Anonymous wrote:This is such an interesting topic, and I’m glad OP raised it. However, what seems to be completely missing here is a discussion of relative diversity between the schools. We have close friends who left Norwood because of deeply problematic racial issues. Having direct experience I can’t even imagine similar issues coming up at GDS and if they did, there being handled in a wholly different manner. I know folks love Norwood, but my sense is the homogeneity of its community far outweighs many of the other positive elements.

When was that? Our middle school DC has a diverse group of friends with a significant international contingent.

This is such an interesting topic, and I’m glad OP raised it. However, what seems to be completely missing here is a discussion of relative diversity between the schools. We have close friends who left Norwood because of deeply problematic racial issues. Having direct experience I can’t even imagine similar issues coming up at GDS and if they did, there being handled in a wholly different manner. I know folks love Norwood, but my sense is the homogeneity of its community far outweighs many of the other positive elements.

I am the Norwood poster from yesterday and you asked about outplacement...........

I completely agree with many others replying here that Norwood's program is excellent. In my experience, Norwood's administration was also great, in comparison to what i experienced at GDS HS.

Outplacement at Norwood is definitely done well, but you have to remember a few basics: their job is to place every kid in a 9th grade where kid and parents are happy. and these days, as I mentioned, there do not seem to be enough 9th grade seats for all the applicants, especially if like me, there were certain schools that I would not even consider for my child(ren). Thus, my two youngers, who were top of their class at Norwood, were waitlisted everywhere we applied. I was willing to take that risk.

Both great options! My son goes to Norwood and we live about equal distance from the current GDS lower school (I pass it on my way to work) and Norwood. With the lower school moving GDS will be closer but the distances aren't so far that it makes a huge difference. Especially if you opt for bus service.

I've generally found that the trip to Norwood is no problem, about 12-15 minutes, coming home in morning rush hour is about 5-7 minutes longer.

We felt that Norwood does a really good job balancing a more structured academic setting (although not super traditional!) with a very warm, welcoming environment. As a previous poster noted, in some subjects my son is advanced and others he lags but Norwood has done a very good job of working with him at his level- challenging him in some subjects and providing extra support in others.

Good luck with your decision!

Norwood PP again. Absolutely go to both events! You should have the chance to talk to current families, see both schools again with fresh eyes, and ask as many questions as you need to make an informed decision your family is happy with.

Anonymous wrote:Wait, you haven't applied yet??

Nevermind. Attending both events, provided they are held, is a good idea.

Wait, you haven't applied yet??

Anonymous wrote:We too were torn between GDS and Norwood years ago. My husband liked GDS and I,Norwood. We chose Norwood and have been THRILLED!!!! We have loved it for both of our children. I really do like the PreK-8 model and like that the 8th graders are the "big" kids on the campus. They have a great buddy program and really build a wonderful community environment. We have not gone through the application process for 9th grade yet, but from everyone I talk to they Norwood kids are so well prepared! Also, there are often kids who attend a K-12 who switch before high school, so I wouldn't let that be a deciding factor for me at all. Go with your gut. Good luck OP!

Very helpful. Thank you. (OP)

OP here .... it seems parents are both places love both schools!
We are leaning to Norwood as our son will be applying for K next year (he’s 18 months younger) and, although he’s young to predict personality and learning style, he’s so different to our daughter I cannot imagine the same high school being the best fit for both. I think, for us, the fit is more important than the school name at high school level.
Would you recommend attending both welcome events or is that frowned upon?
Thanks!

Anonymous wrote:We looked at both schools, and we had the strong impression that the curriculum at Norwood is much more structured and traditional than GDS's more freewheeling progressive approach. We had the impression that GDS would differentiate more and emphasize creativity much more. We felt like choosing between them means choosing between two radically different academic approaches. If you've had kids at both schools, how different do you consider the academic approach to be?

It was also clear the degree of prioritization that GDS puts on social justice and diversity in their curriculum. We were both impressed and a tiny bit concerned despite the fact that we are quite liberal POCs ourselves.

Norwood PP here - I can't speak to GDS's curriculum and approach, but I can say that Norwood has really impressed me over the years both with its emphasis on creativity/linkages across subjects (e.g., linking music and art with social studies and geography in the younger grades) and with its commitment to know every child and help them learn best - including with differentiation. I've got 2 kids there and at various points they've been ahead OR behind, depending on the subject matter, and it's always been identified and addressed appropriately with extra help, more challenge, or anything in between.

We looked at both schools, and we had the strong impression that the curriculum at Norwood is much more structured and traditional than GDS's more freewheeling progressive approach. We had the impression that GDS would differentiate more and emphasize creativity much more. We felt like choosing between them means choosing between two radically different academic approaches. If you've had kids at both schools, how different do you consider the academic approach to be?

It was also clear the degree of prioritization that GDS puts on social justice and diversity in their curriculum. We were both impressed and a tiny bit concerned despite the fact that we are quite liberal POCs ourselves.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do what is best for your child, obviously, but it is worth noting that 9th grade admission at GDS and similar is extremely KEEN. Just keeping it real here, if you are interested in one of top schools later on.

I don't disagree, but that's 9 years away. I'd much rather pick a school that's going to be the best for my child now/next 3-5 years, and then possibly sacrifice that for the potential to not have to worry about HS admissions way in the future. That said, I can't imagine that GDS and Norwood are all that different during those years. Different profiles, but both great schools. Hard to go wrong.

I doubt Norwood and GDS elementary schools are really that different.

Anonymous wrote:Do what is best for your child, obviously, but it is worth noting that 9th grade admission at GDS and similar is extremely KEEN. Just keeping it real here, if you are interested in one of top schools later on.

I don't disagree, but that's 9 years away. I'd much rather pick a school that's going to be the best for my child now/next 3-5 years, and then possibly sacrifice that for the potential to not have to worry about HS admissions way in the future. That said, I can't imagine that GDS and Norwood are all that different during those years. Different profiles, but both great schools. Hard to go wrong.

Do what is best for your child, obviously, but it is worth noting that 9th grade admission at GDS and similar is extremely KEEN. Just keeping it real here, if you are interested in one of top schools later on.

We too were torn between GDS and Norwood years ago. My husband liked GDS and I,Norwood. We chose Norwood and have been THRILLED!!!! We have loved it for both of our children. I really do like the PreK-8 model and like that the 8th graders are the "big" kids on the campus. They have a great buddy program and really build a wonderful community environment. We have not gone through the application process for 9th grade yet, but from everyone I talk to they Norwood kids are so well prepared! Also, there are often kids who attend a K-12 who switch before high school, so I wouldn't let that be a deciding factor for me at all. Go with your gut. Good luck OP!