Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I can't speak to Sidwell, as I have one child in STA and another in another DC private that is considered on par with Sidwell, so I can speak to that perspective. The schools really are night and day... anyone telling you that they are similar and probably only speaking in huge generalities. We are so happy with STA but I think it fits my child well. Kids that do well there are already self-motivated, like to compete, have another skill (chorus, sports, etc). But with all that competition they also really do nurture the boys and have so many amazing traditions. It's a true prep school. Other schools with their commitment to inclusivity and higher staff turnover don't seem to have a true culture to them. My kid likes the school but it's just not the same. It's the way I felt about my public HS. Enjoyable but the school was not a big part of my childhood. Just a place to go and learn and play sports but not a school spirit within me. It's just a place to get an education. STA is more "all-in" if you will...

There is no DC private that is considered on par with Sidwell.

STA is, and, academically, so is NCS.

NP. No DC private’s national reputation is on par with Sidwell’s reputation. None.

Most DC natives would disagree with this. STA has traditionally been the city’s premier private school (going back generations). Whether or not that has changed is probably up for debate.

Nothing to do with reputation, but its campus is absolutely stunning.

I see STA’s PR department is working overtime on MLK’s birthday!
No dear, most DC natives, from EVERY ward, have heard of Sidwell (the Obama effect). Many haven’t heard of STA. Sidwell’s local and national reputation eclipses STA’s. This is not up for debate.

Btw, Sidwell is 25 years older than STA. it was and continues to be the city’s premier private school before anyone laid the first brick for the rest of DC’s independent schools.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The "no overlap" thing is not true in our case either. I have kids at both NCS and STA and they have friends at Sidwell.

None of these high schoolers have a ton of time to hang out with kids from other schools. Heck, they don't have time to hang out with kids from their own schools. But there is no hostility. They mix just fine. Many of them grew up going to feeder schools together, their parents are friends, etc.

Typical DCUM is spreading drama and untruths.

No one said there is any hostility. They are just not in the same social circles. That’s true in our case for two kids.

My kids hang out with other kids a lot on the weekends. That is strange and a bit sad that yours do not. They should be - they are teens!

This. They just are not in the same social world. Different social groups.

I would have to agree with this post. NCS and STA US students. NCS girl and STA boy are very social with their school. They both have played travel sports since they were young. Ny kids hand with Landon, Stone Ridge, a couple Bulis and W school kids. They have never hung with Sidwell kids. Ever. I'm not saying SFS kids are bad, but they have never been any social interaction (that I am aware of) between our kids and their friends with Sidwell. It's odd.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I can't speak to Sidwell, as I have one child in STA and another in another DC private that is considered on par with Sidwell, so I can speak to that perspective. The schools really are night and day... anyone telling you that they are similar and probably only speaking in huge generalities. We are so happy with STA but I think it fits my child well. Kids that do well there are already self-motivated, like to compete, have another skill (chorus, sports, etc). But with all that competition they also really do nurture the boys and have so many amazing traditions. It's a true prep school. Other schools with their commitment to inclusivity and higher staff turnover don't seem to have a true culture to them. My kid likes the school but it's just not the same. It's the way I felt about my public HS. Enjoyable but the school was not a big part of my childhood. Just a place to go and learn and play sports but not a school spirit within me. It's just a place to get an education. STA is more "all-in" if you will...

There is no DC private that is considered on par with Sidwell.

STA is, and, academically, so is NCS.

NP. No DC private’s national reputation is on par with Sidwell’s reputation. None.

Most DC natives would disagree with this. STA has traditionally been the city’s premier private school (going back generations). Whether or not that has changed is probably up for debate.

Nothing to do with reputation, but its campus is absolutely stunning.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You conveniently left out the fact that Al Gore’s son graduated from Sidwell, and his grandson currently attends Sidwell.

Yeah, Sidwell must be a miserable place. All of these wealthy and powerful people must have no choice but to keep sending their children to Sidwell.

And you conveniently left out the fact that Gore's son was expelled from STA.

Lol—are you new here? I’m certain there are no official STA records that say he was expelled. Counseled out/told STA isn’t a good fit? Almost certainly.

As a pp mentioned, he was STILL admitted to and graduated from Harvard…because of his last name. I’m not condoning this, but let’s not be naïve about how money and privilege work.

Back to the original comparison made upthread. Among DMV privates, Sidwell is unmatched when it comes to where Presidents and VPs send their children and grandchildren. Even Donald Rumsfeld’s daughter graduated from Sidwell!