Anonymous
Post 03/10/2020 10:02     Subject: Norwood or GDS for K
GDS LS is fantastic 1st grade and up. We didn't like PK/K, but that is going away next year (we have a second child starting in PK next year). Ever since, however, we have been extremely happy with the sophistication of the social studies teaching, writers workshop activities, emphasis on public speaking and hands on learning. Our older child has grown immensely at GDS in terms of their maturity.
Anonymous
Post 03/10/2020 07:08     Subject: Re:Norwood or GDS for K
Anonymous wrote:Also check into Norwood's bus plans. They do have some bus availability to and from DC which I know helped some families while my kids were there.

I spent many years at Norwood with my kids--one did first grade thru 8th, the others only did middle school. k-8 is a superb model, as others have noted, applying for HS actually has some advantages (although it has the disadvantage that there are currently not enough 9th grade seats for all the kids that want them--topic for another thread)

And while I have little personal experience with lower school at GDS, one of my kids is at GDS for HS--and it doesn't compare favorably with my total experience at Norwood.

Also, Norwood has a strong aftercare program where kids can stay til I think 6pm, if that helps with commuting issues. I would vote for Norwood for you. Ask further questions that I may be able to answer.


On the whole, did you feel that outplacement was strong given the abilities of the kids (I realize you probably only know the friends of your kids. I guess what was your subjective feeling on outplacement)?
Anonymous
Post 03/09/2020 20:46     Subject: Re:Norwood or GDS for K
Also check into Norwood's bus plans. They do have some bus availability to and from DC which I know helped some families while my kids were there.

I spent many years at Norwood with my kids--one did first grade thru 8th, the others only did middle school. k-8 is a superb model, as others have noted, applying for HS actually has some advantages (although it has the disadvantage that there are currently not enough 9th grade seats for all the kids that want them--topic for another thread)

And while I have little personal experience with lower school at GDS, one of my kids is at GDS for HS--and it doesn't compare favorably with my total experience at Norwood.

Also, Norwood has a strong aftercare program where kids can stay til I think 6pm, if that helps with commuting issues. I would vote for Norwood for you. Ask further questions that I may be able to answer.
Anonymous
Post 03/09/2020 19:28     Subject: Norwood or GDS for K
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:OP - I'm sure you have, but if in case you haven't, double check the commute during times you will be making it, now and when it is full day. (I think with Google Maps you can do that virtually.) We're choosing among the Big 3 for MS, and commute is a huge issue. Current parents at schools have said commute is something they better appreciate with the child at the school. It's potentially 9 or 13 years of it for you.


OP here: Im beginning to question whether my husband actually did these commutes or said he did! Will recheck. Thanks.


And make sure he used the address for next year, not this year. That's the kind of mistake my DH would make.
Anonymous
Post 03/09/2020 19:06     Subject: Norwood or GDS for K
Anonymous wrote:Is that even a question OP? GDS is a much better school and it would be great to have the option not to have to apply again to another school. Norwood is for kids who didn't get into Sidwell, Maret and Beauvoir and for the nouveau riche out in the burbs.


You really absorbed the GDS marketing, hook, line, and sinker.
Anonymous
Post 03/09/2020 18:39     Subject: Norwood or GDS for K
GDS without hesitation
Anonymous
Post 03/09/2020 16:19     Subject: Norwood or GDS for K
I wish we lived closer to Norwood, but can’t drive north and then back downtown.
Anonymous
Post 03/09/2020 16:06     Subject: Norwood or GDS for K
Anonymous wrote:Is that even a question OP? GDS is a much better school and it would be great to have the option not to have to apply again to another school. Norwood is for kids who didn't get into Sidwell, Maret and Beauvoir and for the nouveau riche out in the burbs.



OP, as you can see in this very thread, the culture at Norwood is much more warm and welcoming than at a certain other school.
Anonymous
Post 03/09/2020 15:31     Subject: Norwood or GDS for K
Anonymous wrote:Is that even a question OP? GDS is a much better school and it would be great to have the option not to have to apply again to another school. Norwood is for kids who didn't get into Sidwell, Maret and Beauvoir and for the nouveau riche out in the burbs.


Another Norwood parent here - and for the record one who is neither nouveau riche nor a consolation prize from Big 3 rejections! OP, you have two great choices - obviously each brings different strengths and advantages to the table, as I'm sure you know since you applied to both. Don't let posters like this deter you from considering Norwood and all of the many wonderful advantages it offers!

I'd strongly encourage you to come to the accepted family event at Norwood this week to meet some current families, ask whatever questions you may have, and have another chance to get a feel for the environment. I have two kids at Norwood and we've been very very happy with both the school and the K-8 model. Good luck making your decision!
Anonymous
Post 03/09/2020 14:29     Subject: Norwood or GDS for K
Is that even a question OP? GDS is a much better school and it would be great to have the option not to have to apply again to another school. Norwood is for kids who didn't get into Sidwell, Maret and Beauvoir and for the nouveau riche out in the burbs.
Anonymous
Post 03/09/2020 14:26     Subject: Norwood or GDS for K
It’s one totally playbased K and the other skills based?

I’d go with the latter then, most kids are little sponges for learning foundational phonics, reading, math and about the world.
Anonymous
Post 03/09/2020 14:25     Subject: Norwood or GDS for K
Wow, we are deciding between Norwood and Primary Day and it's so good to hear all the great feedback on Norwood!!
Anonymous
Post 03/09/2020 13:41     Subject: Norwood or GDS for K
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:OP - I'm sure you have, but if in case you haven't, double check the commute during times you will be making it, now and when it is full day. (I think with Google Maps you can do that virtually.) We're choosing among the Big 3 for MS, and commute is a huge issue. Current parents at schools have said commute is something they better appreciate with the child at the school. It's potentially 9 or 13 years of it for you.


OP here: Im beginning to question whether my husband actually did these commutes or said he did! Will recheck. Thanks.


Norwood is on the other side of the Beltway from CC, and if you are going/coming back on River, it might be a reverse commute there, but it's with traffic coming back. I have no rooting interest in your decision, but just cannot believe both schools have the same commute time if you live in CC (DC or MD). And I guess because we are obsessing about the commute for the next 7 years in trying to make our decison.

Good luck! Both great schools!
Anonymous
Post 03/09/2020 13:29     Subject: Norwood or GDS for K
I can't speak to Norwood. We're at GDS lower school and we love it. I don't know why I gets so much attitude on DCUM (though I have some theories). My child LOVES school, much more than preschool, and is learning a lot, and most of the parents are less conspicuously wealthy and showy than I expected. I never want to do the admissions process again, either, so that would be a huge factor against any K8 to me, but YMMV. Best of luck! (Oh, and GDS will have buses starting next year, so you won't need to commute.)
Anonymous
Post 03/09/2020 13:18     Subject: Norwood or GDS for K
Anonymous wrote:OP - I'm sure you have, but if in case you haven't, double check the commute during times you will be making it, now and when it is full day. (I think with Google Maps you can do that virtually.) We're choosing among the Big 3 for MS, and commute is a huge issue. Current parents at schools have said commute is something they better appreciate with the child at the school. It's potentially 9 or 13 years of it for you.


OP here: Im beginning to question whether my husband actually did these commutes or said he did! Will recheck. Thanks.