St Albans vs Sidwell

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They are very different schools. Either would be good for a “bright” boy, so you’re going to have to figure out the best fit on your own. As a pp said, start with co-ed vs single-sex, it’s a blatant differentiator.

Can we once and for all put a rest to the redundant term “very different,” especially when describing two $50,000 a year private schools located a mile apart in leafy NW DC?

They are not “very different.” They may be somewhat different, but they are more alike than people who want to sing the praises of the plethora of schools in this area want to concede. OP don’t be an idiot. They are both full of “bright boys,” another meaningless term.

NP. They are different though. Even socially the kids at STA and Sidwell do not mix at all socially. Single sex schools tend to know each their and mix at parties more. My kids are at one of these schools and these schools do not mix socially and do not know each other. Different social worlds, communities etc…

How different could the social worlds and communities possibly be at these two schools??

Night and day. They don't mix. STA tends to be more club related and more conservative and preppy overall and Sidwell is not. We are at one of these schools and we do not ever see any parents at the other school but see parents and many other schools in DC. These two communities have zero overlap.

Another poster who says this is absolutely not our experience. My sons at one of these schools have lots of friends at the other and we have many parent friends at both.

Those of you who seem so adamant that there is “zero overlap” either don’t know who your kids’ friends are and who they are hanging out with, or your kids are outliers.

Maybe in your case but have two kids and have actually asked flat out about Sidwell and GDS and they said they do not hang out with any kids from there and they do not attend any of their parties and vice versa. I know who my kids hang out with and it is not Sidwell, GDS, or Maret.

Anyone surprised that this is an STA parent?

[Anonymous]

The "no overlap" thing is not true in our case either. I have kids at both NCS and STA and they have friends at Sidwell.

None of these high schoolers have a ton of time to hang out with kids from other schools. Heck, they don't have time to hang out with kids from their own schools. But there is no hostility. They mix just fine. Many of them grew up going to feeder schools together, their parents are friends, etc.

Typical DCUM is spreading drama and untruths.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They are very different schools. Either would be good for a “bright” boy, so you’re going to have to figure out the best fit on your own. As a pp said, start with co-ed vs single-sex, it’s a blatant differentiator.

Can we once and for all put a rest to the redundant term “very different,” especially when describing two $50,000 a year private schools located a mile apart in leafy NW DC?

They are not “very different.” They may be somewhat different, but they are more alike than people who want to sing the praises of the plethora of schools in this area want to concede. OP don’t be an idiot. They are both full of “bright boys,” another meaningless term.

NP. They are different though. Even socially the kids at STA and Sidwell do not mix at all socially. Single sex schools tend to know each their and mix at parties more. My kids are at one of these schools and these schools do not mix socially and do not know each other. Different social worlds, communities etc…

How different could the social worlds and communities possibly be at these two schools??

Night and day. They don't mix. STA tends to be more club related and more conservative and preppy overall and Sidwell is not. We are at one of these schools and we do not ever see any parents at the other school but see parents and many other schools in DC. These two communities have zero overlap.

Another poster who says this is absolutely not our experience. My sons at one of these schools have lots of friends at the other and we have many parent friends at both.

Those of you who seem so adamant that there is “zero overlap” either don’t know who your kids’ friends are and who they are hanging out with, or your kids are outliers.

Maybe in your case but have two kids and have actually asked flat out about Sidwell and GDS and they said they do not hang out with any kids from there and they do not attend any of their parties and vice versa. I know who my kids hang out with and it is not Sidwell, GDS, or Maret.

Anyone surprised that this is an STA parent?

I am the parent and it was not meant as an insult to those schools. Those are the other top schools imo besides NCS so I am always curious as to why there is not much interaction but in our experience there is not. I personally think it is because they tend to hang out with single sex schools more often - especially other single sex girls schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The "no overlap" thing is not true in our case either. I have kids at both NCS and STA and they have friends at Sidwell.

None of these high schoolers have a ton of time to hang out with kids from other schools. Heck, they don't have time to hang out with kids from their own schools. But there is no hostility. They mix just fine. Many of them grew up going to feeder schools together, their parents are friends, etc.

Typical DCUM is spreading drama and untruths.

No one said there is any hostility. They are just not in the same social circles. That’s true in our case for two kids.

My kids hang out with other kids a lot on the weekends. That is strange and a bit sad that yours do not. They should be - they are teens!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They are very different schools. Either would be good for a “bright” boy, so you’re going to have to figure out the best fit on your own. As a pp said, start with co-ed vs single-sex, it’s a blatant differentiator.

Can we once and for all put a rest to the redundant term “very different,” especially when describing two $50,000 a year private schools located a mile apart in leafy NW DC?

They are not “very different.” They may be somewhat different, but they are more alike than people who want to sing the praises of the plethora of schools in this area want to concede. OP don’t be an idiot. They are both full of “bright boys,” another meaningless term.

NP. They are different though. Even socially the kids at STA and Sidwell do not mix at all socially. Single sex schools tend to know each their and mix at parties more. My kids are at one of these schools and these schools do not mix socially and do not know each other. Different social worlds, communities etc…

How different could the social worlds and communities possibly be at these two schools??

Night and day. They don't mix. STA tends to be more club related and more conservative and preppy overall and Sidwell is not. We are at one of these schools and we do not ever see any parents at the other school but see parents and many other schools in DC. These two communities have zero overlap.

Another poster who says this is absolutely not our experience. My sons at one of these schools have lots of friends at the other and we have many parent friends at both.

Those of you who seem so adamant that there is “zero overlap” either don’t know who your kids’ friends are and who they are hanging out with, or your kids are outliers.

Maybe in your case but have two kids and have actually asked flat out about Sidwell and GDS and they said they do not hang out with any kids from there and they do not attend any of their parties and vice versa. I know who my kids hang out with and it is not Sidwell, GDS, or Maret.

Anyone surprised that this is an STA parent?

I am the parent and it was not meant as an insult to those schools. Those are the other top schools imo besides NCS so I am always curious as to why there is not much interaction but in our experience there is not. I personally think it is because they tend to hang out with single sex schools more often - especially other single sex girls schools.

Perhaps your kids are shy or more introverted, but mine at one of these schools absolutely hangs with kids from the other. They are friends from back in elementary school days, church and rec sports teams.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They are very different schools. Either would be good for a “bright” boy, so you’re going to have to figure out the best fit on your own. As a pp said, start with co-ed vs single-sex, it’s a blatant differentiator.

Can we once and for all put a rest to the redundant term “very different,” especially when describing two $50,000 a year private schools located a mile apart in leafy NW DC?

They are not “very different.” They may be somewhat different, but they are more alike than people who want to sing the praises of the plethora of schools in this area want to concede. OP don’t be an idiot. They are both full of “bright boys,” another meaningless term.

NP. They are different though. Even socially the kids at STA and Sidwell do not mix at all socially. Single sex schools tend to know each their and mix at parties more. My kids are at one of these schools and these schools do not mix socially and do not know each other. Different social worlds, communities etc…

How different could the social worlds and communities possibly be at these two schools??

Night and day. They don't mix. STA tends to be more club related and more conservative and preppy overall and Sidwell is not. We are at one of these schools and we do not ever see any parents at the other school but see parents and many other schools in DC. These two communities have zero overlap.

Another poster who says this is absolutely not our experience. My sons at one of these schools have lots of friends at the other and we have many parent friends at both.

Those of you who seem so adamant that there is “zero overlap” either don’t know who your kids’ friends are and who they are hanging out with, or your kids are outliers.

Maybe in your case but have two kids and have actually asked flat out about Sidwell and GDS and they said they do not hang out with any kids from there and they do not attend any of their parties and vice versa. I know who my kids hang out with and it is not Sidwell, GDS, or Maret.

Anyone surprised that this is an STA parent?

I am the parent and it was not meant as an insult to those schools. Those are the other top schools imo besides NCS so I am always curious as to why there is not much interaction but in our experience there is not. I personally think it is because they tend to hang out with single sex schools more often - especially other single sex girls schools.

Perhaps your kids are shy or more introverted, but mine at one of these schools absolutely hangs with kids from the other. They are friends from back in elementary school days, church and rec sports teams.

Nope not at all they are quite social and have friends from all different schools and go to proms, winter formals and homecomings at pretty much all the single sex schools. They just don’t mix with Sidwell or GDS kids and neither do any of their friends.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They are very different schools. Either would be good for a “bright” boy, so you’re going to have to figure out the best fit on your own. As a pp said, start with co-ed vs single-sex, it’s a blatant differentiator.

Can we once and for all put a rest to the redundant term “very different,” especially when describing two $50,000 a year private schools located a mile apart in leafy NW DC?

They are not “very different.” They may be somewhat different, but they are more alike than people who want to sing the praises of the plethora of schools in this area want to concede. OP don’t be an idiot. They are both full of “bright boys,” another meaningless term.

NP. They are different though. Even socially the kids at STA and Sidwell do not mix at all socially. Single sex schools tend to know each their and mix at parties more. My kids are at one of these schools and these schools do not mix socially and do not know each other. Different social worlds, communities etc…

How different could the social worlds and communities possibly be at these two schools??

Night and day. They don't mix. STA tends to be more club related and more conservative and preppy overall and Sidwell is not. We are at one of these schools and we do not ever see any parents at the other school but see parents and many other schools in DC. These two communities have zero overlap.

Another poster who says this is absolutely not our experience. My sons at one of these schools have lots of friends at the other and we have many parent friends at both.

Those of you who seem so adamant that there is “zero overlap” either don’t know who your kids’ friends are and who they are hanging out with, or your kids are outliers.

Maybe in your case but have two kids and have actually asked flat out about Sidwell and GDS and they said they do not hang out with any kids from there and they do not attend any of their parties and vice versa. I know who my kids hang out with and it is not Sidwell, GDS, or Maret.

Anyone surprised that this is an STA parent?

I am the parent and it was not meant as an insult to those schools. Those are the other top schools imo besides NCS so I am always curious as to why there is not much interaction but in our experience there is not. I personally think it is because they tend to hang out with single sex schools more often - especially other single sex girls schools.

Perhaps your kids are shy or more introverted, but mine at one of these schools absolutely hangs with kids from the other. They are friends from back in elementary school days, church and rec sports teams.

Nope not at all they are quite social and have friends from all different schools and go to proms, winter formals and homecomings at pretty much all the single sex schools. They just don’t mix with Sidwell or GDS kids and neither do any of their friends.

DP. Same here my kids said they don’t know any Sidwell or GDS kids either but they know lots of kids from other schools. I agree it is a coed thing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They are very different schools. Either would be good for a “bright” boy, so you’re going to have to figure out the best fit on your own. As a pp said, start with co-ed vs single-sex, it’s a blatant differentiator.

Can we once and for all put a rest to the redundant term “very different,” especially when describing two $50,000 a year private schools located a mile apart in leafy NW DC?

They are not “very different.” They may be somewhat different, but they are more alike than people who want to sing the praises of the plethora of schools in this area want to concede. OP don’t be an idiot. They are both full of “bright boys,” another meaningless term.

NP. They are different though. Even socially the kids at STA and Sidwell do not mix at all socially. Single sex schools tend to know each their and mix at parties more. My kids are at one of these schools and these schools do not mix socially and do not know each other. Different social worlds, communities etc…

How different could the social worlds and communities possibly be at these two schools??

Night and day. They don't mix. STA tends to be more club related and more conservative and preppy overall and Sidwell is not. We are at one of these schools and we do not ever see any parents at the other school but see parents and many other schools in DC. These two communities have zero overlap.

Another poster who says this is absolutely not our experience. My sons at one of these schools have lots of friends at the other and we have many parent friends at both.

Those of you who seem so adamant that there is “zero overlap” either don’t know who your kids’ friends are and who they are hanging out with, or your kids are outliers.

Maybe in your case but have two kids and have actually asked flat out about Sidwell and GDS and they said they do not hang out with any kids from there and they do not attend any of their parties and vice versa. I know who my kids hang out with and it is not Sidwell, GDS, or Maret.

Anyone surprised that this is an STA parent?

I am the parent and it was not meant as an insult to those schools. Those are the other top schools imo besides NCS so I am always curious as to why there is not much interaction but in our experience there is not. I personally think it is because they tend to hang out with single sex schools more often - especially other single sex girls schools.

Perhaps your kids are shy or more introverted, but mine at one of these schools absolutely hangs with kids from the other. They are friends from back in elementary school days, church and rec sports teams.

Nope not at all they are quite social and have friends from all different schools and go to proms, winter formals and homecomings at pretty much all the single sex schools. They just don’t mix with Sidwell or GDS kids and neither do any of their friends.

Sure. Whatever you say.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The "no overlap" thing is not true in our case either. I have kids at both NCS and STA and they have friends at Sidwell.

None of these high schoolers have a ton of time to hang out with kids from other schools. Heck, they don't have time to hang out with kids from their own schools. But there is no hostility. They mix just fine. Many of them grew up going to feeder schools together, their parents are friends, etc.

Typical DCUM is spreading drama and untruths.

That is strange and not our experience for our highschool age kids. During the week yes they are busy but the weekends should be for fun! You need to adjust priorities.

[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:They are very different schools. Either would be good for a “bright” boy, so you’re going to have to figure out the best fit on your own. As a pp said, start with co-ed vs single-sex, it’s a blatant differentiator.

Can we once and for all put a rest to the redundant term “very different,” especially when describing two $50,000 a year private schools located a mile apart in leafy NW DC?

They are not “very different.” They may be somewhat different, but they are more alike than people who want to sing the praises of the plethora of schools in this area want to concede. OP don’t be an idiot. They are both full of “bright boys,” another meaningless term.

NP. They are different though. Even socially the kids at STA and Sidwell do not mix at all socially. Single sex schools tend to know each their and mix at parties more. My kids are at one of these schools and these schools do not mix socially and do not know each other. Different social worlds, communities etc…

How different could the social worlds and communities possibly be at these two schools??

Night and day. They don't mix. STA tends to be more club related and more conservative and preppy overall and Sidwell is not. We are at one of these schools and we do not ever see any parents at the other school but see parents and many other schools in DC. These two communities have zero overlap.

Another poster who says this is absolutely not our experience. My sons at one of these schools have lots of friends at the other and we have many parent friends at both.

Those of you who seem so adamant that there is “zero overlap” either don’t know who your kids’ friends are and who they are hanging out with, or your kids are outliers.

Maybe in your case but have two kids and have actually asked flat out about Sidwell and GDS and they said they do not hang out with any kids from there and they do not attend any of their parties and vice versa. I know who my kids hang out with and it is not Sidwell, GDS, or Maret.

Anyone surprised that this is an STA parent?

I am the parent and it was not meant as an insult to those schools. Those are the other top schools imo besides NCS so I am always curious as to why there is not much interaction but in our experience there is not. I personally think it is because they tend to hang out with single sex schools more often - especially other single sex girls schools.

Perhaps your kids are shy or more introverted, but mine at one of these schools absolutely hangs with kids from the other. They are friends from back in elementary school days, church and rec sports teams.

Nope not at all they are quite social and have friends from all different schools and go to proms, winter formals and homecomings at pretty much all the single sex schools. They just don’t mix with Sidwell or GDS kids and neither do any of their friends.

Sure. Whatever you say.

It’s true. Not sure why you are so invested in saying it is not true.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They are very different schools. Either would be good for a “bright” boy, so you’re going to have to figure out the best fit on your own. As a pp said, start with co-ed vs single-sex, it’s a blatant differentiator.

Can we once and for all put a rest to the redundant term “very different,” especially when describing two $50,000 a year private schools located a mile apart in leafy NW DC?

They are not “very different.” They may be somewhat different, but they are more alike than people who want to sing the praises of the plethora of schools in this area want to concede. OP don’t be an idiot. They are both full of “bright boys,” another meaningless term.

NP. They are different though. Even socially the kids at STA and Sidwell do not mix at all socially. Single sex schools tend to know each their and mix at parties more. My kids are at one of these schools and these schools do not mix socially and do not know each other. Different social worlds, communities etc…

How different could the social worlds and communities possibly be at these two schools??

Night and day. They don't mix. STA tends to be more club related and more conservative and preppy overall and Sidwell is not. We are at one of these schools and we do not ever see any parents at the other school but see parents and many other schools in DC. These two communities have zero overlap.

Another poster who says this is absolutely not our experience. My sons at one of these schools have lots of friends at the other and we have many parent friends at both.

Those of you who seem so adamant that there is “zero overlap” either don’t know who your kids’ friends are and who they are hanging out with, or your kids are outliers.

Maybe in your case but have two kids and have actually asked flat out about Sidwell and GDS and they said they do not hang out with any kids from there and they do not attend any of their parties and vice versa. I know who my kids hang out with and it is not Sidwell, GDS, or Maret.

Anyone surprised that this is an STA parent?

I am the parent and it was not meant as an insult to those schools. Those are the other top schools imo besides NCS so I am always curious as to why there is not much interaction but in our experience there is not. I personally think it is because they tend to hang out with single sex schools more often - especially other single sex girls schools.

Perhaps your kids are shy or more introverted, but mine at one of these schools absolutely hangs with kids from the other. They are friends from back in elementary school days, church and rec sports teams.

+1. We have kids from all of these schools at our house often. But, we live pretty close in so it’s convenient to be here. The kids who keep more to themselves with just school friends live farther out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They are very different schools. Either would be good for a “bright” boy, so you’re going to have to figure out the best fit on your own. As a pp said, start with co-ed vs single-sex, it’s a blatant differentiator.

Can we once and for all put a rest to the redundant term “very different,” especially when describing two $50,000 a year private schools located a mile apart in leafy NW DC?

They are not “very different.” They may be somewhat different, but they are more alike than people who want to sing the praises of the plethora of schools in this area want to concede. OP don’t be an idiot. They are both full of “bright boys,” another meaningless term.

NP. They are different though. Even socially the kids at STA and Sidwell do not mix at all socially. Single sex schools tend to know each their and mix at parties more. My kids are at one of these schools and these schools do not mix socially and do not know each other. Different social worlds, communities etc…

How different could the social worlds and communities possibly be at these two schools??

Night and day. They don't mix. STA tends to be more club related and more conservative and preppy overall and Sidwell is not. We are at one of these schools and we do not ever see any parents at the other school but see parents and many other schools in DC. These two communities have zero overlap.

Another poster who says this is absolutely not our experience. My sons at one of these schools have lots of friends at the other and we have many parent friends at both.

Those of you who seem so adamant that there is “zero overlap” either don’t know who your kids’ friends are and who they are hanging out with, or your kids are outliers.

Maybe in your case but have two kids and have actually asked flat out about Sidwell and GDS and they said they do not hang out with any kids from there and they do not attend any of their parties and vice versa. I know who my kids hang out with and it is not Sidwell, GDS, or Maret.

Anyone surprised that this is an STA parent?

I am the parent and it was not meant as an insult to those schools. Those are the other top schools imo besides NCS so I am always curious as to why there is not much interaction but in our experience there is not. I personally think it is because they tend to hang out with single sex schools more often - especially other single sex girls schools.

Perhaps your kids are shy or more introverted, but mine at one of these schools absolutely hangs with kids from the other. They are friends from back in elementary school days, church and rec sports teams.

+1. We have kids from all of these schools at our house often. But, we live pretty close in so it’s convenient to be here. The kids who keep more to themselves with just school friends live farther out.

My daughter is also at a single sex school and has lots of girls over from all other single sex schools but does not know or socialize with Sidwell kids either. They don’t know one another or at least not enough to attend the same parties.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The "no overlap" thing is not true in our case either. I have kids at both NCS and STA and they have friends at Sidwell.

None of these high schoolers have a ton of time to hang out with kids from other schools. Heck, they don't have time to hang out with kids from their own schools. But there is no hostility. They mix just fine. Many of them grew up going to feeder schools together, their parents are friends, etc.

Typical DCUM is spreading drama and untruths.

No one said there is any hostility. They are just not in the same social circles. That’s true in our case for two kids.

My kids hang out with other kids a lot on the weekends. That is strange and a bit sad that yours do not. They should be - they are teens!

This. They just are not in the same social world. Different social groups.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The "no overlap" thing is not true in our case either. I have kids at both NCS and STA and they have friends at Sidwell.

None of these high schoolers have a ton of time to hang out with kids from other schools. Heck, they don't have time to hang out with kids from their own schools. But there is no hostility. They mix just fine. Many of them grew up going to feeder schools together, their parents are friends, etc.

Typical DCUM is spreading drama and untruths.

No one said there is any hostility. They are just not in the same social circles. That’s true in our case for two kids.

My kids hang out with other kids a lot on the weekends. That is strange and a bit sad that yours do not. They should be - they are teens!

This. They just are not in the same social world. Different social groups.

Fascinating that parents are actually arguing here about this.

It’s seems pretty clear from reading this thread that some kids and parents at STA/ Sidwell socialize together and others keep more to themselves. Does that shock anyone?

Do we need to continue this poll?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The "no overlap" thing is not true in our case either. I have kids at both NCS and STA and they have friends at Sidwell.

None of these high schoolers have a ton of time to hang out with kids from other schools. Heck, they don't have time to hang out with kids from their own schools. But there is no hostility. They mix just fine. Many of them grew up going to feeder schools together, their parents are friends, etc.

Typical DCUM is spreading drama and untruths.

No one said there is any hostility. They are just not in the same social circles. That’s true in our case for two kids.

My kids hang out with other kids a lot on the weekends. That is strange and a bit sad that yours do not. They should be - they are teens!

This. They just are not in the same social world. Different social groups.

Fascinating that parents are actually arguing here about this.

It’s seems pretty clear from reading this thread that some kids and parents at STA/ Sidwell socialize together and others keep more to themselves. Does that shock anyone?

Do we need to continue this poll?

DP. OP and others asked about differences and they are very different communities, different social groups, very different schools in pretty much all ways except they both have really smart kids! Out of all of my children’s friends at STA maybe only two even applied or looked at Sidwell or GDS. The other schools they were looking at were Prep, Landon, Gonzaga and boarding schools. It answers the question on how these two schools are very very different. Ask a school counselor about the schools and they will tell you they are very different except they both are top academic schools in the area.