I know at least 2 kids in the last couple of years who chose Sidwell and regretted it. For the right kid it can be great but these kids really struggled with the workload and it was a little demoralizing. Both ended up at very moderate colleges, probably very appropriately, but ones that they surely could have gotten into from a less competitive school, and had a much better time along the way. Agree that it's important to really consider the right fit over prestige. If your DD was accepted on her own merits rather than connections she presumably can do the work so maybe she is one of those where it is the right fit.

I think that the top schools become more competitive in HS.. It's hard to tell how well a kids will perform academically from preK. But the kids applying for 9th are already self selective. If your child is not getting the grade you think they deserve at Sidwell then they probably won't get that grade in an IVY either.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sorry. Sidwell admits 38-40 9th graders, not 25.

From their website:

Although we will accept applications to each grade, we only increase the class size at certain grades. We have 22 openings for PK, 26 openings for K, 16 openings for third, 4 openings for fourth, 16 openings for sixth, 16 openings for seventh, 25 openings for ninth. Grades other than those mentioned above will have openings only through attrition of current students.

I think you are both right. Sidwell increases its class size by 25 going into 9th grade. And, since some students move, leave, or otherwise go elsewhere for high school, there are also those additional slots to be filled.

Last year it was 38 new students, but that was supposedly higher than usual...

That is your experience, perhaps, but not the experience of the dozen or so high school students I know at Sidwell.

There is a big difference between challenge, rigor and punitive grading. Sidwell teachers are known for being harsh graders. Classes can be rigorous and challenging without the punitive grades. Sidwell does not focus on intellectualism and deep thinking. It's focus is on piling on the work and seeing who survives.

Nice lesson. Things get tough or challenging, so you run away.

Anonymous wrote:Dear OP

I had a DC start in 9th at Sidwell and found it to be hyper-competitive. Lots of kids there were very stressed. The grading is very hard. Parents justify staying because of the name and they say college will be easy. I guess I was looking for high school and not college. We opted out.

Very true -- from a parent whose kids didn't opt out, but who still wonders if it wouldn't have been the better choice to do so.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Curious why the name of the third school is being protected on an anonymous site. I think people could provide much more useful information if you named the school. I, for one, have no idea which school you mean.

So probably OP doesn't want her/his post to degenerate in a discussion about the 3rd school...

This is a good insight. The topic at hand seems, to me, to be if/when you should pass up "The Big 3" for another schools that isn't perceived to be as prestigious but feels like it might be a better fit for your child.

I agree that it's hard and stressful but disagree about it being particularly competitive.

When did you leave?

Dear OP

I had a DC start in 9th at Sidwell and found it to be hyper-competitive. Lots of kids there were very stressed. The grading is very hard. Parents justify staying because of the name and they say college will be easy. I guess I was looking for high school and not college. We opted out.

Anonymous wrote:Curious why the name of the third school is being protected on an anonymous site. I think people could provide much more useful information if you named the school. I, for one, have no idea which school you mean.

So probably OP doesn't want her/his post to degenerate in a discussion about the 3rd school...

Curious why the name of the third school is being protected on an anonymous site. I think people could provide much more useful information if you named the school. I, for one, have no idea which school you mean.

OP, at the very top private high schools it will definitely get a bit competitive as the students jockey to be in the top 12-18 who will attend H/P/S/Y in any given year. However, those schools do very well with top placement. If your daughter thrives in any environment, she will be fine.

If your student wants to attend a college outside a top Ivy or Stanford, then their chances are probably equally good coming from another good DC private, and they may prefer a slightly, but only very slightly, less competitive atmosphere.

I think I know the high school you are considering.

My bad then. On our tour the admissions rep said 13 this year.