Anonymous
05/03/2025 13:01
Subject: why are Sidwell results so much better than other DC privates this year?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Why are Sidwell parents so insecure that they spend so much time bragging on DCUM?
Silly comments like this make me think that Sidwell parents should only talk about their school amongst themselves. Apparently, they can’t talk about their reality around people who don’t have the same experience because it will sound like they’re bragging.
It’s called humility. It makes high achievers and their children tolerable. It’s good to have some.
My personal experience has been that SOME people think I lack humility by simply saying my children attend Sidwell. I can’t tell you the number of times I’ve been asked where my children attend school. After I say Sidwell, it becomes (often but not always) an immediate one-sided competition. I’ve been told that:
1. Their child got into Sidwell but didn’t go for xyz reason; 2. Public is better than Private for xyz reason; and/or 3. They have the money but would never pay that much tuition for xyz reason.
The only thing I did was answer the question I was asked. I didn’t volunteer the information, nor did I add any additional commentary. My response didn’t lack humility, but the responses I received lacked tact and couth.
Anonymous
05/03/2025 12:42
Subject: why are Sidwell results so much better than other DC privates this year?
You know plenty of Sidwell kids have not posted their college commitments, right? Presumably those include a number of the "lower" admits.
Anonymous
05/03/2025 12:42
Subject: why are Sidwell results so much better than other DC privates this year?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Why are Sidwell parents so insecure that they spend so much time bragging on DCUM?
Silly comments like this make me think that Sidwell parents should only talk about their school amongst themselves. Apparently, they can’t talk about their reality around people who don’t have the same experience because it will sound like they’re bragging.
It’s called humility. It makes high achievers and their children tolerable. It’s good to have some.
Anonymous
05/03/2025 12:38
Subject: why are Sidwell results so much better than other DC privates this year?
Almost like clockwork, posts are breaking down these stats, which is goofy. It’s meaningless and shouldn't be the basis of selecting one school over another. Over time, they all do well by this measurement. On top of that nobody has any idea why a kid or family chooses one school over another, because it’s nobody’s business.
I also like the fact that in years when certain schools, particularly it seems Sidwell, are judged to have done “well,” it’s dismissed as being because of “hooks” (athletes, legacies, etc., anything but actually strong students). In years when they’re judged as having done “poorly,” the comments are “Sidwell is slipping,” etc. Can’t have it both ways.
I also like the fact that in years when certain schools, particularly it seems Sidwell, are judged to have done “well,” it’s dismissed as being because of “hooks” (athletes, legacies, etc., anything but actually strong students). In years when they’re judged as having done “poorly,” the comments are “Sidwell is slipping,” etc. Can’t have it both ways.
Anonymous
05/03/2025 12:15
Subject: why are Sidwell results so much better than other DC privates this year?
These stats seem pretty normal. My child’s school is not what would be considered “big 3”…maybe #5, but they placed 35% in this list of Top 20. The one difference is that it was lighter on Ivy’s and the NE but heavier on top western/midwestern schools. I guess what I’m saying is that these results aren’t anything special for the rest of the country. Also, top 20 placement is part ability but big part choice.
Anonymous
05/03/2025 12:03
Subject: why are Sidwell results so much better than other DC privates this year?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Sidwell is sending 38/90 posted kids to top20 schools. 42%!
NCS is sending 17/81 girls from those posted and a few yet to post. 21%. It's not for lack of trying--my DC knows quite a number of girls who were shut out from Ivies and all top20s with 3.8-3.95 GPAs.
GDS is 23/110. Also 21%.
Why is Sidwell at literally twice the percentage? It doesn't seem to be athletes..
Is a 3.85 from Sidwell viewed as so much stronger than a 3.85 from NCS or GDS?
College counseling better?
What gives?
Just curious. My DC is on deck for next year.
37 percent of NCS grads are attending a top 20 school this year. Sidwell has a lot of legacy and connected kids in this class of 2025. Remember a legacy at any Ivy helps you get into another Ivy (say the Stats). They like the Ivies families.
GDS at uncommonly good stats last year and this year it’s sidewall. As many people wrote, it really comes down to the hooks each kid has and less to do with the school as long as the school offers a certain amount of academic rigor.
Anonymous
05/03/2025 11:35
Subject: why are Sidwell results so much better than other DC privates this year?
Anonymous wrote:Why are Sidwell parents so insecure that they spend so much time bragging on DCUM?
Silly comments like this make me think that Sidwell parents should only talk about their school amongst themselves. Apparently, they can’t talk about their reality around people who don’t have the same experience because it will sound like they’re bragging.
Anonymous
05/03/2025 11:32
Subject: why are Sidwell results so much better than other DC privates this year?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:T20 when they applied and accepted the admissions offer. It’s not that complicated.
So in your book, T20 SLAC counts but the #21 to #25 nationally ranked schools don't. Got it.
Who said #21 to #25 don’t count? The only thing they don’t count as is T20. It seems you’re trying to have a different conversation, while I’m answering a simple question involving rank.
OP's calculation.
Anonymous
05/03/2025 11:30
Subject: why are Sidwell results so much better than other DC privates this year?
There's no secret sauce. Many private schools want to admit strong students who also have parents that are alums of T20 colleges.
Anonymous
05/03/2025 11:30
Subject: why are Sidwell results so much better than other DC privates this year?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:T20 when they applied and accepted the admissions offer. It’s not that complicated.
So in your book, T20 SLAC counts but the #21 to #25 nationally ranked schools don't. Got it.
Who said #21 to #25 don’t count? The only thing they don’t count as is T20. It seems you’re trying to have a different conversation, while I’m answering a simple question involving rank.
Anonymous
05/03/2025 11:27
Subject: why are Sidwell results so much better than other DC privates this year?
Anonymous wrote:Sidwell specifically recruits students who align with a top 20 college profile—they know what they’re doing and are incredibly strategic in how they build their classes. GDS, on the other hand, has shifted its recruitment strategy in recent years, and I think it’s for the better. They're intentionally accepting a wider range of students, which makes for a more well-rounded, less cutthroat class environment. The top 20-bound students are still there, but so are kids with more varied academic profiles—and that balance helps reduce overall stress for the class.
Schools like GDS, Maret, Field, and Burke now offer more of a level playing field. These schools aren’t necessarily household names outside the DC bubble.
fwiw Maret leans more toward the average side academically but, because of its smaller size, it’s often harder to get into than GDS. St. Albans, in contrast, is much more aligned with Sidwell when it comes to recruiting high-achieving students and results.
So who are the 8th graders they recruit? What’s the secret sauce?
Anonymous
05/03/2025 11:25
Subject: why are Sidwell results so much better than other DC privates this year?
Anonymous wrote:T20 when they applied and accepted the admissions offer. It’s not that complicated.
So in your book, T20 SLAC counts but the #21 to #25 nationally ranked schools don't. Got it.
Anonymous
05/03/2025 11:20
Subject: why are Sidwell results so much better than other DC privates this year?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:top20 schools
Which LACs (if any) "count" in your definition of the above and calculations?
The T20 SLACs, according to USN&WR.
T20 is T20.
T20 when they applied or T20 when they matriculate or T20 when they graduate college? It's a moving target and a silly game.
T20 when they applied and accepted the admissions offer. It’s not that complicated.
Anonymous
05/03/2025 11:20
Subject: why are Sidwell results so much better than other DC privates this year?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Because it is the best high school in the area and the top colleges all know accepting kids from Sidwell is low risk
The same could be said about Burke, Bullis, or Field.
Stop trying to stir the pot. You know the same cannot be said about Burke, Bullis, or Field.
+1
Anonymous
05/03/2025 11:19
Subject: why are Sidwell results so much better than other DC privates this year?
Anonymous wrote:Why are Sidwell parents so insecure that they spend so much time bragging on DCUM?
Did you read the title of this thread? It’s not bragging if it's true.
You probably feel insecure about where your children attend school. That’s why you’re reading and posting negative comments on this Sidwell thread.