Big GDS news

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If GDS adds a cafetaria, won't it increase tuition? I thought the goal was to keep fees lower. GDS already costs the same as other schools without providing lunch.

What's the old expression -- leaving money on the table? It seems that the kids (meaning their parents) are leaving money on the table, without even getting crumbs in return.
With all that's involved in a project of this size and cost, it would be shocking if GDS didn't include a cafeteria.

[Anonymous]

Swallowing the camel but straining at the gnat?

[Anonymous]

I am not sure how they would add a cafeteria and all of the delivery/waste management etc infrastructure and keep tuition where it is, while also servicing the debt on the construction project.

[Anonymous]

Ummm -- I thought part of the selling point of GDS high school was the open campus.

If that goes away it will be a lot harder to distinguish it from Sidwell

[Anonymous]

Isn't that the point?

[Anonymous]

Wow! 800 postings on this thread, but still only two-thirds of the number of students (NOT counting staff) that GDS plans to squeeze on to the Safeway site.

Here's at least hoping that the GDS mixed-use condo towers will be more spacious!

[Anonymous]

The differences between Sidwell and GDS are much larger than the open campus. FYI, Sidwell HS kids have the option of going to Chipotle and other area places for lunch ---- or eat in the cafetaria. Students and faculty don't want to walk to Starbucks, the school store also makes lattes, cappuccinos, expressos etc. (Similar facility on Cathedral grounds. Aside from Burke and Sheridan, GDS loses on a campus v. campus comparison to every single private school inside DC. Field, Maret, Sidwell and especially the Cathedral schools. That won't change after they move in to the Safeway.

[Anonymous]

It will change after the move -- it'll get worse.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The differences between Sidwell and GDS are much larger than the open campus. FYI, Sidwell HS kids have the option of going to Chipotle and other area places for lunch ---- or eat in the cafetaria. Students and faculty don't want to walk to Starbucks, the school store also makes lattes, cappuccinos, expressos etc. (Similar facility on Cathedral grounds. Aside from Burke and Sheridan, GDS loses on a campus v. campus comparison to every single private school inside DC. Field, Maret, Sidwell and especially the Cathedral schools. That won't change after they move in to the Safeway.

And your point is...?

GDS doesn't have a spectacular campus for either the lower or upper school. It wasn't founded by folks at the turn of the century or inherited property from a wealthy matron. The school was founded by families excluded from all the area independents due to their race, religion, or ethnicity. Sometimes families pick a school for their child based on mission and curriculum, not if there is a fox den or a climbing wall. The other campuses you mentioned are lovely. There are great communities at all of the schools. Yet at the end of the day, some folks still prefer GDS. And that's okay.

[Anonymous]

It's fine to make that argument, but then don't turn it around to some sort of prestige associated with Wisconsin Avenue - one that only GDS people have made.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's fine to make that argument, but then don't turn it around to some sort of prestige associated with Wisconsin Avenue - one that only GDS people have made.

And that the new campus will address supposed security issues and enable GDS to "compete" for presidential children/grandchildren ("Obama Loss Syndrome")

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's fine to make that argument, but then don't turn it around to some sort of prestige associated with Wisconsin Avenue - one that only GDS people have made.

Did GDS folks make it or was it imputed to them?

[Anonymous]

It was made my GDS boosters.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's fine to make that argument, but then don't turn it around to some sort of prestige associated with Wisconsin Avenue - one that only GDS people have made.

And that the new campus will address supposed security issues and enable GDS to "compete" for presidential children/grandchildren ("Obama Loss Syndrome")

You're back. If you knew anything about security, then you would already know that the revised campus may still be deemed too porous by the Secret Service. Being on one campus however, ay be seen as a benefit. Your comments separate the wheat from the chaff.

[Anonymous]

To the so- called expert on security. You are not an expert on security. Stop talking about it.