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[quote=Anonymous]NP/Current GDS parent of a MS'er.

I'm somewhat skeptical of the claim (specifically "several") because there just aren't that many kids who come and go (for whatever reason) on that timeline (enter 3/4 exit before 9).  One kid in my DC's class fits that profile and I haven't seen lots of kids leaving in subsequent classes.  That said, the boy I'm thinking of (whom DC and I knew and liked) may be one of the children the PP is thinking of.

It may be the case that when kids enter a school in 3rd or 4th grade and the family subsequently decides that they chose the wrong school for this DC,  both kid/parents are more likely to conceptualize the problem as having been one of exclusion (everybody else seems to like each other and get along -- I must have missed the bonding years), whereas if the DC had enrolled in the same school at PreK or K (or whenever the school begins), and had the same experience, the more likely  characterization would have been "not a good fit."

Obviously, bullying's a separate issue and when parents bring it to the attention of the administration, it seems to be dealt with swiftly and firmly.  From what I've seen (and DC's a lifer), bullying is not non-existent but it's not prevalent either.  And 20:18 is right that the school is pro-active on this issue.  I think it is an issue where parents may have to bring it to the attention of the school (especially if it's playground based and supervision is by PE teachers), rather than teachers picking up on it themselves.  And that the administration's swift/firm reassertion of school norms is effective to the extent that the parents of the bully back the school up.  Most do, but there is the occasional recurrent offender.

I'll also add that the mainstream is much more broadly defined at GDS than at many places and that means that some kids who might get a lot of grief elsewhere (especially around gender norms) have no problems at GDS.  A couple different parents have commented to me on this with great relief and I've seen it too in some other cases.

Bottom line -- school's a civilizing process for some kids and GDS takes that aspect of education seriously.  [/quote]

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