GDS Pre-K Seemed Completely Horrible: Reactions?

[Anonymous]

Hi,

I'm doing the round of open houses to place my child for Pre-K next year. Both Sidwell and Beauvoir seemed incredible - lots of resources, great teachers, and everything else that you expect. GDS was a complete shock. It seemed like I was touring one of the lesser Bright Horizons facilities in one of the shoddier federal buildings. The facilities seemed almost decrepit. We were going through tunnels without any windows or natural lighting. I know this is a function of how the building is built, but still seemed unusual to place kids in a dungeon-type environment. The teachers did not seem to have the kids under control - I heard sustained shouting, which I did not hear in any of the other schools. For that matter, I never hear that in my child's current daycare as well. The playground was also not as nice as the other ones.

There is no doubt that GDS is a great school. Is the lower campus just badly run, or is something going on here?

[Anonymous]

I think the big entrance year for gds is k not prek. I do not what comes first though.

[Anonymous]

Both my kids went through the GDS LS although did not start until K and 2nd, but your impression is not what we experienced. Actually thought the facilities were really good, the classrooms themselves have lots of natural light, despite the hallways being a bit dark. The field and playgrounds (several different ones depending on the age group) were pretty spacious. The gym was large, as were the art rooms and black box and multipurpose rooms. In our experience the best parts of GDS were the MS and US, although part of that was the LS principle who retired last year, and perhaps the new one is better. There were some fantastic teachers, and some younger teachers that seemed to constantly cycle in and out, often because of their own decisions to take time off to raise kids. Never particularly found any pervasive sense of kids being out of control. But this is a progressive school and is not going to function like a more traditional setting such as NPS or Beauvior (although all these schools are much more "progressive" than not these days in terms of how they interact with the children)

[Anonymous]

OP,

I had the same reaction. Still wish my child had been accepted!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hi,

I'm doing the round of open houses to place my child for Pre-K next year. Both Sidwell and Beauvoir seemed incredible - lots of resources, great teachers, and everything else that you expect. GDS was a complete shock. It seemed like I was touring one of the lesser Bright Horizons facilities in one of the shoddier federal buildings. The facilities seemed almost decrepit. We were going through tunnels without any windows or natural lighting. I know this is a function of how the building is built, but still seemed unusual to place kids in a dungeon-type environment. The teachers did not seem to have the kids under control - I heard sustained shouting, which I did not hear in any of the other schools. For that matter, I never hear that in my child's current daycare as well. The playground was also not as nice as the other ones.

There is no doubt that GDS is a great school. Is the lower campus just badly run, or is something going on here?

OP,

I would caution you, as you look at elementary schools, not to focus too much on appearance and facilities. Of course you want your child to be in a pleasant, cheerful place. But appearances and top-notch facilities aren't everything. The most beautiful, expensive playground and the sunniest, most spacious classrooms in the world will ultimately be of less consequence to your child than an engaged, energetic, talented teacher. I speak from experience. Good luck with your search.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think the big entrance year for gds is k not prek. I do not what comes first though.

How can this be, when there are two pre-k/k classes, and then one k only class? My understanding was that the k's in the mixed classes were already there as pre-k students. The k-only class is for newcomers, presumably, which would mean there are twice as many pre-k slots, no?

[Anonymous]

The buildings are indeed shoddy, and this aspect stands out a lot when comparing to Beauvoir and to Sidwell LS. Of course, as others have said, appearances are not everything. But they do count. If you are paying about the same for tuition as the other two Big 3, you wonder why they let their facilities deteriorate so much. Where do they spend their money I wonder!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The buildings are indeed shoddy, and this aspect stands out a lot when comparing to Beauvoir and to Sidwell LS. Of course, as others have said, appearances are not everything. But they do count. If you are paying about the same for tuition as the other two Big 3, you wonder why they let their facilities deteriorate so much. Where do they spend their money I wonder!

I want you to spend about 1-2 minutes thinking about these schools' relative endowments. This assumes you already understand that facilities' capital budgets -- for the physical plant -- doesn't come straight out of tuition. If you don't already understand that, then you have to think about the obvious answer to your question for 60 extra seconds.

-- not a GDS parent

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The buildings are indeed shoddy, and this aspect stands out a lot when comparing to Beauvoir and to Sidwell LS. Of course, as others have said, appearances are not everything. But they do count. If you are paying about the same for tuition as the other two Big 3, you wonder why they let their facilities deteriorate so much. Where do they spend their money I wonder!

I want you to spend about 1-2 minutes thinking about these schools' relative endowments. This assumes you already understand that facilities' capital budgets -- for the physical plant -- doesn't come straight out of tuition. If you don't already understand that, then you have to think about the obvious answer to your question for 60 extra seconds.

-- not a GDS parent

Beauvoir's endowment is public knowledge? I would love to know where to get that info. What is it anyway? Per child or total, either. Thanks in advance.

[Anonymous]

Check the annual report narratives for the past several years, the Board minutes and GuideStar for capital expenditures/funds.

[Anonymous]

You can also ask for the information this way:

" For further information on making a charitable contribution to Beauvoir’s endowment, please contact Joan Fergerson at [e-mail] or 20X-53x-6495. "

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Check the annual report narratives for the past several years, the Board minutes and GuideStar for capital expenditures/funds.

Believe me, we've tried. We have failed for 3 years. And that's why I was taken aback that you (or whoever the PP is) would be so assured to compare their endowment with GDS's.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think the big entrance year for gds is k not prek. I do not what comes first though.

How can this be, when there are two pre-k/k classes, and then one k only class? My understanding was that the k's in the mixed classes were already there as pre-k students. The k-only class is for newcomers, presumably, which would mean there are twice as many pre-k slots, no?

It rather means there is an equal amount of new K and pre-K (since the half of two mixed classes is K-students who entered as pre-K).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

OP,

I would caution you, as you look at elementary schools, not to focus too much on appearance and facilities. Of course you want your child to be in a pleasant, cheerful place. But appearances and top-notch facilities aren't everything. The most beautiful, expensive playground and the sunniest, most spacious classrooms in the world will ultimately be of less consequence to your child than an engaged, energetic, talented teacher. I speak from experience. Good luck with your search.

I don't disagree with you. But the appearance was sub-par enough to evoke a strong reaction in me. Also, I'm looking at Pre-K. Good facilities and sunny fixtures are somewhat more important at this stage than at a more advanced level.

[Anonymous]

We were also negatively surprised by GDS' facilities - as was DC. Just withdrew application - you can too.