Parent Culture at Sidwell vs. GDS (Upper School)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Generally, except for as invented on DCUM, people don't go around at open houses asking where other children have been admitted, with particular emphasis on the "Big 3."

That's not what the PP said happened. They ran into some people repeatedly and recognized them. Still don't see how this is bad form.

We ran into the same set of parents at several Admit events and even a post-admit tour. BFD. No one had to say thing, although at the third time I think someone's husband said, "Having a productive week at work like I am??"

[Anonymous]

As others have observed, once your kids are in HS, you have a lot less contact with other parents. Basically, you get to know the parents of your child's closest friends and parents of kids who participate in the same activity. You might volunteer to support your kid's team or drama production or in some other capacity and that would be another way of becoming acquainted with those parents. Additionally, I'd note that as the student population increases, the "parent culture" becomes more diverse and diffuse. When there are only 20 kids in PK, you know all the parents and you create your own little culture and social system. When there are 130 kids in a high school class, there's not going to be such a cohesive feeling. This has been our experience at SFS anyway.

[Anonymous]

Assume most parents would be a-holes, typical of the NWDC/Bethesda/McLean high earner crowds. Certainly what I saw of the lower school parents.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Assume most parents would be a-holes, typical of the NWDC/Bethesda/McLean high earner crowds. Certainly what I saw of the lower school parents.

McLean, no, but apart from that, this comment is not really any less helpful than any of the others. The post is probably a troll post. Whether it is or isn't, however, it is just plain dumb because there is no "parent culture" in the upper schools of these schools, at least to my knowledge (10th grader at one of them). Pick the school that your kid wants (provided she gets in). Who cares if you are happy? It is not your school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The primary parent relationships are with the school and teachers, not the other parents. It's high school, so as far as our kids are concerned, the less we show up and interact with their friends' parents the better. Other than the parents we knew already, we made no effort to know other parents besides DC's BFF. I know a fair number of parents from work and it is a little weird when you have a professional relationship with the parents and the kids don't like each other.

Haven’t seen that stated before, you certainly hit some truths!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How many students do you think are actually admitted to more than one of Sidwell/GDS/NCS/STA in any given year?

all of them?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How many students do you think are actually admitted to more than one of Sidwell/GDS/NCS/STA in any given year?

all of them?

Of course not, don't be silly. I mean applying to two or three of the schools listed and then getting admitted to two or three of them.

[Anonymous]

Very happy with GDS culture found parents nice and welcoming but agree with other posts- your contact with other parents is limited in HS - better to ask what is the best fit for your child.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We had a 9th grader last year get into each of the Big Three - Sidwell, GDS and NCS/St. Albans. During the accepted students day, we ran into a few kids (and their parents) multiple times as they had also been accepted at more than one Big 3 school. I have no idea what percentage of the total applicant population they (and we) represented.

Wow, what an obnoxious conversation to have!

+1. I can't imagine behaving this way at an open house. I really can't.

I think you misunderstood what she said. She recognized other families that were at the other accepted open houses. She never said she had a discussion with them about it.

[Anonymous]

Hi OP. We're a two income family. Not Uber-wealthy. We love the culture of the GDS high school. (Our kids started GDS in middle school, after a wonderful DCPS public school with a very strong parent community.). The parent culture has been for the most part very warm, friendly, and doesn't feel cutthroat to us at all. We haven't gone through the college application process yet for our kids, so I don't know if it gets weird then, but our experience has been very favorable. Our kids love the HS as well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When you get accepted at both schools your child will be able to revisit the schools to determine which is best for them.

Highly doubt that this is actually possible. Sounds like OP is coming from another private, in which case they'd likely be declaring a first choice before decisions are made so that their current school's outplacement team can lobby hard for that choice accordingly, essentially conceding admission to the second choice. My sense is that the ability to choose between Sidwell and GDS after having been admitted to both is a near-mythical situation that very few applicants likely enjoy in any given year.

Admitted to and chose b/t Blair, GDS, SFS, and STA. Went with SFS after going to all admit events and shadow days.
Little brother only applied to SFS and GDS, went with SFS.

What factors made them choose SFS?

[Anonymous]

I know several families that have one or more children at Sidwell and one or more children at GDS. They are perfectly pleasant parents.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When you get accepted at both schools your child will be able to revisit the schools to determine which is best for them.

Highly doubt that this is actually possible. Sounds like OP is coming from another private, in which case they'd likely be declaring a first choice before decisions are made so that their current school's outplacement team can lobby hard for that choice accordingly, essentially conceding admission to the second choice. My sense is that the ability to choose between Sidwell and GDS after having been admitted to both is a near-mythical situation that very few applicants likely enjoy in any given year.

Admitted to and chose b/t Blair, GDS, SFS, and STA. Went with SFS after going to all admit events and shadow days.
Little brother only applied to SFS and GDS, went with SFS.

What factors made them choose SFS?

What an achievement to PP whose child got into Blair, GDS, SFS and STA. Was it easy for your child to rule out one school or another quickly?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When you get accepted at both schools your child will be able to revisit the schools to determine which is best for them.

Highly doubt that this is actually possible. Sounds like OP is coming from another private, in which case they'd likely be declaring a first choice before decisions are made so that their current school's outplacement team can lobby hard for that choice accordingly, essentially conceding admission to the second choice. My sense is that the ability to choose between Sidwell and GDS after having been admitted to both is a near-mythical situation that very few applicants likely enjoy in any given year.

I know for a fact that Sidwell does offer visit days as does STA.

Agreed that HS is more parent hands off.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We had a 9th grader last year get into each of the Big Three - Sidwell, GDS and NCS/St. Albans. During the accepted students day, we ran into a few kids (and their parents) multiple times as they had also been accepted at more than one Big 3 school. I have no idea what percentage of the total applicant population they (and we) represented.

Wow, what an obnoxious conversation to have!

OP, if your kid is very smart and you are very wealthy they will be accepted everywhere and , yes, you kids will be offered visit days.

Having friends at both, I'd say the flavor can be seen at graduation or at school plays. Anywhere HS kids have to engage in public speaking .

Maybe ask about that,

GDS kids tend to be a little more confident and out there.

Sidwell , just as bright but a little less confident in their own skin