GDS claims 30% non-white students but I didn't see them

[Anonymous]

When we got the tour recently I think I saw three AA Students and maybe one Asian during a full hour visiting classrooms and common areas at the HS. IS GDS more diverse in lower grades, or is what they consider a "person of color" anyone with a non-WASP grandparent? I was hoping to see their professed value of social justice demonstrated by their student population, but it just wasn't there. Made me uncomfortable to imagine my DS, who is accustomed to majority minority environments, to have an English class with ALL white classmates, especially reading "Beloved"!
I know, I know, if I want an environment which reflects social justice and diversity, don't choose private school. I guess I was just hoping for better. Do they know how hypocritical it makes them appear?

[Anonymous]

GDS is not hypocritical. You will not find another private school in DC, MD or VA that is more committed to diversity. I cannot explain why you did not witness the diversity first hand during your tour. Perhaps, if you are still interested in applying to GDS, you should contact the Office of Admissions and voice your concerns directly with them. Otherwise, you could enroll your DC in one of the area's public schools.

[Anonymous]

My kids don't go to GDS, but rather to another school that has very similar diversity metrics. If OP claims she only saw four non-white students out of any significant sample size, I'd say that's an incredible coincidence, or OP is telling tales. I'm guessing the latter.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Perhaps hypocritical is too strong a word? Silly might be better. It makes them look silly and naive to talk so broadly of inclusion, diversity and social justice but not demonstrate that in the student population. I guess it just boils down to money, sadly. SFS can get greater diversity because of deeper pockets. But it makes you wonder why schools who loudly proclaim a commitment to diversity have raised their tuition almost 90% in 12 years.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Perhaps hypocritical is too strong a word? Silly might be better. It makes them look silly and naive to talk so broadly of inclusion, diversity and social justice but not demonstrate that in the student population. I guess it just boils down to money, sadly. SFS can get greater diversity because of deeper pockets. But it makes you wonder why schools who loudly proclaim a commitment to diversity have raised their tuition almost 90% in 12 years.

not a GDS parent (or student!) but you sound equally as silly getting this worked up over and assuming a lot over what seems like a weird coincidence. Have friends with kids at GDS and it is certainly more diverse than what you saw.

[Anonymous]

19:39 again. Here is a pic of (I think) last year's graduating class. You can judge diversity for yourself. https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/the-one-million-strong-tour

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Perhaps hypocritical is too strong a word? Silly might be better. It makes them look silly and naive to talk so broadly of inclusion, diversity and social justice but not demonstrate that in the student population. I guess it just boils down to money, sadly. SFS can get greater diversity because of deeper pockets. But it makes you wonder why schools who loudly proclaim a commitment to diversity have raised their tuition almost 90% in 12 years.

not a GDS parent (or student!) but you sound equally as silly getting this worked up over and assuming a lot over what seems like a weird coincidence. Have friends with kids at GDS and it is certainly more diverse than what you saw.

PP, I think OP is trolling here. Last two sentences in her 'graph above lead me to that conclusion.

[Anonymous]

I find it offensive that you believe that financial aid is what drives diversity. We are a family of color paying full freight, and really don't understand why you would want to pay to attend a diverse school if diversity to you means poor non-white folks. Is that what you want to teach your kids?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I find it offensive that you believe that financial aid is what drives diversity. We are a family of color paying full freight, and really don't understand why you would want to pay to attend a diverse school if diversity to you means poor non-white folks. Is that what you want to teach your kids?

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:19:39 again. Here is a pic of (I think) last year's graduating class. You can judge diversity for yourself. https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/the-one-million-strong-tour

That class looks pretty diverse.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:19:39 again. Here is a pic of (I think) last year's graduating class. You can judge diversity for yourself. https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/the-one-million-strong-tour

That class looks pretty diverse.

Yes, that's why I think OP is trolling. There's no way one can visit GDS' high school and think the student body is homogeneous. There are a lot of GDS haters out there. OP may be one of them.

[Anonymous]

Some have an absence of color (are not white), so it's not surprising that you didn't see them. They're almost invisible.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Yes, I did pick up on some auras, so perhaps those were the invisible students you mention. I was able to visit GDS and to come away with the impression that the student body is strikingly homogenous at the HS level. Perhaps those convinced of the opposite should go visit a school with actual diversity, such as Deal or many of DC's charter schools, just in order to reacquaint themselves with what people of color look like. No one expects private schools to offer real diversity because they have made themselves so wildly economically exclusive as to preclude that. But then schools need to stop congratulating themselves on their social justice and diversity sensitivity, and manipulating it as some kind of marketing ploy, unless they can really walk the walk.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:GDS is not hypocritical. You will not find another private school in DC, MD or VA that is more committed to diversity. I cannot explain why you did not witness the diversity first hand during your tour. Perhaps, if you are still interested in applying to GDS, you should contact the Office of Admissions and voice your concerns directly with them. Otherwise, you could enroll your DC in one of the area's public schools.

Oh my gosh you GDS people are SO full of your selves!! I bet you might actually find a school in DC more committed to diversity than GDS but you people will never see it because you can't see past your own noses. The attitude of both the kids and the parents from this school is so offputting.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:GDS is not hypocritical. You will not find another private school in DC, MD or VA that is more committed to diversity. I cannot explain why you did not witness the diversity first hand during your tour. Perhaps, if you are still interested in applying to GDS, you should contact the Office of Admissions and voice your concerns directly with them. Otherwise, you could enroll your DC in one of the area's public schools.

Oh my gosh you GDS people are SO full of your selves!! I bet you might actually find a school in DC more committed to diversity than GDS but you people will never see it because you can't see past your own noses. The attitude of both the kids and the parents from this school is so offputting.

LOL. Sorry your kid didn't get in.