Sidwell Lower School

[Anonymous]

We are thinking about applying to Sidwell for Kindergarten. We honestly do not care about prestige. We simply want a great, academically challenging and individually focused education. I hesitate even to apply, and realize the chances of getting in (we aren't high profile or rich, and no legacy) are slim. Nonetheless, we have as good a chance of getting in as anyone else with those facts, so wouldn't count it out. But is the lower school really better than the lower profile schools? Does the pressure cooker atmosphere of the Upper School trickle down to the Lower School? Our DC is very bright, but I am not interested in fostering competition at the elementary level. Also, would people describe it as a nurturing atmosphere for the early grades?
(We are applying to several other schools, of course.)
Thanks.

[Anonymous]

No, it really isn't better in the lower grades and yes your child will be in a competitive environment later on if he goes to Sidwell. In the lower grades, Sidwell is fine. Not exceptional. You can get as good or better of an education elsewhere.

[Anonymous]

Not a pressure cooker in lower school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No, it really isn't better in the lower grades and yes your child will be in a competitive environment later on if he goes to Sidwell. In the lower grades, Sidwell is fine. Not exceptional. You can get as good or better of an education elsewhere.

PP, OP here. Where do you think the lower school education is better? (Not contradicting you; I sincerely want to know.)

[Anonymous]

Lowell, Sheridan

[Anonymous]

I have children at the lower school. Here are my views. I really appreciate and respect the school and how it's educating my children - even more so than when my children started there several years ago - so recognize that I come from that perspective.

We simply want a great, academically challenging and individually focused education.

Sidwell LS definitely fits the bill here. It's a really excellent place.

I hesitate even to apply, and realize the chances of getting in (we aren't high profile or rich, and no legacy) are slim. Nonetheless, we have as good a chance of getting in as anyone else with those facts, so wouldn't count it out.

We were in the same position as you when we applied. Odds are very tough. You have the right attitude though. No matter how admissions works out, don't take it personally.

But is the lower school really better than the lower profile schools?

Our family liked it better than all others we visited when applying. And still to this day, we like it better than all others we've gotten to know. But "better" is really in the eye of the beholder, and surely varies widely from family to family, so I don't think anyone else can answer this question for you. There are many wonderful schools in the DC area, each with its own characteristics. You've just got to find the shoe that best fits your foot.

Does the pressure cooker atmosphere of the Upper School trickle down to the Lower School? Our DC is very bright, but I am not interested in fostering competition at the elementary level.

I don't have experience to speak for the upper school, but there definitely is no "pressure cooker" element at all in the lower school. Indeed, one of the things I like about the school is how hard it works to discourage competition among the children, and instead bring out the best in each individual child.

Also, would people describe it as a nurturing atmosphere for the early grades?

Yes, definitely. Very nurturing in the early grades, with an emphasis on building each child's independence and self-responsibility in the later grades of lower school.

HTH. Best of luck to you in all your applications.

[Anonymous]

Learn to chop vegetablees

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have children at the lower school. Here are my views. I really appreciate and respect the school and how it's educating my children - even more so than when my children started there several years ago - so recognize that I come from that perspective.

We simply want a great, academically challenging and individually focused education.

Sidwell LS definitely fits the bill here. It's a really excellent place.

I hesitate even to apply, and realize the chances of getting in (we aren't high profile or rich, and no legacy) are slim. Nonetheless, we have as good a chance of getting in as anyone else with those facts, so wouldn't count it out.

We were in the same position as you when we applied. Odds are very tough. You have the right attitude though. No matter how admissions works out, don't take it personally.

But is the lower school really better than the lower profile schools?

Our family liked it better than all others we visited when applying. And still to this day, we like it better than all others we've gotten to know. But "better" is really in the eye of the beholder, and surely varies widely from family to family, so I don't think anyone else can answer this question for you. There are many wonderful schools in the DC area, each with its own characteristics. You've just got to find the shoe that best fits your foot.

Does the pressure cooker atmosphere of the Upper School trickle down to the Lower School? Our DC is very bright, but I am not interested in fostering competition at the elementary level.

I don't have experience to speak for the upper school, but there definitely is no "pressure cooker" element at all in the lower school. Indeed, one of the things I like about the school is how hard it works to discourage competition among the children, and instead bring out the best in each individual child.

Also, would people describe it as a nurturing atmosphere for the early grades?

Yes, definitely. Very nurturing in the early grades, with an emphasis on building each child's independence and self-responsibility in the later grades of lower school.

HTH. Best of luck to you in all your applications.

OP here. Thanks for this response -- very helpful. It's so hard to get a sense of each school just from a visit, and I fear the reputation of Sidwell has the effect of kind of masking its personality.

[Anonymous]

I hear that Sidwell does better with girls in the lower school, and not so great with educating boys.
If your child is a boy, you should ask around about why this is a popular belief about Sidwell...

[Anonymous]

Think about how long you would want your child in such a pressure cooker.

[Anonymous]

17:27 poster - is it my imagination or does the way those responses are worded sound like a representative of the school???

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:17:27 poster - is it my imagination or does the way those responses are worded sound like a representative of the school???

It's your imagination. Sounds like a happy parent to me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:17:27 poster - is it my imagination or does the way those responses are worded sound like a representative of the school???

It's your imagination. Sounds like a happy parent to me.

Sidwell has no problems with enrollment – there would be no need for them to "catfish" on a board like this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:17:27 poster - is it my imagination or does the way those responses are worded sound like a representative of the school???

It's your imagination. Sounds like a happy parent to me.

I posted at 17:00. Do you mean me? I'm just a parent, nothing more.