What's the difference between St Johns and GDS?
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Anonymous
GDS awards financial aid and this is given primarily to PoC. St. John’s tuition is half or less that of GDS but also awards financial aid. SJCHS is much larger and there is a significant population of very affluent people. I find it to be more of a mix - like public schools should be (but aren’t always). Huge difference is that GDS was closed for nearly all of the pandemic, with classes meeting virtually. SJCHS was open most of the time, or with a hybrid schedule. GDS students call teachers by first name; SJCHS uses formal address. GDS kids tend to be very outspoken, can appear argumentative as they adjust to school. Lots of competitiveness. SJC kids tend to be outwardly respectful and polite. |
Anonymous
GDS does not have a " top running program" LOL.... its in the Private school league, which is super easy. |
Anonymous
They both compete in DCSAA. It would seem SJC girls individually perform slightly better than GDS, especially after they lost their top girl last year. Doesn’t really say much though since it’s very much an individual sport (with exception of relays). https://www.dcsaasports.org/page/show/3453915-outdoor-track-and-field |
Anonymous
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Both are good schools, but attract students with different priorities.
GDS is a stronger school academically; St. Johns is a stronger school athletically. GDS is very progressive; St. John's is more traditional. GDS is PK-12,; St. John's is 9-12. They are geographically only about two miles apart from each other, but St. John's is more like a suburban HS, and GDS feels more urban. Both are pretty diverse schools. |
Anonymous
+1 It would be helpful to know the sport. For instance, the baseball coach was enough to cross this school off our list. Didn't want to be at the mercy of this one guy for travel and high school. Would never EVER hop into that program. For other sports, make sure you're realistic about your kid before assuming they'll make the team. Not a school where you casually play three sports. |
Anonymous
This is us too. We applied but not thrilled with the baseball coach and his reputation. My DD also plays football as his main sport but he wants to play baseball too and not willing to play year round for this guy (which is what we’ve been told to expect). |
Anonymous
St. John’s I don’t think GDS is as athletic focused |
Anonymous
| OP, I just want to make sure you have a backup plan. If you are only applying to two schools, are you comfortable with your public option if he doesn't get in? I don't know if you are coming from a place where private schools are as compeititve as here, but you need to think of it like college to some degree, and have a safety in mind - public or private. |
Anonymous
No, the deadline for GDS is January, for SJC was December 3rd |
Anonymous
This would be a problem at GDS. |
Anonymous
More like Berkeley and Holy Cross. |
Anonymous
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St. John’s
Gonzaga Landon Georgetown Prep Concentrate on the above. All good enough schools. Kids there tend to love all four. Athletics very important at all four. |
Anonymous
There's a historical reason why GDS students call teachers by their first name. And doing so doesn't necessarily mean that the students are any less respectful of the elders in their community. |
Anonymous
| Figure out which student body your child will be most comfortable with. They are quite different. |
Anonymous
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GDS is for really smart social justice warriors and wierdos.
St Johns is for un-academic, conservatives and recruited athletes. That’s the down and dirty truth OP. |