Reply to GDS v. Sidwell

Forum Index » Private & Independent Schools

Reply to "GDS v. Sidwell"

Subject:

Emoticons





More smilies

Text Color: Font: Close Marks

[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]
We had kids at both high schools.  Both are truly excellent.  Academics are very demanding at both.

Sidwell is more formal with a student and parent manual that is far more detailed and filled with rules than anything I remember GDS having.  The classroom environment is also slightly more formal (at GDS, for example, teachers go by first name; not so at Sidwell).  The Quaker tradition has a pervasive impact at Sidwell, not just in the weekly meeting but in the values that are encouraged.  We are not Quakers but appreciated these aspects of the school (and the weekly meeting was something our kid really valued).  GDS has a more "artsy" and liberal/libertarian vibe.

I used to think Sidwell was better at sports and it seems like more of the kids there are "all-American" types who play at least one sport.  But there are specific teams at GDS that are really good, so it depends on the sport (and this changes year to year).  Sidwell has a football team (usually pretty bad), and I don't think GDS does.  Otherwise I think the sports offered are roughly similar.

GDS makes a HUGE deal of musical theater and acting.  GDS parents like to say that the annual musical is "our football team."  The shows run longer and sell out.  There is an all-night party after the last musical show where parents cook food and the students break down the (usually elaborate) set.  In addition, GDS also has a lot more opportunities for performing (e.g. periodic talent nights where students and some teachers perform, singing groups).  If your kids is into musical theater, GDS is much stronger than Sidwell in my view.

Both schools have some fabulous teachers.  The Sidwell history department and the GDS English department are especially strong in this regard.  If your kid wants to learn Chinese, Sidwell is probably a better choice (not sure GDS offers it, and in any event Sidwell has pretty impressive programs, including in the summer, in China).

Can't go wrong either way.[/quote]
Thank you for taking the time to post this message (amid all the nasty dreck).[/quote]

Options

	Disable HTML in this message
	Disable BB Code in this message
	Disable smilies in this message

Review message

Search Recent Topics Hottest Topics