Sidwell Obsession

[Anonymous]

I prefer soccer. I don't swim or play football by the way.

[SAM2]

By the way, let me make clear that I have no particular love for Sidwell. That's why I mentioned St A and NCS too. My own children are far too young for this stuff (happily), and I live in the wrong part of town anyway. I'm just interested in this stuff because I'll be looking at schools for them in a few years.

Are you a TJ student? If so, please give some insight about how it is to go there. I posted a question on the Virginia schools thread a while ago, asking how it is to attend TJ if you are not one of the handful of academic superstars winning all the awards. I'd be interested to hear your thoughts on that, if you are in fact a TJ student.

[Anonymous]

I am not a TJ student and cannot comment on the day to day life of a student at that institution.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:When some loud braggart tries to put me down and say his school is great I tell them right away, now what's the matter buddy ain't you heard of my school? It's #1 in the state!

Be true to your school, just like your true to your girl.

[Anonymous]

Sidwell isn't the gold standard; it's a good school that's worked for our kids, but it has its strengths and weaknesses like all schools. My kids (tween and teens) have friends at a range of public and private schools in the area, all have much to offer -- in many cases, in fact, they provide advantages that Sidwell does not and cannot provide. The problem on DCUM is that many parents buy into the zero-sum mentality -- if not Sidwell, then nothing. Similarly, on the college thread you see this at work as well -- either your kids goes to HYP or he/she can just hang it up as far as a rewarding and happy professional and personal life. It would seem to be common sense that this way of thinking is just nuts, but I know it's easy to buy into this when your kids are involved. Do yourself and them a favor, though, resist the zero-sum mindset and be open to who your kids are and what each school might have to offer them.

[Anonymous]

I can understanding getting a bit obsessed about big name schools. My DS is undergoing the application process now. I feel a lot of anxiety about the biggest name school we have applied to (not any of the big 3: it is St Anselm's). I know he can do just fine if he doesn't get in. But, it will require more work and creativity on my part. The enrichment he would naturally get there, I'll need to provide myself. So, I guess it is a bit selfishness that I feel some anxiety and obsession about my first choice school, but I can not seem to prevent it. There are many paths to enrichment, but some are harder than others (although, the harder paths can given unique gifts, even if you don't appreciate it at the time

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:SAM2: Please tell the readership the whole story. Candidacy is based on SAT scores however these scores will vary from State to State and District. The top 30 SAT scores in Mississippi or
D.C. may be lower than the top 30 SAT scores in MD, MA or VA. The schools you mention compared to TJ and Blair Magnet are all in D.C., correct? If these private schools you site had residential status in VA and MD do you really believe the data you present will stay the same? Hardly. The raw scores and means eliminates this confounder. Thus, if you want to compare SAT scores (a basis for Presidential Scholarship) between schools in 3 States why not just look at the raw scores.

I know one of last years presidential scholar candidates from DC and she had straight 80s/800s. So it's hard to say her scores were lower or higher than the top scores in any other state since she was at the top.

[SAM2]

Anonymous wrote:... Do yourself and them a favor, though, resist the zero-sum mindset and be open to who your kids are and what each school might have to offer them.

ITA with this wise advice. Picking the best school is not like picking the fastest racehorse, where all you care about it the end result based on some measure, and all the other contestants lose. It's a lot more like picking a boyfriend -- the right boyfriend for one person might be completely wrong for another, and each person is going to value different things. There is no universal right or wrong answer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When some loud braggart tries to put me down and say his school is great I tell them right away, now what's the matter buddy ain't you heard of my school? It's #1 in the state!

Be true to your school, just like your true to your girl.

LOL!

[Anonymous]

Cool. The TJ/Blair poster is back. Missed her when everyone got sidetracked onto athletics. (And I am pretty certain the TJ/Blair poster is an adult).

It'S been said before, but TJ and Blair may not be the answer for everyone based on geography (this is called "DCUM" after all) and if your kid is a little Humanities Scholar (relevant to the case of TJ, anyway; I don't know much about the curricular focus at Blair Magnet).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Cool. The TJ/Blair poster is back. Missed her when everyone got sidetracked onto athletics. (And I am pretty certain the TJ/Blair poster is an adult).

It'S been said before, but TJ and Blair may not be the answer for everyone based on geography (this is called "DCUM" after all) and if your kid is a little Humanities Scholar (relevant to the case of TJ, anyway; I don't know much about the curricular focus at Blair Magnet).

It has been a while hasn't it. Wasn't there a LONG discussion on the St Albans thread with her last winter. Glad to know some things don't change. Interesting question though, to tie it all together. Since some people are so critical of Sidwell sports how are TJ sports (not sure Blair counts since most of the kids on the sports teams probably aren't in the magnet program).

[Anonymous]

I think TJ is good at cerebral/self-discipline type sports like crew (excellent program) and maybe X-country?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:SAM2: Please tell the readership the whole story. Candidacy is based on SAT scores however these scores will vary from State to State and District. The top 30 SAT scores in Mississippi or
D.C. may be lower than the top 30 SAT scores in MD, MA or VA. The schools you mention compared to TJ and Blair Magnet are all in D.C., correct? If these private schools you site had residential status in VA and MD do you really believe the data you present will stay the same? Hardly. The raw scores and means eliminates this confounder. Thus, if you want to compare SAT scores (a basis for Presidential Scholarship) between schools in 3 States why not just look at the raw scores.

You're right about Mississippi but wrong about DC. ETS made a policy decision that DC's cut-off would be the the same as the most stringent state standard. (Which, some years, is MD, I think).

[Anonymous]

Undoubtedly, this has to be one of the most sane pieces of advice that I've ever read on this thread. Thank you, Sidwell Parent.

Anonymous wrote:Sidwell isn't the gold standard; it's a good school that's worked for our kids, but it has its strengths and weaknesses like all schools. My kids (tween and teens) have friends at a range of public and private schools in the area, all have much to offer -- in many cases, in fact, they provide advantages that Sidwell does not and cannot provide. The problem on DCUM is that many parents buy into the zero-sum mentality -- if not Sidwell, then nothing. Similarly, on the college thread you see this at work as well -- either your kids goes to HYP or he/she can just hang it up as far as a rewarding and happy professional and personal life. It would seem to be common sense that this way of thinking is just nuts, but I know it's easy to buy into this when your kids are involved. Do yourself and them a favor, though, resist the zero-sum mindset and be open to who your kids are and what each school might have to offer them.

[Anonymous]

The funny thing is instead of addressing the subject of an incomplete education, the sexist poem, the child molester teacher, etc., many Sidwell parents opt for "why are people obsessed with Sidwell" approach.

It reminds me of whenever scandals arise involving Landon, many Landon parents attack the source.