Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Missed the meeting this morning - did they address any of these issues?

Yes, but only surface level. Tripled down on the DCC.

Could anyone expand on the "tripling down on the DCC'? This is one of the most awful things the current GDS HS administration, especially the HS principal, has really enforced. This terrible disciplinary process reinforces anonymous reporting, kids who go in front of the DCC for any type of offense small or big have to go in front of a student panel and then the student panel suggests the disciplinary action that is approved by administration. The process is horrible, no transparency and often goes on for weeks leaving the kid in question in limbo.

The problem with the current administration is they aren't open to listening? This disciplinary process is flawed but the don't want to hear it.

Recent article about the DCC in the school paper can be found here: https://theaugurbit.com/2023/11/13/inside-the-dcc-the-committee-that-makes-disciplinary-recommendations/

I think that GDS is hearing it from parents, but they ultimately seem to side with "research" that reinforces their choices. Many questions were answered with, "well the research suggests" variants. That's fine, but it shuts down the conversation and makes families feel powerless over decisions that significantly impact their children. It was also suggested that the HS students are on board with the DCC and find it successful, but it wasn't clear to me how they captured that data. This specific DCC issues won't impact many families, of course, but I think it speaks to broader administrative communication concerns that families are worried about.

Different poster. The tripling down emphasized that this was always confidential - in the 6 years that the DCC has been in place that there have been zero incidents of the members of the DCC sharing information outside of the committee. That this was all research-based and best practices that consequences not be a one-time punitive measure but that when delivered by peers really gives the perp the opportunity to consider how their actions represent themselves and affect their community. It got confusing b/c Yom kept using academic integrity, i.e. cheating, but then Khalid emphasized that in the handbook that the first instance of cheating is handled between student and teacher wouldn't go to DCC. The only other example given was using the word "shut up". It all sounds like the biggest waste of time to me, frankly. The article linked said that all of this was over a shove. I think that while shoving isn't the answer that between teenage boys it happens and perhaps after multiple shoves that perhaps it should be addressed, one shove does not a disciplinary action make.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why the hell would anybody pay over $50,000/year to put up with this? Move to a district with good public schools and forget about this lunacy. For unhooked kids, you are likely better off in a public anyway. Why do so many people keep applying? I don't buy the "great faculty." Outcomes are 98% kid and parent determined, certainly not the faculty.

I'm the PP you responded to and you're right and we've questioned that ourselves after experiencing this lunacy. Our oldest is a senior and we've loved GDS until recent years. There are enough merits to the school and it's not all about college for us - small class sizes, faculty, community class offerings, ECs etc. But if things don't change we will move our younger kid and know of other families doing the same.

No, you won’t and neither will your friends. The PP above - whose child is actually enduring the GDS version of the Star Chamber (or is it the Spanish Inquisition?) - is more honest. You will stay and go along to get along b/c: It’s GDS!!!

Anonymous wrote:Why the hell would anybody pay over $50,000/year to put up with this? Move to a district with good public schools and forget about this lunacy. For unhooked kids, you are likely better off in a public anyway. Why do so many people keep applying? I don't buy the "great faculty." Outcomes are 98% kid and parent determined, certainly not the faculty.

I'm the PP you responded to and you're right and we've questioned that ourselves after experiencing this lunacy. Our oldest is a senior and we've loved GDS until recent years. There are enough merits to the school and it's not all about college for us - small class sizes, faculty, community class offerings, ECs etc. But if things don't change we will move our younger kid and know of other families doing the same.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have a neighbor whose older child recently graduated GDS and whose younger child joined in ninth grade. They have been complaining in a similar manner to PPs here for years and years. Yet they sent their second child and were *very* happy to tell everyone when they were admitted. How can anyone take the complaining seriously?

What they don’t yet understand, or admit, is that, more and more, when someone tells me their child is going to GDS, my first thought is sympathy for the child. My second thought is, “I guess they didn’t get into Sidwell or Maret.”

Maret? Girl, please.

Yep. Because of issues described here alone, I would take the Cathedral schools, Sidwell and “even” Maret over GDS. It’s that bad.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have a neighbor whose older child recently graduated GDS and whose younger child joined in ninth grade. They have been complaining in a similar manner to PPs here for years and years. Yet they sent their second child and were *very* happy to tell everyone when they were admitted. How can anyone take the complaining seriously?

What they don’t yet understand, or admit, is that, more and more, when someone tells me their child is going to GDS, my first thought is sympathy for the child. My second thought is, “I guess they didn’t get into Sidwell or Maret.”

Maret? Girl, please.

Anonymous wrote:I have a neighbor whose older child recently graduated GDS and whose younger child joined in ninth grade. They have been complaining in a similar manner to PPs here for years and years. Yet they sent their second child and were *very* happy to tell everyone when they were admitted. How can anyone take the complaining seriously?

What they don’t yet understand, or admit, is that, more and more, when someone tells me their child is going to GDS, my first thought is sympathy for the child. My second thought is, “I guess they didn’t get into Sidwell or Maret.”

Why the hell would anybody pay over $50,000/year to put up with this? Move to a district with good public schools and forget about this lunacy. For unhooked kids, you are likely better off in a public anyway. Why do so many people keep applying? I don't buy the "great faculty." Outcomes are 98% kid and parent determined, certainly not the faculty.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Missed the meeting this morning - did they address any of these issues?

Yes, but only surface level. Tripled down on the DCC.

Could anyone expand on the "tripling down on the DCC'? This is one of the most awful things the current GDS HS administration, especially the HS principal, has really enforced. This terrible disciplinary process reinforces anonymous reporting, kids who go in front of the DCC for any type of offense small or big have to go in front of a student panel and then the student panel suggests the disciplinary action that is approved by administration. The process is horrible, no transparency and often goes on for weeks leaving the kid in question in limbo.

The problem with the current administration is they aren't open to listening? This disciplinary process is flawed but the don't want to hear it.

Recent article about the DCC in the school paper can be found here: https://theaugurbit.com/2023/11/13/inside-the-dcc-the-committee-that-makes-disciplinary-recommendations/

I think that GDS is hearing it from parents, but they ultimately seem to side with "research" that reinforces their choices. Many questions were answered with, "well the research suggests" variants. That's fine, but it shuts down the conversation and makes families feel powerless over decisions that significantly impact their children. It was also suggested that the HS students are on board with the DCC and find it successful, but it wasn't clear to me how they captured that data. This specific DCC issues won't impact many families, of course, but I think it speaks to broader administrative communication concerns that families are worried about.

Yes, it seems they fall back on research and school handbook/policy with a GDS smile and no answer all the time. Yes, the specific DCC issues hopefully impact a smaller group of families (though watch out: my kid who has never been in trouble in the 10+ years at the school got inaccurately reported and we couldn't do anything about it. When brought up to HS principal she said I don't know the details and passed us around the school where no one would take responsibility all while my kid is going through a DCC hearing and disciplinary consequences.). But the lack of transparency and refusal to address any issues is a problem across programs. Push back or ask anything to the college counseling team and you'll get the same smile/non-answer. Families are not allowed to see SCOIR data, students are told to not share essays with parents due to unnecessary feedback, and the entire process is all over the place. But they have no incentive to change because its GDS and we all pay $50K+....and probably continue to will because there are enough merits to the school, namely the great faculty.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Missed the meeting this morning - did they address any of these issues?

Yes, but only surface level. Tripled down on the DCC.

Could anyone expand on the "tripling down on the DCC'? This is one of the most awful things the current GDS HS administration, especially the HS principal, has really enforced. This terrible disciplinary process reinforces anonymous reporting, kids who go in front of the DCC for any type of offense small or big have to go in front of a student panel and then the student panel suggests the disciplinary action that is approved by administration. The process is horrible, no transparency and often goes on for weeks leaving the kid in question in limbo.

The problem with the current administration is they aren't open to listening? This disciplinary process is flawed but the don't want to hear it.

Recent article about the DCC in the school paper can be found here: https://theaugurbit.com/2023/11/13/inside-the-dcc-the-committee-that-makes-disciplinary-recommendations/

I think that GDS is hearing it from parents, but they ultimately seem to side with "research" that reinforces their choices. Many questions were answered with, "well the research suggests" variants. That's fine, but it shuts down the conversation and makes families feel powerless over decisions that significantly impact their children. It was also suggested that the HS students are on board with the DCC and find it successful, but it wasn't clear to me how they captured that data. This specific DCC issues won't impact many families, of course, but I think it speaks to broader administrative communication concerns that families are worried about.

Sounds like cherry picked research to me. It's frustrating but I guarantee that you kind find research refuting everything they say.

One more thing, I've also been told by admins: "you and your child signed the school rules in the school handbook" and by doing so, you agreed that everything we do process-wise and we decide is entirely our decision and you have no say in it as parents.

That's used as a means to shut down discussion of the validity of the process itself.


Here's the rules BTW - no mention of kids not knowing the charges against them, no mention of kids not having the evidence against them shown to them, no mention that interviews prior to DCC are on the record verbatim and every word can be used against them in DCC.

+ + +
Addressing issues related to student conduct that is inconsistent with the policies, procedures, and culture
of the school in a fair, thoughtful, and productive manner is essential to the educational mission of GDS.
With this in mind the Student/Faculty Discipline Consultation Committee (DCC) was created through a
collaboration between the student body, the faculty and the High School Administrative team. The DCC
includes both faculty and student representatives from grades 10, 11, and 12. The purpose of the DCC is to
review and consider certain designated student behaviors and conduct that are violations of school policy
and provide disciplinary recommendations to the High School Principal and/or the Head of School or their
designee. The High School Principal and/or the Head of School or their designee will consider the DCC’s
recommendations when making their disciplinary decision. Matters that go before the DCC include cases
that could result in a wide range of discipline, including suspension and expulsion. Certain disciplinary
matters of a highly sensitive nature will not be referred to the DCC. The determination as to which matters
will be referred to the DCC rests entirely with the HS Principal.

With privileges comes responsibility and the willingness to accept the consequences of one’s actions.
Consequently, when students at the High School choose wrongly and violate school rules, conversations
regarding the incident and the logical disciplinary response to that incident begin with the student, not the
parents.
Parents understand that it may be necessary for members of the School’s faculty and staff to speak with
students directly regarding behavioral and disciplinary concerns during the school day with school
Counselors, divisional leadership, and teachers, as the School deems necessary. Parents further understand
that the School is not a legal setting and students and parents will not be permitted to invite legal counsel
into any disciplinary conversations. Parents recognize that they may not always be told in advance when
such meetings are scheduled.
As already noted, the School reserves the right to conduct investigations as it deems necessary. In serious
disciplinary situations, parents will be kept informed as warranted. The School has the sole role in
determining the appropriate response to violations of its rules.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Missed the meeting this morning - did they address any of these issues?

Yes, but only surface level. Tripled down on the DCC.

Could anyone expand on the "tripling down on the DCC'? This is one of the most awful things the current GDS HS administration, especially the HS principal, has really enforced. This terrible disciplinary process reinforces anonymous reporting, kids who go in front of the DCC for any type of offense small or big have to go in front of a student panel and then the student panel suggests the disciplinary action that is approved by administration. The process is horrible, no transparency and often goes on for weeks leaving the kid in question in limbo.

The problem with the current administration is they aren't open to listening? This disciplinary process is flawed but the don't want to hear it.

Recent article about the DCC in the school paper can be found here: https://theaugurbit.com/2023/11/13/inside-the-dcc-the-committee-that-makes-disciplinary-recommendations/

I think that GDS is hearing it from parents, but they ultimately seem to side with "research" that reinforces their choices. Many questions were answered with, "well the research suggests" variants. That's fine, but it shuts down the conversation and makes families feel powerless over decisions that significantly impact their children. It was also suggested that the HS students are on board with the DCC and find it successful, but it wasn't clear to me how they captured that data. This specific DCC issues won't impact many families, of course, but I think it speaks to broader administrative communication concerns that families are worried about.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Missed the meeting this morning - did they address any of these issues?

Yes, but only surface level. Tripled down on the DCC.

Could anyone expand on the "tripling down on the DCC'? This is one of the most awful things the current GDS HS administration, especially the HS principal, has really enforced. This terrible disciplinary process reinforces anonymous reporting, kids who go in front of the DCC for any type of offense small or big have to go in front of a student panel and then the student panel suggests the disciplinary action that is approved by administration. The process is horrible, no transparency and often goes on for weeks leaving the kid in question in limbo.

The problem with the current administration is they aren't open to listening? This disciplinary process is flawed but the don't want to hear it.

Recent article about the DCC in the school paper can be found here: https://theaugurbit.com/2023/11/13/inside-the-dcc-the-committee-that-makes-disciplinary-recommendations/

Totally agree. I was not on this zoom today but very much wish I had been - I can vouch that the disciplinary process is broken (as has been well documented in this thread on prior pages).

My two least favorite parts
1) students are called in for what is told to them to be a simple conversation with nice nice GDS talk. In the room are 2 admins taking notes. Those notes are used in the DCC hearing. Students are not told that when they sit down. They are not told what they say can be used against them in DCC hearing.

2) students are not told before the DCC hearing of the actual violation of rules they are being called in for. They are just told to show up at a DCC hearing at a certain time (and given choice to skip but told that it is strongly suggested they be present). It's very very weird to me that they are never told what they are being accused of.

For a school that cares so much about "justice" this seems the most kafka-esque police-state version of a justice process ever. It's shameful.

When the admins are asked about that school paper article, what I've been told is "you can't trust what is published in the school paper, can you?"

Seems GDS is betraying its own mission badly and has set up a performative and stupid discipline process where 15-18 year olds don't know they are speaking on the record when being interviewed, don't know the charges against them, and in many cases are called in for ticky-tack violations and then wait weeks to get an outcome that was clearly pre-ordained by principal.

I've personally complained about this multiple times to various admins but what I get is the "DCC process wasn't my idea" and "it's above my pay grade" and the person who actually controls which cases go to DCC and what the actual punishments are (the HS principal) will never reply 1:1. they are all scared of her is the truth of the matter.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Missed the meeting this morning - did they address any of these issues?

Yes, but only surface level. Tripled down on the DCC.

Could anyone expand on the "tripling down on the DCC'? This is one of the most awful things the current GDS HS administration, especially the HS principal, has really enforced. This terrible disciplinary process reinforces anonymous reporting, kids who go in front of the DCC for any type of offense small or big have to go in front of a student panel and then the student panel suggests the disciplinary action that is approved by administration. The process is horrible, no transparency and often goes on for weeks leaving the kid in question in limbo.

The problem with the current administration is they aren't open to listening? This disciplinary process is flawed but the don't want to hear it.

Recent article about the DCC in the school paper can be found here: https://theaugurbit.com/2023/11/13/inside-the-dcc-the-committee-that-makes-disciplinary-recommendations/

Anonymous wrote:I have a neighbor whose older child recently graduated GDS and whose younger child joined in ninth grade. They have been complaining in a similar manner to PPs here for years and years. Yet they sent their second child and were *very* happy to tell everyone when they were admitted. How can anyone take the complaining seriously?

I'm not the PP - it's not as simple as you suggest. In the end, no school is perfect. And unfortunately at schools like GDS and Sidwell - there is no drive for the administration to improve or to even consider that there are areas in which the school can improve. All parents are painted with the brush of being over the top. Certainly these parents exist...but so do "areas for improvement". Meanwhile, families (especially those with several children) are already invested younger siblings may not have a shot at other schools and it could also be that families opt to continue with the devil they know.

Anonymous wrote:If you have a good public option, it is better for college admissions to send an unhooked kid to public, get a high GPA and lots of APs. Also, more ECs to choose from.

Public and private provide very different experiences in the day to day on all dimensions - it's not all about college admissions....and what works best for each child will vary.