Sidwell vs GDS -- specific examples of what differentiates the two

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The limit at Sidwell has always been 12. Why would you need/want to apply to more than that?? Crazy hill to die on. Sidwell rooted in Quakerism as someone said so lots of service which is great and also weekly meeting for worship which your child won’t hate by the time they get to upper school. However so not get it twisted - the Quaker ideals do not mean that the teacher or administration or parents or students believe that there is that if God in everyone - they don’t and they act accordingly.

Sidwell students are not restricted to applying to 12 colleges. However, GDS students are limited to that number.

I had heard GDS was restricted to 10? Is that not the case?

It's 12, but the last two need to be foundation (i.e., safety) schools. Also, all the UCs count as one school, so there is some wiggle room. FWIW, most kids end up not applying to 12, and many are accepted early decision. The limit on schools actually works in everyone's favor, IMHO. Students are forced to think carefully about each application and which schools are their best fit, and therefore send in stronger essays, as opposed to a scattershot approach where students will apply to 25 schools, including all the Ivies, major state schools, etc., and just hope for the best. Look at last year's college IG and see - GDS students did very well with these limitations in place.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We were lucky to have the choice btw the two as well, as did a family we met at the school we chose later. We compared notes on key differences. Here are the top 10 that I recall:

1. GDS felt like it had a stronger community (school supporting the kids/events/parents volunteering).
2. Sidwell had a larger MS/HS campus for the kids to spread out.
3. GDS had a modern, new building for LS/MS (deceptively big).
4. HS at GDS had an open campus so kids come and go whenever they want. Not sure the rules at Sidwell.
5. Academics at both seemed really good. Teachers we met at both seemed really good.
6. Big focus at GDS on social justice, so it's integrated into the curriculum and assemblies. Very liberal.
7. Sidwell is a Quaker school, so they talked about God and have times of worship where they sit in silence so God can give them insights (this is how it was described to us, apologies if I'm misrepresenting).
8. Both schools courses of study seemed interesting and challenging. Parents at Sidwell shared there was pressure/expectation to do well and competition amongst peers, but that drove the kids. I was impressed by the kids they set-up for us to meet. Parents at GDS said it's challenging and kids study really hard to get a B.
9. GDS seemed more fun/joyful. Kids seemed more at ease.
10. Sidwell athletics seemed better.

We chose GDS.

GDS seems happier overall but the open campus open lunch off campus I think does not promote community. I think lunch time can be a time to know your community and sit at tables and get to know one another.[b]

This is a nice theory, but in reality this sort of bonding doesn't really happen at Sidwell lunch (but it does at St Albans). The food is great and having access to the food is also great - but it's not a community building block.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The limit at Sidwell has always been 12. Why would you need/want to apply to more than that?? Crazy hill to die on. Sidwell rooted in Quakerism as someone said so lots of service which is great and also weekly meeting for worship which your child won’t hate by the time they get to upper school. However so not get it twisted - the Quaker ideals do not mean that the teacher or administration or parents or students believe that there is that if God in everyone - they don’t and they act accordingly.

Sidwell students are not restricted to applying to 12 colleges. However, GDS students are limited to that number.

I had heard GDS was restricted to 10? Is that not the case?

It's 12, but the last two need to be foundation (i.e., safety) schools. Also, all the UCs count as one school, so there is some wiggle room. FWIW, most kids end up not applying to 12, and many are accepted early decision. The limit on schools actually works in everyone's favor, IMHO. Students are forced to think carefully about each application and which schools are their best fit, and therefore send in stronger essays, as opposed to a scattershot approach where students will apply to 25 schools, including all the Ivies, major state schools, etc., and just hope for the best. Look at last year's college IG and see - GDS students did very well with these limitations in place.

GDS just changed the application cap from 10 to 12 colleges 2 years ago. Look at GDS’ IG for the c/o 2023–the results were very mediocre.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We were lucky to have the choice btw the two as well, as did a family we met at the school we chose later. We compared notes on key differences. Here are the top 10 that I recall:

1. GDS felt like it had a stronger community (school supporting the kids/events/parents volunteering).
2. Sidwell had a larger MS/HS campus for the kids to spread out.
3. GDS had a modern, new building for LS/MS (deceptively big).
4. HS at GDS had an open campus so kids come and go whenever they want. Not sure the rules at Sidwell.
5. Academics at both seemed really good. Teachers we met at both seemed really good.
6. Big focus at GDS on social justice, so it's integrated into the curriculum and assemblies. Very liberal.
7. Sidwell is a Quaker school, so they talked about God and have times of worship where they sit in silence so God can give them insights (this is how it was described to us, apologies if I'm misrepresenting).
8. Both schools courses of study seemed interesting and challenging. Parents at Sidwell shared there was pressure/expectation to do well and competition amongst peers, but that drove the kids. I was impressed by the kids they set-up for us to meet. Parents at GDS said it's challenging and kids study really hard to get a B.
9. GDS seemed more fun/joyful. Kids seemed more at ease.
10. Sidwell athletics seemed better.

We chose GDS.

GDS seems happier overall but the open campus open lunch off campus I think does not promote community. I think lunch time can be a time to know your community and sit at tables and get to know one another.[b]

This is a nice theory, but in reality this sort of bonding doesn't really happen at Sidwell lunch (but it does at St Albans). The food is great and having access to the food is also great - but it's not a community building block.

Speak for yourself/your own children. My children are US students at Sidwell and they usually eat cafeteria lunch. They definitely enjoy spending time and bonding with their friends during lunchtime.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We were lucky to have the choice btw the two as well, as did a family we met at the school we chose later. We compared notes on key differences. Here are the top 10 that I recall:

1. GDS felt like it had a stronger community (school supporting the kids/events/parents volunteering).
2. Sidwell had a larger MS/HS campus for the kids to spread out.
3. GDS had a modern, new building for LS/MS (deceptively big).
4. HS at GDS had an open campus so kids come and go whenever they want. Not sure the rules at Sidwell.
5. Academics at both seemed really good. Teachers we met at both seemed really good.
6. Big focus at GDS on social justice, so it's integrated into the curriculum and assemblies. Very liberal.
7. Sidwell is a Quaker school, so they talked about God and have times of worship where they sit in silence so God can give them insights (this is how it was described to us, apologies if I'm misrepresenting).
8. Both schools courses of study seemed interesting and challenging. Parents at Sidwell shared there was pressure/expectation to do well and competition amongst peers, but that drove the kids. I was impressed by the kids they set-up for us to meet. Parents at GDS said it's challenging and kids study really hard to get a B.
9. GDS seemed more fun/joyful. Kids seemed more at ease.
10. Sidwell athletics seemed better.

We chose GDS.

GDS seems happier overall but the open campus open lunch off campus I think does not promote community. I think lunch time can be a time to know your community and sit at tables and get to know one another.[b]

This is a nice theory, but in reality this sort of bonding doesn't really happen at Sidwell lunch (but it does at St Albans). The food is great and having access to the food is also great - but it's not a community building block.

Speak for yourself/your own children. My children are US students at Sidwell and they usually eat cafeteria lunch. They definitely enjoy spending time and bonding with their friends during lunchtime.

It is no more special at Sidwell than at GDS. We've had US students at both schools and they both tended to eat out once a week and eat at school with friends on other days. (And they both tend to eat out after school a few times a month when sports/school/life gets busy) Neither Sidwell, nor GDS has some special bonding magic at lunchtime more than the other. The students we know at St Albans have a far more structured lunch period ritual and I'd say that's a school where bonding at lunch is next level and a building block to their community.

The main difference is we had between the two kids was more effort was required for lunches for our GDS student. We thought this would be a huge hassle going in, but it wasn't really that bad. (And our Sidwell student had some food unexpected challenges along the way that made it harder than we thought - but again - not a big deal)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We were lucky to have the choice btw the two as well, as did a family we met at the school we chose later. We compared notes on key differences. Here are the top 10 that I recall:

1. GDS felt like it had a stronger community (school supporting the kids/events/parents volunteering).
2. Sidwell had a larger MS/HS campus for the kids to spread out.
3. GDS had a modern, new building for LS/MS (deceptively big).
4. HS at GDS had an open campus so kids come and go whenever they want. Not sure the rules at Sidwell.
5. Academics at both seemed really good. Teachers we met at both seemed really good.
6. Big focus at GDS on social justice, so it's integrated into the curriculum and assemblies. Very liberal.
7. Sidwell is a Quaker school, so they talked about God and have times of worship where they sit in silence so God can give them insights (this is how it was described to us, apologies if I'm misrepresenting).
8. Both schools courses of study seemed interesting and challenging. Parents at Sidwell shared there was pressure/expectation to do well and competition amongst peers, but that drove the kids. I was impressed by the kids they set-up for us to meet. Parents at GDS said it's challenging and kids study really hard to get a B.
9. GDS seemed more fun/joyful. Kids seemed more at ease.
10. Sidwell athletics seemed better.

We chose GDS.

GDS seems happier overall but the open campus open lunch off campus I think does not promote community. I think lunch time can be a time to know your community and sit at tables and get to know one another.[b]

This is a nice theory, but in reality this sort of bonding doesn't really happen at Sidwell lunch (but it does at St Albans). The food is great and having access to the food is also great - but it's not a community building block.

Speak for yourself/your own children. My children are US students at Sidwell and they usually eat cafeteria lunch. They definitely enjoy spending time and bonding with their friends during lunchtime.

It is no more special at Sidwell than at GDS. We've had US students at both schools and they both tended to eat out once a week and eat at school with friends on other days. (And they both tend to eat out after school a few times a month when sports/school/life gets busy) Neither Sidwell, nor GDS has some special bonding magic at lunchtime more than the other. The students we know at St Albans have a far more structured lunch period ritual and I'd say that's a school where bonding at lunch is next level and a building block to their community.

The main difference is we had between the two kids was more effort was required for lunches for our GDS student. We thought this would be a huge hassle going in, but it wasn't really that bad. (And our Sidwell student had some food unexpected challenges along the way that made it harder than we thought - but again - not a big deal)

I don’t believe for one moment that your child attended Sidwell. If she/he had attended, you would know there’s a HUGE difference in convenience and time saved by having lunch on campus. I packed my children’s lunches through 6th grade (they each joined Sidwell in 7th), and I couldn’t wait to be released from that hellish chore.

You chose GDS, and that’s fine for you. My children wouldn’t change their lunch setup for GDS’ situation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don’t need Big Brother GDS dictating the number of schools my kid applies to. Especially not for $50k+.

At what tuition level would it be acceptable for a school to "dictat[e] the number of schools" where your kid can apply?

No more than $25k/year. Max!
And that school would need to be at least at Maret or Holton’s level.

I wouldn’t accept such an edict from Burke, even at $25k.

It's clear that you judge schools entirely based on gossip from here. You are going to hate the college admission process.

DP. This isn’t gossip or rumor. GDS absolutely limits the number of college applications to 12 per student.

Limiting isn't always bad, guys. It also limits the athletic-academic superstars from over-applying and getting accepted to EVERY school, potentially reducing the chances of others getting in. I know that it isn't this simplistic and that kids shouldn't see their school peers as competition. But still. If the top 1-5% stellar kids from each class are applying to every darn top school and getting in, there's a chance that your kid, while strong, might have a harder time competing.

If an athletic superstar wants to use their athletics to get into school they only get to apply to one school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Totally different parent vibe, too. Both "progressive" of course, but the GDS vibe is "we really are a public school family but [insert random excuse why they are now paying $55k a year for private school]" whereas Sidwell families don't even pretend.

I love this!

GDS: “We are a public school family and drive Subarus, but due to Phoebe’s trust fund and neither of us ever having gone to public school in our lives and our belief that Gia and Genni can only thrive with small classes and curated lunch options we (or Phoebe’s trust) are now paying $55K for each child to attend GDS. We’re both Feds and democrats and believe strongly in having good public education though.”

Sidwell: “Tony and I want Max and Peter to get the best education they can.”

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We were lucky to have the choice btw the two as well, as did a family we met at the school we chose later. We compared notes on key differences. Here are the top 10 that I recall:

1. GDS felt like it had a stronger community (school supporting the kids/events/parents volunteering).
2. Sidwell had a larger MS/HS campus for the kids to spread out.
3. GDS had a modern, new building for LS/MS (deceptively big).
4. HS at GDS had an open campus so kids come and go whenever they want. Not sure the rules at Sidwell.
5. Academics at both seemed really good. Teachers we met at both seemed really good.
6. Big focus at GDS on social justice, so it's integrated into the curriculum and assemblies. Very liberal.
7. Sidwell is a Quaker school, so they talked about God and have times of worship where they sit in silence so God can give them insights (this is how it was described to us, apologies if I'm misrepresenting).
8. Both schools courses of study seemed interesting and challenging. Parents at Sidwell shared there was pressure/expectation to do well and competition amongst peers, but that drove the kids. I was impressed by the kids they set-up for us to meet. Parents at GDS said it's challenging and kids study really hard to get a B.
9. GDS seemed more fun/joyful. Kids seemed more at ease.
10. Sidwell athletics seemed better.

We chose GDS.

GDS seems happier overall but the open campus open lunch off campus I think does not promote community. I think lunch time can be a time to know your community and sit at tables and get to know one another.[b]

This is a nice theory, but in reality this sort of bonding doesn't really happen at Sidwell lunch (but it does at St Albans). The food is great and having access to the food is also great - but it's not a community building block.

Speak for yourself/your own children. My children are US students at Sidwell and they usually eat cafeteria lunch. They definitely enjoy spending time and bonding with their friends during lunchtime.

It is no more special at Sidwell than at GDS. We've had US students at both schools and they both tended to eat out once a week and eat at school with friends on other days. (And they both tend to eat out after school a few times a month when sports/school/life gets busy) Neither Sidwell, nor GDS has some special bonding magic at lunchtime more than the other. The students we know at St Albans have a far more structured lunch period ritual and I'd say that's a school where bonding at lunch is next level and a building block to their community.

The main difference is we had between the two kids was more effort was required for lunches for our GDS student. We thought this would be a huge hassle going in, but it wasn't really that bad. (And our Sidwell student had some food unexpected challenges along the way that made it harder than we thought - but again - not a big deal)

I don’t believe for one moment that your child attended Sidwell. If she/he had attended, you would know there’s a HUGE difference in convenience and time saved by having lunch on campus. I packed my children’s lunches through 6th grade (they each joined Sidwell in 7th), and I couldn’t wait to be released from that hellish chore.

You chose GDS, and that’s fine for you. My children wouldn’t change their lunch setup for GDS’ situation.

my GDS high school kid grabs a yogurt, granola bar and some fruit from the fridge. Sometimes makes a quick sandwich. They can also buy from LMS cafeteria or go out to lunch. There are plenty of differences in these schools for you to decide over something more substantial

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Totally different parent vibe, too. Both "progressive" of course, but the GDS vibe is "we really are a public school family but [insert random excuse why they are now paying $55k a year for private school]" whereas Sidwell families don't even pretend.

I love this!

GDS: “We are a public school family and drive Subarus, but due to Phoebe’s trust fund and neither of us ever having gone to public school in our lives and our belief that Gia and Genni can only thrive with small classes and curated lunch options we (or Phoebe’s trust) are now paying $55K for each child to attend GDS. We’re both Feds and democrats and believe strongly in having good public education though.”

Sidwell: “Tony and I want Max and Peter to get the best education they can.”

What a strange post. We're a public school family that is looking at GDS because our public high school option is bad. I wouldn't think that we are the only ones in this position.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We were lucky to have the choice btw the two as well, as did a family we met at the school we chose later. We compared notes on key differences. Here are the top 10 that I recall:

1. GDS felt like it had a stronger community (school supporting the kids/events/parents volunteering).
2. Sidwell had a larger MS/HS campus for the kids to spread out.
3. GDS had a modern, new building for LS/MS (deceptively big).
4. HS at GDS had an open campus so kids come and go whenever they want. Not sure the rules at Sidwell.
5. Academics at both seemed really good. Teachers we met at both seemed really good.
6. Big focus at GDS on social justice, so it's integrated into the curriculum and assemblies. Very liberal.
7. Sidwell is a Quaker school, so they talked about God and have times of worship where they sit in silence so God can give them insights (this is how it was described to us, apologies if I'm misrepresenting).
8. Both schools courses of study seemed interesting and challenging. Parents at Sidwell shared there was pressure/expectation to do well and competition amongst peers, but that drove the kids. I was impressed by the kids they set-up for us to meet. Parents at GDS said it's challenging and kids study really hard to get a B.
9. GDS seemed more fun/joyful. Kids seemed more at ease.
10. Sidwell athletics seemed better.

We chose GDS.

GDS seems happier overall but the open campus open lunch off campus I think does not promote community. I think lunch time can be a time to know your community and sit at tables and get to know one another.[b]

This is a nice theory, but in reality this sort of bonding doesn't really happen at Sidwell lunch (but it does at St Albans). The food is great and having access to the food is also great - but it's not a community building block.

Speak for yourself/your own children. My children are US students at Sidwell and they usually eat cafeteria lunch. They definitely enjoy spending time and bonding with their friends during lunchtime.

It is no more special at Sidwell than at GDS. We've had US students at both schools and they both tended to eat out once a week and eat at school with friends on other days. (And they both tend to eat out after school a few times a month when sports/school/life gets busy) Neither Sidwell, nor GDS has some special bonding magic at lunchtime more than the other. The students we know at St Albans have a far more structured lunch period ritual and I'd say that's a school where bonding at lunch is next level and a building block to their community.

The main difference is we had between the two kids was more effort was required for lunches for our GDS student. We thought this would be a huge hassle going in, but it wasn't really that bad. (And our Sidwell student had some food unexpected challenges along the way that made it harder than we thought - but again - not a big deal)

I don’t believe for one moment that your child attended Sidwell. If she/he had attended, you would know there’s a HUGE difference in convenience and time saved by having lunch on campus. I packed my children’s lunches through 6th grade (they each joined Sidwell in 7th), and I couldn’t wait to be released from that hellish chore.

You chose GDS, and that’s fine for you. My children wouldn’t change their lunch setup for GDS’ situation.

my GDS high school kid grabs a yogurt, granola bar and some fruit from the fridge. Sometimes makes a quick sandwich. They can also buy from LMS cafeteria or go out to lunch. There are plenty of differences in these schools for you to decide over something more substantial

Good for your child. My child would like more than yogurt, a granola bar and an apple for lunch.

[Anonymous]

Why doesn’t GDS just build a frickin cafeteria?

[Anonymous]

And/or why didn’t they build one for the upper school when they built the lower school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why doesn’t GDS just build a frickin cafeteria?

QTNA‼️

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We were lucky to have the choice btw the two as well, as did a family we met at the school we chose later. We compared notes on key differences. Here are the top 10 that I recall:

1. GDS felt like it had a stronger community (school supporting the kids/events/parents volunteering).
2. Sidwell had a larger MS/HS campus for the kids to spread out.
3. GDS had a modern, new building for LS/MS (deceptively big).
4. HS at GDS had an open campus so kids come and go whenever they want. Not sure the rules at Sidwell.
5. Academics at both seemed really good. Teachers we met at both seemed really good.
6. Big focus at GDS on social justice, so it's integrated into the curriculum and assemblies. Very liberal.
7. Sidwell is a Quaker school, so they talked about God and have times of worship where they sit in silence so God can give them insights (this is how it was described to us, apologies if I'm misrepresenting).
8. Both schools courses of study seemed interesting and challenging. Parents at Sidwell shared there was pressure/expectation to do well and competition amongst peers, but that drove the kids. I was impressed by the kids they set-up for us to meet. Parents at GDS said it's challenging and kids study really hard to get a B.
9. GDS seemed more fun/joyful. Kids seemed more at ease.
10. Sidwell athletics seemed better.

We chose GDS.

GDS seems happier overall but the open campus open lunch off campus I think does not promote community. I think lunch time can be a time to know your community and sit at tables and get to know one another.[b]

This is a nice theory, but in reality this sort of bonding doesn't really happen at Sidwell lunch (but it does at St Albans). The food is great and having access to the food is also great - but it's not a community building block.

Speak for yourself/your own children. My children are US students at Sidwell and they usually eat cafeteria lunch. They definitely enjoy spending time and bonding with their friends during lunchtime.

It is no more special at Sidwell than at GDS. We've had US students at both schools and they both tended to eat out once a week and eat at school with friends on other days. (And they both tend to eat out after school a few times a month when sports/school/life gets busy) Neither Sidwell, nor GDS has some special bonding magic at lunchtime more than the other. The students we know at St Albans have a far more structured lunch period ritual and I'd say that's a school where bonding at lunch is next level and a building block to their community.

The main difference is we had between the two kids was more effort was required for lunches for our GDS student. We thought this would be a huge hassle going in, but it wasn't really that bad. (And our Sidwell student had some food unexpected challenges along the way that made it harder than we thought - but again - not a big deal)

I don’t believe for one moment that your child attended Sidwell. If she/he had attended, you would know there’s a HUGE difference in convenience and time saved by having lunch on campus. I packed my children’s lunches through 6th grade (they each joined Sidwell in 7th), and I couldn’t wait to be released from that hellish chore.

You chose GDS, and that’s fine for you. My children wouldn’t change their lunch setup for GDS’ situation.

It’s kind of stupid…but isn’t lunch at Sidwell covered in tuition while it is not at GDS?