Georgetown Day School, Sidwell Friends, or St. Alban's?

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[Post New]07/06/2021 10:02
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Anonymous
Each of these schools expands in both middle and at 9th grade, so there will be kids who haven't been there for 10 years. But keep in mind that transferring Junior yr is hard for anyone at any school.

My son felt STA was too focused on sports when looking for HS and didn't apply. He never had any regrets. The families we know there are very happy, but also agree that they don't think our son would like it there.

I think this year will be extra weird (but maybe in a good way for your son) because of COVID. The rising juniors that joined these schools in 9th grade have not had as much time together in person, so there may be more fluidity in friend groups than a typical junior year....who knows?
[Post New]07/06/2021 10:13
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Anonymous
OP - given you are identifiable by any of the schools you have applied to and likely later in the school community that your child ends up attending as a summer admissions by DCUMers - I would definitely not post much more here in terms of yourself or opinions. (you haven't so far, so that's good).
[Post New]07/06/2021 10:29
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Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Ugh. The reactions here just underscore that people seem to think admission to these schools is IMPOSSIBLE when the reality is, it’s only impossible if you’re not prestigious/smart/wealthy. If you are any of those things, I’d say it’s just luck of the draw.

Also, all these schools will admit a couple of students late in the game if it’s because they are new to the area. The OP said she went to Exeter and they’re moving to DC this summer. This kid sounds like exactly the type of person they make space for.


If you could read, you would notice that no one questioned that she got her ds into the school. What no one believes is why they gave her an extension so that she doesn't have to sign a contract until August.

She got a junior into St. Albans. Sure, I believe it. She got a junior in to St. Albans and they said, "Take your time deciding. Get back to us by August. We'll hold a space open for him." No, I don't believe that.


Why not? Maybe she’s a VIP. Maybe she’s super wealthy. Maybe she’s super connected. Not unusual around here. Just because you don’t experience such privilege, doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist.


A VIP who went to Exeter would know the names of the schools her ds was applying to. Or is Georgetown Country Day School so prestigious that plebeians like me haven't heard of it?
[Post New]07/06/2021 10:35
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Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Ugh. The reactions here just underscore that people seem to think admission to these schools is IMPOSSIBLE when the reality is, it’s only impossible if you’re not prestigious/smart/wealthy. If you are any of those things, I’d say it’s just luck of the draw.

Also, all these schools will admit a couple of students late in the game if it’s because they are new to the area. The OP said she went to Exeter and they’re moving to DC this summer. This kid sounds like exactly the type of person they make space for.


If you could read, you would notice that no one questioned that she got her ds into the school. What no one believes is why they gave her an extension so that she doesn't have to sign a contract until August.

She got a junior into St. Albans. Sure, I believe it. She got a junior in to St. Albans and they said, "Take your time deciding. Get back to us by August. We'll hold a space open for him." No, I don't believe that.


Why not? Maybe she’s a VIP. Maybe she’s super wealthy. Maybe she’s super connected. Not unusual around here. Just because you don’t experience such privilege, doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist.


A VIP who went to Exeter would know the names of the schools her ds was applying to. Or is Georgetown Country Day School so prestigious that plebeians like me haven't heard of it?


I think you are reading into this too deeply. Auto correct/fill could easily have changed Day to Country Day.... or maybe they have a school near them that is a Country Day and so it was a slip.... This all seems legit to me.

Her question was about whether one school would be easier to make friends over others. I think they are all equally challenging in 11th grade but all equally affected by COVID on that front.
[Post New]07/06/2021 10:56
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Anonymous
The OP's post sounded plausibly authentic to me. I bet there are multiple families in similar situations, especially families from other areas and one parent is joining the Biden administration.

I'd cast a wider net both to improve the odds and because some non-Big 3 options might be preferable.

(Former Big 3 parent)
[Post New]07/06/2021 13:31
quote
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Ugh. The reactions here just underscore that people seem to think admission to these schools is IMPOSSIBLE when the reality is, it’s only impossible if you’re not prestigious/smart/wealthy. If you are any of those things, I’d say it’s just luck of the draw.

Also, all these schools will admit a couple of students late in the game if it’s because they are new to the area. The OP said she went to Exeter and they’re moving to DC this summer. This kid sounds like exactly the type of person they make space for.


If you could read, you would notice that no one questioned that she got her ds into the school. What no one believes is why they gave her an extension so that she doesn't have to sign a contract until August.

She got a junior into St. Albans. Sure, I believe it. She got a junior in to St. Albans and they said, "Take your time deciding. Get back to us by August. We'll hold a space open for him." No, I don't believe that.


Why not? Maybe she’s a VIP. Maybe she’s super wealthy. Maybe she’s super connected. Not unusual around here. Just because you don’t experience such privilege, doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist.


They would for an Uber-high powered White House senior political appointee.
[Post New]07/06/2021 13:34
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Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Because STA has a jerky, jock-y, sexist atmosphere.

They might not have any spots, is the problem. It’s not like boarding schools that accept a lot of kids in eleventh grade. It’s only by attrition. So you should apply to a bunch of schools and then not worry too much about which one until you see which ones are even options.


OP, I have a very different perspective from the STA hater. My son is currently in high school there and we have been very pleased with the academics and environment. We were concerned about an all boys school, but our son has not experienced the atmosphere PP describes AT ALL. Our son, in many ways, sounds similar to yours - he is very bright, more drawn to the humanities than STEM, enjoys music . . . But also enjoys team sports and the “brotherhood” that he has found at STA. He is proud of his school and looks forward to going, even though he does work very hard. There are many boys at STA who are like him. FWIW, we also have two daughters and would not send them to NCS due to the mean-girl, competitive atmosphere there where girls fail to lift each other up in the way that boys at STA do. This is something we paid close attention to in selecting STA, and we have found that the boys consistently celebrate each other’s successes.


Op, I really would not pay attention to what moms of St. Albans boys are saying. What do they know? The boys know to be polite in front of parents. That doesn’t mean the boys don’t sexually harass girls nonstop when the parents aren’t looking whenever girls are around.

Op, when you said he has gotten into SAS, what school are you referring to? The acronym for St Albans is STA


I think that quote just disqualified you as an observer with any maturity or balance.

Get yourself some therapy.
[Post New]07/06/2021 13:47
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Anonymous
Accept the St. Albans spot and get on with your summer and settling in.
[Post New]07/06/2021 14:32
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Anonymous
Dear OP,

I would check out Burke before you accept St. Albans, Sidwell or GDS. Seriously. You will probably prefer Big 3, as most people do, but some people in a similar position prefer Burke. There are things you said in your post that make me think you might be one of the minority that prefers Burke. Burke has a number of parents who went to high schools like Exeter and chose Burke over Big 3.
.
[Post New]07/06/2021 15:10
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Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:Dear OP,

I would check out Burke before you accept St. Albans, Sidwell or GDS. Seriously. You will probably prefer Big 3, as most people do, but some people in a similar position prefer Burke. There are things you said in your post that make me think you might be one of the minority that prefers Burke. Burke has a number of parents who went to high schools like Exeter and chose Burke over Big 3.
.


Not the OP, but can you share what you saw that makes you think the OP would prefer Burke over GDS? That would help me figure out what I might prefer.
[Post New]07/06/2021 16:37
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Anonymous
Burke has more in common with GDS than with either STA or SFS, but there are some major differences. Burke is less intense academically, meaning it has a less competitive and more collaborative culture. Burke kids are usually less stressed and have more free time because less homework is assigned. Burke kids also tend to be very nice to one another. There are far fewer wealthy families at Burke. There's not much social climbing at Burke.

GDS has more varied course offerings, more extremely smart kids, more serious sports, more name recognition, and more students who go on to very selective colleges.

[Post New]07/06/2021 16:39
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Anonymous
OP, if you got into St Albans, I would accept it and prepare for your move. It’s a great school. College placement is strong. GDS and Sidwell may be waiting to see if anyone drops out, but that is so iffy. St Albans is fantastic. Take the spot and move forward.
[Post New]07/06/2021 20:43
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Farmer
Member Offline
Anonymous wrote:Dear OP,

I would check out Burke before you accept St. Albans, Sidwell or GDS. Seriously. You will probably prefer Big 3, as most people do, but some people in a similar position prefer Burke. There are things you said in your post that make me think you might be one of the minority that prefers Burke. Burke has a number of parents who went to high schools like Exeter and chose Burke over Big 3.
.


What is it about Burke that sets it apart from the other schools?
[Post New]07/06/2021 21:13
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Anonymous
OP, welcome to DC and sorry about the tone here. The problem is the schools you mention are very competitive and some people are probably surprised and/or jealous. They are getting hung up on that and can’t seem to understand that you are relocating and didn’t apply during the normal cycle. Just ignore it and I promise that life will be better in person.

Now, on to your question. As others have noted, each of the schools has an entirely different culture. Is it more traditional? Is it more progressive? What is your son’s current school like? What does he enjoy doing? Interests? Can your son visit them? I know it’s hard to get a sense during the summer, but it might also be useful to get a sense of the physical spaces.

Best of luck to you.
[Post New]07/06/2021 21:31
quote
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:OP, welcome to DC and sorry about the tone here. The problem is the schools you mention are very competitive and some people are probably surprised and/or jealous. They are getting hung up on that and can’t seem to understand that you are relocating and didn’t apply during the normal cycle. Just ignore it and I promise that life will be better in person.

Now, on to your question. As others have noted, each of the schools has an entirely different culture. Is it more traditional? Is it more progressive? What is your son’s current school like? What does he enjoy doing? Interests? Can your son visit them? I know it’s hard to get a sense during the summer, but it might also be useful to get a sense of the physical spaces.

Best of luck to you.


This might be the only useful answer for you, OP. Does your son thrive in a traditional or progressive pedagogy? As others note, STA is very sporty, so if that is a concern, then between Sidwell and GDS, the learning style is an important distinguishing point. My child is at GDS HS, and I think it is a welcoming environment. I'm sure the same is true at Sidwell.
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