Georgetown Day School or Sidwell Friends?

[Farmer]

We are looking to move to DC in a couple of years and have been researching private schools for my son. Whilst we plan to schedule in-person visits to learn more, I'd just like to get the perspective of people here.
Our son is now enrolled in a progressive school, and he would like to continue his education somewhere with similar pedagogy. I went to a Quaker school, and I understand they are usually very liberal compared to most schools. However, we have heard the pedagogy at Georgetown Day may be a better match. He's very academic and indifferent to sport, so he is not interested in a school with a strong athletic culture. Lastly, we would like him to go somewhere in a cosmopolitan environment with many international students.
We are more than aware that both of these schools are very competitive and most applicants are not accepted. We have not yet begun the formal application process.
Any information would be appreciated.

[Anonymous]

Farmer wrote:We are looking to move to DC in a couple of years and have been researching private schools for my son. Whilst we plan to schedule in-person visits to learn more, I'd just like to get the perspective of people here.
Our son is now enrolled in a progressive school, and he would like to continue his education somewhere with similar pedagogy. I went to a Quaker school, and I understand they are usually very liberal compared to most schools. However, we have heard the pedagogy at Georgetown Day may be a better match. He's very academic and indifferent to sport, so he is not interested in a school with a strong academic culture. Lastly, we would like him to go somewhere in a cosmopolitan environment with many international students.
We are more than aware that both of these schools are very competitive and most applicants are not accepted. We have not yet begun the formal application process.
Any information would be appreciated.

In a couple of years?! Seriously we are all scrambling to get our kids ready for school to start next week!

Kids change so much in a year! See where your child is in a year before you even think about which schools may be a good fit.

[Anonymous]

Apply to both, preferably at an entry point. Hope that one accepts him and go there. If both accept, then you have a topic for discussion.

[Anonymous]

GDS sounds like it would be a better match.

[Anonymous]

Look at Wis too

[Anonymous]

Either one is fine and so are 5-10 other schools, just go to the most prestigious one you get into I guess. If you get into GDS and Sidwell, flip a coin or let the kid pick.Being around international students there won’t make your kid not a douche though. -GDS alumna.

[Anonymous]

Where are you moving from and how old is your son?

[Anonymous]

I'd go with GDS. It's not necessarily a progressive pedagogy, but I think it's more in that direction than Sidwell.

[Anonymous]

Good luck getting into either - you should apply to both and more and cross your fingers.

[Anonymous]

Both have non athletic people and you can opt for stretching class instead of PE.

sFS has a bit more structure and direction, which is good for all sorts of learners. It has a larger range of ideas and doesn’t totally suffocate out capitalism like GDS does.

gDS is self structured at a earlier age in terms of projects and goes very narrow and deep in classes, and along its liberal social justice mission. The progressive pedagogy at GDS means its SJW message is everywhere.

[Anonymous]

You really do have to see where your child iS admitted. If you have a choice, Sidwell is generally more highly coveted than GDS.

[Anonymous]

You seem to be using liberal and progressive interchangeably. What are you actually looking for in the school?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Both have non athletic people and you can opt for stretching class instead of PE.

sFS has a bit more structure and direction, which is good for all sorts of learners. It has a larger range of ideas and doesn’t totally suffocate out capitalism like GDS does.

gDS is self structured at a earlier age in terms of projects and goes very narrow and deep in classes, and along its liberal social justice mission. The progressive pedagogy at GDS means its SJW message is everywhere.

I know you are a troll but this is overwrought even for you. GDS does have a progressive pedagogy, which means it is very child-led and project based. I think SFS is more structured but mostly in degree. I think even SFS more traditional pedagogy is bordering on progressive compared to others.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Good luck getting into either - you should apply to both and more and cross your fingers.

This. +1000

I'd like to win the lottery and I'm wondering if I should buy a Ferrari or a boat first - please advise.

[Anonymous]

Both are very competitive. You should apply to both and probably others as well.