Difference Between GDS, Maret and Sidwell for HS?
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Anonymous
| Serious responses only please. Have toured and our DS likes all three. Am hopeful to get insights on the pros and cons of each, from people that actually have first-hand experience (vs. giving feedback based on perceptions.) Thank you so much! |
Anonymous
Great question. DC is also considering all three. Would love if someone can confirm the following observation: Sidwell has stronger resources in athletics, science, and writing and in general, the facilities at Sidwell are be are better than Maret and GDS. |
Anonymous
| Are you looking for comments only from people who have experience with two or more of these three, so they can compare/contrast? Or are you also interested in pro-con comments from those of us who have significant experience with just one of the three? |
Anonymous
| Sidwell has a much stronger Chinese language program, if that is important to you. |
Anonymous
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DS attended GDS and is a recent graduate.
GDS is very strong in math, science and the arts. DS also had a terrific writing experience, which has been invaluable in his college experience. GDS students are self starters--they are given lots of freedom, but must deliver the assignments, etc on time. This freedom was also invaluable to DS in many ways as he learned to manage his time. GDS is not especially strong in foreign languages, although the Head of School is currently evaluating that department. While GDS is not known for athletics, their Cross Country and soccer teams are well recognized. Kids who participate in sports are doing so because they want to participate ( no requirement), so the teams tend to be good experiences. DS loved the school and we highly recommend it. |
Anonymous
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I have heard that these schools receive so many applicants with standardized test scores in the highest 98-99th%ile, that they could fill an entire entering class with them.
I know that other important attributes and talents factor into the admissions process, but it does concern me slightly as my child did not have such high standardized test scores for admission. |
Anonymous
OP, there are substantial threads/arguments about who is better. Seek those out for the pro-con comments and bashing. I would be cautious about people who say do you want pro-con comments from those of us with significant experience. Inevitably, it leads to a down and dirty, hair-pulling fight. |
Anonymous
Remember that kids who score in the highest percentile may have absolutely nothing else to offer. Schools do not fill the spaces solely with the highest percentile scorers. |
Anonymous
| Does GDS have a decent music program at the HS level? |
Anonymous
I'm the person you quoted. Maybe I wasn't clear, which led you to misunderstand me. In asking whether OP wants "pro-con comments from those of us who have significant experience with just one of the three," I was just asking whether OP wants someone like me (who has experience at only one school) to offer pro-con comments about my kids' school. I'm not qualified to compare/contrast with any other school, so my pro-con comments about my kids' school would be unlikely to lead to any hair-pulling fight. In my experience, the fights occur when someone tries to compare/contrast between two schools -- i.e., boost one school, and talk trash about the other -- even though her kids only attend the school she's boosting. When people stick just to discussing their own personal experience at school, and not offering comments about schools their children don't attend, there are fewer fights. |
Anonymous
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Anonymous
Sidwell has more fields onsite and from what i've seen better facilities for the most sports (tennis, soccer, football, track). Sidwell includes lunch. GDS does not have a cafeteria. Not sure what Maret does. Sidwell has some fantastic teachers especially english and science. The new arts building is really nice. I think Sidwell is strong in the objective measurements (NSMF, campus size, facilities) but look closely to see if it is a good fit for your kid. Its an intense place. |
Anonymous
How many students in the upper school class (for example, 9th grade) at Sidwell? |
Anonymous
| i think the 9th grade has around 130. |
Anonymous
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I have first hand experience with both GDS and Sidwell. Sidwell has better facilities - not even close. But that doesn't mean its the better school for your kid. GDS has much better arts and music. It's probably a more nurturing environment too.
I view Sidwell as less nurturing because it pushes every kid to excel academically. It is not a place that tolerates - the dog ate my homework attitude. It produces excellent students who are ready for college. So does GDS. At Sidwell the teachers and the administration are in charge. At GDS, parents have more say in the way things are run. That is in part due to the roots of GDS which was founded by a group of parents. I sort of side with Sidwell on that point because sometimes GDS can seem less organized than Sidwell. |