Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Twiddle dum and twiddle dee. Both good schools with great teachers but not necessarily geared for the STEM kid. Sidwell more mainstream in educational philosophy, more diverse students and better athletics while GDS is a little more innovative in terms of educational experience, more “woke”’ and more flexible curriculum than Sidwell. College admissions to the top schools is either legacy or $$$ or sports or some special hook. The regular smart but not super unique kid better set their sights on strong liberal arts colleges if they apply early decision. Both have super wealthy families and the middle class families in the donut hole feel squeezed with unabated tuition rises.

This might the most succinct and accurate post about these schools ever.

Agree with this as well.

Sfs more academic lower school with more student feedback, skills taught and structure. Didn’t feel as if my kid was missing things or context. Librarian helped kids try out a variety of genres and writing styles.

GDS quite play based, no homework until 3rd grade (not graded or corrections made then anyhow), no language until grade 3, very lengthy social justice social studies/ reading units. Was worried my kid wasn’t taught phonics or math well: did a ton of whole language approach (aka teach yourself to read by reading to yourself). Librarian lets kids do whatever they want pk onward, no guidance unless student asks.

We consolidated the three kids over time to the school we felt most confident in.

Anonymous wrote:While the schools are very competitive, there are kids that will be accepted to both and once accepted you will get the hard sell from the schools.
FWIW GDS struck us as willing to support DC as they explored various paths and Sidwell very structured with very high functioning students who are encouraged to meet high expectations. Families from both schools were friendly.
We left it up to DC to choose (we applied for 7th) and DC has been happy and the school a good fit.

Was your child accepted at both? Ours is younger so while we want their input we will be guiding the decision more.

While the schools are very competitive, there are kids that will be accepted to both and once accepted you will get the hard sell from the schools.
FWIW GDS struck us as willing to support DC as they explored various paths and Sidwell very structured with very high functioning students who are encouraged to meet high expectations. Families from both schools were friendly.
We left it up to DC to choose (we applied for 7th) and DC has been happy and the school a good fit.

If your kid can walk to GDS, then GDS. Sidwell still has the split campus, but if they can walk to either (especially the MS/US), go with Sidwell. If you live where they can walk to either GDS or Sidwell MS/US, congrats and keep your fingers crossed. You are applying for ES, so your choice will come with a decade+ commute. They are so similar that no difference is worth a more painful commute. If you are well off enough that commute isn’t an issue, then congrats again.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We were going to apply for 9th to GDS and the admission officer pretty much told us there are 7 spots for new 9th grade boys. We crossed it off our list...

Hmm. 9th grade has always been a major expansion year with ~ 25 spots for new boys in 9th grade.

Yes, but half will go to siblings and then the split the remaining half between boys and girls.

GDS

Sidwell.

Anonymous wrote:We were going to apply for 9th to GDS and the admission officer pretty much told us there are 7 spots for new 9th grade boys. We crossed it off our list...

Hmm. 9th grade has always been a major expansion year with ~ 25 spots for new boys in 9th grade.

Anonymous wrote:Twiddle dum and twiddle dee. Both good schools with great teachers but not necessarily geared for the STEM kid. Sidwell more mainstream in educational philosophy, more diverse students and better athletics while GDS is a little more innovative in terms of educational experience, more “woke”’ and more flexible curriculum than Sidwell. College admissions to the top schools is either legacy or $$$ or sports or some special hook. The regular smart but not super unique kid better set their sights on strong liberal arts colleges if they apply early decision. Both have super wealthy families and the middle class families in the donut hole feel squeezed with unabated tuition rises.

This might the most succinct and accurate post about these schools ever.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When we toured both pre-covid, Sidwell seemed more competitive, in that there was a set goal that they expected each child to get to. GDS wanted to see growth from each child, but recognized that since each child started in a different place, they'd end in a different place too. We are very happy at GDS.

Did "we" get into both?

*We* toured and *we* are happy. I never said who attended.

*We* didn't like Sidwell and didn't apply.

What didn't you like about Sidwell?

Um, you might want to actually read what she wrote. Geez.

Ok.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When we toured both pre-covid, Sidwell seemed more competitive, in that there was a set goal that they expected each child to get to. GDS wanted to see growth from each child, but recognized that since each child started in a different place, they'd end in a different place too. We are very happy at GDS.

Did "we" get into both?

*We* toured and *we* are happy. I never said who attended.

*We* didn't like Sidwell and didn't apply.

What didn't you like about Sidwell?

Um, you might want to actually read what she wrote. Geez.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When we toured both pre-covid, Sidwell seemed more competitive, in that there was a set goal that they expected each child to get to. GDS wanted to see growth from each child, but recognized that since each child started in a different place, they'd end in a different place too. We are very happy at GDS.

Did "we" get into both?

*We* toured and *we* are happy. I never said who attended.

*We* didn't like Sidwell and didn't apply.

What didn't you like about Sidwell?

OP here: Thanks all!

I do realize they're competitive, but my understanding is there's a small window from acceptance to when they want a decision, so I'm trying to do my research now. Is is true that they'll allow admitted kids to visit both schools??? That would help a great deal so my DC can get a feel for the school.

Thanks to the poster who gave specifics. Hoping I can get more of those kind of comparisons.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Honestly, after you get into both, then ask the question. For most applicants, they're lucky if their kid gets into one, which is the one to which you will send your child.

This. If you are lucky to get into both, then use the time after to do the visit and see where your child vibes with better.

People say that now. And then, take a look at this message board in March and the responses from other people to anyone admitted to multiple schools and undecided between/among them will be "what!?! How can you not know where you're going to send your kid!!! How irresponsible of you!"

+1