We know kids/families at both and looked at both and have kids at one - and even knew one who switched from one to the other.

Gds is more free flowing - open campus, a little more artsy, a little disorganized. While they call teachers by their first name, don’t let it fool you into thinking everything is free to be- the academics in high school are no joke and the middle school isn’t exactly known for preparing anyone for it.

Sidwell - definitely more traditional way of teaching and curriculum. Also intense academically. A bit less flexibility in the curriculum until 12th. We felt the parents were more intense and the kids a bit more outwardly competitive. Gds is pushing a bit more joyfulness. How much that makes a difficult given intense academics is hard to say - but definitely a diff feel on the two campuses

Anonymous wrote:Check out Basis in McLean too.

+1. Agree.

Here is some more info:

https://www.niche.com/k12/search/best-private-high-schools/m/washington-dc-metro-area/

Similarities:
-Neither school offers AP classes

Differences:
-GDS: The AP exam is NOT proctored on campus (you will have to find a testing center on your own).
-Sidwell: The AP exam is administered on campus.

-GDS: There is no US cafeteria.
-Sidwell: There is an US cafeteria, and it gets pretty good reviews.

-GDS: Students are limited to applying to 10 colleges.
-Sidwell: There is no limit placed on the number of college applications.

Sadwell does produce a good number more NMSFs, if you care about that sort of thing.

Yes, but the Sidwell Wednesday Morning Math worksheets have math problems with the names of the kids — and many of the young LS kids like to see their names in print!

This is an example from a tour several years ago, so may not be true anymore.

We toured both schools for lower school. Both schools told us about an optional, before school math club. At GDS, the kids in the math club played math related games. At Sidwell, the kids in the math club did worksheets, which were sent home with kids who were not in the math club (still optional).

We strongly preferred one of those approaches, but neither is objectively better than the other.

GDS - no football team - Sidwell -foot ball team:

GDS - students call teachers by first names, Sidwell - maybe a little more traditional?

GDS - reputation for meeting kid where they are/ "out of the box" thinkers; Sidwell - fits kid more into a mold (okay this is a stereotype)

GDS - not religious - maybe more quirky/social justice-y; Sidwell: quaker - more steeped in tradition

Both strong academics, etc., both probably equally great schools

Check out Basis in McLean too.

OP, the Sidwell curriculum and GDS Course of Study are both easily found online. Compare and contrast accordingly.

Respectfully, I don't think it's true that it requires having kids at both schools to know some of the things that differentiate the schools, especially because I am not asking for opinions on which is better.

The example I gave of progressive pedagogy vs more traditional education style is based on research I've done, though I've not sent children to either school.

I would think that parents who thoroughly researched both schools during the admissions process could share their perspectives on the differences, even if they haven't experienced both schools.

Again, I'm not asking for opinions on which one is better. I'm doing work to research and compare the two and I'm curious if others have done similar research and can share knowledge they've gained through the process.

They are clearly both great schools. I'm trying to get a sense of which school might be the better fit for my kid. And yes, I'm attending events and doing my own research. I'm not relying on DCUM alone but thought people here might have insights to share.

^Sorry Sidwell not Potomac, but point stands.

Unless someone has a kid who attended and liked both (but then why would they switch?) or siblings at both, you’re not going to get nuanced but accurate differences without school-bashing. GDS parents don’t actually know what Potomac is like and vice versa, and someone who disliked one and switched to the other isn’t going to give a neutral assessment of the one they left.

This is a dumb a$s post. Let's all ignore the troll. Both great schools. Visit both, apply to both if you like both, and pray to God that you get in.

GDS will always be the bootleg Sidwell. That’s all.

In what ways are Sidwell and GDS' approaches different and in which ways are the same? Clearly they are both great schools and I've read the comments on this forum where some say Sidwell is clearly a far better school, others say it's an unhealthy pressure cooker. Some say GDS meets kids where they are, others say it's chaotic.

I'm looking for specific examples of how these schools differ in their approach as opposed to your opinion about which one is better. One specific example is that GDS uses a progressive pedagogy in their teaching and Sidwell seems to use a more traditional approach. What else would you say are meaningful differences between the two schools?

TIA!