High Schools: Comparing Sidwell, Maret, and GDS

[Anonymous]

We are looking at high schools for our daughter, and her teacher has recommended that we look at Sidwell, Maret, and GDS. Could anyone comment on high school experiences at these schools? Is there much more academic pressure at Sidwell (that's what we've heard)? Which is the most progressive? Thanks!

[Anonymous]

GDS is the most progressive. I would rank Maret in the middle, then Sidwell. But I think they are all pretty good fits for more artsy/non tradtional kids, though.
I would also look into Field.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:GDS is the most progressive. I would rank Maret in the middle, then Sidwell. But I think they are all pretty good fits for more artsy/non tradtional kids, though.
I would also look into Field.

Do you have children at any of these schools? I wouldn't say that a strong competency in arts makes a child or school less traditional.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:GDS is the most progressive. I would rank Maret in the middle, then Sidwell. But I think they are all pretty good fits for more artsy/non tradtional kids, though.
I would also look into Field.

Do you have children at any of these schools? I wouldn't say that a strong competency in arts makes a child or school less traditional.

The poster asked for a PROGRESSIVE school (a.k.a NOT tradtional). I do have a child at a progressive school, though not one of the schools listed. I can't think of 1 artistically driven child who is also tradtional. Brains are completely different.

--From, an artistic mom with an artistic kid

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:GDS is the most progressive. I would rank Maret in the middle, then Sidwell. But I think they are all pretty good fits for more artsy/non tradtional kids, though.
I would also look into Field.

Do you have children at any of these schools? I wouldn't say that a strong competency in arts makes a child or school less traditional.

The poster asked for a PROGRESSIVE school (a.k.a NOT tradtional). I do have a child at a progressive school, though not one of the schools listed. I can't think of 1 artistically driven child who is also tradtional. Brains are completely different.

--From, an artistic mom with an artistic kid

Sorry, I have to respectfully disagree. My child is both highly artistic and "traditional", and happens to attend one of the schools you've listed. It's probably best not to make sweeping generalizations about these schools, especially if you don't have a child attending any of them. Probably best to limit your comments to the progressive school that your child attends.

[Anonymous]

OP, do you mean "progressive" in the curricular (i.e., non-traditional curriculum) sense, or in the parent/social sense?

[Anonymous]

Hi! Original poster here. I mean progressive in all senses of the word. Our children currently attend Burgundy (a progressive PK-8 school) and we love both the curriculum and the general mood and atmosphere of the school. We are looking for a high school that is similar to Burgundy, but offers: classes that are challenging and stimulating but not too pressured; compassionate teachers; a strong creative writing program; an orchestra and dramatic arts program; a wide variety of sports teams; and, ideally, off-campus community service opportunities. In other words, the world!

[Anonymous]

I would send my child to the school that accepts DC. If DC has a choice, then at that age I would let DC make the choice. You probably will not go wrong with any of the three mentioned as their academics and college acceptances make their reputations about which everyone is fussing here.

[Anonymous]

I'm an independent school teacher who has children, but none of them went through those upper schools. (We live in McLean and did Potomac.)

But I know many people whose children went to those schools. I get the sense that GDS and Sidwell are measurably higher pressure, less caring places than Maret at the upper school level. All of these schools, though, certainly have very strong academic programs. If only because Maret is a fairly small and cozy school (like Burgundy), my guess is that Maret would be most similar to the Burgundy experience. GDS is more progressive in terms of the culture, but none of these schools are actually progressive in the educational sense at the upper school level. (GDS is the most progressive at the lower/middle school level.) None of them come close to Burgundy, though, sadly enough.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm an independent school teacher who has children, but none of them went through those upper schools. (We live in McLean and did Potomac.)

But I know many people whose children went to those schools. I get the sense that GDS and Sidwell are measurably higher pressure, less caring places than Maret at the upper school level. All of these schools, though, certainly have very strong academic programs. If only because Maret is a fairly small and cozy school (like Burgundy), my guess is that Maret would be most similar to the Burgundy experience. GDS is more progressive in terms of the culture, but none of these schools are actually progressive in the educational sense at the upper school level. (GDS is the most progressive at the lower/middle school level.) None of them come close to Burgundy, though, sadly enough.

It is terribly frustrating for parents, teachers and those on the periphery to make comments about schools that they neither teach at nor have children attending. Your comments, by virtue of your "outsider" status, are not credible. Further, your comments just serve to stir the pot of misinformation.

[Anonymous]

I'm sharing opinions passed on by parents who have had children attend those schools. I made it clear what position I'm in. If it's a position people don't value, then don't listen to it... as you've not done. Where's the harm in that?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm sharing opinions passed on by parents who have had children attend those schools. I made it clear what position I'm in. If it's a position people don't value, then don't listen to it... as you've not done. Where's the harm in that?

I've not "listened" to your comments because they are second (perhaps third) hand....and because I actually have children attending one of these schools. The harm (as you put it) is that you (yes, you personally) don't know if what you were told is factual or not, circumstantial or widely pervasive. The harm, as I've previously stated, is that individuals like you stir the pot of misinformation because you have "a friend of a friend of a friend whose aunt's next door neighbor has a child whose best friend attends one of these schools".

[Anonymous]

Thanks, 15:08. I value your opinion. I think teachers are very well-informed about schools and school choices! My daughter's teacher, who went to Sidwell, did say that he thought Maret might be the best school for her. She needs a slightly less-pressured atmosphere because she has a medical condition aggravated by stress (Crohn's).

[Anonymous]

Have you considered the Field School? I don't have children there but from what I understand it is more "progressive" academically than GDS or Maret and certainly more than Sidwell. It may be more similar to the Burgundy atmosphere.

[Anonymous]

Thanks! We'll look at it. We've heard great things about Field and Edmund Burke. We plan to look at both.