What kind of student does well at Sidwell?

[Anonymous]

GDS (particularly in the lower grades) is probably about 50% Jewish, by high school less. Sidwell and Maret, based on the bar/bat mitzvahs our kids went to for friends at both schools, definitely have a sizable minority that is Jewish. Much less so at the Cathedral schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you mean by competitive driven to succeed and excel, then that would apply to the vast majority of kids at Sidwell. If by competitive you mean kids specifically gunning to do better than their classmates or in some way feeling driven to "beat" others, then no. The US does not do "class rank", have a valedictorian, or "cum laude" society or the equivalent (unlike the cathedral schools) or any prize day other than awarding varsity letters for athletic teams. I believe that the very clear prohibition against rankings/prizes/etc is based on Quaker teachings at least originally. In our experience there was little grading on a curve. My DS's class was one of if not the most academically-strong classes in recent history, and it seemed that there was no particular down side in terms of competition for college spots, with a very large group of really top students based on NMSF status/Presidential scholar finalists/other outside of school academic awards all getting into really top schools. So we were pleasantly surprised at how much the school seemed to try to do in the US to avoid kids competing in any direct way against each other.

I'm a parent of 2 recent grads and I agree that the school does much to keep a lid on academic competition among students, but I'd also say that among the students at the top of the class, and maybe particularly among the guys, there's plenty of friendly competition.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you mean by competitive driven to succeed and excel, then that would apply to the vast majority of kids at Sidwell. If by competitive you mean kids specifically gunning to do better than their classmates or in some way feeling driven to "beat" others, then no. The US does not do "class rank", have a valedictorian, or "cum laude" society or the equivalent (unlike the cathedral schools) or any prize day other than awarding varsity letters for athletic teams. I believe that the very clear prohibition against rankings/prizes/etc is based on Quaker teachings at least originally. In our experience there was little grading on a curve. My DS's class was one of if not the most academically-strong classes in recent history, and it seemed that there was no particular down side in terms of competition for college spots, with a very large group of really top students based on NMSF status/Presidential scholar finalists/other outside of school academic awards all getting into really top schools. So we were pleasantly surprised at how much the school seemed to try to do in the US to avoid kids competing in any direct way against each other.

I'm a parent of 2 recent grads and I agree that the school does much to keep a lid on academic competition among students, but I'd also say that among the students at the top of the class, and maybe particularly among the guys, there's plenty of friendly competition.

If a school doesn't actively encourage teamwork (and thus expose itself to the "jock" label) there will be a lot of internal competition. A typical Sidwell student relies on academic success for much of his/her self esteem so there is surely competition, but it isn't like NCS where the moms push the competition to extreme levels.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you mean by competitive driven to succeed and excel, then that would apply to the vast majority of kids at Sidwell. If by competitive you mean kids specifically gunning to do better than their classmates or in some way feeling driven to "beat" others, then no. The US does not do "class rank", have a valedictorian, or "cum laude" society or the equivalent (unlike the cathedral schools) or any prize day other than awarding varsity letters for athletic teams. I believe that the very clear prohibition against rankings/prizes/etc is based on Quaker teachings at least originally. In our experience there was little grading on a curve. My DS's class was one of if not the most academically-strong classes in recent history, and it seemed that there was no particular down side in terms of competition for college spots, with a very large group of really top students based on NMSF status/Presidential scholar finalists/other outside of school academic awards all getting into really top schools. So we were pleasantly surprised at how much the school seemed to try to do in the US to avoid kids competing in any direct way against each other.

I'm a parent of 2 recent grads and I agree that the school does much to keep a lid on academic competition among students, but I'd also say that among the students at the top of the class, and maybe particularly among the guys, there's plenty of friendly competition.

If a school doesn't actively encourage teamwork (and thus expose itself to the "jock" label) there will be a lot of internal competition. A typical Sidwell student relies on academic success for much of his/her self esteem so there is surely competition, but it isn't like NCS where the moms push the competition to extreme levels.

I haven't had a child at NCS, so can't comment on your comparison, but the Sidwell students I'm thinking of (including my own kids) are athletes and derive a fair amount of their self-identity from sports. They're very capable of working in teams academically as well (e.g., through class assignments and national competitions), but they still ike to win and will definitely try to best each other grade-wise. That's not all bad, of course, but for kids who aren't pretty competitive, this aspect of Sidwell culture might be a turn-off.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you mean by competitive driven to succeed and excel, then that would apply to the vast majority of kids at Sidwell. If by competitive you mean kids specifically gunning to do better than their classmates or in some way feeling driven to "beat" others, then no. The US does not do "class rank", have a valedictorian, or "cum laude" society or the equivalent (unlike the cathedral schools) or any prize day other than awarding varsity letters for athletic teams. I believe that the very clear prohibition against rankings/prizes/etc is based on Quaker teachings at least originally. In our experience there was little grading on a curve. My DS's class was one of if not the most academically-strong classes in recent history, and it seemed that there was no particular down side in terms of competition for college spots, with a very large group of really top students based on NMSF status/Presidential scholar finalists/other outside of school academic awards all getting into really top schools. So we were pleasantly surprised at how much the school seemed to try to do in the US to avoid kids competing in any direct way against each other.

I'm a parent of 2 recent grads and I agree that the school does much to keep a lid on academic competition among students, but I'd also say that among the students at the top of the class, and maybe particularly among the guys, there's plenty of friendly competition.

If a school doesn't actively encourage teamwork (and thus expose itself to the "jock" label) there will be a lot of internal competition. A typical Sidwell student relies on academic success for much of his/her self esteem so there is surely competition, but it isn't like NCS where the moms push the competition to extreme levels.

I haven't had a child at NCS, so can't comment on your comparison, but the Sidwell students I'm thinking of (including my own kids) are athletes and derive a fair amount of their self-identity from sports. They're very capable of working in teams academically as well (e.g., through class assignments and national competitions), but they still ike to win and will definitely try to best each other grade-wise. That's not all bad, of course, but for kids who aren't pretty competitive, this aspect of Sidwell culture might be a turn-off.

Did Sidwell have any academic all-Americans this year?

[Anonymous]

No Academic All-Americans, but one big name Villanova basketball recruit:

http://articles.washingtonpost.com/2012-12-25/sports/36016062_1_josh-hart-sidwell-friends-moses

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:New to this forum, but why does Sidwell seem to have a "for nerdy kids" reputation? Never heard this before?

Well, what do you mean by "nerdy"? My kids and their friends are friendly, good conversationalists and have lovely manners. Many of them are really funny. Quite a few are good athletes and/or dedicated musicians or budding artists. They are very much aware of how fortunate they are and tend to be generous and community-minded with a strong impulse to help others. They're unpretentious and love to learn -- not just for a grade or resume value, but because they're curious and thoughtful. I guess this last part makes them look nerdy to some folks; if so, let your nerd flag fly, Sidwell!

Chelsea Clinton is a well known alum. She was a bit awkward in her Sidwell days, but has grown into an impressive young woman.

[Anonymous]

bump

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:bump

How can we help you: do you have a specific question or concern that hasn't been covered so far?

[Anonymous]

As a current (rising) senior at Sidwell, i just wanted to say that the whole idea that Sidwell is a bunch of nerdy kids who feel more comfortable with other nerds is a total fallacy. I am legitimately confused by the people here who say with such certainty that this is true. At school we have a large range of not only interests but personalities, there are partiers, academically oriented kids, athletes, and more, the difference is that at Sidwell, from what i have seen, there is very little bullying. I dont want to attribute this to the Quaker tradition, which i dont really appreciate or like very much, but everyone at Sidwell seems to (for the most part) respect each other and their feelings. To answer OP, Sidwell is for kids who are dedicated and willing to put in the academic effort. Any kid who can succeed academically at sidwell will have a great time in the athletic, social, and extracurricular fields as well.

[Anonymous]

Thanks, PP. It seems like nerdy/geeky is the new cool, and many schools and colleges with intellectual aspirations are trying to rebrand themselves as "geeky" rather than the pejorative-sounding "competitive." Tufts' promotional literature is another exam

[Anonymous]

... another example of this.