GDS vs Maret

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As a long-time Maret parent, I will say that the new Head of School has been a real disappointment and his leadership is weak at best. Our youngest child is in the eleventh grade and we are just going to ride it out until graduation, but if I was a parent looking at schools during an entry year, I would probably not consider Maret.

Examples?

The handling by the Head of School around some anti-Semitism on campus has been slow and confusing. Some teacher departures were handled awkwardly. A bright and well-liked tenth grade student was counseled out in mid-September and has upset a lot of parents from that grade. Teachers at Back to School Night were complaining about the lack of transparency on a number of issues.

But, more than that, it is clear that the vibe has changed. I know that is not very specific, but I am on campus with some frequency and that's the easiest way to put it. The fact that I obscured my youngest child's gender in the previous post because of a concern about retaliation is something that I would not have done in the past.

This is not to say there is not a lot that is great about the school. There are a number of great students and wonderful teachers. My spouse and I have become close friends with some of the other parents. But there is a definite shift occurring. Naturally, a school will feel different under a different Head of School, but this difference is not for the better.

We are Jewish and considering Maret for 9th grade. Please can you say more about the antisemitism?

We are Jewish and US parents at Maret. I have literally no idea what this is referring to. That’s not to say I doubt authenticity, just that I have no idea what this is.

Our DC feels comfortable, has both Jewish and not-Jewish friends and has experienced nothing that could even arguably be deemed anti-semitism. The school forbids homework and actual classes on Jewish high holidays (they have “enrichment days”) and we have been totally welcomed by everyone.

Your mileage may vary but I don’t think it will.

We are not Jewish but are in the US. Have heard through various sources of students saying things and of one particularly problematic teacher, but to be honest, I think you’ll find this problem at GDS, Sidwell, et al

[Anonymous]

I'm a Jewish parent and I do not agree that the teacher is problematic and I have tried to be vocal about this. I think the teacher has not been treated fairly and it has been upsetting to observe. Is there still work to be done around antisemitism? Absolutely, as there is to be done in all schools. I support this but not the targeting of teachers in a way that lacks integrity.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We live in Virginia and are looking at Maret. I was shocked that Maret’s literature states: 8% of students reside in Virginia. That has to be the lowest of the Sidwell, GDS, STA/NCS cohort? I tried to look up the others but without success.

Maret is much more a 'neighborhood' school. like lots of kids are actually walking distance to school - much more than the sidwells of the world. It is a nice, relatively low-stress option if you are local and have money. A bunch of our neighbors in upper NW chose it for this reason. For HS, lots of people come there after either Sheridan or St Pats.

Do not know about “lots of people come there after Sheridan or St Pat”. It has a 5-8% acceptance rate in 9th grade. Lower if you take out sibling preference. In a good year 1-2 kids from these schools would get in. Though those same kids get into every school they applied to because they are top students.

We went to the US open house and our last name started with “H”. DS gave name and the staffer checked off his name. This was from a clip board holding all the names. The first page was single spaced with four columns. The staffer went seven pages deep before getting to our name. It seems like you are uninformed.

Not sure about St. Pat's, but Sheridan routinely sends 3-4 each year. Current 9th grade class has four from Sheridan. No siblings.

[Anonymous]

Our child had this choice, and we let them choose. Both are great and the place your child prefers is likely the better choice for them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As a long-time Maret parent, I will say that the new Head of School has been a real disappointment and his leadership is weak at best. Our youngest child is in the eleventh grade and we are just going to ride it out until graduation, but if I was a parent looking at schools during an entry year, I would probably not consider Maret.

Examples?

The handling by the Head of School around some anti-Semitism on campus has been slow and confusing. Some teacher departures were handled awkwardly. A bright and well-liked tenth grade student was counseled out in mid-September and has upset a lot of parents from that grade. Teachers at Back to School Night were complaining about the lack of transparency on a number of issues.

But, more than that, it is clear that the vibe has changed. I know that is not very specific, but I am on campus with some frequency and that's the easiest way to put it. The fact that I obscured my youngest child's gender in the previous post because of a concern about retaliation is something that I would not have done in the past.

This is not to say there is not a lot that is great about the school. There are a number of great students and wonderful teachers. My spouse and I have become close friends with some of the other parents. But there is a definite shift occurring. Naturally, a school will feel different under a different Head of School, but this difference is not for the better.

We are Jewish and considering Maret for 9th grade. Please can you say more about the antisemitism?

Also, is there antisemitism at GDS? Many uber liberals are antisemitic which makes me concerned about teachers at GDS. And yes, I know the history behind the start of GDS

After the Gaza war, what is considered antisemitic by some might be just anti-genocide?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As a long-time Maret parent, I will say that the new Head of School has been a real disappointment and his leadership is weak at best. Our youngest child is in the eleventh grade and we are just going to ride it out until graduation, but if I was a parent looking at schools during an entry year, I would probably not consider Maret.

Examples?

The handling by the Head of School around some anti-Semitism on campus has been slow and confusing. Some teacher departures were handled awkwardly. A bright and well-liked tenth grade student was counseled out in mid-September and has upset a lot of parents from that grade. Teachers at Back to School Night were complaining about the lack of transparency on a number of issues.

But, more than that, it is clear that the vibe has changed. I know that is not very specific, but I am on campus with some frequency and that's the easiest way to put it. The fact that I obscured my youngest child's gender in the previous post because of a concern about retaliation is something that I would not have done in the past.

This is not to say there is not a lot that is great about the school. There are a number of great students and wonderful teachers. My spouse and I have become close friends with some of the other parents. But there is a definite shift occurring. Naturally, a school will feel different under a different Head of School, but this difference is not for the better.

We are Jewish and considering Maret for 9th grade. Please can you say more about the antisemitism?

Also, is there antisemitism at GDS? Many uber liberals are antisemitic which makes me concerned about teachers at GDS. And yes, I know the history behind the start of GDS

After the Gaza war, what is considered antisemitic by some might be just anti-genocide?

+1

[Anonymous]

No antisemitism in Maret or GDS. Only pro Palestine support.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No antisemitism in Maret or GDS. Only pro Palestine support.

Any person with independent thinking ability shouldn't be confused by these two. It is understandable when 50K was killed, and people need to express sth.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Our child had this choice, and we let them choose. Both are great and the place your child prefers is likely the better choice for them.

Thread is from 2024 so I’m sure they’ve figured it out by now.