Anonymous wrote:My guess is they won't use the new real estate for the lower school, but maybe add the middle school here. And expand the size of the lower school to utilize the full Palisades site.

My concern (GDS parent) is the distraction for the administration, and subsequent negative effect on educational factors.

The math teacher won't be out calculating engineering problems on the construction, nor will the English teacher be writing press releases. If you believe the school has great faculty (as most GDS parents appear to believe), those professionals will go on doing a great job while the construction is ongoing. It probably will take time of the Head, but if you think the Division Heads are strong (as most GDS parents appear to think), those people can pick up slack. Life will go on swimmingly.

The GDS placement record in Ivy League schools is notable among top DC privates. If that causes you to puke, perhaps you weren't Ivy material.

Someone please get a bucket and a mop.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Say what you want, the admissions directors at Harvard and the other Top Ivys don't consider GDS to be second tier''

You just made me puke again.

The GDS placement record in Ivy League schools is notable among top DC privates. If that causes you to puke, perhaps you weren't Ivy material.

Unless you work for GDS, you don't know their placement record and it certainly isn't notable because it is unpublished.

What is less than notable is the GDS list of "notable alum" compared to the elite DMV schools.

The GDS community includes many high-powered and distinguished individuals. For example, Eric Holder is a former trustee.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Say what you want, the admissions directors at Harvard and the other Top Ivys don't consider GDS to be second tier''

You just made me puke again.

The GDS placement record in Ivy League schools is notable among top DC privates. If that causes you to puke, perhaps you weren't Ivy material.

Unless you work for GDS, you don't know their placement record and it certainly isn't notable because it is unpublished.

What is less than notable is the GDS list of "notable alum" compared to the elite DMV schools.

Anonymous wrote:Say what you want, the admissions directors at Harvard and the other Top Ivys don't consider GDS to be second tier''

You just made me puke again.

The GDS placement record in Ivy League schools is notable among top DC privates. If that causes you to puke, perhaps you weren't Ivy material.

Anonymous wrote:My guess is they won't use the new real estate for the lower school, but maybe add the middle school here. And expand the size of the lower school to utilize the full Palisades site.

My concern (GDS parent) is the distraction for the administration, and subsequent negative effect on educational factors.

Maybe. But my guess is that the plan assumes the sale/monetization of the Palisades site, either to another institution or to a developer.

My guess is they won't use the new real estate for the lower school, but maybe add the middle school here. And expand the size of the lower school to utilize the full Palisades site.

My concern (GDS parent) is the distraction for the administration, and subsequent negative effect on educational factors.

Anonymous wrote:While it may be a stretch to call upper Wisconsin Avenue the Wall St, Sand Hill Road or Rodeo Drive for Washington's elite private schools, GDS' enlarged campus is significant. GDS' enhanced presence just up the street from Sidwell and St. Albans-NCS is a public manifestation of what insiders have long known, that GDS is in the uppermost tier of Big 3 private schools in DC. ''

As a GDS grad, you make me sick. In fact, I'm puking right now.

Good for you. Washington is awash in parents who insist on competing through their children. It's really pathetic.

Say what you want, the admissions directors at Harvard and the other Top Ivys don't consider GDS to be second tier''

You just made me puke again.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:While it may be a stretch to call upper Wisconsin Avenue the Wall St, Sand Hill Road or Rodeo Drive for Washington's elite private schools, GDS' enlarged campus is significant. GDS' enhanced presence just up the street from Sidwell and St. Albans-NCS is a public manifestation of what insiders have long known, that GDS is in the uppermost tier of Big 3 private schools in DC.

Just keep saying it and someday it might stick. For now though, GDS is considered second tier by most of Washington. Just not a lot of second generation GDS families out there.

Say what you want, the admissions directors at Harvard and the other Top Ivys don't consider GDS to be second tier!

``Ugh. The idea your kid's learning suffered because of construction is a joke. And with your attitude, everybody would still be attending school in one room school houses with a coal fire. I'm sure the school was infinitely glad to see the back of you.''

I'm not against improving schools. I'm saying it has a real cost - not just financial.

Anonymous wrote:My kids lived through almost six years of construction at Sidwell including both the lower and middle school. It was disruptive and had a real impact on learning in classes. Sometimes construction went on for months just a few feet from the classroom. One of my kids barely benefitted; final touches on the gym finished halfway through his senior year.

Ugh. The idea your kid's learning suffered because of construction is a joke. And with your attitude, everybody would still be attending school in one room school houses with a coal fire. I'm sure the school was infinitely glad to see the back of you.

Anonymous wrote:While it may be a stretch to call upper Wisconsin Avenue the Wall St, Sand Hill Road or Rodeo Drive for Washington's elite private schools, GDS' enlarged campus is significant. GDS' enhanced presence just up the street from Sidwell and St. Albans-NCS is a public manifestation of what insiders have long known, that GDS is in the uppermost tier of Big 3 private schools in DC.

Just keep saying it and someday it might stick. For now though, GDS is considered second tier by most of Washington. Just not a lot of second generation GDS families out there.

While it may be a stretch to call upper Wisconsin Avenue the Wall St, Sand Hill Road or Rodeo Drive for Washington's elite private schools, GDS' enlarged campus is significant. GDS' enhanced presence just up the street from Sidwell and St. Albans-NCS is a public manifestation of what insiders have long known, that GDS is in the uppermost tier of Big 3 private schools in DC. ''

As a GDS grad, you make me sick. In fact, I'm puking right now.

While it may be a stretch to call upper Wisconsin Avenue the Wall St, Sand Hill Road or Rodeo Drive for Washington's elite private schools, GDS' enlarged campus is significant. GDS' enhanced presence just up the street from Sidwell and St. Albans-NCS is a public manifestation of what insiders have long known, that GDS is in the uppermost tier of Big 3 private schools in DC.