and where you really firm up your grammar and facility with the second language, as you study grammar, history, and geography in that language.

But WIS is just unfortunately too small a school to offer the diversity of courses, extracurriculars, opportunities, athletics, and friendships that GDS has. GDS programs in math, science, humanities, and the arts were excellent, and prepared DCs very well for rigorous colleges.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DCs began in preK at WIS and ended 12th grade at GDS. I think the model of WIS for Primary, and GDS for Middle and Upper School is almost ideal. Excellent education.

Interesting. If you don't mind, what were your reasons for changing to GDS? Was it due to weaknesses in the WIS MS/US, or weaknesses in the GDS LS (for not having started there)? What do you see as the advantages of a GDS US education?

My children did not lose their fluency, as they had studied at WIS from preK through 6th/7th grade (making the switch during middle school). GDS offers challenging middle school language options.

I find WIS's Primary program is extremely kind, nuturing, loving, supportive, and friendly. It gives you the gift of fluency in a second language, and a very solid educational foundation. The middle school is also very good, and where you really firm up your grammar and facility with the second language, as you study grammar, history, and geography in that language.

But WIS is just unfortunately too small a school to offer the diversity of courses, extracurriculars, opportunities, athletics, and friendships that GDS has. GDS programs in math, science, humanities, and the arts were excellent, and prepared DCs very well for rigorous colleges.

This is very helpful, thank you!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DCs began in preK at WIS and ended 12th grade at GDS. I think the model of WIS for Primary, and GDS for Middle and Upper School is almost ideal. Excellent education.

Interesting. If you don't mind, what were your reasons for changing to GDS? Was it due to weaknesses in the WIS MS/US, or weaknesses in the GDS LS (for not having started there)? What do you see as the advantages of a GDS US education?

My children did not lose their fluency, as they had studied at WIS from preK through 6th/7th grade (making the switch during middle school). GDS offers challenging middle school language options.

I find WIS's Primary program is extremely kind, nuturing, loving, supportive, and friendly. It gives you the gift of fluency in a second language, and a very solid educational foundation. The middle school is also very good, and where you really firm up your grammar and facility with the second language, as you study grammar, history, and geography in that language.

But WIS is just unfortunately too small a school to offer the diversity of courses, extracurriculars, opportunities, athletics, and friendships that GDS has. GDS programs in math, science, humanities, and the arts were excellent, and prepared DCs very well for rigorous colleges.

This is very helpful, thank you!

I want to add that the GDS English and creative writing options in the high school were also excellent, there is a reason its students win so many national writing awards.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DCs began in preK at WIS and ended 12th grade at GDS. I think the model of WIS for Primary, and GDS for Middle and Upper School is almost ideal. Excellent education.

Interesting. If you don't mind, what were your reasons for changing to GDS? Was it due to weaknesses in the WIS MS/US, or weaknesses in the GDS LS (for not having started there)? What do you see as the advantages of a GDS US education?

My children did not lose their fluency, as they had studied at WIS from preK through 6th/7th grade (making the switch during middle school). GDS offers challenging middle school language options.

I find WIS's Primary program is extremely kind, nuturing, loving, supportive, and friendly. It gives you the gift of fluency in a second language, and a very solid educational foundation. The middle school is also very good, and where you really firm up your grammar and facility with the second language, as you study grammar, history, and geography in that language.

But WIS is just unfortunately too small a school to offer the diversity of courses, extracurriculars, opportunities, athletics, and friendships that GDS has. GDS programs in math, science, humanities, and the arts were excellent, and prepared DCs very well for rigorous colleges.

This post is one family's experience. However, the IB program in middle and high school at WIS is in fact very rigorous and has opportunities for depth of study, including in math and the sciences. By the end of middle and high school kids from GDS, Sidwell, Maret, etc. may also apply out looking for other opportunities for activities and friendships, this is not unique to WIS and applying out is an option to consider for all students.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DCs began in preK at WIS and ended 12th grade at GDS. I think the model of WIS for Primary, and GDS for Middle and Upper School is almost ideal. Excellent education.

Interesting. If you don't mind, what were your reasons for changing to GDS? Was it due to weaknesses in the WIS MS/US, or weaknesses in the GDS LS (for not having started there)? What do you see as the advantages of a GDS US education?

My children did not lose their fluency, as they had studied at WIS from preK through 6th/7th grade (making the switch during middle school). GDS offers challenging middle school language options.

I find WIS's Primary program is extremely kind, nuturing, loving, supportive, and friendly. It gives you the gift of fluency in a second language, and a very solid educational foundation. The middle school is also very good, and where you really firm up your grammar and facility with the second language, as you study grammar, history, and geography in that language.

But WIS is just unfortunately too small a school to offer the diversity of courses, extracurriculars, opportunities, athletics, and friendships that GDS has. GDS programs in math, science, humanities, and the arts were excellent, and prepared DCs very well for rigorous colleges.

This post is one family's experience. However, the IB program in middle and high school at WIS is in fact very rigorous and has opportunities for depth of study, including in math and the sciences. By the end of middle and high school kids from GDS, Sidwell, Maret, etc. may also apply out looking for other opportunities for activities and friendships, this is not unique to WIS and applying out is an option to consider for all students.

It may be one family's experience, but as a current WIS parent also considering having my child apply out during middle school, I can say that is indeed true that a larger school can offer more course selection, extracurricular activities, and athletic teams. DC plays lacrosse, and WIS does not field a team in that or several other sports. WIS does not organize a math or debate team, nor even - most years - a model U.N team. Other schools also offer more performing and visual arts options.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, what non-English language do you speak and will that also be the language of rotation?

If it's French, I'd pick WIS. If it's Spanish, you might want to consider Oyster-Adams Bilingual public school if you live in the Oyster school boundary in DC. The Spanish instruction is arguably better than WIS elementary, and it's free and very diverse/international.

If it's neither, then the schools are probably equal.

GDS is a very progressive and liberal school in the American context. (Not much political diversity.) Some kids do well with the relative lack of structure and flexibility. Some do not. We have one of each type of child.

For us, ultimately we put both in WIS for language and the global IB school network. Our travel is not always predictable, but there is some degree of consistency with IB.

As to sports, for elementary school, it really doesn't matter much. Most schools don't have organized teams until middle school. There are many recreational programs for younger kids through private organizations and the city Parks and Recreation department, including fencing, aquatics, etc.

Hope this helps.

I have two children at GDS, and I'm always a bit surprised when people say this about GDS. There is a lot of structure in the school curriculum from PK all the way through the middle school. (There may be more flexibility at the HS level, but my kids are in the MS.) The children have a place to be at every minute of every day, the classes are on a tight itinerary, and the curriculum is highly integrated across subject areas, which indicates to me a fairly high level of structure in the curriculum. While it is true that GDS meets children's needs--esp in the lower school--depending on where they are developmentally, there are learning goals and assignments. It's not a "loosey-goosey" school, except for the fact that the kids do not have uniforms and they are allowed the freedom to walk to their classes by themselves. There is a lot of happy, exuberant (and, yes, occasionally loud) chatter between classes, which perhaps gives the impression that the kids are let loose upon the school, but that is far from the actual reality.

[Anonymous]

ALl thtree of my kids went to WIS until 6h grade and then switched to other schools. We were abroad for two years in their WIS years. It is really a wonderful elementary school but all three wanted something different for high school. None chose GDS but that is also an excellent school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, what non-English language do you speak and will that also be the language of rotation?

If it's French, I'd pick WIS. If it's Spanish, you might want to consider Oyster-Adams Bilingual public school if you live in the Oyster school boundary in DC. The Spanish instruction is arguably better than WIS elementary, and it's free and very diverse/international.

If it's neither, then the schools are probably equal.

GDS is a very progressive and liberal school in the American context. (Not much political diversity.) Some kids do well with the relative lack of structure and flexibility. Some do not. We have one of each type of child.

For us, ultimately we put both in WIS for language and the global IB school network. Our travel is not always predictable, but there is some degree of consistency with IB.

As to sports, for elementary school, it really doesn't matter much. Most schools don't have organized teams until middle school. There are many recreational programs for younger kids through private organizations and the city Parks and Recreation department, including fencing, aquatics, etc.

Hope this helps.

I have two children at GDS, and I'm always a bit surprised when people say this about GDS. There is a lot of structure in the school curriculum from PK all the way through the middle school. (There may be more flexibility at the HS level, but my kids are in the MS.) The children have a place to be at every minute of every day, the classes are on a tight itinerary, and the curriculum is highly integrated across subject areas, which indicates to me a fairly high level of structure in the curriculum. While it is true that GDS meets children's needs--esp in the lower school--depending on where they are developmentally, there are learning goals and assignments. It's not a "loosey-goosey" school, except for the fact that the kids do not have uniforms and they are allowed the freedom to walk to their classes by themselves. There is a lot of happy, exuberant (and, yes, occasionally loud) chatter between classes, which perhaps gives the impression that the kids are let loose upon the school, but that is far from the actual reality.

The point was not about curriculum structure, but about behavior expectations. Compared to many schools overseas, the GDS culture would be shockingly "loosey goosey." Referring to a teacher by the first name would be unimaginable in some countries. It is not bad or good, it was just very different. Parents are likely more sensitive to this than children.

If the OP will be travelling frequently over the years, they may want to consider that it might be challenging for the kids to cycle between the unique environment of GDS and more traditional schools.

Of course, every child is different and OP's children are quite young. It is probably impossible to compare the longer term value of these very different schooling options. Apples and oranges. Both are nutritious.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, what non-English language do you speak and will that also be the language of rotation?

If it's French, I'd pick WIS. If it's Spanish, you might want to consider Oyster-Adams Bilingual public school if you live in the Oyster school boundary in DC. The Spanish instruction is arguably better than WIS elementary, and it's free and very diverse/international.

If it's neither, then the schools are probably equal.

GDS is a very progressive and liberal school in the American context. (Not much political diversity.) Some kids do well with the relative lack of structure and flexibility. Some do not. We have one of each type of child.

For us, ultimately we put both in WIS for language and the global IB school network. Our travel is not always predictable, but there is some degree of consistency with IB.

As to sports, for elementary school, it really doesn't matter much. Most schools don't have organized teams until middle school. There are many recreational programs for younger kids through private organizations and the city Parks and Recreation department, including fencing, aquatics, etc.

Hope this helps.

I have two children at GDS, and I'm always a bit surprised when people say this about GDS. There is a lot of structure in the school curriculum from PK all the way through the middle school. (There may be more flexibility at the HS level, but my kids are in the MS.) The children have a place to be at every minute of every day, the classes are on a tight itinerary, and the curriculum is highly integrated across subject areas, which indicates to me a fairly high level of structure in the curriculum. While it is true that GDS meets children's needs--esp in the lower school--depending on where they are developmentally, there are learning goals and assignments. It's not a "loosey-goosey" school, except for the fact that the kids do not have uniforms and they are allowed the freedom to walk to their classes by themselves. There is a lot of happy, exuberant (and, yes, occasionally loud) chatter between classes, which perhaps gives the impression that the kids are let loose upon the school, but that is far from the actual reality.

The point was not about curriculum structure, but about behavior expectations. Compared to many schools overseas, the GDS culture would be shockingly "loosey goosey." Referring to a teacher by the first name would be unimaginable in some countries. It is not bad or good, it was just very different. Parents are likely more sensitive to this than children.

If the OP will be travelling frequently over the years, they may want to consider that it might be challenging for the kids to cycle between the unique environment of GDS and more traditional schools.

Of course, every child is different and OP's children are quite young. It is probably impossible to compare the longer term value of these very different schooling options. Apples and oranges. Both are nutritious.

The fact that you think these two schools are very different pretty much discounts all the rest of what you have to say.

[Anonymous]

whats the difference in the parents?

[Anonymous]

I would get a sense of where you want to end up in middle school and high school and go from there. It’s nice not to have to change schools if you don’t want to.