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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]
Glad my comments were helpful to a couple of families deciding this weekend.  Couple more things about topics mentioned earlier in this thread.

On college admissions, both schools have an enviable track record and the variations from year to year seem to have more to do with the strength of different classes than with which school is better positioned to send students to highly selective colleges.  So my advice on this is not to let this be the deciding factor, because I think there is no meaningful difference.  What is most important is to pick the one that will best support the growth and development of your kid.  That is after all the primary benefit of the high school experience, not college admission.  In addition, I think both schools do a very fine job helping both students and parents navigate the college admissions process.  This includes getting the students to think seriously about what THEY want out of their college experience as well as to come up with a list of 9 or so schools that range from reach to safety schools.  Both schools put a limit on the number of colleges the students can apply to.  While at first this struck me as not a decision for the school to make, I have come to see the wisdom of it.  It helps everyone in the class with college admissions, and 9 schools is plenty.  It also forces the students to think hard about what they want and which colleges are the best fit for them.  Both schools do a pretty good job of calming the parents down and of letting them know that parental worry over college admissions is a major stressor for the students.

On the chip-on-the-shoulder thing, I do think there is a trace of this at GDS, but it is unwarranted.  Maybe it comes from the fact that the Obama kids are at Sidwell and Sidwell is a much older school.  But GDS is rightly proud of its own history as the first integrated school in the District and a leader in progressive education.  To me, this is a bit like Harvard and Yale.  Some Yalies have a slight chip about Harvard because the latter is older and has a bigger international reputation, but those who really know both institutions recognize that each has distinct advantages -- and both are wonderful schools.  So I would also not let this be a factor.  To the extent that parents might gain some comfort or validation from the fact that Sidwell is the school chosen by the President to educate his kids, you should keep in mind that GDS is the school chosen by the Attorney General.  Both schools can point to many prominent and discerning parents who chose one over the other school.

At both schools, you will have lots of opportunities to get involved with other parents and the school -- if you have the time and want to do that (but you won't be pressured to do that if it is not your cup of tea).  There are school-sponsored dinners for small groups of parents at the beginning of 9th grade and thereafter, plus other events that facilitate this process.  If your kid plays sports, you will meet lots of parents at the games.  If your kid sings in the choir, you will meet the other parents at the performances.  In short, both schools do a good job of welcoming and integrating new families and making them feel comfortable.  The parent cohort is pretty similar at both schools -- lawyers, academics, politicos, World Bank types, journalists and other professionals are overrepresented.  What the parents all seem to have in common is a very strong commitment to and interest in their kids' education and development.

I agree with previous posters that the "vibe" at GDS is more informal and casual and the physical setting (especially in the forum) is a little bit more disorganized/chaotic.  Kids at GDS hang out in the forum and leave their stuff there and that is the first impression one gets upon entering the main building.  I also agree that there is a slightly greater sense at GDS that the students "own" the place.  But both schools do a good job in creating a strong community that the students are proud of.  And both do a good job of helping students to become effective advocates for themselves.  GDS has a slightly more PC tinge to it culture.  GDS is more Oberlin and Sidwell is more Haverford/Swarthmore.

Community service is emphasized at both schools, but Sidwell has more organized activities and events (work days, etc. and events that involve the parents as well if they want to participate).  At Sidwell, there is also a meeting for worship that the parents are invited to every so often.  Again, you can take that or leave it.  No pressure to attend if it is not your cup of tea.

Because each class at these schools is relatively small (120), the class has a distinctive character.  Although at both schools there is an influx of 35-50 new students in 9th grade, it is worth asking about the rising 8th grade class and what it is like.  Does it have any sort of reputation?  Any problems or issues?  For example, if you have a daughter and that class is clique-y with some mean girls, that would be useful to know.  Etc.  So that is something worth asking of other parents of 8th graders.

Finally, again, you can't go wrong with this choice.  One of my two kids got into both and picked Sidwell as the better fit.  One of his closest friends in junior high school also got into both and picked GDS.  I think both made the right choices for themselves.  And both were extremely happy with their experiences.

Good luck!

[/quote]
Many thanks for this terrific post! Truly useful![/quote]

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