Question for Sidwell Parents

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We have a lot of friends in that grade. the 8th grade boys we know are very nice kids and very talented athletically.

How would a non-sporty boy with other interests (music, newspaper, stem) do?

Upper school has a robust music program with both orchestra and jazz ensamble, the program director is outstanding. The newspaper is award-winning and has been for decades and in terms of STEM, there is a healthy Comp Sci offering including Engineering and a good robotics program.

but how about fitting into the current 8th grade class for this sort of boy?

I’m the PP with a daughter. There are plenty of non-sporty boys who do other things. I’d even say the sporty boy types are a minority. And even the sporty ones are ultimately just dorky middle schoolers who happen to like sports. Every kid has his/her own thing. They all seem to get along well even if they are into different things.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We have a lot of friends in that grade. the 8th grade boys we know are very nice kids and very talented athletically.

How would a non-sporty boy with other interests (music, newspaper, stem) do?

Upper school has a robust music program with both orchestra and jazz ensamble, the program director is outstanding. The newspaper is award-winning and has been for decades and in terms of STEM, there is a healthy Comp Sci offering including Engineering and a good robotics program.

but how about fitting into the current 8th grade class for this sort of boy?

I’m the PP with a daughter. There are plenty of non-sporty boys who do other things. I’d even say the sporty boy types are a minority. And even the sporty ones are ultimately just dorky middle schoolers who happen to like sports. Every kid has his/her own thing. They all seem to get along well even if they are into different things.

thanks

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sidwell is fine as long as you don't expect it to produce miracles for college admissions.

+1

what is the miracle school for college admissions?

There is none, of course, but many parents at SFS are believers.

[Anonymous]

And all the threads about the college counseling office suggest that when the parents are inevitably disappointed, they hold the office accountable. Life on the fast lane is fun.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sidwell is fine as long as you don't expect it to produce miracles for college admissions.

+1

what is the miracle school for college admissions?

There is none, of course, but many parents at SFS are believers.

I can’t say none but many parents believe is definitely not true. Apparently you are not a SFS parent

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sidwell is fine as long as you don't expect it to produce miracles for college admissions.

+1

what is the miracle school for college admissions?

There is none, of course, but many parents at SFS are believers.

I wouldn't say "many" but rather "some" - just like any school. The competition for college is ridiculous compared to any time in the past., especially anything in the "top" 20 or 30 schools. Going to a school is not a panacea for college admissions. But it is for college preparation and a foundation for lifetime learning. Just like every other school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It was the only school that offered DC a spot coming from a K-8. Rejected/waitlisted at STA, GDS, WIS and Maret

This was for 9th? Wow.

In retrospect, I think the admission offices have some knowledge or communication with other admission offices. At least for 9th grade. Not in all cases or even many, but in this instance I think the not-Sidwell schools knew DC would accept at Sidwell if offered a spot and so didn’t waste an offer.

[Anonymous]

This doesn’t make any sense, but whatever makes you feel better...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It was the only school that offered DC a spot coming from a K-8. Rejected/waitlisted at STA, GDS, WIS and Maret

This was for 9th? Wow.

In retrospect, I think the admission offices have some knowledge or communication with other admission offices. At least for 9th grade. Not in all cases or even many, but in this instance I think the not-Sidwell schools knew DC would accept at Sidwell if offered a spot and so didn’t waste an offer.

Was there a sibling involved? or alum or faculty status?

I think that schools sometimes waitlist or outright reject otherwise strong candidates if a younger sibling is applying to the older sibling's school/parent's alma mater/etc. because the assumption is that the applicant will go to the same school as the older sibling. This would be especially true of there isn't any obvious reason (e.g., younger DS plays football, and GDS doesn't have a football team) why the parents would split up the kids and send them to different schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It was the only school that offered DC a spot coming from a K-8. Rejected/waitlisted at STA, GDS, WIS and Maret

This was for 9th? Wow.

In retrospect, I think the admission offices have some knowledge or communication with other admission offices. At least for 9th grade. Not in all cases or even many, but in this instance I think the not-Sidwell schools knew DC would accept at Sidwell if offered a spot and so didn’t waste an offer.

If financial aid is involved, this could be illegal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sidwell is fine as long as you don't expect it to produce miracles for college admissions.

+1

what is the miracle school for college admissions?

There is none, of course, but many parents at SFS are believers.

I can’t say none but many parents believe is definitely not true. Apparently you are not a SFS parent

Sorry to disappoint you, but I have had two kids graduate and have 1 there now.