Reply to GDS, Field, or Burke--which would you choose?

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]The academics are pretty different too. I would not say Burke would be the place for the more "academically ambitious" kid.[/quote]

I would put this differently. I agree that GDS has the most challenging academics of the three, and it is a great fit for kids who are looking for classes with very high expectations and a peer group which will directly challenge them to excel. But for some "academically ambitious" kids, this is a recipe for stress rather than for success. Burke and Field offer excellent college preparation, but in a lower key atmosphere.

One difference between Burke and Field is that Burke offers more choice in terms of honors and AP courses in high school. While I appreciate the downside of AP courses (more focus on preparing for a specific test), in schools in which the students have a relatively wide range of interests and talents (all bright but not all academic high-fliers), it does give the option of being in classes with kids who are particularly highly motivated on the specific topic.

Burke also is unusually flexible in giving credit for independent study and classes taken outside of school (college, distance-learning, etc). This allows students to go beyond what the school offers in areas of interest. I'm not sure about Field or GDS on this one.

The bottom line is, as several PPs have said, go for a shadow day and see which school feels right to your DC.[/quote]

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