GDS admissions

[Anonymous]

Yes, I think GDS is the perfect school for families that have the ability to supplement as needed. It is exceedingly lovely while also expecting the kids,/parents to do more whenever an issue arises.

Not sure what this means. Can you elaborate?

[Anonymous]

To the PG county parent, there are lots of kids from all over the DMV. PG county is more than fine.

[Anonymous]

Two middle school boys ambushed my 3 year old girl in the playground at GDS the other day and threw her out of the hammock. No adults were around, I had to talk to them myself. That was enough for me. Not the community I would want, especially if I’m paying a lot of money!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes, I think GDS is the perfect school for families that have the ability to supplement as needed. It is exceedingly lovely while also expecting the kids,/parents to do more whenever an issue arises.

Not sure what this means. Can you elaborate?

Kids do well because parents supplement. If it's a stretch and you can't afford to supplement or don't think your child should have to spend time with tutors outside of school to learn what they should be learning in school, then it's a problem.

Most parents who encounter issues are told that the onus is on their children to advocate for themselves first. Their are plenty of adults, much less children, who don't know how to advocate for themselves.

It creates/continues a lot of entitlement and creates an environment that is not conducive to change because everyone is doing "well" and the school has no areas of improvement when the onus is all on kids and parents.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We have two high schoolers—one at GDS and one at another rigorous HS. GDS is definitely more inclusive, has way more community building activities (not all sports related) and is less competitive than the other school so in our mind it’s not too competitive among the students. GDS also has a pretty good variety of courses/electives/clubs so students can really pursue their interests (not everyone is trying for the same activities).

With that said, many GDS students are vocal and passionate. It’s a school where kids like to debate and discuss a lot which might make it feel competitive to a student who is less comfortable being in this environment. To be clear, not everyone is super outgoing—shy is fine there—just depends on the kids’ comfort in that type of learning environment.

And yes admissions is not overly personalized there—we found if you ask open ended questions and share personal stories with them they open up and make a nice connection. It is a shame they don’t have shadow days during the admissions process, but for our child, it was ultimately more meaningful to visit after acceptance as there is no longer any pressure to perform at that point.

I know a few US kids they do not match your description. Some are shy or introverts. My kid interviews very well but came away from the interview turned off and quickly took the school off her list. The US interviewers give the impression that they just do not really care. It seems they are actively discouraging kids from applying. Maybe that is the school’s strategy? They gets plenty of applications and interest.

Yes—there are definitely some shy/introverted kids at GDS that fit in great, but the teaching style encourages tons of discussion/debate so if kids aren’t comfortable with some heavy discussion going on around them (not that they are necessarily participating in), it might feel competitive.

I’m not sure what the admissions strategy is. I do think they want people who want to be there and like many schools in the area somewhat count on plenty of people wanting to be there with or without their encouragement.

I would suggest for those interested in GDS to go to the open house and a sporting event to get to know the school prior to the tour/interview.

The teaching style encourages discussion and debate but ultimately the school promotes conformity. If you bring up a controversial viewpoint, you will be ostracized. Intellectual depth is pretty shallow unfortunately. Many kids including mine are scared of saying the wrong thing

This is true. It is a nice school but it has issues.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Two middle school boys ambushed my 3 year old girl in the playground at GDS the other day and threw her out of the hammock. No adults were around, I had to talk to them myself. That was enough for me. Not the community I would want, especially if I’m paying a lot of money!

During school time there was a 3 yo at the playground? Or when it was open for the public and neighborhood after hours?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes, I think GDS is the perfect school for families that have the ability to supplement as needed. It is exceedingly lovely while also expecting the kids,/parents to do more whenever an issue arises.

Not sure what this means. Can you elaborate?

Kids do well because parents supplement. If it's a stretch and you can't afford to supplement or don't think your child should have to spend time with tutors outside of school to learn what they should be learning in school, then it's a problem.

Most parents who encounter issues are told that the onus is on their children to advocate for themselves first. Their are plenty of adults, much less children, who don't know how to advocate for themselves.

It creates/continues a lot of entitlement and creates an environment that is not conducive to change because everyone is doing "well" and the school has no areas of improvement when the onus is all on kids and parents.

Our DC did great at GDS with zero outside tutoring. She did meet with her HS math teacher at school a few times for extra help. That is one thing that makes the school so good - the teachers who are devoted to their profession.

[Anonymous]

It’s so popular no one goes there anymore.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes, I think GDS is the perfect school for families that have the ability to supplement as needed. It is exceedingly lovely while also expecting the kids,/parents to do more whenever an issue arises.

Not sure what this means. Can you elaborate?

Kids do well because parents supplement. If it's a stretch and you can't afford to supplement or don't think your child should have to spend time with tutors outside of school to learn what they should be learning in school, then it's a problem.

Most parents who encounter issues are told that the onus is on their children to advocate for themselves first. Their are plenty of adults, much less children, who don't know how to advocate for themselves.

It creates/continues a lot of entitlement and creates an environment that is not conducive to change because everyone is doing "well" and the school has no areas of improvement when the onus is all on kids and parents.

Our DC did great at GDS with zero outside tutoring. She did meet with her HS math teacher at school a few times for extra help. That is one thing that makes the school so good - the teachers who are devoted to their profession.

Most schools do this. Public and private

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Two middle school boys ambushed my 3 year old girl in the playground at GDS the other day and threw her out of the hammock. No adults were around, I had to talk to them myself. That was enough for me. Not the community I would want, especially if I’m paying a lot of money!

During school time there was a 3 yo at the playground? Or when it was open for the public and neighborhood after hours?

Yeah - what was a 3 yo doing in the GDS playground during the school day? And if this happened after hours, what does the school community have to do with it?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes, I think GDS is the perfect school for families that have the ability to supplement as needed. It is exceedingly lovely while also expecting the kids,/parents to do more whenever an issue arises.

Not sure what this means. Can you elaborate?

Kids do well because parents supplement. If it's a stretch and you can't afford to supplement or don't think your child should have to spend time with tutors outside of school to learn what they should be learning in school, then it's a problem.

Most parents who encounter issues are told that the onus is on their children to advocate for themselves first. Their are plenty of adults, much less children, who don't know how to advocate for themselves.

It creates/continues a lot of entitlement and creates an environment that is not conducive to change because everyone is doing "well" and the school has no areas of improvement when the onus is all on kids and parents.

My DS didn't supplement and did well. Not sure why you think that isn't common. When he didn't understand something, he went to his teachers for help. That was considered advocating for himself, and was hardly burdensome.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes, I think GDS is the perfect school for families that have the ability to supplement as needed. It is exceedingly lovely while also expecting the kids,/parents to do more whenever an issue arises.

Not sure what this means. Can you elaborate?

Kids do well because parents supplement. If it's a stretch and you can't afford to supplement or don't think your child should have to spend time with tutors outside of school to learn what they should be learning in school, then it's a problem.

Most parents who encounter issues are told that the onus is on their children to advocate for themselves first. Their are plenty of adults, much less children, who don't know how to advocate for themselves.

It creates/continues a lot of entitlement and creates an environment that is not conducive to change because everyone is doing "well" and the school has no areas of improvement when the onus is all on kids and parents.

My DS didn't supplement and did well. Not sure why you think that isn't common. When he didn't understand something, he went to his teachers for help. That was considered advocating for himself, and was hardly burdensome.

In lower school?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:…we chatted for 2+ hours.
My kid did not get in….

Wow. Did the 2+ hour interview give you the false impression that you your son was a shoe in??

[Anonymous]

How in the world was a typical 30 minute interview 2 hours?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How in the world was a typical 30 minute interview 2 hours?

The interviewer was endlessly chatty. Subjects included grammar, baseball, crosswords, cooking, baking, families, etc.