traveling wrote:AP testing is a good point of difference. Having kids go through the college application process, I'll say that many universities and colleges do not accept AP units or if they do, they count as non-specific credit hours. Schools have had too many issues with kids scoring well on an AP exam but not really being prepared for the next level class. GDS curriculum and quality of teaching prepared our daughter so well. She attends Reed and is on par with her peers and then some.

Say what you will about AP tests and rigor...but every college in the country except for only 8 or 9 schools...accept AP units for credit in some courses. I believe only Harvard, Dartmouth, CalTech, Brown, Amherst, Williams, Duke & Harvey Mudd give you no credit. Every other college in the country awards you some credit for certain courses based on certain scores.

Yale has now moved to Test-required with a twist...which means either SAT/ACT or AP scores.

Also, Oxford, Cambridge and Canadian colleges care about AP test scores.

AP testing is a good point of difference. Having kids go through the college application process, I'll say that many universities and colleges do not accept AP units or if they do, they count as non-specific credit hours. Schools have had too many issues with kids scoring well on an AP exam but not really being prepared for the next level class. GDS curriculum and quality of teaching prepared our daughter so well. She attends Reed and is on par with her peers and then some.

I don't know how much you care about AP tests (not the class, but taking the test)...but the big issue at GDS is they are the only private school in the DMV to both get rid of AP classes AND not offer the AP tests.

All the other privates got rid of the classes, but still administer the tests.

AP tests are not like the SAT...there are not 3rd party testing sites, so it is next to impossible to sit for the tests.

Our daughter attended GDS and loved it. She is now a junior in college. She was initially very interested in Maret but in comparison Maret is much smaller in class size. By the end of four years, our daughter wished GDS had even more students. Our take-away is that both schools are amazing for kids who enjoy academics. Our daughter was also very appreciative of the open campus policy and treatment of students based on trust and respect. She said the students weren't treated as kids, in all the right ways which raised the bar on mature actions, all around. An amazing lacrosse coach left Landon and is now at Maret so if your child is interested in that sport, Maret would have an edge. Hope this helps.

Anyone have thoughts on GDS vs Maret for high school? Pros / Cons of each? We haven't lived in the area long and it's a difficult decision. Thank you!