I have a second grader in GDS. He is very proud of his school's history, and I don't think its because he is brainwashed. GDS does a beautiful job with values education. Kids are taught to respect differences across every dimension. I can honestly tell you nay sayers that my children believe these things from somewhere deep inside. Their values are reinforced at home which I am sure is an even stronger explanation to their belief system. Here is something else that has amazed me. My kids are truly being taught to think for themselves and to think critically. The reading and writing curriculum is also incredible and results in highly articulate young kids. The third grader who says that she is proud of the school's history of integration does not shock me. My guess is that most young GDS kids wouldn't say that but that some would. And it would be genuine and would come from a place deep within.

Anonymous wrote:Wow, 21:41, you think that because a GDS student is proud to attend a school founded by AAs and Jews, who were denied admission at NCS, StA, Sidwell, etc b/c of their race and religion is "regurgitation of an adult political agenda?" I am speechless.

I guess it does not take much. Yes, I think most eight years olds would respond, " Art" , " the library" , " the play ground" , and the all time most common response to " what do you like best about school : " recess"

But, " I like GDS was the first integrated school in Washington" hmmm. That is nice, but does someone repeat this to you ten times a day or what, sweetie?

Wow, 21:41, you think that because a GDS student is proud to attend a school founded by AAs and Jews, who were denied admission at NCS, StA, Sidwell, etc b/c of their race and religion is "regurgitation of an adult political agenda?" I am speechless.

Anonymous wrote:Thanks, 09:36--that's helpful.

i agree!

Anonymous wrote:I've interviewed a bunch of local kids for my alma mater. GDS has agood debate program (where kids compete in tournaments against other schools, as opposed to some of the other private schools, where kids just debate other students at their own school). I've also encountered more GDS ( and NCS) kids who've taken linear algebra/multivariate calculus than kids from other private schools.

The kids are also very verbal and very entitled, characteristics that they have in common with students from most of the other private schools.

I met a 3rd grader from GDS and when I asked her what she liked best about her school her response was , " GDS was the first integrated school in Washington" . Perhaps you interpret that as being "very verbal", but to me it sounded like a regurgitation of an adult political agenda. For example, " I like that we are all comrades unlike in the corrupt America" spouted off by an 8 year old in the Soviet Union old days.

Thanks, 09:36--that's helpful.

My son went to GDS, he's a surgical resident now and when I asked him about his GDS experience (he was not gifted in academics) he raves about it. It's not structured as much as some, but is very competitive academically, has a great arts program and seems to foster creativity, acceptance and individuality which to me is more important than what it may lack in being a super athletic oriented school. My son was on lacrosse team and seemed very satisfied with the program. GDS is a very unique place.

I've interviewed a bunch of local kids for my alma mater. GDS has agood debate program (where kids compete in tournaments against other schools, as opposed to some of the other private schools, where kids just debate other students at their own school). I've also encountered more GDS ( and NCS) kids who've taken linear algebra/multivariate calculus than kids from other private schools.

The kids are also very verbal and very entitled, characteristics that they have in common with students from most of the other private schools.

Anonymous wrote:And did you notice how swimming somehow replaced lacrosse which was in the original list of respectable sports?

(VO2, yeah, that's the ticket....).

The term is Max Vo2, and yes, it is the ticket for some .

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wonderfully predictable trajectory of this thread's first post.

What?

Just saying that it was entirely predictable that when a poster asks a question about a school- as in ``tell me about GDS'' it's inevitable that the thread will turn as negative as possible.

Anonymous wrote:Wonderfully predictable trajectory of this thread's first post.

What?

And did you notice how swimming somehow replaced lacrosse which was in the original list of respectable sports?

(VO2, yeah, that's the ticket....).

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not to mention that it would be stupid to say that the only respectable HS sports program is one that produces national caliber (or "world class") athletes. With the exception of a few prep schools, the vast majority of HSes, private as well as public, draw on local pools of students.'

Gotta wonder how many parents are looking for a HS that will maximize their DCs' VO2. My guess: none.

PP asked what was the objective study that measured athletic ability. The answer was provided. Go ahead, be a fan of a sport like football that has now been proven to cause cumulative brain injury and early onset dementsia.

No, PP (me) asked for objective data supporting your claim that the other sports required more aerobic and ANAEROBIC training. Your study tangentially addresses the former and doesn't touch the latter.

Anonymous wrote:Not to mention that it would be stupid to say that the only respectable HS sports program is one that produces national caliber (or "world class") athletes. With the exception of a few prep schools, the vast majority of HSes, private as well as public, draw on local pools of students.'

Gotta wonder how many parents are looking for a HS that will maximize their DCs' VO2. My guess: none.

PP asked what was the objective study that measured athletic ability. The answer was provided. Go ahead, be a fan of a sport like football that has now been proven to cause cumulative brain injury and early onset dementsia.