Parent Intensity at Sidwell vs. STA

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Well, it sounds like someone posting with a hidden agenda of dissuading folks from applying to Sidwell (to weed out potential competition for their own kid) has succeeded!

I'm the poster right above you. I was just trying to gauge whether the college admissions incident was a one-off, or indicative of the overall culture at Sidwell relative to other comparable schools.

[Anonymous]

I don't think these stories are legit ---Otherwise, my dd at SFS would have told me about this --nothing gets past her...

[Anonymous]

I think SFS US parents are nice! We've been there four years and like it (as do our children).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There's no strong preference for all boys or not? The schools are actually very different.

Op again: actually no. Our families have positive experiences with both types of environments and do not consider that distinction dispositive at all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Both are great schools. At Sidwell, teacher conferences end after 9th grade. They try to promote student independence which is a good thing.

I think both schools grade too strictly which disadvantage kids who later apply to "top 10" schools --- Even a handful of "B" grades knock you out of consideration at these colleges, unless you have a hook.

Yes, the colleges are aware of strong academics, but when top schools get 50,000+ applications, all bets are off...

Absolutely not true.

[Anonymous]

So how did the actions of the crazy SFS parent trashing their DC’s classmates even become known?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Sidwell parent here with kids in middle and upper. Parent intensity varies by class but its significant --to the point of one parent contacting college admission offices to tell them not to admit certain kids from the class. Parents can be quite covertly intense for their kids claiming often to be hands off which is considered the socially acceptable approach in the school--- but you hear from the kids a completely different story..loads of tutors, lots of parents gossiping about kids and networking with others for contacts, and paying a lot out of pocket for support outside school. Many will claim its not the case but it just is. There are cultural issues with the school and most parents know its being worked on but its not the happiest of places currently. It does seem parents play a role in that. [/quote

Sidwell parents are more confident than GDS parents. Sidwell now has my respect. GDS parents are boosters or call other trolls.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sidwell parent here with kids in middle and upper. Parent intensity varies by class but its significant --to the point of one parent contacting college admission offices to tell them not to admit certain kids from the class. Parents can be quite covertly intense for their kids claiming often to be hands off which is considered the socially acceptable approach in the school--- but you hear from the kids a completely different story..loads of tutors, lots of parents gossiping about kids and networking with others for contacts, and paying a lot out of pocket for support outside school. Many will claim its not the case but it just is. There are cultural issues with the school and most parents know its being worked on but its not the happiest of places currently. It does seem parents play a role in that. [/quote

Sidwell parents are more confident than GDS parents. Sidwell now has my respect. GDS parents are boosters or call other trolls.

Wow... and I thought getting shanked in the bathroom at Wilson was the most dangerous thing that could befall a DC teen

Who knew .... its a Sidwell Mom who has her eye on Penn or Princeton .

[Anonymous]

Wow... and I thought getting shanked in the bathroom at Wilson was the most dangerous thing that could befall a DC teen

Who knew .... its a Sidwell Mom who has her eye on Penn or Princeton

[Anonymous]

Based on this thread, I think you should send your DS to St. Albans.

[Anonymous]

On the other hand, St. Alban's also comes with its own set of problems.

[Anonymous]

Is there anyone on here who got accepted to SFS and STA? What grade? Which way are you leaning?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is there anyone on here who got accepted to SFS and STA? What grade? Which way are you leaning?

Yes. Leaning toward STA.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is there anyone on here who got accepted to SFS and STA? What grade? Which way are you leaning?

Yes. Leaning toward STA.

What's your thought process? Struggling with this here.

[Anonymous]

Your kids should go to each school for the day --- I am certain they will develop a preference for one school