Sidwell parent here -- OP, your post raises interesting sociological and demographic questions. I think your concern is more related to taste and style than to "old money v. new", a distinction which has become increasingly irrelevant as old money has withered away and a meritocracy has flourished since WWII. Thus, you will find plenty of new money families at Sidwell, including ours in which both grandfathers of our children were the first in their families to attend land-grant colleges (on the GI Bill)m then the next generation attended Ivy League schools, thus spawning legacies in the current student generation, allowing our children to be looked down upon by their college classmates who are the first generation in their families to attend those schools.

Of course, the extent and manner to which we "new money" families choose to display our newly-created wealth may be different from the "new money" families at your school, but perhaps less so than you imagine. I remember seeing a ginormous white Cadillac SUV at a Landon game some time ago and thinking to myself, "Ah, this is what people on DCUM mean when they post those snarky references to Landon moms. We would never have such an ostentatious display of wealth at Sidwell Friends School." Of course, the very next morning what did I see in the carpool line at the US but a ginormous white Cadillac SUV! Hoisted by my own snarky petard! So, OP, I would say to you: beware, the new money isn't always greener on the other side.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:"New money?" Seriously?

You may not like what the OP has to say, but she has a point. New money people are too caught up in houses, jewelry, cars and clothes. Old money people may have those things but at least they have the good sense not to flaunt them, they're not really that impressed by them and are more concerned with the greater community/world around them or things like arts, culture and travel. For an old swamp Yankee who was surrounded by people with Jimmy Choo shoes, Louis Vuitton bags and botoxed lips and foreheads at my child's "new money" school, there's a lot to be said for old money.

best post!

OP here - that is one of the reasons I want to get out of that community. I'm assuming (hoping?) that a school like Sidwell or Sandy Springs up north (too far) would attract a less ostentatious crowd. I'm sure they have their Bill Gates bizillionaires but hopefully they have the discretion to give to the annual fund instead of the Cadillac/Mercedes fund. But what do I know? I'm not part of that community, I just have preconceived notions about it.

You are really kidding yourself if you think you will find a less ostentatious crowd at Sidwell? Any expensive high end private school is going to have those types of people. You have to make money to pay tuition.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:"New money?" Seriously?

You may not like what the OP has to say, but she has a point. New money people are too caught up in houses, jewelry, cars and clothes. Old money people may have those things but at least they have the good sense not to flaunt them, they're not really that impressed by them and are more concerned with the greater community/world around them or things like arts, culture and travel. For an old swamp Yankee who was surrounded by people with Jimmy Choo shoes, Louis Vuitton bags and botoxed lips and foreheads at my child's "new money" school, there's a lot to be said for old money.

best post!

OP here - that is one of the reasons I want to get out of that community. I'm assuming (hoping?) that a school like Sidwell or Sandy Springs up north (too far) would attract a less ostentatious crowd. I'm sure they have their Bill Gates bizillionaires but hopefully they have the discretion to give to the annual fund instead of the Cadillac/Mercedes fund. But what do I know? I'm not part of that community, I just have preconceived notions about it.

OP, there's a lot of difference between Sidwell and Sandy Spring Friends. Just because they are both Quaker you will find SSFS to be 1) geographically WAAAY further out and 2) far less exclusive (not being snarky - their admit rate is about 70% of their applicants are accepted compared to the miniscule admit to applicant ratio at Sidwell) and 3) academically far less rigorous than Sidwell. SSFS is not a BAD school, but it is not in the same league as Sidwell.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:"New money?" Seriously?

You may not like what the OP has to say, but she has a point. New money people are too caught up in houses, jewelry, cars and clothes. Old money people may have those things but at least they have the good sense not to flaunt them, they're not really that impressed by them and are more concerned with the greater community/world around them or things like arts, culture and travel. For an old swamp Yankee who was surrounded by people with Jimmy Choo shoes, Louis Vuitton bags and botoxed lips and foreheads at my child's "new money" school, there's a lot to be said for old money.

Sorry, but I have to ask. What exactly is "an old swamp Yankee"?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:"New money?" Seriously?

You may not like what the OP has to say, but she has a point. New money people are too caught up in houses, jewelry, cars and clothes. Old money people may have those things but at least they have the good sense not to flaunt them, they're not really that impressed by them and are more concerned with the greater community/world around them or things like arts, culture and travel. For an old swamp Yankee who was surrounded by people with Jimmy Choo shoes, Louis Vuitton bags and botoxed lips and foreheads at my child's "new money" school, there's a lot to be said for old money.

best post!

OP here - that is one of the reasons I want to get out of that community. I'm assuming (hoping?) that a school like Sidwell or Sandy Springs up north (too far) would attract a less ostentatious crowd. I'm sure they have their Bill Gates bizillionaires but hopefully they have the discretion to give to the annual fund instead of the Cadillac/Mercedes fund. But what do I know? I'm not part of that community, I just have preconceived notions about it.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:"New money?" Seriously?

You may not like what the OP has to say, but she has a point. New money people are too caught up in houses, jewelry, cars and clothes. Old money people may have those things but at least they have the good sense not to flaunt them, they're not really that impressed by them and are more concerned with the greater community/world around them or things like arts, culture and travel. For an old swamp Yankee who was surrounded by people with Jimmy Choo shoes, Louis Vuitton bags and botoxed lips and foreheads at my child's "new money" school, there's a lot to be said for old money.

best post!

My bet is it's Landon.

PP, I agree, but you forgot to mention all of the women in the car pick up line in large SUVs with the little dog on their laps and sometimes the dogs are even dressed in outfits! And of course the women are always on the phone even though they’re not supposed to be.

Anonymous wrote:"New money?" Seriously?

You may not like what the OP has to say, but she has a point. New money people are too caught up in houses, jewelry, cars and clothes. Old money people may have those things but at least they have the good sense not to flaunt them, they're not really that impressed by them and are more concerned with the greater community/world around them or things like arts, culture and travel. For an old swamp Yankee who was surrounded by people with Jimmy Choo shoes, Louis Vuitton bags and botoxed lips and foreheads at my child's "new money" school, there's a lot to be said for old money.

"New money?" Seriously?

Anonymous wrote:We have a son at an all boys school and we're considering switching to Sidwell for 9th grade. Does anyone have any direct experience going from an all boys school to coed such as Sidwell? Is it more or less difficult to get in if you are coming from an all boys school? I really like their progressive and environmental philosophy. Our current school is too businessy new money conservative for my liking. Any advice or insight would be appreciated.

That's pretty snobby. Sounds like you just want to upgrade the bumper sticker.

Anonymous wrote:We have a son at an all boys school and we're considering switching to Sidwell for 9th grade. Does anyone have any direct experience going from an all boys school to coed such as Sidwell? Is it more or less difficult to get in if you are coming from an all boys school? I really like their progressive and environmental philosophy. Our current school is too businessy new money conservative for my liking. Any advice or insight would be appreciated.

Echo the prior poster -- I don't think it is a factor one way or the other. It's mostly about the grades and scores in 9th grade. It is very tough to get in, but if your son has high grades/high scores it doesn't hurt to go for it. Despite what people say, Sidwell is interested in getting some kids who will contribute in sports as well. Football is a recent area of priority, so although it sounds a little silly, if your son plays football in 7th/8th grade that could be a good thing.

I don't think it's any harder (or easier) to get in from a single-sex school than from a coed school. I know boys who have moved from all-boys schools to Sidwell and are doing fine.

Wait until you are actually applying to ask these kinds of questions. And you should know that Sidwell is very difficult to get into.

We have a son at an all boys school and we're considering switching to Sidwell for 9th grade. Does anyone have any direct experience going from an all boys school to coed such as Sidwell? Is it more or less difficult to get in if you are coming from an all boys school? I really like their progressive and environmental philosophy. Our current school is too businessy new money conservative for my liking. Any advice or insight would be appreciated.