GDS/Sidwell Moms

[Anonymous]

Hello,

I am just beginning the process of figuring out how to apply to GDS/Sidwell. I know there is tons and tons of information on this site that I could search for, but I was hoping someone out there would indulge me and help me get a jump start. (And you have to read tons of flaming posts to get to the pure factual info.)

So, here are some questions. And many thanks in advance for helping me get started.

1. Assume that it is very difficult to get in the K program without being in the Pre-K program. Is that correct?

2. What is the application deadline for pre-K?

3. My son has a July birthday; does that mean he will only be accepted/and I should only apply for pre-K the year before he turns 5? e.g, if he has a 7/05 birthday, should I apply fall 2009?

4. What is the application fee? Any other costs just to apply?

5. Is the WPPSI mandatory? What is the cost? When do I test him?

6. Are you asked to list references from families already in the school?

7. People always say that connections help -- actually what does this mean and how do you reflect on your application? And if your contacts are just other parents, and not a Board member, etc, is it even worth it to do? (I know some families at both schools, but am not close to them).

8. What do I need to do to prepare my son for the WPPSI test? Any good resources to consult? I don't want to obsess about it, but want to make sure I know the basics. (For example, I was asked at one of his early Dr appts whether he does "patty cake" -- well, the answer is no b/c we don't do that at home. So basically, I worry there are basic assumed skills/tasks that I may not be teaching at home that they will be looking for).

I have tons of other questions, but want to keep this simple and hopefully easy for people to respond.

And I know this is useless to say, but I will say it anyway. Let's please keep this to factual info. No need for flames

Thanks

[Anonymous]

These will answer a number of your questions:

http://www.gds.org/adm/howtoapply.cfm

and

http://www.sidwell.edu/admissions/ls.asp

[Anonymous]

I think you're a bit late in the application process for 2009-10 school year, as the tours, open houses and interviews are drawing to a close. However, you haven't missed some deadlines so there's still time (though not much) to get the application, recommendations, WPPSI, interviews, and playdates done for some schools. Answers below ---->


1. Assume that it is very difficult to get in the K program without being in the Pre-K program. Is that correct?

Sidwell has 26 slots for K. GDS has 20 slots for K. There are a similar number of slots for pre-K at both schools. It's difficult/competitive to get in at both pre-K and K. If you're accepted for Pre-K the child automatically progresses to K, so you're not actually competing with those in the pre-k program if you apply for K. No advantage to being the the pre-K.

2. What is the application deadline for pre-K?

Application deadline is the same, regardless of grade. Sidwell's deadline was 12/15/08. The GDS deadline is 01/15/09.

3. My son has a July birthday; does that mean he will only be accepted/and I should only apply for pre-K the year before he turns 5? e.g, if he has a 7/05 birthday, should I apply fall 2009?

You should speak to the ADs about your situation. Each child is different. If you apply for K, the schools will let you know (after your child's playdate) if they think s/he should apply to pre-K instead.

Many privates prefer older children. If you apply to GDS, the pre-K birthday cut-off is June 1. The K birthday cut-off is Sept 1. At Sidwell, the cut-off is Sept 1, regardless of grade. Late spring and summer birthday children (especially boys) are sometimes asked to wait a year. Of course, sometimes they're not.

4. What is the application fee? Any other costs just to apply?

Around $60-65. WPPSI is the additional cost.

5. Is the WPPSI mandatory? What is the cost? When do I test him?

Yes. $325-400. The test is normed in 3 month intervals, so probably best to test as old as possible within a given interval.

6. Are you asked to list references from families already in the school?

No.

7. People always say that connections help -- actually what does this mean and how do you reflect on your application? And if your contacts are just other parents, and not a Board member, etc, is it even worth it to do? (I know some families at both schools, but am not close to them).

I wouldn't ask for recommendations from individuals that I'm not close to even if their child attends the school. Best to get a recommendation from someone who knows your child very well.

8. What do I need to do to prepare my son for the WPPSI test? Any good resources to consult? I don't want to obsess about it, but want to make sure I know the basics. (For example, I was asked at one of his early Dr appts whether he does "patty cake" -- well, the answer is no b/c we don't do that at home. So basically, I worry there are basic assumed skills/tasks that I may not be teaching at home that they will be looking for).

Nothing. No preparation required.

[Anonymous]

Thank you so much.

[Anonymous]

Re: Prepping your child for the WPPSI

I agree that there is no preparation required, but as this article points out, there's prepping, and there's Prepping.

http://nymag.com/nymetro/urban/education/features/15141/index3.html

Under no circumstances should you Prep your child.

But --- you might take a look at what skills the WPPSI tests here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wechsler_Preschool_and_Primary_Scale_of_Intelligence
or here:
http://www.extremeintellect.com/ei2007/IQ/IQtestlist.html

And if your child hasn't been doing a lot of playing with, say, blocks -- you might think about incorporating some games at home for fun. Something where you give the child a picture, and she uses the blocks to make the picture. Here are some fun toys and games for preschoolers:


Playful Patterns
http://www.drtoy.com/2002_c/classic_02_7.html

Mighty Mind (younger) and Super Mind (older) block assembly games
http://www.amazon.com/MightyMind-Regular-Edition/dp/B00000K3XI

and any puzzles with blocks that have different pictures on the different sides, that you have to manipulate to make, say a picture of Barney, like this one:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Playskool-Barney-Changing-Puzzle-Blocks-Toy_W0QQitemZ180160157894QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?_trksid=p3286.m20.l1116

If your child hasn't been doing a lot of coding lately, perhaps you can have your child well, copy some symbols according to a code. For fun, of course. When you are making Valentine's Day cards for Gramma in February, put some shapes all around it, like hearts for love and diamonds for wealth -- and have your child fill in the hearts with Xs (for hugs) and the diamonds with with Os (for kisses).

And so on. Or -- don't worry about all this, and just make sure your child gets a good night's sleep and has a healthy breakfast.

Just a few ideas! Have fun!

[Anonymous]

More info on what is on the WPPIS if you care:

http://alpha.fdu.edu/psychology/WPPSI_DESCRIPTION.htm

Oh -- here are some more games to play.

"I'm thinking of something" is an excellent game for word reasoning and verbal (giving a definition of something). And, it is fun! Kids love this game, and you can play it in th car -- MUCH more fun than I Spy IMO.

http://teachers.net/lessonplans/posts/1611.html

First -- you give the clues and ask your child to give you the answer. (That's Word Reasoning)

"I'm thinking of something that is purple and is also a fruit" (grape)

Later, you say grape, and see if your child can give you some clues (one or two parts) that are about your word. (Essentially they are giving you a definition of the word.)

"One of These Things is Not Like The Other" type games...ralk with your child about the concept of categories, even if you don't use that word.

good website game: http://kids.niehs.nih.gov/wrong.htm

[Anonymous]

Just. wow.

[Anonymous]

Suddenly all these 99.9 percentile scores reported on this web site make so much more sense. I pity those families that merely give their child a nutritious dinner and breakfast and a good night's sleep before test day. Actually, I am just being sarcastic ... we were one of those families.

I guess, ultimately, there is little harm in stimulating the mind of a bright child in a certain direction that will result in a useful testing outcome. But in a few cases, I can imagine a child being accepted into a schooling situation that is perhaps more rigorous than the child is actually suited ... who will suffer? The parents might face many years of "helpful" homework assistance and the child may be stressed and frustrated for no good reason.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Suddenly all these 99.9 percentile scores reported on this web site make so much more sense. I pity those families that merely give their child a nutritious dinner and breakfast and a good night's sleep before test day. Actually, I am just being sarcastic ... we were one of those families.

I guess, ultimately, there is little harm in stimulating the mind of a bright child in a certain direction that will result in a useful testing outcome. But in a few cases, I can imagine a child being accepted into a schooling situation that is perhaps more rigorous than the child is actually suited ... who will suffer? The parents might face many years of "helpful" homework assistance and the child may be stressed and frustrated for no good reason.

Much of what PP suggested in terms of fun preparation occurs in good preschools as part of the regular day. We did the good night's rest and solid breakfast thing. Our DC scored well without any other preparation, other than what the preschool provides as part of its "curriculum".

[Anonymous]

I'm the poster who looked up the information about WPPSI test and posted those ideas. I'm NOT a mom of a kids who go to or will be going to schools that require tests for admission. I could care less about the tests, and feel that they are ridiculous. But I've been reading so much about them and the scores that I was just plain curious about what is on these darn tests.

I don't believe for ONE MINUTE that you can't prepare kids for these tests. (Shouldn't, is a different matter.) If your child scored well across the board with no preparation, good for him/her! But if your child scored particularly low in one or more area, and it matters to you (maybe it doesn't, and that's fine too) like 70th percentile in Word Reasoning compared to 99th percentile everywhere else and you feel that was the reason your child was passed over for entry to a school that you for some reason desire for your child, IMO you can do things to improve the skills underlying that score.

I bet you any pricey consultant will tell you the same thing, only she'll charge you $100+ an hour and not make it quite so obvious. I think it is complete bunk, though, that this test measures something immutable, and if your child scores low, well, that's the way it is.

I have always done these types of games with my kids, for fun. Chances are really good IMO that the preschools and daycares people spend a lot of money on, are aware of what the WPPSI tests, and that they actively incorporate games like these into the school day, as a PP said. However, if your preschool/daycare isn't quite so "enlightened", there's no mystery to what you could be doing, if you feel a good score is necessary. It's all out there on the web -- if it is important to you. Jes' saying.



"20 Questions" is another one that would target a lot of skills that are tested on the WPPSI IMO.

[Anonymous]

I just tried the "word reasoning" game with my DS this morning ("I'm thinking of something that is purple and is also a fruit"), and he thought it was about the coolest thing ever -- wouldn't let me stop for half an hour.

Thanks PP for posting the fun ideas!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I just tried the "word reasoning" game with my DS this morning ("I'm thinking of something that is purple and is also a fruit"), and he thought it was about the coolest thing ever -- wouldn't let me stop for half an hour.

Thanks PP for posting the fun ideas!

You are so welcome!

Since you liked that one, here's something also really fun although completely different.

It is called freeze. You know that game where you play music, let the kids dance and move, then stop the music and they are supposed to freeze? Kids love that one.

Add a little extra but now, and it is even more fun. Each time, before you play the music, you show them a stick figure drawing of a person in a certain position. (Maybe arms above head, or one leg in the air.) Ask your child to freeze (later, whe nthe music goes off) in that position.

AWESOME game for developing "impulse control" AKA executive function skills.

read more here: "Creative Play Makes for Kids in Control"

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=76838288

[Anonymous]

Thanks. I'll try that one tonight.

[Anonymous]

Out of curiosity, I have over the past several days exposed my 3.3 y/o dd to as many of the test-related games and activities noted above as possible, including one matching game that we had already given her as a Christmas present. (By way of background, I tested as HG when finally tested at 12 years old, and my dd shows signs of being more advanced than I was at her age...)

I was not at all surprised to find that she really enjoyed all of these activities, since that fits with how she is in general and is my memory of what it was like for me to do these kinds of activities.

However, I was surprised that she could do all of them with a very high degree of accuracy from the very first attempt - including the shape design recreations, the matching game, the "what is the most different" games, etc.

My only point being that the familiarity with these activities might reduce anxiety for some children, but - if a child is cognitively capable of these tasks - then they will likely be able to do them even without the practice that these games provide. Which was good - and comforting - to know.

The one exception might be on the timed portions of the tests that also involve fine motor skills - so it wouldn't hurt anyone to engage in some games of "I'll draw a shape and then you draw the same shape" if your dc finds it fun to do so.

Just fwiw.

[Anonymous]

Anyone on who's willing to discuss whether or not they engaged in the kinds of more specific play described above prior to their dc being tested? And what that process was like - and, of course, how dc did on the test