Big 15??

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Instead of big 3/5, what is the big 15?! You can’t add or take away schools, only rearrange them. Don’t even think about adding BIM. Sister and brother schools go together.
Criteria: prestige, merit, matriculation, tradition, rivalries, notability, alums, etc.

1. Sidwell
2. NCS and STA
3. GDS
4. Maret
5. Potomac
6. Holton and Landon
7. Bullis
8. Maderia
9. WIS
10. SR and GP
11. SJC
12. Episcopal
13. St Andrews
14. St Stephens St Agnes
15. Visi and Gonzaga

This is the list of 15! Some rearranging could be made with the actual ranking numbers but these are the top 15.

1. STA
2. Sidwell
3. NCS
4. GDS
5. Maret
6. Holton
7. Madiera
8. Potomac
9. Landon
10. Gonzaga
11. Prep
12. St. Johns
13. Bullis
14. St. Anselms
15. St Stephens St Agnes

next 3 would be:
16. Episcopal
17. WIS
18. Field

Please, please stop putting Bullis, SSAS and Potomac on the list. They just don't make the cut. And if Gonzaga is on there, Visitation should also be on there as it is even more competitive than it's brother school.

I dont know anyone at Potomac but I cannot get over how you are trying to deny that it is worthy of being in the top 15. It has so much better college placement than Gonzaga or whatever other school you are trying to boost. And Bullis looks great, too. Post some actual results or sit down, Here is Potomac’s college placement so far:

Stanford
Upenn
Dartmouth (rowing)
Harvard
Yale (soccer)
Dartmouth
Dartmouth
Brown (track)
Dartmouth
Brown
US Naval Academy (baseball)
Princeton (soccer)
Duke
Duke
Harvard
Duke
Plus tons of NYU, Colgate, Middle ury, UVA, Washington and Lee.

https://www.instagram.com/pmacdecisions2024?igsh=Mnk0NXo0dDl0dDkw

DP
I agree with Potomac being in the top 15, but they are not T-5 as many Potomac boosters and parents try to claim.
Good school but not T-5.

Why not? Do you actually have good reasons?

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Instead of big 3/5, what is the big 15?! You can’t add or take away schools, only rearrange them. Don’t even think about adding BIM. Sister and brother schools go together.
Criteria: prestige, merit, matriculation, tradition, rivalries, notability, alums, etc.

1. Sidwell
2. NCS and STA
3. GDS
4. Maret
5. Potomac
6. Holton and Landon
7. Bullis
8. Maderia
9. WIS
10. SR and GP
11. SJC
12. Episcopal
13. St Andrews
14. St Stephens St Agnes
15. Visi and Gonzaga

This is the list of 15! Some rearranging could be made with the actual ranking numbers but these are the top 15.

1. STA
2. Sidwell
3. NCS
4. GDS
5. Maret
6. Holton
7. Madiera
8. Potomac
9. Landon
10. Gonzaga
11. Prep
12. St. Johns
13. Bullis
14. St. Anselms
15. St Stephens St Agnes

next 3 would be:
16. Episcopal
17. WIS
18. Field

If Sidwell isn’t #1, then the list is incorrect. I’m not a Sidwell parent (my children attend Catholic independents), but I live in DC and I’m very familiar with how these institutions are perceived.

Prestige depends on the circle you are in. For the old money establishment types STA/NCS for sure are the top.

For more progressive types and less establishment club types - Sidwell or Maret

Newer money more progressive would consider GDS the top

NP. I heard about Sidwell, before moving to DC, when I still lived in LA. If you’re immersed in the world of elite private school education, you’ve probably heard of Sidwell and know it’s considered to be a great school. New money, old money, progressive, regressive—if they care about private school education, they’ve probably heard of Sidwell. That’s much less true of the Cathedral schools.

If we’re basing this on name recognition, you have to put Dematha back on the list. If it’s name recognition outside of DC, the big 3 are Dematha, Sidwell and Gonzaga (in no particular order). If we’re basing this debate on academics, all of the privates in dc have stellar academics and trade teachers so comparing on that alone is silly.

I had never heard of Dematha or Gonzaga before moving to DC because I don’t follow sports closely. Even now, I have no idea where in Maryland the school is located (I know it’s PG, though). I don’t hear much about Gonzaga, unless it’s sports related (specifically, the recent grad who will be drafted by the NFL soon). The reputation ranking of academic institutions, whether it’s high school or college, is based on the ACADEMIC reputation of the school.

Dematha and Gonzaga are not known as academic or intellectual powerhouses. And you’re definitely overstating their national recognition in sports.

People only know about Sidwell b/c of presidents kids tbh. Similarly, St Andrews would’ve never been on any of these lists pre Trump. If we want to look at college acceptances, TJ is the best school in VA and Blair is the best school in MD. I guess Sidwell can be the best school in DC (I’m not as familiar with their public’s) but it wouldn’t hold a candle to TJ or Blair, or even Poolesville for that matter.

What is a Poolesville? Get out of here PP.

Google it. You sound like a fool.

You are the fool. Just the fact that I had to look up the school says enough. "Sidwell wouldn't hold a candle to Poolesville." Do you have their senior insta page or prior year matriculation results ? I would like to see how Sidwell students compare to the Poolesville scholars you speak of!

Once again—Google it. You’ll find lots of information and national rankings to answer all of your questions. Goes to show that people on this forum are incapable of ranking schools based on academics.

We are ranking PRIVATE schools. Did you read the title of this forum?

I did, and it’s a pity that the fan favorite Sidwell is less well known and worse at sports than Dematha, has less notable alumni than Gonzaga, and worse college outcomes than public schools. But hey, whatever you have to tell yourself to make the 60k feel worth it…

Who are Gonzaga’s notable alumni?

Who are Sidwell’s?

First Gonzaga vs Potomac now Gonzaga vs Sidwell. These Gonzaga parents have lost it. You need a reality check ASAP.

This forum needs a reality check. No one is using any real objective metrics to rank any of these schools and it’s full of bias. There is no objective metric that makes Sidwell #1 but for some reason we’re all supposed to accept it as gospel. It doesn’t have the best campus/facilities, price, college outcomes, alumni or sports. People throw these rankings around with no real rigor.

Which DC Private school has better facilities, college outcomes, alumni or sports than Sidwell? I’ll give you price, though.

And I mean name one DC Metro school that is better than Sidwell in all areas listed above? Gonzaga is already out based on its facilities/location (practically a homeless shelter), academics, college outcomes, and alumni.

Although Gonzaga does host homeless men on their campus for lunch, the campus is quite lovely.





https://imgur.com/Iee4GyW

Wow didn't expect this. Very nice. May need to check this out for my middle schooler.

The location on capital hill is actually prime real estate. Not sure why that other pp took a dig at Gonzaga’s location.

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Instead of big 3/5, what is the big 15?! You can’t add or take away schools, only rearrange them. Don’t even think about adding BIM. Sister and brother schools go together.
Criteria: prestige, merit, matriculation, tradition, rivalries, notability, alums, etc.

1. Sidwell
2. NCS and STA
3. GDS
4. Maret
5. Potomac
6. Holton and Landon
7. Bullis
8. Maderia
9. WIS
10. SR and GP
11. SJC
12. Episcopal
13. St Andrews
14. St Stephens St Agnes
15. Visi and Gonzaga

This is the list of 15! Some rearranging could be made with the actual ranking numbers but these are the top 15.

1. STA
2. Sidwell
3. NCS
4. GDS
5. Maret
6. Holton
7. Madiera
8. Potomac
9. Landon
10. Gonzaga
11. Prep
12. St. Johns
13. Bullis
14. St. Anselms
15. St Stephens St Agnes

next 3 would be:
16. Episcopal
17. WIS
18. Field

If Sidwell isn’t #1, then the list is incorrect. I’m not a Sidwell parent (my children attend Catholic independents), but I live in DC and I’m very familiar with how these institutions are perceived.

Prestige depends on the circle you are in. For the old money establishment types STA/NCS for sure are the top.

For more progressive types and less establishment club types - Sidwell or Maret

Newer money more progressive would consider GDS the top

NP. I heard about Sidwell, before moving to DC, when I still lived in LA. If you’re immersed in the world of elite private school education, you’ve probably heard of Sidwell and know it’s considered to be a great school. New money, old money, progressive, regressive—if they care about private school education, they’ve probably heard of Sidwell. That’s much less true of the Cathedral schools.

If we’re basing this on name recognition, you have to put Dematha back on the list. If it’s name recognition outside of DC, the big 3 are Dematha, Sidwell and Gonzaga (in no particular order). If we’re basing this debate on academics, all of the privates in dc have stellar academics and trade teachers so comparing on that alone is silly.

I had never heard of Dematha or Gonzaga before moving to DC because I don’t follow sports closely. Even now, I have no idea where in Maryland the school is located (I know it’s PG, though). I don’t hear much about Gonzaga, unless it’s sports related (specifically, the recent grad who will be drafted by the NFL soon). The reputation ranking of academic institutions, whether it’s high school or college, is based on the ACADEMIC reputation of the school.

Dematha and Gonzaga are not known as academic or intellectual powerhouses. And you’re definitely overstating their national recognition in sports.

People only know about Sidwell b/c of presidents kids tbh. Similarly, St Andrews would’ve never been on any of these lists pre Trump. If we want to look at college acceptances, TJ is the best school in VA and Blair is the best school in MD. I guess Sidwell can be the best school in DC (I’m not as familiar with their public’s) but it wouldn’t hold a candle to TJ or Blair, or even Poolesville for that matter.

What is a Poolesville? Get out of here PP.

Google it. You sound like a fool.

You are the fool. Just the fact that I had to look up the school says enough. "Sidwell wouldn't hold a candle to Poolesville." Do you have their senior insta page or prior year matriculation results ? I would like to see how Sidwell students compare to the Poolesville scholars you speak of!

Once again—Google it. You’ll find lots of information and national rankings to answer all of your questions. Goes to show that people on this forum are incapable of ranking schools based on academics.

We are ranking PRIVATE schools. Did you read the title of this forum?

I did, and it’s a pity that the fan favorite Sidwell is less well known and worse at sports than Dematha, has less notable alumni than Gonzaga, and worse college outcomes than public schools. But hey, whatever you have to tell yourself to make the 60k feel worth it…

Who are Gonzaga’s notable alumni?

Who are Sidwell’s?

First Gonzaga vs Potomac now Gonzaga vs Sidwell. These Gonzaga parents have lost it. You need a reality check ASAP.

This forum needs a reality check. No one is using any real objective metrics to rank any of these schools and it’s full of bias. There is no objective metric that makes Sidwell #1 but for some reason we’re all supposed to accept it as gospel. It doesn’t have the best campus/facilities, price, college outcomes, alumni or sports. People throw these rankings around with no real rigor.

No. I agree with OP. You just have to accept that it is #1, if you get it you do and if you don't, oh well. Maybe some schools are better sports wise but notability, merit, academic and tradition everyone collectively puts Sidwell as #1(besides some STA parents). It's like Harvard, when someone thinks of an Ivy, they think Harvard first. Yale's(think-Maret, STA, Bullis, Potomac, SJC and Gonzaga's) entire sports division could dominate Harvards(Sidwell) or Penn's( think- NCS, GDS, Holton, SR, Madeira, STA's, even the fan favorite BIM's) academic curriculum could be more challenging; regardless, if you are from America or are international, you know Harvard. If you know DC privates, you know Sidwell. Simple as that.

+1, as a new NYC parent who moved to the area and wanted private education, everyone mentioned Sidwell first.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Instead of big 3/5, what is the big 15?! You can’t add or take away schools, only rearrange them. Don’t even think about adding BIM. Sister and brother schools go together.
Criteria: prestige, merit, matriculation, tradition, rivalries, notability, alums, etc.

1. Sidwell
2. NCS and STA
3. GDS
4. Maret
5. Potomac
6. Holton and Landon
7. Bullis
8. Maderia
9. WIS
10. SR and GP
11. SJC
12. Episcopal
13. St Andrews
14. St Stephens St Agnes
15. Visi and Gonzaga

This is the list of 15! Some rearranging could be made with the actual ranking numbers but these are the top 15.

1. STA
2. Sidwell
3. NCS
4. GDS
5. Maret
6. Holton
7. Madiera
8. Potomac
9. Landon
10. Gonzaga
11. Prep
12. St. Johns
13. Bullis
14. St. Anselms
15. St Stephens St Agnes

next 3 would be:
16. Episcopal
17. WIS
18. Field

Please, please stop putting Bullis, SSAS and Potomac on the list. They just don't make the cut. And if Gonzaga is on there, Visitation should also be on there as it is even more competitive than it's brother school.

I dont know anyone at Potomac but I cannot get over how you are trying to deny that it is worthy of being in the top 15. It has so much better college placement than Gonzaga or whatever other school you are trying to boost. And Bullis looks great, too. Post some actual results or sit down, Here is Potomac’s college placement so far:

Stanford
Upenn
Dartmouth (rowing)
Harvard
Yale (soccer)
Dartmouth
Dartmouth
Brown (track)
Dartmouth
Brown
US Naval Academy (baseball)
Princeton (soccer)
Duke
Duke
Harvard
Duke
Plus tons of NYU, Colgate, Middle ury, UVA, Washington and Lee.

https://www.instagram.com/pmacdecisions2024?igsh=Mnk0NXo0dDl0dDkw

+1 and the ivy/T20s admits are not because of sports.... What's the issue with Bullis and Potomac?

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:It does seem like public school parents are insecure about some private/independent schools. Why come into a private/independent school forum to discuss public schools? In all honesty, who cares? Send your child where you want. It's an anonymous message board; most of these folks are probably posting to get a response from the few people who take this stuff too personally.

Private schools parents do that all the times. Check the MCPS forum. It is overrun by private schools parents.

I don't believe you. There is absolutely no reason to go on a public school forum. The worlds do not intersect. Once a year we play a public school in sports that is it. Separate worlds socially and school wise.

Sometimes I'll get a caddy at the club who attends a local public school. Nice kids but wouldn't want them dating my daughters.

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Instead of big 3/5, what is the big 15?! You can’t add or take away schools, only rearrange them. Don’t even think about adding BIM. Sister and brother schools go together.
Criteria: prestige, merit, matriculation, tradition, rivalries, notability, alums, etc.

1. Sidwell
2. NCS and STA
3. GDS
4. Maret
5. Potomac
6. Holton and Landon
7. Bullis
8. Maderia
9. WIS
10. SR and GP
11. SJC
12. Episcopal
13. St Andrews
14. St Stephens St Agnes
15. Visi and Gonzaga

This is the list of 15! Some rearranging could be made with the actual ranking numbers but these are the top 15.

1. STA
2. Sidwell
3. NCS
4. GDS
5. Maret
6. Holton
7. Madiera
8. Potomac
9. Landon
10. Gonzaga
11. Prep
12. St. Johns
13. Bullis
14. St. Anselms
15. St Stephens St Agnes

next 3 would be:
16. Episcopal
17. WIS
18. Field

If Sidwell isn’t #1, then the list is incorrect. I’m not a Sidwell parent (my children attend Catholic independents), but I live in DC and I’m very familiar with how these institutions are perceived.

Prestige depends on the circle you are in. For the old money establishment types STA/NCS for sure are the top.

For more progressive types and less establishment club types - Sidwell or Maret

Newer money more progressive would consider GDS the top

NP. I heard about Sidwell, before moving to DC, when I still lived in LA. If you’re immersed in the world of elite private school education, you’ve probably heard of Sidwell and know it’s considered to be a great school. New money, old money, progressive, regressive—if they care about private school education, they’ve probably heard of Sidwell. That’s much less true of the Cathedral schools.

If we’re basing this on name recognition, you have to put Dematha back on the list. If it’s name recognition outside of DC, the big 3 are Dematha, Sidwell and Gonzaga (in no particular order). If we’re basing this debate on academics, all of the privates in dc have stellar academics and trade teachers so comparing on that alone is silly.

I had never heard of Dematha or Gonzaga before moving to DC because I don’t follow sports closely. Even now, I have no idea where in Maryland the school is located (I know it’s PG, though). I don’t hear much about Gonzaga, unless it’s sports related (specifically, the recent grad who will be drafted by the NFL soon). The reputation ranking of academic institutions, whether it’s high school or college, is based on the ACADEMIC reputation of the school.

Dematha and Gonzaga are not known as academic or intellectual powerhouses. And you’re definitely overstating their national recognition in sports.

People only know about Sidwell b/c of presidents kids tbh. Similarly, St Andrews would’ve never been on any of these lists pre Trump. If we want to look at college acceptances, TJ is the best school in VA and Blair is the best school in MD. I guess Sidwell can be the best school in DC (I’m not as familiar with their public’s) but it wouldn’t hold a candle to TJ or Blair, or even Poolesville for that matter.

What is a Poolesville? Get out of here PP.

Google it. You sound like a fool.

You are the fool. Just the fact that I had to look up the school says enough. "Sidwell wouldn't hold a candle to Poolesville." Do you have their senior insta page or prior year matriculation results ? I would like to see how Sidwell students compare to the Poolesville scholars you speak of!

Once again—Google it. You’ll find lots of information and national rankings to answer all of your questions. Goes to show that people on this forum are incapable of ranking schools based on academics.

We are ranking PRIVATE schools. Did you read the title of this forum?

I did, and it’s a pity that the fan favorite Sidwell is less well known and worse at sports than Dematha, has less notable alumni than Gonzaga, and worse college outcomes than public schools. But hey, whatever you have to tell yourself to make the 60k feel worth it…

Who are Gonzaga’s notable alumni?

Who are Sidwell’s?

I asked you first. I Googled Gonzaga’s alums, and I only recognized 2-3 names. That’s hardly a list that rival’s Sidwell’s alumni. But I know you’re typing things that have no basis in facts.

Btw, you can Google Sidwell’s alums. They put Gonzaga’s to shame.

Definitely not. Both are on Wikipedia. Sidwell’s most notable alumni are “children of”. We prefer alumni that are noteworthy based on their own accomplishments. Funny enough, despite all those “children of” educated by Sidwell, Gonzaga has a more impressive list of alumni in the political/govt category. And let’s not even get started on the sports category…

Name them.

Pat Buchanan, Ken Cuccinelli, Martin O'Malley, and Don Beyer to name a few.

This is the “impressive list of alumni” you’ve been boasting about?!? Ken and Don who? My sympathies to Gonzaga for having Pat Buchanan as an alum—such an odious excuse for a human being. It also appears that Gonzaga’s four most “accomplished” alums are, for whatever reason” siloed in politics.

Sidwell’s notable alums have distinguished themselves across a much wider variety of industries. Here’s a sampling:

Nick Friedman and Omar Soliman: Co-founders of College Hunks Hauling Junk, which has over 100 franchises across the United States;

Roger Ferguson: First African American Vice Chairman of the Federal Reserve and Former President and CEO of a Fortune 500 Company (TIAA-CREF);

Ann Brashares: Author of The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants book series (later adapted into a movie);

Philip Davis Guggenheim: Screenwriter, director, and producer whose work includes An Inconvenient Truth, It Might Get Loud, and Waiting for "Superman";

Walter Gilbert: Nobel Prize winner in Chemistry (DNA sequencing); and

Bill Nye the Science Guy.

Business, science, sports, politics, filmmaking, and literature. Sidwell alums have made their mark everywhere.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Instead of big 3/5, what is the big 15?! You can’t add or take away schools, only rearrange them. Don’t even think about adding BIM. Sister and brother schools go together.
Criteria: prestige, merit, matriculation, tradition, rivalries, notability, alums, etc.

1. Sidwell
2. NCS and STA
3. GDS
4. Maret
5. Potomac
6. Holton and Landon
7. Bullis
8. Maderia
9. WIS
10. SR and GP
11. SJC
12. Episcopal
13. St Andrews
14. St Stephens St Agnes
15. Visi and Gonzaga

This is the list of 15! Some rearranging could be made with the actual ranking numbers but these are the top 15.

1. STA
2. Sidwell
3. NCS
4. GDS
5. Maret
6. Holton
7. Madiera
8. Potomac
9. Landon
10. Gonzaga
11. Prep
12. St. Johns
13. Bullis
14. St. Anselms
15. St Stephens St Agnes

next 3 would be:
16. Episcopal
17. WIS
18. Field

If Sidwell isn’t #1, then the list is incorrect. I’m not a Sidwell parent (my children attend Catholic independents), but I live in DC and I’m very familiar with how these institutions are perceived.

Prestige depends on the circle you are in. For the old money establishment types STA/NCS for sure are the top.

For more progressive types and less establishment club types - Sidwell or Maret

Newer money more progressive would consider GDS the top

NP. I heard about Sidwell, before moving to DC, when I still lived in LA. If you’re immersed in the world of elite private school education, you’ve probably heard of Sidwell and know it’s considered to be a great school. New money, old money, progressive, regressive—if they care about private school education, they’ve probably heard of Sidwell. That’s much less true of the Cathedral schools.

If we’re basing this on name recognition, you have to put Dematha back on the list. If it’s name recognition outside of DC, the big 3 are Dematha, Sidwell and Gonzaga (in no particular order). If we’re basing this debate on academics, all of the privates in dc have stellar academics and trade teachers so comparing on that alone is silly.

I had never heard of Dematha or Gonzaga before moving to DC because I don’t follow sports closely. Even now, I have no idea where in Maryland the school is located (I know it’s PG, though). I don’t hear much about Gonzaga, unless it’s sports related (specifically, the recent grad who will be drafted by the NFL soon). The reputation ranking of academic institutions, whether it’s high school or college, is based on the ACADEMIC reputation of the school.

Dematha and Gonzaga are not known as academic or intellectual powerhouses. And you’re definitely overstating their national recognition in sports.

People only know about Sidwell b/c of presidents kids tbh. Similarly, St Andrews would’ve never been on any of these lists pre Trump. If we want to look at college acceptances, TJ is the best school in VA and Blair is the best school in MD. I guess Sidwell can be the best school in DC (I’m not as familiar with their public’s) but it wouldn’t hold a candle to TJ or Blair, or even Poolesville for that matter.

What is a Poolesville? Get out of here PP.

Google it. You sound like a fool.

You are the fool. Just the fact that I had to look up the school says enough. "Sidwell wouldn't hold a candle to Poolesville." Do you have their senior insta page or prior year matriculation results ? I would like to see how Sidwell students compare to the Poolesville scholars you speak of!

Once again—Google it. You’ll find lots of information and national rankings to answer all of your questions. Goes to show that people on this forum are incapable of ranking schools based on academics.

We are ranking PRIVATE schools. Did you read the title of this forum?

I did, and it’s a pity that the fan favorite Sidwell is less well known and worse at sports than Dematha, has less notable alumni than Gonzaga, and worse college outcomes than public schools. But hey, whatever you have to tell yourself to make the 60k feel worth it…

Who are Gonzaga’s notable alumni?

Who are Sidwell’s?

First Gonzaga vs Potomac now Gonzaga vs Sidwell. These Gonzaga parents have lost it. You need a reality check ASAP.

This forum needs a reality check. No one is using any real objective metrics to rank any of these schools and it’s full of bias. There is no objective metric that makes Sidwell #1 but for some reason we’re all supposed to accept it as gospel. It doesn’t have the best campus/facilities, price, college outcomes, alumni or sports. People throw these rankings around with no real rigor.

Which DC Private school has better facilities, college outcomes, alumni or sports than Sidwell? I’ll give you price, though.

And I mean name one DC Metro school that is better than Sidwell in all areas listed above? Gonzaga is already out based on its facilities/location (practically a homeless shelter), academics, college outcomes, and alumni.

Although Gonzaga does host homeless men on their campus for lunch, the campus is quite lovely.





https://imgur.com/Iee4GyW

Ehh its ok. STA, Potomac and Bullis look way better by far.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Instead of big 3/5, what is the big 15?! You can’t add or take away schools, only rearrange them. Don’t even think about adding BIM. Sister and brother schools go together.
Criteria: prestige, merit, matriculation, tradition, rivalries, notability, alums, etc.

1. Sidwell
2. NCS and STA
3. GDS
4. Maret
5. Potomac
6. Holton and Landon
7. Bullis
8. Maderia
9. WIS
10. SR and GP
11. SJC
12. Episcopal
13. St Andrews
14. St Stephens St Agnes
15. Visi and Gonzaga

This is the list of 15! Some rearranging could be made with the actual ranking numbers but these are the top 15.

1. STA
2. Sidwell
3. NCS
4. GDS
5. Maret
6. Holton
7. Madiera
8. Potomac
9. Landon
10. Gonzaga
11. Prep
12. St. Johns
13. Bullis
14. St. Anselms
15. St Stephens St Agnes

next 3 would be:
16. Episcopal
17. WIS
18. Field

If Sidwell isn’t #1, then the list is incorrect. I’m not a Sidwell parent (my children attend Catholic independents), but I live in DC and I’m very familiar with how these institutions are perceived.

Prestige depends on the circle you are in. For the old money establishment types STA/NCS for sure are the top.

For more progressive types and less establishment club types - Sidwell or Maret

Newer money more progressive would consider GDS the top

NP. I heard about Sidwell, before moving to DC, when I still lived in LA. If you’re immersed in the world of elite private school education, you’ve probably heard of Sidwell and know it’s considered to be a great school. New money, old money, progressive, regressive—if they care about private school education, they’ve probably heard of Sidwell. That’s much less true of the Cathedral schools.

If we’re basing this on name recognition, you have to put Dematha back on the list. If it’s name recognition outside of DC, the big 3 are Dematha, Sidwell and Gonzaga (in no particular order). If we’re basing this debate on academics, all of the privates in dc have stellar academics and trade teachers so comparing on that alone is silly.

I had never heard of Dematha or Gonzaga before moving to DC because I don’t follow sports closely. Even now, I have no idea where in Maryland the school is located (I know it’s PG, though). I don’t hear much about Gonzaga, unless it’s sports related (specifically, the recent grad who will be drafted by the NFL soon). The reputation ranking of academic institutions, whether it’s high school or college, is based on the ACADEMIC reputation of the school.

Dematha and Gonzaga are not known as academic or intellectual powerhouses. And you’re definitely overstating their national recognition in sports.

People only know about Sidwell b/c of presidents kids tbh. Similarly, St Andrews would’ve never been on any of these lists pre Trump. If we want to look at college acceptances, TJ is the best school in VA and Blair is the best school in MD. I guess Sidwell can be the best school in DC (I’m not as familiar with their public’s) but it wouldn’t hold a candle to TJ or Blair, or even Poolesville for that matter.

What is a Poolesville? Get out of here PP.

Google it. You sound like a fool.

You are the fool. Just the fact that I had to look up the school says enough. "Sidwell wouldn't hold a candle to Poolesville." Do you have their senior insta page or prior year matriculation results ? I would like to see how Sidwell students compare to the Poolesville scholars you speak of!

Once again—Google it. You’ll find lots of information and national rankings to answer all of your questions. Goes to show that people on this forum are incapable of ranking schools based on academics.

We are ranking PRIVATE schools. Did you read the title of this forum?

I did, and it’s a pity that the fan favorite Sidwell is less well known and worse at sports than Dematha, has less notable alumni than Gonzaga, and worse college outcomes than public schools. But hey, whatever you have to tell yourself to make the 60k feel worth it…

Who are Gonzaga’s notable alumni?

Who are Sidwell’s?

First Gonzaga vs Potomac now Gonzaga vs Sidwell. These Gonzaga parents have lost it. You need a reality check ASAP.

This forum needs a reality check. No one is using any real objective metrics to rank any of these schools and it’s full of bias. There is no objective metric that makes Sidwell #1 but for some reason we’re all supposed to accept it as gospel. It doesn’t have the best campus/facilities, price, college outcomes, alumni or sports. People throw these rankings around with no real rigor.

Which DC Private school has better facilities, college outcomes, alumni or sports than Sidwell? I’ll give you price, though.

And I mean name one DC Metro school that is better than Sidwell in all areas listed above? Gonzaga is already out based on its facilities/location (practically a homeless shelter), academics, college outcomes, and alumni.

Although Gonzaga does host homeless men on their campus for lunch, the campus is quite lovely.





https://imgur.com/Iee4GyW

Ehh its ok. STA, Potomac and Bullis look way better by far.

Debatable but do they look three times better?! b/c they’re like triple the price…And before you say price doesn’t matter, everyone cares about value even billionaires. No one is paying $500 for a Big Mac after all, so the price does need to reflect what you’re getting.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Instead of big 3/5, what is the big 15?! You can’t add or take away schools, only rearrange them. Don’t even think about adding BIM. Sister and brother schools go together.
Criteria: prestige, merit, matriculation, tradition, rivalries, notability, alums, etc.

1. Sidwell
2. NCS and STA
3. GDS
4. Maret
5. Potomac
6. Holton and Landon
7. Bullis
8. Maderia
9. WIS
10. SR and GP
11. SJC
12. Episcopal
13. St Andrews
14. St Stephens St Agnes
15. Visi and Gonzaga

This is the list of 15! Some rearranging could be made with the actual ranking numbers but these are the top 15.

1. STA
2. Sidwell
3. NCS
4. GDS
5. Maret
6. Holton
7. Madiera
8. Potomac
9. Landon
10. Gonzaga
11. Prep
12. St. Johns
13. Bullis
14. St. Anselms
15. St Stephens St Agnes

next 3 would be:
16. Episcopal
17. WIS
18. Field

If Sidwell isn’t #1, then the list is incorrect. I’m not a Sidwell parent (my children attend Catholic independents), but I live in DC and I’m very familiar with how these institutions are perceived.

Prestige depends on the circle you are in. For the old money establishment types STA/NCS for sure are the top.

For more progressive types and less establishment club types - Sidwell or Maret

Newer money more progressive would consider GDS the top

NP. I heard about Sidwell, before moving to DC, when I still lived in LA. If you’re immersed in the world of elite private school education, you’ve probably heard of Sidwell and know it’s considered to be a great school. New money, old money, progressive, regressive—if they care about private school education, they’ve probably heard of Sidwell. That’s much less true of the Cathedral schools.

If we’re basing this on name recognition, you have to put Dematha back on the list. If it’s name recognition outside of DC, the big 3 are Dematha, Sidwell and Gonzaga (in no particular order). If we’re basing this debate on academics, all of the privates in dc have stellar academics and trade teachers so comparing on that alone is silly.

I had never heard of Dematha or Gonzaga before moving to DC because I don’t follow sports closely. Even now, I have no idea where in Maryland the school is located (I know it’s PG, though). I don’t hear much about Gonzaga, unless it’s sports related (specifically, the recent grad who will be drafted by the NFL soon). The reputation ranking of academic institutions, whether it’s high school or college, is based on the ACADEMIC reputation of the school.

Dematha and Gonzaga are not known as academic or intellectual powerhouses. And you’re definitely overstating their national recognition in sports.

People only know about Sidwell b/c of presidents kids tbh. Similarly, St Andrews would’ve never been on any of these lists pre Trump. If we want to look at college acceptances, TJ is the best school in VA and Blair is the best school in MD. I guess Sidwell can be the best school in DC (I’m not as familiar with their public’s) but it wouldn’t hold a candle to TJ or Blair, or even Poolesville for that matter.

What is a Poolesville? Get out of here PP.

Google it. You sound like a fool.

You are the fool. Just the fact that I had to look up the school says enough. "Sidwell wouldn't hold a candle to Poolesville." Do you have their senior insta page or prior year matriculation results ? I would like to see how Sidwell students compare to the Poolesville scholars you speak of!

Once again—Google it. You’ll find lots of information and national rankings to answer all of your questions. Goes to show that people on this forum are incapable of ranking schools based on academics.

We are ranking PRIVATE schools. Did you read the title of this forum?

I did, and it’s a pity that the fan favorite Sidwell is less well known and worse at sports than Dematha, has less notable alumni than Gonzaga, and worse college outcomes than public schools. But hey, whatever you have to tell yourself to make the 60k feel worth it…

Who are Gonzaga’s notable alumni?

Who are Sidwell’s?

First Gonzaga vs Potomac now Gonzaga vs Sidwell. These Gonzaga parents have lost it. You need a reality check ASAP.

This forum needs a reality check. No one is using any real objective metrics to rank any of these schools and it’s full of bias. There is no objective metric that makes Sidwell #1 but for some reason we’re all supposed to accept it as gospel. It doesn’t have the best campus/facilities, price, college outcomes, alumni or sports. People throw these rankings around with no real rigor.

Which DC Private school has better facilities, college outcomes, alumni or sports than Sidwell? I’ll give you price, though.

And I mean name one DC Metro school that is better than Sidwell in all areas listed above? Gonzaga is already out based on its facilities/location (practically a homeless shelter), academics, college outcomes, and alumni.

Although Gonzaga does host homeless men on their campus for lunch, the campus is quite lovely.





https://imgur.com/Iee4GyW

Wow didn't expect this. Very nice. May need to check this out for my middle schooler.

The location on capital hill is actually prime real estate. Not sure why that other pp took a dig at Gonzaga’s location.

Gonzaga is located in a high crime area. Look it up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Instead of big 3/5, what is the big 15?! You can’t add or take away schools, only rearrange them. Don’t even think about adding BIM. Sister and brother schools go together.
Criteria: prestige, merit, matriculation, tradition, rivalries, notability, alums, etc.

1. Sidwell
2. NCS and STA
3. GDS
4. Maret
5. Potomac
6. Holton and Landon
7. Bullis
8. Maderia
9. WIS
10. SR and GP
11. SJC
12. Episcopal
13. St Andrews
14. St Stephens St Agnes
15. Visi and Gonzaga

This is the list of 15! Some rearranging could be made with the actual ranking numbers but these are the top 15.

1. STA
2. Sidwell
3. NCS
4. GDS
5. Maret
6. Holton
7. Madiera
8. Potomac
9. Landon
10. Gonzaga
11. Prep
12. St. Johns
13. Bullis
14. St. Anselms
15. St Stephens St Agnes

next 3 would be:
16. Episcopal
17. WIS
18. Field

If Sidwell isn’t #1, then the list is incorrect. I’m not a Sidwell parent (my children attend Catholic independents), but I live in DC and I’m very familiar with how these institutions are perceived.

Prestige depends on the circle you are in. For the old money establishment types STA/NCS for sure are the top.

For more progressive types and less establishment club types - Sidwell or Maret

Newer money more progressive would consider GDS the top

NP. I heard about Sidwell, before moving to DC, when I still lived in LA. If you’re immersed in the world of elite private school education, you’ve probably heard of Sidwell and know it’s considered to be a great school. New money, old money, progressive, regressive—if they care about private school education, they’ve probably heard of Sidwell. That’s much less true of the Cathedral schools.

If we’re basing this on name recognition, you have to put Dematha back on the list. If it’s name recognition outside of DC, the big 3 are Dematha, Sidwell and Gonzaga (in no particular order). If we’re basing this debate on academics, all of the privates in dc have stellar academics and trade teachers so comparing on that alone is silly.

I had never heard of Dematha or Gonzaga before moving to DC because I don’t follow sports closely. Even now, I have no idea where in Maryland the school is located (I know it’s PG, though). I don’t hear much about Gonzaga, unless it’s sports related (specifically, the recent grad who will be drafted by the NFL soon). The reputation ranking of academic institutions, whether it’s high school or college, is based on the ACADEMIC reputation of the school.

Dematha and Gonzaga are not known as academic or intellectual powerhouses. And you’re definitely overstating their national recognition in sports.

People only know about Sidwell b/c of presidents kids tbh. Similarly, St Andrews would’ve never been on any of these lists pre Trump. If we want to look at college acceptances, TJ is the best school in VA and Blair is the best school in MD. I guess Sidwell can be the best school in DC (I’m not as familiar with their public’s) but it wouldn’t hold a candle to TJ or Blair, or even Poolesville for that matter.

What is a Poolesville? Get out of here PP.

Google it. You sound like a fool.

You are the fool. Just the fact that I had to look up the school says enough. "Sidwell wouldn't hold a candle to Poolesville." Do you have their senior insta page or prior year matriculation results ? I would like to see how Sidwell students compare to the Poolesville scholars you speak of!

Once again—Google it. You’ll find lots of information and national rankings to answer all of your questions. Goes to show that people on this forum are incapable of ranking schools based on academics.

We are ranking PRIVATE schools. Did you read the title of this forum?

I did, and it’s a pity that the fan favorite Sidwell is less well known and worse at sports than Dematha, has less notable alumni than Gonzaga, and worse college outcomes than public schools. But hey, whatever you have to tell yourself to make the 60k feel worth it…

Who are Gonzaga’s notable alumni?

Who are Sidwell’s?

I asked you first. I Googled Gonzaga’s alums, and I only recognized 2-3 names. That’s hardly a list that rival’s Sidwell’s alumni. But I know you’re typing things that have no basis in facts.

Btw, you can Google Sidwell’s alums. They put Gonzaga’s to shame.

Definitely not. Both are on Wikipedia. Sidwell’s most notable alumni are “children of”. We prefer alumni that are noteworthy based on their own accomplishments. Funny enough, despite all those “children of” educated by Sidwell, Gonzaga has a more impressive list of alumni in the political/govt category. And let’s not even get started on the sports category…

Name them.

Pat Buchanan, Ken Cuccinelli, Martin O'Malley, and Don Beyer to name a few.

This is the “impressive list of alumni” you’ve been boasting about?!? Ken and Don who? My sympathies to Gonzaga for having Pat Buchanan as an alum—such an odious excuse for a human being. It also appears that Gonzaga’s four most “accomplished” alums are, for whatever reason” siloed in politics.

Sidwell’s notable alums have distinguished themselves across a much wider variety of industries. Here’s a sampling:

Nick Friedman and Omar Soliman: Co-founders of College Hunks Hauling Junk, which has over 100 franchises across the United States;

Roger Ferguson: First African American Vice Chairman of the Federal Reserve and Former President and CEO of a Fortune 500 Company (TIAA-CREF);

Ann Brashares: Author of The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants book series (later adapted into a movie);

Philip Davis Guggenheim: Screenwriter, director, and producer whose work includes An Inconvenient Truth, It Might Get Loud, and Waiting for "Superman";

Walter Gilbert: Nobel Prize winner in Chemistry (DNA sequencing); and

Bill Nye the Science Guy.

Business, science, sports, politics, filmmaking, and literature. Sidwell alums have made their mark everywhere.

PP was responding to a comment about political alum. Just check Wikipedia, Gonzaga’s list is more impressive across many categories.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Instead of big 3/5, what is the big 15?! You can’t add or take away schools, only rearrange them. Don’t even think about adding BIM. Sister and brother schools go together.
Criteria: prestige, merit, matriculation, tradition, rivalries, notability, alums, etc.

1. Sidwell
2. NCS and STA
3. GDS
4. Maret
5. Potomac
6. Holton and Landon
7. Bullis
8. Maderia
9. WIS
10. SR and GP
11. SJC
12. Episcopal
13. St Andrews
14. St Stephens St Agnes
15. Visi and Gonzaga

This is the list of 15! Some rearranging could be made with the actual ranking numbers but these are the top 15.

1. STA
2. Sidwell
3. NCS
4. GDS
5. Maret
6. Holton
7. Madiera
8. Potomac
9. Landon
10. Gonzaga
11. Prep
12. St. Johns
13. Bullis
14. St. Anselms
15. St Stephens St Agnes

next 3 would be:
16. Episcopal
17. WIS
18. Field

If Sidwell isn’t #1, then the list is incorrect. I’m not a Sidwell parent (my children attend Catholic independents), but I live in DC and I’m very familiar with how these institutions are perceived.

Prestige depends on the circle you are in. For the old money establishment types STA/NCS for sure are the top.

For more progressive types and less establishment club types - Sidwell or Maret

Newer money more progressive would consider GDS the top

NP. I heard about Sidwell, before moving to DC, when I still lived in LA. If you’re immersed in the world of elite private school education, you’ve probably heard of Sidwell and know it’s considered to be a great school. New money, old money, progressive, regressive—if they care about private school education, they’ve probably heard of Sidwell. That’s much less true of the Cathedral schools.

If we’re basing this on name recognition, you have to put Dematha back on the list. If it’s name recognition outside of DC, the big 3 are Dematha, Sidwell and Gonzaga (in no particular order). If we’re basing this debate on academics, all of the privates in dc have stellar academics and trade teachers so comparing on that alone is silly.

I had never heard of Dematha or Gonzaga before moving to DC because I don’t follow sports closely. Even now, I have no idea where in Maryland the school is located (I know it’s PG, though). I don’t hear much about Gonzaga, unless it’s sports related (specifically, the recent grad who will be drafted by the NFL soon). The reputation ranking of academic institutions, whether it’s high school or college, is based on the ACADEMIC reputation of the school.

Dematha and Gonzaga are not known as academic or intellectual powerhouses. And you’re definitely overstating their national recognition in sports.

People only know about Sidwell b/c of presidents kids tbh. Similarly, St Andrews would’ve never been on any of these lists pre Trump. If we want to look at college acceptances, TJ is the best school in VA and Blair is the best school in MD. I guess Sidwell can be the best school in DC (I’m not as familiar with their public’s) but it wouldn’t hold a candle to TJ or Blair, or even Poolesville for that matter.

What is a Poolesville? Get out of here PP.

Google it. You sound like a fool.

You are the fool. Just the fact that I had to look up the school says enough. "Sidwell wouldn't hold a candle to Poolesville." Do you have their senior insta page or prior year matriculation results ? I would like to see how Sidwell students compare to the Poolesville scholars you speak of!

Once again—Google it. You’ll find lots of information and national rankings to answer all of your questions. Goes to show that people on this forum are incapable of ranking schools based on academics.

We are ranking PRIVATE schools. Did you read the title of this forum?

I did, and it’s a pity that the fan favorite Sidwell is less well known and worse at sports than Dematha, has less notable alumni than Gonzaga, and worse college outcomes than public schools. But hey, whatever you have to tell yourself to make the 60k feel worth it…

Who are Gonzaga’s notable alumni?

Who are Sidwell’s?

First Gonzaga vs Potomac now Gonzaga vs Sidwell. These Gonzaga parents have lost it. You need a reality check ASAP.

This forum needs a reality check. No one is using any real objective metrics to rank any of these schools and it’s full of bias. There is no objective metric that makes Sidwell #1 but for some reason we’re all supposed to accept it as gospel. It doesn’t have the best campus/facilities, price, college outcomes, alumni or sports. People throw these rankings around with no real rigor.

Which DC Private school has better facilities, college outcomes, alumni or sports than Sidwell? I’ll give you price, though.

And I mean name one DC Metro school that is better than Sidwell in all areas listed above? Gonzaga is already out based on its facilities/location (practically a homeless shelter), academics, college outcomes, and alumni.

Uh oh, they will be coming for you in the morning with the volunteering and service aspect!!!!

DP. Not sure why you would lol at service.

So, Sidwell parents think they are the best, because........they are well known. No other criterion than that. Gonzaga parents value service to the community and don't want kids who just look away from homeless individuals (or anyone else for that matter) as less than people. I'd rather know the Gonzaga families.

So true. This snobbish attitude is so unbecoming. I am grateful we were sheltered from these people by sending our kids to great Catholic schools like Gonzaga.

So the entire parent-body is holier than thou? Loud and wrong. You're not sheltered, in fact there are some at your school. Some of the same people in your community are best buddies and neighbors with the so called "snobbish" independent non-catholic school parents at the clubs. Ive seen it first hand at a few hockey games, the obnoxious banter is between both parties. In the private school and private Catholic school world, there will always be parents like this. Nice try, no school is exempt.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Instead of big 3/5, what is the big 15?! You can’t add or take away schools, only rearrange them. Don’t even think about adding BIM. Sister and brother schools go together.
Criteria: prestige, merit, matriculation, tradition, rivalries, notability, alums, etc.

1. Sidwell
2. NCS and STA
3. GDS
4. Maret
5. Potomac
6. Holton and Landon
7. Bullis
8. Maderia
9. WIS
10. SR and GP
11. SJC
12. Episcopal
13. St Andrews
14. St Stephens St Agnes
15. Visi and Gonzaga

This is the list of 15! Some rearranging could be made with the actual ranking numbers but these are the top 15.

1. STA
2. Sidwell
3. NCS
4. GDS
5. Maret
6. Holton
7. Madiera
8. Potomac
9. Landon
10. Gonzaga
11. Prep
12. St. Johns
13. Bullis
14. St. Anselms
15. St Stephens St Agnes

next 3 would be:
16. Episcopal
17. WIS
18. Field

If Sidwell isn’t #1, then the list is incorrect. I’m not a Sidwell parent (my children attend Catholic independents), but I live in DC and I’m very familiar with how these institutions are perceived.

Prestige depends on the circle you are in. For the old money establishment types STA/NCS for sure are the top.

For more progressive types and less establishment club types - Sidwell or Maret

Newer money more progressive would consider GDS the top

NP. I heard about Sidwell, before moving to DC, when I still lived in LA. If you’re immersed in the world of elite private school education, you’ve probably heard of Sidwell and know it’s considered to be a great school. New money, old money, progressive, regressive—if they care about private school education, they’ve probably heard of Sidwell. That’s much less true of the Cathedral schools.

If we’re basing this on name recognition, you have to put Dematha back on the list. If it’s name recognition outside of DC, the big 3 are Dematha, Sidwell and Gonzaga (in no particular order). If we’re basing this debate on academics, all of the privates in dc have stellar academics and trade teachers so comparing on that alone is silly.

I had never heard of Dematha or Gonzaga before moving to DC because I don’t follow sports closely. Even now, I have no idea where in Maryland the school is located (I know it’s PG, though). I don’t hear much about Gonzaga, unless it’s sports related (specifically, the recent grad who will be drafted by the NFL soon). The reputation ranking of academic institutions, whether it’s high school or college, is based on the ACADEMIC reputation of the school.

Dematha and Gonzaga are not known as academic or intellectual powerhouses. And you’re definitely overstating their national recognition in sports.

People only know about Sidwell b/c of presidents kids tbh. Similarly, St Andrews would’ve never been on any of these lists pre Trump. If we want to look at college acceptances, TJ is the best school in VA and Blair is the best school in MD. I guess Sidwell can be the best school in DC (I’m not as familiar with their public’s) but it wouldn’t hold a candle to TJ or Blair, or even Poolesville for that matter.

What is a Poolesville? Get out of here PP.

Google it. You sound like a fool.

You are the fool. Just the fact that I had to look up the school says enough. "Sidwell wouldn't hold a candle to Poolesville." Do you have their senior insta page or prior year matriculation results ? I would like to see how Sidwell students compare to the Poolesville scholars you speak of!

Once again—Google it. You’ll find lots of information and national rankings to answer all of your questions. Goes to show that people on this forum are incapable of ranking schools based on academics.

We are ranking PRIVATE schools. Did you read the title of this forum?

I did, and it’s a pity that the fan favorite Sidwell is less well known and worse at sports than Dematha, has less notable alumni than Gonzaga, and worse college outcomes than public schools. But hey, whatever you have to tell yourself to make the 60k feel worth it…

Who are Gonzaga’s notable alumni?

Who are Sidwell’s?

I asked you first. I Googled Gonzaga’s alums, and I only recognized 2-3 names. That’s hardly a list that rival’s Sidwell’s alumni. But I know you’re typing things that have no basis in facts.

Btw, you can Google Sidwell’s alums. They put Gonzaga’s to shame.

Definitely not. Both are on Wikipedia. Sidwell’s most notable alumni are “children of”. We prefer alumni that are noteworthy based on their own accomplishments. Funny enough, despite all those “children of” educated by Sidwell, Gonzaga has a more impressive list of alumni in the political/govt category. And let’s not even get started on the sports category…

Name them.

Pat Buchanan, Ken Cuccinelli, Martin O'Malley, and Don Beyer to name a few.

This is the “impressive list of alumni” you’ve been boasting about?!? Ken and Don who? My sympathies to Gonzaga for having Pat Buchanan as an alum—such an odious excuse for a human being. It also appears that Gonzaga’s four most “accomplished” alums are, for whatever reason” siloed in politics.

Sidwell’s notable alums have distinguished themselves across a much wider variety of industries. Here’s a sampling:

Nick Friedman and Omar Soliman: Co-founders of College Hunks Hauling Junk, which has over 100 franchises across the United States;

Roger Ferguson: First African American Vice Chairman of the Federal Reserve and Former President and CEO of a Fortune 500 Company (TIAA-CREF);

Ann Brashares: Author of The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants book series (later adapted into a movie);

Philip Davis Guggenheim: Screenwriter, director, and producer whose work includes An Inconvenient Truth, It Might Get Loud, and Waiting for "Superman";

Walter Gilbert: Nobel Prize winner in Chemistry (DNA sequencing); and

Bill Nye the Science Guy.

Business, science, sports, politics, filmmaking, and literature. Sidwell alums have made their mark everywhere.

Appreciate the vitriol, but once again, reading comprehension is key. The PP asked for "alumni in the political/govt category," which is what was provided. It was not in response to the question, "Who are the four most notable alumni?"

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Instead of big 3/5, what is the big 15?! You can’t add or take away schools, only rearrange them. Don’t even think about adding BIM. Sister and brother schools go together.
Criteria: prestige, merit, matriculation, tradition, rivalries, notability, alums, etc.

1. Sidwell
2. NCS and STA
3. GDS
4. Maret
5. Potomac
6. Holton and Landon
7. Bullis
8. Maderia
9. WIS
10. SR and GP
11. SJC
12. Episcopal
13. St Andrews
14. St Stephens St Agnes
15. Visi and Gonzaga

This is the list of 15! Some rearranging could be made with the actual ranking numbers but these are the top 15.

1. STA
2. Sidwell
3. NCS
4. GDS
5. Maret
6. Holton
7. Madiera
8. Potomac
9. Landon
10. Gonzaga
11. Prep
12. St. Johns
13. Bullis
14. St. Anselms
15. St Stephens St Agnes

next 3 would be:
16. Episcopal
17. WIS
18. Field

If Sidwell isn’t #1, then the list is incorrect. I’m not a Sidwell parent (my children attend Catholic independents), but I live in DC and I’m very familiar with how these institutions are perceived.

Prestige depends on the circle you are in. For the old money establishment types STA/NCS for sure are the top.

For more progressive types and less establishment club types - Sidwell or Maret

Newer money more progressive would consider GDS the top

NP. I heard about Sidwell, before moving to DC, when I still lived in LA. If you’re immersed in the world of elite private school education, you’ve probably heard of Sidwell and know it’s considered to be a great school. New money, old money, progressive, regressive—if they care about private school education, they’ve probably heard of Sidwell. That’s much less true of the Cathedral schools.

If we’re basing this on name recognition, you have to put Dematha back on the list. If it’s name recognition outside of DC, the big 3 are Dematha, Sidwell and Gonzaga (in no particular order). If we’re basing this debate on academics, all of the privates in dc have stellar academics and trade teachers so comparing on that alone is silly.

I had never heard of Dematha or Gonzaga before moving to DC because I don’t follow sports closely. Even now, I have no idea where in Maryland the school is located (I know it’s PG, though). I don’t hear much about Gonzaga, unless it’s sports related (specifically, the recent grad who will be drafted by the NFL soon). The reputation ranking of academic institutions, whether it’s high school or college, is based on the ACADEMIC reputation of the school.

Dematha and Gonzaga are not known as academic or intellectual powerhouses. And you’re definitely overstating their national recognition in sports.

People only know about Sidwell b/c of presidents kids tbh. Similarly, St Andrews would’ve never been on any of these lists pre Trump. If we want to look at college acceptances, TJ is the best school in VA and Blair is the best school in MD. I guess Sidwell can be the best school in DC (I’m not as familiar with their public’s) but it wouldn’t hold a candle to TJ or Blair, or even Poolesville for that matter.

What is a Poolesville? Get out of here PP.

Google it. You sound like a fool.

You are the fool. Just the fact that I had to look up the school says enough. "Sidwell wouldn't hold a candle to Poolesville." Do you have their senior insta page or prior year matriculation results ? I would like to see how Sidwell students compare to the Poolesville scholars you speak of!

Once again—Google it. You’ll find lots of information and national rankings to answer all of your questions. Goes to show that people on this forum are incapable of ranking schools based on academics.

We are ranking PRIVATE schools. Did you read the title of this forum?

I did, and it’s a pity that the fan favorite Sidwell is less well known and worse at sports than Dematha, has less notable alumni than Gonzaga, and worse college outcomes than public schools. But hey, whatever you have to tell yourself to make the 60k feel worth it…

Who are Gonzaga’s notable alumni?

Who are Sidwell’s?

First Gonzaga vs Potomac now Gonzaga vs Sidwell. These Gonzaga parents have lost it. You need a reality check ASAP.

This forum needs a reality check. No one is using any real objective metrics to rank any of these schools and it’s full of bias. There is no objective metric that makes Sidwell #1 but for some reason we’re all supposed to accept it as gospel. It doesn’t have the best campus/facilities, price, college outcomes, alumni or sports. People throw these rankings around with no real rigor.

Which DC Private school has better facilities, college outcomes, alumni or sports than Sidwell? I’ll give you price, though.

And I mean name one DC Metro school that is better than Sidwell in all areas listed above? Gonzaga is already out based on its facilities/location (practically a homeless shelter), academics, college outcomes, and alumni.

Although Gonzaga does host homeless men on their campus for lunch, the campus is quite lovely.





https://imgur.com/Iee4GyW

Ehh its ok. STA, Potomac and Bullis look way better by far.

Debatable but do they look three times better?! b/c they’re like triple the price…And before you say price doesn’t matter, everyone cares about value even billionaires. No one is paying $500 for a Big Mac after all, so the price does need to reflect what you’re getting.

Yea...the price reflects great academics, sports and college results(merit and athletic). Price doesn't matter, there are so many people on FA.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:Instead of big 3/5, what is the big 15?! You can’t add or take away schools, only rearrange them. Don’t even think about adding BIM. Sister and brother schools go together.
Criteria: prestige, merit, matriculation, tradition, rivalries, notability, alums, etc.

1. Sidwell
2. NCS and STA
3. GDS
4. Maret
5. Potomac
6. Holton and Landon
7. Bullis
8. Maderia
9. WIS
10. SR and GP
11. SJC
12. Episcopal
13. St Andrews
14. St Stephens St Agnes
15. Visi and Gonzaga

This is the list of 15! Some rearranging could be made with the actual ranking numbers but these are the top 15.

1. STA
2. Sidwell
3. NCS
4. GDS
5. Maret
6. Holton
7. Madiera
8. Potomac
9. Landon
10. Gonzaga
11. Prep
12. St. Johns
13. Bullis
14. St. Anselms
15. St Stephens St Agnes

next 3 would be:
16. Episcopal
17. WIS
18. Field

If Sidwell isn’t #1, then the list is incorrect. I’m not a Sidwell parent (my children attend Catholic independents), but I live in DC and I’m very familiar with how these institutions are perceived.

Prestige depends on the circle you are in. For the old money establishment types STA/NCS for sure are the top.

For more progressive types and less establishment club types - Sidwell or Maret

Newer money more progressive would consider GDS the top

NP. I heard about Sidwell, before moving to DC, when I still lived in LA. If you’re immersed in the world of elite private school education, you’ve probably heard of Sidwell and know it’s considered to be a great school. New money, old money, progressive, regressive—if they care about private school education, they’ve probably heard of Sidwell. That’s much less true of the Cathedral schools.

If we’re basing this on name recognition, you have to put Dematha back on the list. If it’s name recognition outside of DC, the big 3 are Dematha, Sidwell and Gonzaga (in no particular order). If we’re basing this debate on academics, all of the privates in dc have stellar academics and trade teachers so comparing on that alone is silly.

I had never heard of Dematha or Gonzaga before moving to DC because I don’t follow sports closely. Even now, I have no idea where in Maryland the school is located (I know it’s PG, though). I don’t hear much about Gonzaga, unless it’s sports related (specifically, the recent grad who will be drafted by the NFL soon). The reputation ranking of academic institutions, whether it’s high school or college, is based on the ACADEMIC reputation of the school.

Dematha and Gonzaga are not known as academic or intellectual powerhouses. And you’re definitely overstating their national recognition in sports.

People only know about Sidwell b/c of presidents kids tbh. Similarly, St Andrews would’ve never been on any of these lists pre Trump. If we want to look at college acceptances, TJ is the best school in VA and Blair is the best school in MD. I guess Sidwell can be the best school in DC (I’m not as familiar with their public’s) but it wouldn’t hold a candle to TJ or Blair, or even Poolesville for that matter.

What is a Poolesville? Get out of here PP.

Google it. You sound like a fool.

You are the fool. Just the fact that I had to look up the school says enough. "Sidwell wouldn't hold a candle to Poolesville." Do you have their senior insta page or prior year matriculation results ? I would like to see how Sidwell students compare to the Poolesville scholars you speak of!

Once again—Google it. You’ll find lots of information and national rankings to answer all of your questions. Goes to show that people on this forum are incapable of ranking schools based on academics.

We are ranking PRIVATE schools. Did you read the title of this forum?

I did, and it’s a pity that the fan favorite Sidwell is less well known and worse at sports than Dematha, has less notable alumni than Gonzaga, and worse college outcomes than public schools. But hey, whatever you have to tell yourself to make the 60k feel worth it…

Who are Gonzaga’s notable alumni?

Who are Sidwell’s?

First Gonzaga vs Potomac now Gonzaga vs Sidwell. These Gonzaga parents have lost it. You need a reality check ASAP.

This forum needs a reality check. No one is using any real objective metrics to rank any of these schools and it’s full of bias. There is no objective metric that makes Sidwell #1 but for some reason we’re all supposed to accept it as gospel. It doesn’t have the best campus/facilities, price, college outcomes, alumni or sports. People throw these rankings around with no real rigor.

Which DC Private school has better facilities, college outcomes, alumni or sports than Sidwell? I’ll give you price, though.

And I mean name one DC Metro school that is better than Sidwell in all areas listed above? Gonzaga is already out based on its facilities/location (practically a homeless shelter), academics, college outcomes, and alumni.

Although Gonzaga does host homeless men on their campus for lunch, the campus is quite lovely.





https://imgur.com/Iee4GyW

Wow didn't expect this. Very nice. May need to check this out for my middle schooler.

The location on capital hill is actually prime real estate. Not sure why that other pp took a dig at Gonzaga’s location.

Gonzaga is located in a high crime area. Look it up.

Not sure your point. You can walk to the Capitol building. Politicians and business people traverse that “high crime area” daily, it’s the city…If you prefer a suburban school that’s fine, but doesn’t make it any less prime real estate.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Instead of big 3/5, what is the big 15?! You can’t add or take away schools, only rearrange them. Don’t even think about adding BIM. Sister and brother schools go together.
Criteria: prestige, merit, matriculation, tradition, rivalries, notability, alums, etc.

1. Sidwell
2. NCS and STA
3. GDS
4. Maret
5. Potomac
6. Holton and Landon
7. Bullis
8. Maderia
9. WIS
10. SR and GP
11. SJC
12. Episcopal
13. St Andrews
14. St Stephens St Agnes
15. Visi and Gonzaga

This is the list of 15! Some rearranging could be made with the actual ranking numbers but these are the top 15.

1. STA
2. Sidwell
3. NCS
4. GDS
5. Maret
6. Holton
7. Madiera
8. Potomac
9. Landon
10. Gonzaga
11. Prep
12. St. Johns
13. Bullis
14. St. Anselms
15. St Stephens St Agnes

next 3 would be:
16. Episcopal
17. WIS
18. Field

If Sidwell isn’t #1, then the list is incorrect. I’m not a Sidwell parent (my children attend Catholic independents), but I live in DC and I’m very familiar with how these institutions are perceived.

Prestige depends on the circle you are in. For the old money establishment types STA/NCS for sure are the top.

For more progressive types and less establishment club types - Sidwell or Maret

Newer money more progressive would consider GDS the top

NP. I heard about Sidwell, before moving to DC, when I still lived in LA. If you’re immersed in the world of elite private school education, you’ve probably heard of Sidwell and know it’s considered to be a great school. New money, old money, progressive, regressive—if they care about private school education, they’ve probably heard of Sidwell. That’s much less true of the Cathedral schools.

If we’re basing this on name recognition, you have to put Dematha back on the list. If it’s name recognition outside of DC, the big 3 are Dematha, Sidwell and Gonzaga (in no particular order). If we’re basing this debate on academics, all of the privates in dc have stellar academics and trade teachers so comparing on that alone is silly.

I had never heard of Dematha or Gonzaga before moving to DC because I don’t follow sports closely. Even now, I have no idea where in Maryland the school is located (I know it’s PG, though). I don’t hear much about Gonzaga, unless it’s sports related (specifically, the recent grad who will be drafted by the NFL soon). The reputation ranking of academic institutions, whether it’s high school or college, is based on the ACADEMIC reputation of the school.

Dematha and Gonzaga are not known as academic or intellectual powerhouses. And you’re definitely overstating their national recognition in sports.

People only know about Sidwell b/c of presidents kids tbh. Similarly, St Andrews would’ve never been on any of these lists pre Trump. If we want to look at college acceptances, TJ is the best school in VA and Blair is the best school in MD. I guess Sidwell can be the best school in DC (I’m not as familiar with their public’s) but it wouldn’t hold a candle to TJ or Blair, or even Poolesville for that matter.

What is a Poolesville? Get out of here PP.

Google it. You sound like a fool.

You are the fool. Just the fact that I had to look up the school says enough. "Sidwell wouldn't hold a candle to Poolesville." Do you have their senior insta page or prior year matriculation results ? I would like to see how Sidwell students compare to the Poolesville scholars you speak of!

Once again—Google it. You’ll find lots of information and national rankings to answer all of your questions. Goes to show that people on this forum are incapable of ranking schools based on academics.

We are ranking PRIVATE schools. Did you read the title of this forum?

I did, and it’s a pity that the fan favorite Sidwell is less well known and worse at sports than Dematha, has less notable alumni than Gonzaga, and worse college outcomes than public schools. But hey, whatever you have to tell yourself to make the 60k feel worth it…

Who are Gonzaga’s notable alumni?

Who are Sidwell’s?

First Gonzaga vs Potomac now Gonzaga vs Sidwell. These Gonzaga parents have lost it. You need a reality check ASAP.

This forum needs a reality check. No one is using any real objective metrics to rank any of these schools and it’s full of bias. There is no objective metric that makes Sidwell #1 but for some reason we’re all supposed to accept it as gospel. It doesn’t have the best campus/facilities, price, college outcomes, alumni or sports. People throw these rankings around with no real rigor.

Which DC Private school has better facilities, college outcomes, alumni or sports than Sidwell? I’ll give you price, though.

And I mean name one DC Metro school that is better than Sidwell in all areas listed above? Gonzaga is already out based on its facilities/location (practically a homeless shelter), academics, college outcomes, and alumni.

Although Gonzaga does host homeless men on their campus for lunch, the campus is quite lovely.





https://imgur.com/Iee4GyW

Wow didn't expect this. Very nice. May need to check this out for my middle schooler.

The location on capital hill is actually prime real estate. Not sure why that other pp took a dig at Gonzaga’s location.

Gonzaga is located in a high crime area. Look it up.

+1, Prep is way safer.