Sidwell vs Walls

[Anonymous]

Friends’ kids at Sidwell, GDS and Maret and Walls. I would say it depends on your child. Walls is head and shoulders above the other schools for some kids - if your child has an independent spark then he/she will thrive at Walls. The opportunities to learn deep and wide are endless - not just in the classroom but throughout the city. If your child thrives in a well-resourced environment, then Sidwell is hands down your best option. It really depends on the family and the child. (This assumes you have $55k + per year for Sidwell, which we do and passed up for Walls. We listened to our child and since our child had a clear preference we went Walls. Haven’t looked back, well, maybe a little when the Sidwell basketball team crushed JR in the city tournament.).

Our child is getting a phenomenal education, is thriving and has tons of peer and faculty support. The kids are all incredibly nice and grounded. Would our child have had that at Sidwell? Maybe … but with wealth comes all sorts of other things that I am happy to have my child sidestep.

[Anonymous]

Appreciate this comment as have a kid with a strong independent streak debating private or Walls currently. Thank you!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If I'm a college admissions professional, given applicants with identical grades, extracurricular activity, interview, I would take a Walls applicant over a Sidwell applicant every time. Nothing against Sidwell, other than it (and other similar schools) reeks of privilege. Walls admission is as competitive (or more) and doesn't have sibling preference. It could also be argued that the self-directed curriculum might both attract and yield a more resilient student. And spare me the AP offerings at Sidwell. At Walls, students can take GW classes.

You’re not a “college admissions professional,” so move along. Your opinion, rooted in envy, doesn’t matter.

I have no reason to be envious- kid was admitted to Sidwell last year and chose Walls. Thriving there as I expect he would have at Sidwell.

1. Your child wasn’t admitted to Sidwell.
2. Your child may attend Walls but that’s because you cannot afford private school.

That’s reason enough to be envious. Btw, it doesn’t matter what you say, your posts absolutely reek of jealousy.

NP.

Wow. You really do live in a little bubble, don’t you? Can you recall the last time you had a meaningful interaction with someone outside your bubble?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Friends’ kids at Sidwell, GDS and Maret and Walls. I would say it depends on your child. Walls is head and shoulders above the other schools for some kids - if your child has an independent spark then he/she will thrive at Walls. The opportunities to learn deep and wide are endless - not just in the classroom but throughout the city. If your child thrives in a well-resourced environment, then Sidwell is hands down your best option. It really depends on the family and the child. (This assumes you have $55k + per year for Sidwell, which we do and passed up for Walls. We listened to our child and since our child had a clear preference we went Walls. Haven’t looked back, well, maybe a little when the Sidwell basketball team crushed JR in the city tournament.).

Our child is getting a phenomenal education, is thriving and has tons of peer and faculty support. The kids are all incredibly nice and grounded. Would our child have had that at Sidwell? Maybe … but with wealth comes all sorts of other things that I am happy to have my child sidestep.

“If your child has an independent spark then he/she will thrive at Walls.”

I see this written a lot about Walls, without any explanation. Independent in what way? What are some examples of the independent student spark that is rewarded at Walls?

[Anonymous]

Great question! I have 3 kids, 1 at SWW and the other 2 at Big 3s. Here’s what I see:
1) public transport EVERYWHERE (to and from school, to sports practices and games, and to friends who may live across the city) day in and day out requires executive functioning galore. These kids do not have parent drivers … nor do they use Uber (I am not sure why). They read bus schedules, maps and time their routes. Perk (a major one) is that this skill transfers and makes them really fun and directed travelers.

2) GW program creates next level independence (and assertiveness). I can’t imagine walking into a college course as a high school junior.

3) kids seem to find extracurricular academic activities / competitions here in DC, in the region and nationwide. Kids petition the school to participate, find the faculty advisor, raise money and then compete. Impossible to say whether the kids who lead and/or participate are independent types to begin with or who learn it from the SWW culture. Chicken/egg questions…

4) low-ish parental intensity when compared to the parent communities of the other 2 schools … this is an observation and a big generalization and I am no child psychologist but it seems like when parents back off and watch, good things happen to a student community.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Great question! I have 3 kids, 1 at SWW and the other 2 at Big 3s. Here’s what I see:
1) public transport EVERYWHERE (to and from school, to sports practices and games, and to friends who may live across the city) day in and day out requires executive functioning galore. These kids do not have parent drivers … nor do they use Uber (I am not sure why). They read bus schedules, maps and time their routes. Perk (a major one) is that this skill transfers and makes them really fun and directed travelers.

2) GW program creates next level independence (and assertiveness). I can’t imagine walking into a college course as a high school junior.

3) kids seem to find extracurricular academic activities / competitions here in DC, in the region and nationwide. Kids petition the school to participate, find the faculty advisor, raise money and then compete. Impossible to say whether the kids who lead and/or participate are independent types to begin with or who learn it from the SWW culture. Chicken/egg questions…

4) low-ish parental intensity when compared to the parent communities of the other 2 schools … this is an observation and a big generalization and I am no child psychologist but it seems like when parents back off and watch, good things happen to a student community.

So do you feel like Walls is the better choice?

[Anonymous]

Our child is considering SWW too and I'm curious what PPs with kids at a Big 3 and one at Walls would pick for a child who does have an independent spark, is already very independent and a top student but unhooked. How does the difficulty of doing sports at Walls impact your advice if the child likes the idea of a sports requirement?

[Anonymous]

If your sporty student plays football, then he shouldn’t go to Walls. There’s no football team. Otherwise, provided there is a team, the school sports are different then the Big 3. Again, there are no facilities and kids need to go where the school has found facilities, eg, RFK for soccer, old Banneker school for b-ball etc. The coaching is generally terrific, the AD is beyond amazing, and the kids in true Walls fashion are supportive, and committed. Some kids play 3 sports a year at Walls and that is whole heartedly supported by the school. I understand this year’s class has a D 1 commit for soccer (can’t recall the school) which is proof that serious athletes can be supported. Re viewing games, I will admit that it is a pain in the neck to drive across the city for a 3 hour baseball game, especially when you are a parent of kids in other programs. But if you have a partner, you divide and conquer and it is fine.

Re the “unhooked” part of your comment, are you saying that because you are interested in college admissions? I would assume so… one thing that I understand is that not many of the kids apply early decision. The reason I am told is that many can’t afford to commit early to a school because that means they can’t weigh financial aid packages. Many of the high pressure colleges know and love Walls (U of C had 4 last year, Cornell has at least 3 this year, and then there are 2 or 3 Yales, at least 2 Penns, a Pomona, a few Northwestern and then many big schools - UVA, UCLA, Mich etc). So unlike a Big 3 where most kids can afford ED, there is a little bit of an edge for a wealthy unhooked kid at Walls versus peers who might be more rigorous scholars but who need to be able to leverage several acceptances against each other for the financing packages. Just another way the system is broken.

Finally, one thing that hasn’t been mentioned is that kids learn early and often that privilege doesn’t buy success. Walls kids see each other for who they are … and the raw talent, without the help and trappings of wealth, is astounding. As a result, my child will never ever underestimate a peer. I personally love this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I've watched this play out very closely for 3 years: I have DCPS kids (3) who are in Big3 high schools. best friends are at Walls.

Your kids will work much harder at Sidwell and learn more but they'll get into a better college from Walls. (But does high school have to be this challenging? That is the question.) The school spirit part of high school may be better at Sidwell.

Why do you think a student will get into a better college from Walls? Do you have data that indicates students from these two schools, with similar stats, do better coming from Walls? Where’s the proof?

I'm not the PP you are referring to but I agree with their assessment re college admissions.

The question is will the same kid have better admissions results from a different school, and you can't answer that. The legacy athletic recruit was always going to go to the legacy Ivy no matter which high school he chose. Choose a high school for the high school experience, not a pipe dream of different college results.

[Anonymous]

We have committed to a private as well but as still holding on to our Walls slot while we decide. What I worry about with Walls is potential lack of support from teachers, lack of fun school things like well attended sporting events or dances and the academic pressure/amount of work. Of course I am speculating so would love some insight. My child is a very good but not gifted student and is already very excited about the private school and some of its offerings. An enjoyable high school experience matters more to me that getting into an ivy. Coming from public and we can cover the cost of private but not without some sacrifices.

[Anonymous]

Walls parent here: If your child is "already very excited about the private school and some of its offerings," then send the child to the private!

Most important thing, IMHO, is the child's agency (with firm and gentle guidance) over the high school decision.

[Anonymous]

Walls parent here: If your child is "already very excited about the private school and some of its offerings," then send the child to the private!

Most important thing, IMHO, is the child's agency (with firm and gentle guidance) over the high school decision.

[Anonymous]

Also, Walls has dances - homecoming and prom.

[Anonymous]

Walls sporting events are very well attended and the concentrated cheering and rally around are non stop. There’s a sports information channel, lead by students, and it will provides (hilarious) colorful play by play commentary. There is no shortage of school spirit, even though there are no facilities.

There is a lot of work, though. My guess is the students differ in amount of time spent on it. I am not sure I would send a good but not gifted student to Walls. The kids who seem to soar at Walls are the gifted ones, the ones seeking out the extra academic experience.

A last thing: there is a free trip each year to some exotic location. I think the kids went to India (?) this year for 2 weeks. My kid opted out so I don’t know the details.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Walls sporting events are very well attended and the concentrated cheering and rally around are non stop. There’s a sports information channel, lead by students, and it will provides (hilarious) colorful play by play commentary. There is no shortage of school spirit, even though there are no facilities.

There is a lot of work, though. My guess is the students differ in amount of time spent on it. I am not sure I would send a good but not gifted student to Walls. The kids who seem to soar at Walls are the gifted ones, the ones seeking out the extra academic experience.

A last thing: there is a free trip each year to some exotic location. I think the kids went to India (?) this year for 2 weeks. My kid opted out so I don’t know the details.

I disagree about Walls sporting events being well attended. I have attended a few of the baseball and soccer games recently, and Walls had very few fans present, besides parents. It’s understandable that fellow students are unwilling or unable to schlep all over DC to be spectators at random games.