Sidwell Report Cards Just Came Out…

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Exactly. The fact that the OP can’t see that is concerning.

People who have children with lower
(< 3.70) Sidwell GPAs (or other private schools) keep commenting on this particular point. Please just say you don’t know what it’s like to have a child who earned a 4.0 in middle school, and expected the same, or very close to it, in high school after putting in exponentially more work. If those children feel disappointed, their feelings are valid. No one has said their child was depressed or suicidal.

These children are entitled to feel however they want to feel. Worry about your own children and let others live.

If this scenario (bolded) is true, then you have failed as a parent.

Of course, every "feeling" is valid to the feeling holder. However, good parents know that their role is to guide and teach their kids, and to help them become mature adults, and not wallow in their "feelings." Sometimes that includes popping their little bubble by telling them that their expectations are not realistic, and helping them accept that.

Oh, honey. Who said they’re wallowing in their feelings?

I’m the poster who had the child with a 3.92. I am not OP, nor am I the PP you responded to.

My child was actually a 4.0 student in MS as previous poster suggested they might be. They hoped to be able to maintain that and yes they have not been able to. The fact is, DC came close. It’s OK for them to be a little disappointed.

You sound like a freak who thinks they can control their child’s feelings. My high-achieving child is more balanced than you. They were disappointed, reflected on what they could have done differently and what was out of their control, then moved on. Unlike you who has created dramatic scenes of wallowing and despair because that’s how you want to imagine high achieving kids, ie somehow suffering and angstful. No, they’re off enjoying their summer and having a blast with friends before starting a super-fun internship in NY.

[Anonymous]

I know this board will dismiss me out of hand but I will tell you that what is posted on this board about Sidwell is very concerning. The facts that so many parents join in and so many disparage the school and the ones who defend it do so vehemently, it comes off as a not safe, nurturing or caring environment interested in getting the best out of my son—and I mean as a person for life which is what I want. You won’t care because you have so many applications that you can build your class however you want I am sure. But I will tell you that you are losing my vote for my kid. I think it’s all way too much and there are other places with equally strong academics that my child would have in my view a more positive supportive community.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Exactly. The fact that the OP can’t see that is concerning.

People who have children with lower
(< 3.70) Sidwell GPAs (or other private schools) keep commenting on this particular point. Please just say you don’t know what it’s like to have a child who earned a 4.0 in middle school, and expected the same, or very close to it, in high school after putting in exponentially more work. If those children feel disappointed, their feelings are valid. No one has said their child was depressed or suicidal.

These children are entitled to feel however they want to feel. Worry about your own children and let others live.

If this scenario (bolded) is true, then you have failed as a parent.

Of course, every "feeling" is valid to the feeling holder. However, good parents know that their role is to guide and teach their kids, and to help them become mature adults, and not wallow in their "feelings." Sometimes that includes popping their little bubble by telling them that their expectations are not realistic, and helping them accept that.

Oh, honey. Who said they’re wallowing in their feelings?

I’m the poster who had the child with a 3.92. I am not OP, nor am I the PP you responded to.

My child was actually a 4.0 student in MS as previous poster suggested they might be. They hoped to be able to maintain that and yes they have not been able to. The fact is, DC came close. It’s OK for them to be a little disappointed.

You sound like a freak who thinks they can control their child’s feelings. My high-achieving child is more balanced than you. They were disappointed, reflected on what they could have done differently and what was out of their control, then moved on. Unlike you who has created dramatic scenes of wallowing and despair because that’s how you want to imagine high achieving kids, ie somehow suffering and angstful. No, they’re off enjoying their summer and having a blast with friends before starting a super-fun internship in NY.

+100. Those that get it, get it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, your kid's grades probably put them at the 50-75% mark in the grade. There are always a handful of kids, maybe 10? who get a 3.9+ and a few of these who have a 4.0. These kids are remarkably smart and disciplined and had some luck with teachers as well. I'm quite sure that I (an Ivy educated mom in my 40s) could not get a 4.0 at Sidwell. Those who do are truly impressive.

Thanks, that sounds about right. It seems that my daughter’s friends and (some) classmates are fairly honest with each other about grades. She told me that she only knows of one student in her grade who, reputedly, has maintained a 4.0. There may be others, but she has only heard one name mentioned consistently.

i thought the average at big 3s hovered around 3.5 when converted to a GPA. Op's kid seems well above that. probably more like a 3.8.

OP. I haven’t calculated her cumulative GPA, but my guess is that it falls somewhere between a 3.80 to 3.85. As I said before, she’s doing well. I just wanted a rough estimate of those students with a 3.9 and above. This is my question, not my daughter’s. She has made peace with the fact that she will not graduate with a 4.0. She just wants to keep her cumulative GPA above a 3.80, which I think is attainable.

I'm a Big3 alum and feel sorry if your daughter is having to "make peace" with her very excellent and hard earned 3.8 or 3.85. The info about straight As in middle school tells me your child was new to Sidwell as a freshman and came from somewhere much easier and with grade inflation. It's probably a culture shock for both of you if you were expecting that hard work earns straight As. Most people who are more familiar with these schools already know that very few kids "crack" a 3.9 or above. With her grades and obvious work ethic, your daughter will have tons of options for college either way.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Exactly. The fact that the OP can’t see that is concerning.

People who have children with lower
(< 3.70) Sidwell GPAs (or other private schools) keep commenting on this particular point. Please just say you don’t know what it’s like to have a child who earned a 4.0 in middle school, and expected the same, or very close to it, in high school after putting in exponentially more work. If those children feel disappointed, their feelings are valid. No one has said their child was depressed or suicidal.

These children are entitled to feel however they want to feel. Worry about your own children and let others live.

If this scenario (bolded) is true, then you have failed as a parent.

Of course, every "feeling" is valid to the feeling holder. However, good parents know that their role is to guide and teach their kids, and to help them become mature adults, and not wallow in their "feelings." Sometimes that includes popping their little bubble by telling them that their expectations are not realistic, and helping them accept that.

A child who is getting a 3.92 was not unrealistic in thinking they could earn a 4.0. Nor is it unconscionable that they might feel disappointed.

Judging a child’s feeling as a parenting fail is crazy. As the psychologists would say, “All feelings are valid,” whether they are rational or not. It’s how you deal with them that determines mental health.

Some days I’m disappointed my thighs aren’t cellulite-free the way they were in my 20s. I get it over it pretty quickly but doesn’t mean that transient feeling of disappointment isn’t real.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why on earth are you posting this here? I don’t believe you’re a Sidwell parent. Because of you were you’d be talking to friends not posting on an anonymous board. This reads more like a VBA.

What does VBA mean?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Exactly. The fact that the OP can’t see that is concerning.

People who have children with lower
(< 3.70) Sidwell GPAs (or other private schools) keep commenting on this particular point. Please just say you don’t know what it’s like to have a child who earned a 4.0 in middle school, and expected the same, or very close to it, in high school after putting in exponentially more work. If those children feel disappointed, their feelings are valid. No one has said their child was depressed or suicidal.

These children are entitled to feel however they want to feel. Worry about your own children and let others live.

If this scenario (bolded) is true, then you have failed as a parent.

Of course, every "feeling" is valid to the feeling holder. However, good parents know that their role is to guide and teach their kids, and to help them become mature adults, and not wallow in their "feelings." Sometimes that includes popping their little bubble by telling them that their expectations are not realistic, and helping them accept that.

A child who is getting a 3.92 was not unrealistic in thinking they could earn a 4.0. Nor is it unconscionable that they might feel disappointed.

Judging a child’s feeling as a parenting fail is crazy. As the psychologists would say, “All feelings are valid,” whether they are rational or not. It’s how you deal with them that determines mental health.

Some days I’m disappointed my thighs aren’t cellulite-free the way they were in my 20s. I get it over it pretty quickly but doesn’t mean that transient feeling of disappointment isn’t real.

Crazy and wildly judgmental!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Does anyone happen to know (for real) the GPA cutoff for Top Quarter of the rising senior class?

I heard it was 3.75ish.

What about the top 10%?

Around 3.9

So, that’s about 12 to 13 students out of ~125. That’s pretty tough.

And then there are the kids who get a little lower than that but who have taken the advanced math track. Many have lower GPAs largely due to Math III and Math IV first semester grades, with no bump at Sidwell for the advanced track (only available in math and science). So you can be in the top 10% for GPA, but if you aren't in the higher track classes you may not really be reflected/recommended as top 10% in the school's recommendations as the need to account for the higher track grades. This year only 8 seniors completed Math IV and they all did very well in college admissions even with come lower math grades over the years. They make up a number of the high ranked college spots. Three of the eight are going to Harvard. I wish the school were a bit more transparent on this so kids really had a better idea where they are comparatively, not to encourage competition among them but because we keep being told colleges compare you to other kids at your school.

Sure but the 3 kids going to Harvard all had 3.95+

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Does anyone happen to know (for real) the GPA cutoff for Top Quarter of the rising senior class?

I heard it was 3.75ish.

What about the top 10%?

Around 3.9

So, that’s about 12 to 13 students out of ~125. That’s pretty tough.

And then there are the kids who get a little lower than that but who have taken the advanced math track. Many have lower GPAs largely due to Math III and Math IV first semester grades, with no bump at Sidwell for the advanced track (only available in math and science). So you can be in the top 10% for GPA, but if you aren't in the higher track classes you may not really be reflected/recommended as top 10% in the school's recommendations as the need to account for the higher track grades. This year only 8 seniors completed Math IV and they all did very well in college admissions even with come lower math grades over the years. They make up a number of the high ranked college spots. Three of the eight are going to Harvard. I wish the school were a bit more transparent on this so kids really had a better idea where they are comparatively, not to encourage competition among them but because we keep being told colleges compare you to other kids at your school.

Sure but the 3 kids going to Harvard all had 3.95+

How do you know that? Did you see all 3 of their transcripts? Of course you didn’t.

Btw, there are 4 students going to Harvard this year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Does anyone happen to know (for real) the GPA cutoff for Top Quarter of the rising senior class?

I heard it was 3.75ish.

What about the top 10%?

Around 3.9

So, that’s about 12 to 13 students out of ~125. That’s pretty tough.

And then there are the kids who get a little lower than that but who have taken the advanced math track. Many have lower GPAs largely due to Math III and Math IV first semester grades, with no bump at Sidwell for the advanced track (only available in math and science). So you can be in the top 10% for GPA, but if you aren't in the higher track classes you may not really be reflected/recommended as top 10% in the school's recommendations as the need to account for the higher track grades. This year only 8 seniors completed Math IV and they all did very well in college admissions even with come lower math grades over the years. They make up a number of the high ranked college spots. Three of the eight are going to Harvard. I wish the school were a bit more transparent on this so kids really had a better idea where they are comparatively, not to encourage competition among them but because we keep being told colleges compare you to other kids at your school.

Sure but the 3 kids going to Harvard all had 3.95+

How do you know that? Did you see all 3 of their transcripts? Of course you didn’t.

Btw, there are 4 students going to Harvard this year.

The fourth is an athletic recruit. The other 3 definitely had at least a 3.95. I know this for certain. It sounds like you are just coping.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Does anyone happen to know (for real) the GPA cutoff for Top Quarter of the rising senior class?

I heard it was 3.75ish.

What about the top 10%?

Around 3.9

So, that’s about 12 to 13 students out of ~125. That’s pretty tough.

And then there are the kids who get a little lower than that but who have taken the advanced math track. Many have lower GPAs largely due to Math III and Math IV first semester grades, with no bump at Sidwell for the advanced track (only available in math and science). So you can be in the top 10% for GPA, but if you aren't in the higher track classes you may not really be reflected/recommended as top 10% in the school's recommendations as the need to account for the higher track grades. This year only 8 seniors completed Math IV and they all did very well in college admissions even with come lower math grades over the years. They make up a number of the high ranked college spots. Three of the eight are going to Harvard. I wish the school were a bit more transparent on this so kids really had a better idea where they are comparatively, not to encourage competition among them but because we keep being told colleges compare you to other kids at your school.

Sure but the 3 kids going to Harvard all had 3.95+

How do you know that? Did you see all 3 of their transcripts? Of course you didn’t.

Btw, there are 4 students going to Harvard this year.

The fourth is an athletic recruit. The other 3 definitely had at least a 3.95. I know this for certain. It sounds like you are just coping.

What I know for certain is that you didn’t see those 3 students’ transcripts. It sounds like you are just lying.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Does anyone happen to know (for real) the GPA cutoff for Top Quarter of the rising senior class?

I heard it was 3.75ish.

What about the top 10%?

Around 3.9

So, that’s about 12 to 13 students out of ~125. That’s pretty tough.

And then there are the kids who get a little lower than that but who have taken the advanced math track. Many have lower GPAs largely due to Math III and Math IV first semester grades, with no bump at Sidwell for the advanced track (only available in math and science). So you can be in the top 10% for GPA, but if you aren't in the higher track classes you may not really be reflected/recommended as top 10% in the school's recommendations as the need to account for the higher track grades. This year only 8 seniors completed Math IV and they all did very well in college admissions even with come lower math grades over the years. They make up a number of the high ranked college spots. Three of the eight are going to Harvard. I wish the school were a bit more transparent on this so kids really had a better idea where they are comparatively, not to encourage competition among them but because we keep being told colleges compare you to other kids at your school.

Sure but the 3 kids going to Harvard all had 3.95+

How do you know that? Did you see all 3 of their transcripts? Of course you didn’t.

Btw, there are 4 students going to Harvard this year.

The fourth is an athletic recruit. The other 3 definitely had at least a 3.95. I know this for certain. It sounds like you are just coping.

What I know for certain is that you didn’t see those 3 students’ transcripts. It sounds like you are just lying.

Believe whatever you want. It still won’t change the fact that these students maintained ridiculously high GPAs while still taking the advanced math track.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Does anyone happen to know (for real) the GPA cutoff for Top Quarter of the rising senior class?

I heard it was 3.75ish.

What about the top 10%?

Around 3.9

So, that’s about 12 to 13 students out of ~125. That’s pretty tough.

And then there are the kids who get a little lower than that but who have taken the advanced math track. Many have lower GPAs largely due to Math III and Math IV first semester grades, with no bump at Sidwell for the advanced track (only available in math and science). So you can be in the top 10% for GPA, but if you aren't in the higher track classes you may not really be reflected/recommended as top 10% in the school's recommendations as the need to account for the higher track grades. This year only 8 seniors completed Math IV and they all did very well in college admissions even with come lower math grades over the years. They make up a number of the high ranked college spots. Three of the eight are going to Harvard. I wish the school were a bit more transparent on this so kids really had a better idea where they are comparatively, not to encourage competition among them but because we keep being told colleges compare you to other kids at your school.

Sure but the 3 kids going to Harvard all had 3.95+

How do you know that? Did you see all 3 of their transcripts? Of course you didn’t.

Btw, there are 4 students going to Harvard this year.

The fourth is an athletic recruit. The other 3 definitely had at least a 3.95. I know this for certain. It sounds like you are just coping.

What I know for certain is that you didn’t see those 3 students’ transcripts. It sounds like you are just lying.

Believe whatever you want. It still won’t change the fact that these students maintained ridiculously high GPAs while still taking the advanced math track.

The three kids going to Harvard did not have 3.95 GPAs. I know this for certain.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Does anyone happen to know (for real) the GPA cutoff for Top Quarter of the rising senior class?

I heard it was 3.75ish.

What about the top 10%?

Around 3.9

So, that’s about 12 to 13 students out of ~125. That’s pretty tough.

And then there are the kids who get a little lower than that but who have taken the advanced math track. Many have lower GPAs largely due to Math III and Math IV first semester grades, with no bump at Sidwell for the advanced track (only available in math and science). So you can be in the top 10% for GPA, but if you aren't in the higher track classes you may not really be reflected/recommended as top 10% in the school's recommendations as the need to account for the higher track grades. This year only 8 seniors completed Math IV and they all did very well in college admissions even with come lower math grades over the years. They make up a number of the high ranked college spots. Three of the eight are going to Harvard. I wish the school were a bit more transparent on this so kids really had a better idea where they are comparatively, not to encourage competition among them but because we keep being told colleges compare you to other kids at your school.

Sure but the 3 kids going to Harvard all had 3.95+

How do you know that? Did you see all 3 of their transcripts? Of course you didn’t.

Btw, there are 4 students going to Harvard this year.

The fourth is an athletic recruit. The other 3 definitely had at least a 3.95. I know this for certain. It sounds like you are just coping.

What I know for certain is that you didn’t see those 3 students’ transcripts. It sounds like you are just lying.

Believe whatever you want. It still won’t change the fact that these students maintained ridiculously high GPAs while still taking the advanced math track.

High GPAs? Sure. All of those students having >3.95 GPA? Absolutely not!
At least you admitted you made up the GPA nonsense. It’s simply not true.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Does anyone happen to know (for real) the GPA cutoff for Top Quarter of the rising senior class?

I heard it was 3.75ish.

What about the top 10%?

Around 3.9

So, that’s about 12 to 13 students out of ~125. That’s pretty tough.

And then there are the kids who get a little lower than that but who have taken the advanced math track. Many have lower GPAs largely due to Math III and Math IV first semester grades, with no bump at Sidwell for the advanced track (only available in math and science). So you can be in the top 10% for GPA, but if you aren't in the higher track classes you may not really be reflected/recommended as top 10% in the school's recommendations as the need to account for the higher track grades. This year only 8 seniors completed Math IV and they all did very well in college admissions even with come lower math grades over the years. They make up a number of the high ranked college spots. Three of the eight are going to Harvard. I wish the school were a bit more transparent on this so kids really had a better idea where they are comparatively, not to encourage competition among them but because we keep being told colleges compare you to other kids at your school.

Sure but the 3 kids going to Harvard all had 3.95+

How do you know that? Did you see all 3 of their transcripts? Of course you didn’t.

Btw, there are 4 students going to Harvard this year.

The fourth is an athletic recruit. The other 3 definitely had at least a 3.95. I know this for certain. It sounds like you are just coping.

What I know for certain is that you didn’t see those 3 students’ transcripts. It sounds like you are just lying.

Believe whatever you want. It still won’t change the fact that these students maintained ridiculously high GPAs while still taking the advanced math track.

High GPAs? Sure. All of those students having >3.95 GPA? Absolutely not!
At least you admitted you made up the GPA nonsense. It’s simply not true.

Firstly, me saying they ‘had ridiculously high GPAs’ does not equate to me saying that they had lower than a 3.95. Your logic is flawed and you are misinterpreting my claim to fit your own narrative. My child knows these 3 children personally, and can attest that their GPAs were in fact that high.

However, it seems you’ve already made up your mind on this situation, and nothing I say will change what you believe, which is fine. Arguing with someone who isn’t interested in learning the truth is not worth my time.