Stone Ridge vs. Sidwell for upper school

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I vote for SR. My DD graduated from there, went to a top 20 college on full merit scholarship, and then law school at a top 5 university. She’s well-adjusted, happy, and has fond memories of her days at SR. SR prepared her very well for higher education, yet, it was a very loving and joyful environment. “Joyful” is the word my DD uses to describe SR.

We’re not Catholic, yet the SR community made such a positive impression on my DD that she ended up converting to Catholicism right after she graduated with her bachelor’s degree (she went to a secular college). Her best friends to this day are her SR classmates and they meet up at least once a year in the DC area. SR hosts an alumni get together for all alumni every year; my DD and her friends meet every year for that event.

I don’t know anything about Sidwell Friends other than its reputation as a prestigious and pressure-cooker school.

Converting to Catholicism is a risk factor against SR. That sounds terrible.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I vote for SR. My DD graduated from there, went to a top 20 college on full merit scholarship, and then law school at a top 5 university. She’s well-adjusted, happy, and has fond memories of her days at SR. SR prepared her very well for higher education, yet, it was a very loving and joyful environment. “Joyful” is the word my DD uses to describe SR.

We’re not Catholic, yet the SR community made such a positive impression on my DD that she ended up converting to Catholicism right after she graduated with her bachelor’s degree (she went to a secular college). Her best friends to this day are her SR classmates and they meet up at least once a year in the DC area. SR hosts an alumni get together for all alumni every year; my DD and her friends meet every year for that event.

I don’t know anything about Sidwell Friends other than its reputation as a prestigious and pressure-cooker school.

This post has everything. A daughter oh so accomplished. A school so loving it converts atheists. And a mother who has somehow found a way to mention law school, a merit scholarship, a top 5 university, a top 20 college, and the word "joyful" in a single forum post about helping strangers choose a school.

The conversion detail is the real masterpiece. Your daughter attended a secular university and emerged a Catholic. SR's reach, apparently, extends several years past graduation and several miles past campus. One imagines the admissions brochure leaving this part out.

The annual alumni gathering is a nice touch. Nothing says "no agenda here" like a school that hosts a yearly ritual to remind graduates how formative it was. One imagines the attendees arriving in their top 20 college sweatshirts, exchanging fond memories over wine, and pausing occasionally to reflect on how joyful everything has been.

Sidwell produces presidents' children and Supreme Court justices. Whether that counts for or against it probably depends on how you feel about presidents and Supreme Court justices.

This post reaks of anti-Catholic bigotry with a sprinkle of snobbery. Nice job!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I vote for SR. My DD graduated from there, went to a top 20 college on full merit scholarship, and then law school at a top 5 university. She’s well-adjusted, happy, and has fond memories of her days at SR. SR prepared her very well for higher education, yet, it was a very loving and joyful environment. “Joyful” is the word my DD uses to describe SR.

We’re not Catholic, yet the SR community made such a positive impression on my DD that she ended up converting to Catholicism right after she graduated with her bachelor’s degree (she went to a secular college). Her best friends to this day are her SR classmates and they meet up at least once a year in the DC area. SR hosts an alumni get together for all alumni every year; my DD and her friends meet every year for that event.

I don’t know anything about Sidwell Friends other than its reputation as a prestigious and pressure-cooker school.

Converting to Catholicism is a risk factor against SR. That sounds terrible.

Another bigot! I knew you were all going to come out sooner or later.

[Anonymous]

Let’s get real—if you’re not Catholic, why on earth would anyone choose SR over Sidwell.

[Anonymous]

I know two people who Sidwell (two separate generations). The older one ended up being a stay at home mom on a very tight budget. Had to send her kids to public schools. Her education didn't really get her very far. The younger one married right out of college and gave up working after one year working in university admissions. On the other hand, I know some very talented and successful SR grads who are doing amazing things all over the world. I would take SR over Sidwell just based on my very small sample.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I know two people who Sidwell (two separate generations). The older one ended up being a stay at home mom on a very tight budget. Had to send her kids to public schools. Her education didn't really get her very far. The younger one married right out of college and gave up working after one year working in university admissions. On the other hand, I know some very talented and successful SR grads who are doing amazing things all over the world. I would take SR over Sidwell just based on my very small sample.

Such scientific data! Sounds like you would choose SR

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So, not much.

What objective data are you looking for?

Data that would confirm the “way better school” claims.

You're obviously of the opinion that Stone Ridge is better than it is, which is fine. Self-delusion is a comforting thing for people, particularly if they've sunk hundreds of thousands of dollars on something.

I’m not of the opinion that SR is better.

I think most of the 40-60k schools are comparable. Lots of smart kids. Lots of involved families. Tremendous opportunities.

I am not sure how anyone can prove the claim that any school is way better than the others.

That is opinion. And you know what they say about opinions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I know two people who Sidwell (two separate generations). The older one ended up being a stay at home mom on a very tight budget. Had to send her kids to public schools. Her education didn't really get her very far. The younger one married right out of college and gave up working after one year working in university admissions. On the other hand, I know some very talented and successful SR grads who are doing amazing things all over the world. I would take SR over Sidwell just based on my very small sample.

Such scientific data! Sounds like you would choose SR

Admitted it was a small sample. My opinion is tainted by the sad situations in which I found Sidwell alum. Hopefully it isn’t truly the case for most Sidwell women!

[Anonymous]

Sidwell boosters are quite defensive here. I wonder why. Maybe there is some truth to the outcomes being underwhelming.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I know two people who Sidwell (two separate generations). The older one ended up being a stay at home mom on a very tight budget. Had to send her kids to public schools. Her education didn't really get her very far. The younger one married right out of college and gave up working after one year working in university admissions. On the other hand, I know some very talented and successful SR grads who are doing amazing things all over the world. I would take SR over Sidwell just based on my very small sample.

Yes. Choosing a school based on ranking or narrow reputation alone is stupid. One should choose a school which is a good fit for the kid, always.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I know two people who Sidwell (two separate generations). The older one ended up being a stay at home mom on a very tight budget. Had to send her kids to public schools. Her education didn't really get her very far. The younger one married right out of college and gave up working after one year working in university admissions. On the other hand, I know some very talented and successful SR grads who are doing amazing things all over the world. I would take SR over Sidwell just based on my very small sample.

Yes. Choosing a school based on ranking or narrow reputation alone is stupid. One should choose a school which is a good fit for the kid, always.

Would never even have my kids apply to Sidwell for various reasons. My kids already were established in other excellent schools before I obtained my data. And yes, good fit is most important!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I know two people who Sidwell (two separate generations). The older one ended up being a stay at home mom on a very tight budget. Had to send her kids to public schools. Her education didn't really get her very far. The younger one married right out of college and gave up working after one year working in university admissions. On the other hand, I know some very talented and successful SR grads who are doing amazing things all over the world. I would take SR over Sidwell just based on my very small sample.

Such scientific data! Sounds like you would choose SR

Admitted it was a small sample. My opinion is tainted by the sad situations in which I found Sidwell alum. Hopefully it isn’t truly the case for most Sidwell women!

I’m not sure I would describe either of the outcomes that you describe as “sad.” Wow. Are you always this snobby and judgmental?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I know two people who Sidwell (two separate generations). The older one ended up being a stay at home mom on a very tight budget. Had to send her kids to public schools. Her education didn't really get her very far. The younger one married right out of college and gave up working after one year working in university admissions. On the other hand, I know some very talented and successful SR grads who are doing amazing things all over the world. I would take SR over Sidwell just based on my very small sample.

Oh my goodness, how awful. She had to send her kids to PUBLIC SCHOOL?

What a horrific thing to have happened.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:[

Converting to Catholicism is a risk factor against SR. That sounds terrible.

It's also a remarkable turn of events considering the absurd lack of Catholic formation at that school.

Quite an achievement to become Catholic in spite of SR's best efforts.

[Anonymous]

If your daughter was felt more comfortable at SR, then go to SR. It’s not fair to compare the two. They are both excellent schools yet very different.