Choosing WIS over GDS or Sidwell?

[Anonymous]

Has anyone does this? And if so, why? If not, why not? Thank you!

[Anonymous]

I chose WIS over Sidwell -- I withdrew application from Sidwell. If GDS admitted, I would have been torn between the two. If Beauvoir admitted, I would have gone with Beauvoir.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I chose WIS over Sidwell -- I withdrew application from Sidwell. If GDS admitted, I would have been torn between the two. If Beauvoir admitted, I would have gone with Beauvoir.

Interesting response. Why Beauvoir then GDS/WIS?

[Anonymous]

Something felt right about Beauvoir to our famitly -- it was a warm, creative and nurturing environment. We loved the values, the arts, the sciences, the ability to have lunch with our children; however, it unfortunately did not work out. GDS has a stellar reputation but the PK felt a bit disorganized and, quicte frankly, dissheveled. I also did not like the overt diversity references, despite the fact that we qualified. I may have gone to GDS only because I believed they would have had an easier time with college. That being said, WIS is compelling because of the language. The only drawback is that I wish they had more emphasis on the arts. I was a bit naive and am a thrilled to be accepted and, quite frankly, I believe that the multiple langauges really fits with who we are and what we want to teach our children.

[Anonymous]

Ugh; must be tired....grammer mistakes and repeated phrases in my las posting. Sorry all,

[Anonymous]

Choosing WIS over GDS for MS. Love the setting, the intimacy of the campus, the world-view and languages, IB program. They do have a strong emphasis on the arts, at least in upper schools, this weekend they will have a series of short plays at Tregaran, and have produced very high quality programs in the past. If anything is missing, I wish there were more p.e. in MS and HS.

[Anonymous]

WIS was our first choice. Language immersion and IB Diploma were top priorities for me. As a former IB Diploma teacher, I really believe that nothing prepares students for college better than the IB Diploma (11th and 12th grades). They learn research, critical thinking and strong writing skills in addition to the strong academics and an international focus.

[Anonymous]

WIS was our first choice here, too, and we chose it over GDS (did not apply to Sidwell). In my mind, WIS provides everything that GDS and Sidwell do, plus language immersion. We also find that the mix of nationalities makes for less "competitive parenting" than at the other schools we considered. We plan to stay through the IB diploma.

[Anonymous]

Quick question: If you enter WIS at middle school your child must already be bi-lingual or coming out of an immersion program, correct? I wonder what this does to the size of their applicant pool?

[Anonymous]

Incorrect, PP. MS students may enter beginning second language classes.

[Anonymous]

I think that this was the case in the past, but now incoming children, even in MS and US, can start at different language levels. Check with admissions to be certain.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think that this was the case in the past, but now incoming children, even in MS and US, can start at different language levels. Check with admissions to be certain.

I believe that was my understanding too when I spoke with admissions. MS students can start at different language levels, plus they all start chinese together at that point.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:WIS was our first choice here, too, and we chose it over GDS (did not apply to Sidwell). In my mind, WIS provides everything that GDS and Sidwell do, plus language immersion. We also find that the mix of nationalities makes for less "competitive parenting" than at the other schools we considered. We plan to stay through the IB diploma.

I did not think of it from this angle but it is true and, quite possibly, the tipping point for us. Thank you for your insight and I look forward to meeting you at the WIS get-to-know the parents event.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:WIS was our first choice here, too, and we chose it over GDS (did not apply to Sidwell). In my mind, WIS provides everything that GDS and Sidwell do, plus language immersion. We also find that the mix of nationalities makes for less "competitive parenting" than at the other schools we considered. We plan to stay through the IB diploma.

I did not think of it from this angle but it is true and, quite possibly, the tipping point for us. Thank you for your insight and I look forward to meeting you at the WIS get-to-know the parents event.

Is there a WIS open house for admits? I saw events for those who accepted, but nothing for those who are still trying to decide.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:WIS was our first choice here, too, and we chose it over GDS (did not apply to Sidwell). In my mind, WIS provides everything that GDS and Sidwell do, plus language immersion. We also find that the mix of nationalities makes for less "competitive parenting" than at the other schools we considered. We plan to stay through the IB diploma.

I did not think of it from this angle but it is true and, quite possibly, the tipping point for us. Thank you for your insight and I look forward to meeting you at the WIS get-to-know the parents event.

I don't think that WIS provides everything GDS does -- especially in math/science in the upper grades. And, FWIW, as it turned out, almost all of my DC's friends at GDS have at least one parent who was not born in the US and the language instruction in the LS has really exceeded my expectations. DC was reading and writing as well as speaking by the end of 5th grade. So it's not just a pro forma songs and culture kind of exposure. I'm not claiming it's comparable to an immersion program -- so if that's what you want most, go for WIS. All I'm saying is that I thought I was sacrificing foreign language for other strengths in choosing GDS and have been pleasantly surprised to find that I'm getting what I wanted for my DC wrt foreign language (great accent, comfort with and interest in foreign language acquisition, friendships with kids from different cultural backgrounds).