Why not go public OP

Lowell and Sheridan are both incredible schools. The PP stated that Lowell is a "a lot" more diverse, but Sheridan is also quite diverse. Lowell has a sprawling facility which is great, but no lunch program which sucks. Sheridan using the same vendor for lunch that Sidwell uses, so their food is amazing. Sheridan also has a mountain campus that the kids go to a few times a year and thats all included in your tuition. They both are progressive schools and I would rank the quality of the education and culture of the schools to be similar! Sheridan also heavily focuses on letting kids be kids, allowing them to take risks, creating a really safe environment along with excellent academics. I think it boils down to which one you just *feel* like is a better fit for the child and the family. Both are great! GDS is not really a good school to compare to Lowell and Sheridan since its PK-12 as opposed to ending at 8th grade. I think a lot of DC parents way of thinking is that if they can get their kid into a PK-12 school that it alleviates the burden of the unpleasant application process having to occur more than once! I don't think a parent looking at GDS, Maret and Sidwell for example is the same parent looking at Sheridan, Lowell and Norwood.

Lowell has more than one class per grade and so if there is any type of issues between kids they can be placed in separate classes (our dc and another child were such good friends they got a little unfocused in the same class). That swayed us to Lowell over Sheridan. And I really liked the more laid back attitude of Lowell. Kids in DC metro area don't get to be kids long enough (IMO) and we've been really happy with how Lowell really encourages kids to be kids and allows for wide streaks of individuality. Also, if you care anything about diversity Lowell is much more diverse than Sheridan.

I think it would depend on the reason you gave when you did not accept the spot in lower school?

Re 14:32 post, I can't speak to whether it is true in practice, but it is what I would expect at most schools, particularly the ones that are harder to get into. Anyone else have a view on this?

One thing we heard was that GDS very much frowns on being rejected if they have accepted you, and not to expect to get in to HS if you turned them down for LS. I can't say whether this is true, just that it was shared with me.

Do these schools typically see attrition in 5th grade? Earlier?

My impression of GDS vs Sheridan based on visits and observations. GDS much bigger, less organized, great reputation, a little overwhelming for younger grades. Sheridan is small, focused and great at progressive education which is wonderful for early years.

I dont know much about Sheridan but a lot of kids alos go to GDS from Lowell and do very well. The academics at Lowell are quite strong. My understanding is that Lowell has more diversity than Sheridan, however, in a variety of ways including geographic.

Anonymous wrote:Sheridan is the best in the earlier years-- you can peel off to GDS in 5th or 6th and beyond. Their k-4 is excellent. Kids in both and happy with both but Sheridan really develops a strong character and lots of differentiation so your kid can shine. Academics is sharper also in these grades.

You could in theory but I can't think of a single kid who's left Sheridan in 5th grade for gds in the past several years. Or 6th. That's really not how it happens in practice.

How does Lowell compare to Sheridan in the early grades?

Sheridan is the best in the earlier years-- you can peel off to GDS in 5th or 6th and beyond. Their k-4 is excellent. Kids in both and happy with both but Sheridan really develops a strong character and lots of differentiation so your kid can shine. Academics is sharper also in these grades.

In terms of reputation the ordering is clearly GDS (outstanding) - Sheridan (very good) - Lowell (good).

I have been wait listed for GDS. Has anyone heard from GDS?

Anonymous wrote:OP, all three are very good schools. Both Lowell and Sheridan send lots of kids to GDS, so you would have a good shot at ending up at the same place for high school no matter where you start. Since financial aid is an issue for you, and admissions at all three are not a sure thing, your best bet would be to keep an open mind about all three, apply for admission and financial aid and then figure out what choice is the best for you. Even if you decide now that you like one better, it would not be worth turning down a better aid package between the three and you might not get into your first choice.

+1000

If FA is an issue you literally can't afford to get attached to one school. I was completely surprised by how much FA packages differed among schools. Apply everywhere, and then pick among the ones that are serious about meeting your need.