How “activist” is Sheridan?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:One can see injustice in this country, and feel beyond blessed at the same time. They’re not remotely contradictory.

Of course. But to pretend that any families/ kids who are at $40K a year private schools, regardless of circumstances, are victims of injustice themselves, is laughable.

[Anonymous]

Eliminating the legacy hook in admissions would be a good start toward rooting out institutional racism and promoting social justice.

[Anonymous]

OP back again. I want to emphasize that’s it’s really not the curriculum that concerns me (although I would like obviously expect some US history, and ideally French and advanced stem—but I know it’s a tiny school). The issue is whether you can be “moderate” or conflicted about the latest progressive talking point. Or even ask questions? Could you debate defund the police? Could you say you want to be prosecutor because you empathize with victims? Can you question the idea of open borders? I guess I’m looking for evidence that kids can have deep, respectful discussions within the context of likely all being Democrats, loathing trump and, of course, believing that climate change and institutional racism are “real”.

My perfect-fit school for DS would have a vigorous debate culture (like my own MS) and have potential speakers like Ibram X Kendi but also Mike Bloomberg. I think it’s a pipe dream but maybe this is part of why Sidwell is so popular?

Btw my personal anecdotes about feminism/abortion/porn were meant to illustrate that when I had these slightly “off” opinions at my liberal slac in the late 90s, all of my classmates and profs treated me with respect. No one questioned by decency as a person or my feminist credentials. And people understood that the specifics of progressive ideals are always shifting. Another random example: I have one friend who argues for the abolition of 529s because the effects are inequitable. Another friend literally runs an org setting up 529s for underserved toddlers. Both are good people. The nuances between their positions would make an interesting classroom discussion—if the “right” POV isn’t preordained.

I am excited to attend the Sheridan events and hear from students themselves. Maybe I’m tying myself into knots over nothing

[riekindt]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Their website says the only accept kids in K unless there is an opening from attrition. Is that true?

No.

So they're lying? I'm confused.

Sheridan is a small school with one class per grade. As such they can only fill spaces when kids leave. I believe most grades will have 1 to 4 spaces per year so there are opportunities to join the school in later years. We joined Sheridan in third grade for example and our child was 1 of 4 new students.

As to Sheridan being "activist". I don't think there is a need for concern. We find Sheridan to be a very well balanced school that certainly is progressive but does not go overboard. I disagree with the student who mentioned the children are not being taught American history. I would say that what they learn covers a variety of perspectives and influences. For example American history is not just taught from a European settler perspective but also from the perspective of Native Americans and Black Americans. As to art and music instructions, I have loved how their teachers expose them to artists from all over the world. I expect that literature will similarly not just focus on American and European authors.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP back again. I want to emphasize that’s it’s really not the curriculum that concerns me (although I would like obviously expect some US history, and ideally French and advanced stem—but I know it’s a tiny school). The issue is whether you can be “moderate” or conflicted about the latest progressive talking point. Or even ask questions? Could you debate defund the police? Could you say you want to be prosecutor because you empathize with victims? Can you question the idea of open borders? I guess I’m looking for evidence that kids can have deep, respectful discussions within the context of likely all being Democrats, loathing trump and, of course, believing that climate change and institutional racism are “real”.

My perfect-fit school for DS would have a vigorous debate culture (like my own MS) and have potential speakers like Ibram X Kendi but also Mike Bloomberg. I think it’s a pipe dream but maybe this is part of why Sidwell is so popular?

Btw my personal anecdotes about feminism/abortion/porn were meant to illustrate that when I had these slightly “off” opinions at my liberal slac in the late 90s, all of my classmates and profs treated me with respect. No one questioned by decency as a person or my feminist credentials. And people understood that the specifics of progressive ideals are always shifting. Another random example: I have one friend who argues for the abolition of 529s because the effects are inequitable. Another friend literally runs an org setting up 529s for underserved toddlers. Both are good people. The nuances between their positions would make an interesting classroom discussion—if the “right” POV isn’t preordained.

I am excited to attend the Sheridan events and hear from students themselves. Maybe I’m tying myself into knots over nothing

Lady. This is a K8 school you're talking about, not a SLAC. You really think kids are getting indoctrinated into believing that the US must have open borders?

You may be a moderate Democrat, but you are certainly buying in to crackpot right-wing talking points. Stop the insanity. Please.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ha ha - are you for real? Do you think Sheridan parents or any private school parents pay 41k for their kids to get a social justice education? Be real- we pay because we think the public school choice is insufficient to either give our kids what they need or give them a leg up in this increasingly competitive world (and maybe for some that is both). If private school ed is better than public than we are reinforcing in the most intractable way the inequality gaps that these schools claim to want to fix. Our kids see right through this … some will care about our hypocrisy and others will do the same for our grandkids. Don’t get me wrong. I would much prefer a value based education for my kids and social justice fits the bill for my family. But … let’s be honest about it rather than patting ourselves on the back for being progressive warriors.

This post is one big non sequitur. Private vs. public and social justice have basically nothing to do with each other. Besides, where and how is social justice even being taught in the public schools? All I see on the news is angry parents railing against it at PTA and school board meetings by calling anything they don’t like “CRT.”

DCPS parent. Maybe don't get all your information from the news, most of which isn't even addressing DC schools. My kid had "activism" as a social studies unit in second grade. They learned about Rosa Parks, Wangari Maathai, Malala Yousafzai, and others. This year, her American history unit is starting with a survey of Native American cultures before Europeans arrived, and they learn about Columbus's role in enslaving and torturing the indigenous people. They explicitly talk about subjects related to slavery and civil rights, including in their study of DC history. You don't have to pay $41K/year to have your kid learn about social justice.

And one reason my kid isn't going to private school is that we DID think that private education in this country has a lot to do with social justice, including the perpetuation of inequality. People aren't sending their kids to private schools that cost more than the US median annual income because they have a deep commitment to social justice. They might pick one school over another based on how much those schools seem to promote certain values over others, but no one in DC is choosing private because they are worried that their kids won't learn about diversity and equity in public schools.

[Anonymous]

OP please let us know where you send your kid so we can stay away. I don’t want my black child going to school with anymore white folks who don’t think institutional racism is “real”.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP please let us know where you send your kid so we can stay away. I don’t want my black child going to school with anymore white folks who don’t think institutional racism is “real”.

Maybe I have it wrong, but my take is that OP is saying that she wanted to go to a place where there wasn't groupthink and there was room for dissenting ideas. I didn't see anywhere where she objected to teaching about institutional racism. But I do get where you're coming from. It sounds like you're concerned about white folks tendency to do performative/self-congratulatory stuff on race and only want to deal with it on an ad hoc basis and when convenient to do so. And that's very valid.

I read OP's post as wondering if there if the school can make room for those who might be pro life, or not fully comfortable with mixed gendered bathrooms. But, yeah, I see how you might also see a concern about "groupthink" be code for not wanting to tackle topics like white privilege.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Omg I’m sorry I wasn’t clear. I was saying that *of course* climate change and institutional racism are real! That is a baseline to me of common sense. I was trying to figure out whether kids can have debates/ask questions about all manner of political issues beyond that baseline. I assume (hope) anyone at Sheridan is anti trump, pro choice and willing to acknowledge white supremacy. But there’s lots of spectrum within those positions, lots to talk about if a child is comfortable. My concern is stridency and the threat of cancellation (or embarrassment or whatever you want to call it) from peers for saying the wrong thing, and above all age-appropriateness.

To the PP saying I’m conflating my slac with k-8, I truly hope you are right! That’s how I want it to be but I’m worried that political positioning and even some version of litmus testing happens earlier and earlier. This is sincere and does not come from “republican talking points”. That is not the world I’m in or the media I consume.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP please let us know where you send your kid so we can stay away. I don’t want my black child going to school with anymore white folks who don’t think institutional racism is “real”.

Troll. Without school-age kids

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ha ha - are you for real? Do you think Sheridan parents or any private school parents pay 41k for their kids to get a social justice education? Be real- we pay because we think the public school choice is insufficient to either give our kids what they need or give them a leg up in this increasingly competitive world (and maybe for some that is both). If private school ed is better than public than we are reinforcing in the most intractable way the inequality gaps that these schools claim to want to fix. Our kids see right through this … some will care about our hypocrisy and others will do the same for our grandkids. Don’t get me wrong. I would much prefer a value based education for my kids and social justice fits the bill for my family. But … let’s be honest about it rather than patting ourselves on the back for being progressive warriors.

This post is one big non sequitur. Private vs. public and social justice have basically nothing to do with each other. Besides, where and how is social justice even being taught in the public schools? All I see on the news is angry parents railing against it at PTA and school board meetings by calling anything they don’t like “CRT.”

DCPS parent. Maybe don't get all your information from the news, most of which isn't even addressing DC schools. My kid had "activism" as a social studies unit in second grade. They learned about Rosa Parks, Wangari Maathai, Malala Yousafzai, and others. This year, her American history unit is starting with a survey of Native American cultures before Europeans arrived, and they learn about Columbus's role in enslaving and torturing the indigenous people. They explicitly talk about subjects related to slavery and civil rights, including in their study of DC history. You don't have to pay $41K/year to have your kid learn about social justice.

And one reason my kid isn't going to private school is that we DID think that private education in this country has a lot to do with social justice, including the perpetuation of inequality. People aren't sending their kids to private schools that cost more than the US median annual income because they have a deep commitment to social justice. They might pick one school over another based on how much those schools seem to promote certain values over others, but no one in DC is choosing private because they are worried that their kids won't learn about diversity and equity in public schools.

So you would have us believe that DCPS is reflective of what's being taught in most public schools around the country? I'd argue that what you've described, which I would love to see in more places, is the rare exception for public schools and nowhere close to the rule.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ha ha - are you for real? Do you think Sheridan parents or any private school parents pay 41k for their kids to get a social justice education? Be real- we pay because we think the public school choice is insufficient to either give our kids what they need or give them a leg up in this increasingly competitive world (and maybe for some that is both). If private school ed is better than public than we are reinforcing in the most intractable way the inequality gaps that these schools claim to want to fix. Our kids see right through this … some will care about our hypocrisy and others will do the same for our grandkids. Don’t get me wrong. I would much prefer a value based education for my kids and social justice fits the bill for my family. But … let’s be honest about it rather than patting ourselves on the back for being progressive warriors.

This post is one big non sequitur. Private vs. public and social justice have basically nothing to do with each other. Besides, where and how is social justice even being taught in the public schools? All I see on the news is angry parents railing against it at PTA and school board meetings by calling anything they don’t like “CRT.”

DCPS parent. Maybe don't get all your information from the news, most of which isn't even addressing DC schools. My kid had "activism" as a social studies unit in second grade. They learned about Rosa Parks, Wangari Maathai, Malala Yousafzai, and others. This year, her American history unit is starting with a survey of Native American cultures before Europeans arrived, and they learn about Columbus's role in enslaving and torturing the indigenous people. They explicitly talk about subjects related to slavery and civil rights, including in their study of DC history. You don't have to pay $41K/year to have your kid learn about social justice.

And one reason my kid isn't going to private school is that we DID think that private education in this country has a lot to do with social justice, including the perpetuation of inequality. People aren't sending their kids to private schools that cost more than the US median annual income because they have a deep commitment to social justice. They might pick one school over another based on how much those schools seem to promote certain values over others, but no one in DC is choosing private because they are worried that their kids won't learn about diversity and equity in public schools.

So you would have us believe that DCPS is reflective of what's being taught in most public schools around the country? I'd argue that what you've described, which I would love to see in more places, is the rare exception for public schools and nowhere close to the rule.

We're talking about a DC private school. And, frankly, I'd be surprised if DC is a huge outlier among urban school districts.

[Anonymous]

PP said "Do you think Sheridan parents or any private school parents pay 41k for their kids to get a social justice education?"

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Omg I’m sorry I wasn’t clear. I was saying that *of course* climate change and institutional racism are real! That is a baseline to me of common sense. I was trying to figure out whether kids can have debates/ask questions about all manner of political issues beyond that baseline. I assume (hope) anyone at Sheridan is anti trump, pro choice and willing to acknowledge white supremacy. But there’s lots of spectrum within those positions, lots to talk about if a child is comfortable. My concern is stridency and the threat of cancellation (or embarrassment or whatever you want to call it) from peers for saying the wrong thing, and above all age-appropriateness.

To the PP saying I’m conflating my slac with k-8, I truly hope you are right! That’s how I want it to be but I’m worried that political positioning and even some version of litmus testing happens earlier and earlier. This is sincere and does not come from “republican talking points”. That is not the world I’m in or the media I consume.

“of course” not.

You really contradict yourself. Even debate contests are chuckling away at controversial topics when they feel so self righteous.

[Anonymous]

100 points you made white Op apologize for nothing!! Ding ding ding!