Anonymous
Post 06/26/2014 13:16     Subject: Big GDS news
Is there any school for kids that aren't "weird"?
Anonymous
Post 06/26/2014 12:24     Subject: Big GDS news
GDS acknowledges that one of its students' favorite sayings is “Keep GDS Weird.” Nothing is going to change the countercultural atmosphere at GDS. If anything, other schools are moving toward GDS as evidenced by the "keep Siidwell Weird" meme.
Anonymous
Post 06/26/2014 12:17     Subject: Big GDS news
Anonymous wrote:I love that so many people have opinions about GDS's mission or its "game" when they have no connection to the school. The lovely thing about private schools is that you only have to send your child there if you think it has something to offer. If another school fits your child better, send him/her there instead. But, the "market" seems to tell us that GDS is pretty attractive to some subset of families since only a small proportion of applicants get accepted and the yield of applicants who enroll is pretty high.

Some people seem to be annoyed by GDS because it has a "progressive" educational philosophy and students call their teachers by first names. Others think it is remarkable that there are more non-Christians than at the Cathedral schools and Sidwell. I bet that GDS families are as happy that those families don't attend the school as those families are about not having to go there.



+1
Anonymous
Post 06/26/2014 12:13     Subject: Big GDS news
Anonymous wrote:Please PP....you can't be a GDS parent because that shows a lack of respect for all the parents that don't opt out of Wilson.. And all the GDS families I know have a great deal of respect for choices people make.


You're overreacting. On this thread, we clearly have private school parents and public school parents backing up or defending posts that relate to the choice they made as a family.
Anonymous
Post 06/26/2014 11:36     Subject: Big GDS news
I love that so many people have opinions about GDS's mission or its "game" when they have no connection to the school. The lovely thing about private schools is that you only have to send your child there if you think it has something to offer. If another school fits your child better, send him/her there instead. But, the "market" seems to tell us that GDS is pretty attractive to some subset of families since only a small proportion of applicants get accepted and the yield of applicants who enroll is pretty high.

Some people seem to be annoyed by GDS because it has a "progressive" educational philosophy and students call their teachers by first names. Others think it is remarkable that there are more non-Christians than at the Cathedral schools and Sidwell. I bet that GDS families are as happy that those families don't attend the school as those families are about not having to go there.

Anonymous
Post 06/26/2014 10:58     Subject: Big GDS news
Well, it's hard to stay true to that mission and charge $35k for tuition. If GDS was dedicated to its inclusive mission, it would be investing $40 million in scholarships and cheaper tuition rather than acquiring new properties. The truth is that the Safway project will make GDS, by fiscal necessity, into a more exclusive school. Over the next ten or 20 years, those schools that have their big capital improvement campaigns behind them will be in a much better position to be inclusive.
Anonymous
Post 06/26/2014 10:12     Subject: Big GDS news
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Please PP....you can't be a GDS parent because that shows a lack of respect for all the parents that don't opt out of Wilson.. And all the GDS families I know have a great deal of respect for choices people make.


Not a GDS parent. Just tying to figure out its value proposition when it will be juxtaposed with a truly integrated and diverse high achieving high school. At least Sidwell has the whole children of famous people thing and the cathedral schools have the whole its graduates become famous leaders, statesmen, and astronauts thing. Some exaggeration perhaps but GDS will need to step up its game.


What does it need to step up?


GDS should stick to its original mission of serving those excluded from other schools rather than trying to be a "me too" exclusive school. They can't be a better Sidwell than Sidwell. Look to Maret for an example of a school that is comfortable in its own skin.


GDS sticks to its original mission where people are not judged on the basis of race, religion or sexual orientation, but now that all schools want to have that diversity. GDS is continuing with their theme to be an all inclusive community that accepts all. Maybe those other schools want to be like them.
Anonymous
Post 06/26/2014 06:02     Subject: Big GDS news
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Please PP....you can't be a GDS parent because that shows a lack of respect for all the parents that don't opt out of Wilson.. And all the GDS families I know have a great deal of respect for choices people make.


Not a GDS parent. Just tying to figure out its value proposition when it will be juxtaposed with a truly integrated and diverse high achieving high school. At least Sidwell has the whole children of famous people thing and the cathedral schools have the whole its graduates become famous leaders, statesmen, and astronauts thing. Some exaggeration perhaps but GDS will need to step up its game.


What does it need to step up?


GDS should stick to its original mission of serving those excluded from other schools rather than trying to be a "me too" exclusive school. They can't be a better Sidwell than Sidwell. Look to Maret for an example of a school that is comfortable in its own skin.



The school bought land to expand a small campus in the hopes of having their lower/middle school join the high school campus. How does this translate to them wanting to be like Sidwell. They have always stayed with their mission and are not in my eyes trying to be another school. It sounds like some people are worried about that for some reason. GDS IS comfortable in their own skin.
Anonymous
Post 06/26/2014 00:15     Subject: Big GDS news
Gds has always been less Han 20% black
Anonymous
Post 06/25/2014 21:24     Subject: Big GDS news
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Please PP....you can't be a GDS parent because that shows a lack of respect for all the parents that don't opt out of Wilson.. And all the GDS families I know have a great deal of respect for choices people make.


Not a GDS parent. Just tying to figure out its value proposition when it will be juxtaposed with a truly integrated and diverse high achieving high school. At least Sidwell has the whole children of famous people thing and the cathedral schools have the whole its graduates become famous leaders, statesmen, and astronauts thing. Some exaggeration perhaps but GDS will need to step up its game.


What does it need to step up?


GDS should stick to its original mission of serving those excluded from other schools rather than trying to be a "me too" exclusive school. They can't be a better Sidwell than Sidwell. Look to Maret for an example of a school that is comfortable in its own skin.


GDS is now less than 20% black.
Anonymous
Post 06/25/2014 21:19     Subject: Big GDS news
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Please PP....you can't be a GDS parent because that shows a lack of respect for all the parents that don't opt out of Wilson.. And all the GDS families I know have a great deal of respect for choices people make.


Not a GDS parent. Just tying to figure out its value proposition when it will be juxtaposed with a truly integrated and diverse high achieving high school. At least Sidwell has the whole children of famous people thing and the cathedral schools have the whole its graduates become famous leaders, statesmen, and astronauts thing. Some exaggeration perhaps but GDS will need to step up its game.


What does it need to step up?


GDS should stick to its original mission of serving those excluded from other schools rather than trying to be a "me too" exclusive school. They can't be a better Sidwell than Sidwell. Look to Maret for an example of a school that is comfortable in its own skin.
Anonymous
Post 06/25/2014 20:42     Subject: Big GDS news
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Please PP....you can't be a GDS parent because that shows a lack of respect for all the parents that don't opt out of Wilson.. And all the GDS families I know have a great deal of respect for choices people make.


Not a GDS parent. Just tying to figure out its value proposition when it will be juxtaposed with a truly integrated and diverse high achieving high school. At least Sidwell has the whole children of famous people thing and the cathedral schools have the whole its graduates become famous leaders, statesmen, and astronauts thing. Some exaggeration perhaps but GDS will need to step up its game.


What does it need to step up?
Anonymous
Post 06/25/2014 19:38     Subject: Big GDS news
Anonymous wrote:Please PP....you can't be a GDS parent because that shows a lack of respect for all the parents that don't opt out of Wilson.. And all the GDS families I know have a great deal of respect for choices people make.


Not a GDS parent. Just tying to figure out its value proposition when it will be juxtaposed with a truly integrated and diverse high achieving high school. At least Sidwell has the whole children of famous people thing and the cathedral schools have the whole its graduates become famous leaders, statesmen, and astronauts thing. Some exaggeration perhaps but GDS will need to step up its game.
Anonymous
Post 06/25/2014 19:19     Subject: Big GDS news
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Neighborhood kids' parents moved here by and less for the good public schools. GDS offers us nothing.


It's true, time was there was really no public option, but now that Wilson has improved tremendously, I think GDS will have a tough time drawing in students when it is competing with a truly diverse school, with facilities that GDS would never be able to afford. GDS will still be attractive to those who need or want a smaller environment.



omg you can't be serious
yes, people use dcps for elementary and early middle school, and then they bail. wilson may have improved, but people still apply out in droves to avoid it.


Not like they used to.
Anonymous
Post 06/25/2014 16:56     Subject: Big GDS news
Please PP....you can't be a GDS parent because that shows a lack of respect for all the parents that don't opt out of Wilson.. And all the GDS families I know have a great deal of respect for choices people make.