Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We have a similar choice to make. I went to the talkat GDS and have to say what impressed me most was the kids. They really own thenplace and they are very happy. One of my other kids went to a big three and got a great education. Joy? Not so much.

The kids and their passion for learning was what impressed me the most about GDS as well (LS in our case). The fifth grades were amazing, so nice, happy about the school and about their teachers, so passionate about learning. As I said, very impressive. The principal's speech was awesome too. Well, in fact, I liked everything!

GDS is awesome! And the graduating seniors usually turn in an amazing performance in being admitted to Harvard and other top Ivy schools.

Because GDS kids aren't cliquey? Not to my experience.

Sidwell forces kids to be organized. Saved my kid in college

Looking forward to the Sidwell breakfast on Friday.

That is really helpful feedback. And is a bit about what I worry about with a DS that is a tad unorganized....

Depends on the kid. One thing to think about is how s/he reacts to sky's the limit assignments. And whether s/he coasts when assignments are open-ended. This is a defining aspect of GDS, IMO. There are kids who thrive under that regime, kids who slack, kids who obsess, and kids who don't even notice.

I think GDS has a solid floor -- no one gets out of there uneducated! -- and no ceiling. Which means that how stressful and how challenging it is depends a lot on a kid's personality and motivation.

Agreed. Plenty.

what is the "white elephant?" Why mention Sidwell at all? Not possible to answer the question without naming another school?

I have two kids at Sidwell and even I think it's pretty ridiculous to judge GDS by some offhand remarks from a high school kid. Sounds like the comments were fine and even if they were questionable, give the kid a break -- it's a high school kid! Plenty of other better reasons to pick Sidwell over GDS!

Anonymous wrote:We have a similar choice to make. I went to the talkat GDS and have to say what impressed me most was the kids. They really own thenplace and they are very happy. One of my other kids went to a big three and got a great education. Joy? Not so much.

The kids and their passion for learning was what impressed me the most about GDS as well (LS in our case). The fifth grades were amazing, so nice, happy about the school and about their teachers, so passionate about learning. As I said, very impressive. The principal's speech was awesome too. Well, in fact, I liked everything!

The comment above was that it was off-putting. To the poster. You may have felt it was appropriate. The comment referenced kids as cliquey and not warm at "the Quaker school." I guess the thought is that it should be possible to share why they chose GDS without having to say something negative about another school, by name. Anyway, just personal preference.

In your opinion.

In your opinion.

Tour both-----your kid will pick up the "vibe" of what is best

We have a similar choice to make. I went to the talkat GDS and have to say what impressed me most was the kids. They really own thenplace and they are very happy. One of my other kids went to a big three and got a great education. Joy? Not so much.