Anonymous wrote:OP back; we ended up going with Sidwell, by DD's choice. She needed encouragement and support from me that she could be successful there. I told her I thought she would do well at either place and had my support. We were then thrown for a major loop as she was admitted off the WL to GDS, which was always her first choice, and felt like the right combination of "happiness" and academic rigor. I think it will work out well for her. Appreciate everyone's input and looking forward to a great first year for my DD.

Wow, what a curve ball! Congrats to your DD and best wishes for the future!

OP, great choice. A big congratulations to your DD! We love it there!

Sidwell is the sexiest school in the dmv

OP back; we ended up going with Sidwell, by DD's choice. She needed encouragement and support from me that she could be successful there. I told her I thought she would do well at either place and had my support. We were then thrown for a major loop as she was admitted off the WL to GDS, which was always her first choice, and felt like the right combination of "happiness" and academic rigor. I think it will work out well for her. Appreciate everyone's input and looking forward to a great first year for my DD.

We were in the same boat a few years ago, toen between SR and GDS. MY DD chose SR, she is receiving a great eucation, not doubt about it, but socially my DD has suffered, is not as welcoming as we tought, especially if you are a neurodiverse kid that doesn't like sports and that is not blonde. From time to time she regrets not going to GDS.

Good luck, is not easy!

Boy this is a tough choice, I don't envy you. Sidwell is obviously the better school, and better for your family given the location, but I understand the pull towards SR, we have many friends there who love it. Is it possible your daughter is feeling intimidated by the prospect of the perceived challenge of Sidwell? I know that if I were a high school student, I'd be worried to let my family down, be worried if I could hack it, etc. But kids rise to the challenge, and Sidwell is what you make it. If I were you, I'd make the tough call and make the decision that will set her up with the greatest chance of success, which is Sidwell.

Anonymous wrote:This:
https://www.niche.com/k12/search/best-private-k12-schools/m/washington-dc-metro-area/

SF #1 and SR#13

Either way it depends on what you make of your education in either school but a successful student at SF has certainly better outcomes.

This list also ranks Veritas as #2 (above GDS). In addition, Niche ranks BIM as the #1 college prep school in the DC area (over all the “Big 3”). I don’t know what criteria they use, but I wouldn’t put any stock in these lists. In any case, the best private is the one that is the best fit for your kid. Full stop.

This:
https://www.niche.com/k12/search/best-private-k12-schools/m/washington-dc-metro-area/

SF #1 and SR#13

Either way it depends on what you make of your education in either school but a successful student at SF has certainly better outcomes.

OP what did you decide?

If she wants to perform on stage I’d choose SR. Both schools have great performing arts programs, but girls at Stone Ridge get the chance to play male roles they’re unlikely to get the chance to play elsewhere. It’s a huge advantage as an actor. The odds are against you as a woman in theater - go to a place where you don’t have to compete with male actors.

How much does she value sports, and how good is she? I have one child who is at a school similar to sidwell, where dc can make varsity and do well, yet would likely never get off jv at SR. That child prioritizes academics. I have another dc who lives for sports and would be bored w/ the sidwell teams in dc’s 2 sports and would thrive at SR. I know Sidwell is great at tennis and bb, but if your dd plays club fh or lacrosse, Sidwell would be a frustrating place to land. If sports are important to her, if she has not already, I’d meet with the coaches at SR and see what it seems like her options over the next 4 years will be.

She's not wrong about Sidwell. It doesn't matter if the parents share same politics. It's about where kid feels comfortable. Let her go where she's comfortable - that's where she'll thrive.

Anonymous wrote:I’d view it this way, if she preferred SR and is an excellent student, she’ll be more likely to be on the top or SR s class than Sidwell. Maybe if she’s tippy top she could land an ivy/ivy+ which would be much more competitive to do at Sidwell. At SR there are fewer top placements than Sidwell (for obvious reason) but if she’s top at SR she can go to maybe be admitted to an even better school than the Sidwell diploma would allow. Simply said, she has an academic advantage at SR

I don’t think it works like this. She should go to wherever she will have the best experience for her. The college admission counselors know the relative rigor of the high schools, so once you are choosing between 2 schools like SR and SFS (which are both excellent schools that can challenge very smart kids), it really is just about where she feels like she fits in best. Does she want all girls or coed? That is such a gating item that it seems the decision should be easy.

Snore.

Anonymous wrote:I’d view it this way, if she preferred SR and is an excellent student, she’ll be more likely to be on the top or SR s class than Sidwell. Maybe if she’s tippy top she could land an ivy/ivy+ which would be much more competitive to do at Sidwell. At SR there are fewer top placements than Sidwell (for obvious reason) but if she’s top at SR she can go to maybe be admitted to an even better school than the Sidwell diploma would allow. Simply said, she has an academic advantage at SR

So your argument is send your daughter to the easier school so she looks better by comparison? It doesn't work that way. Admissions officers at Harvard aren't fooled by class rank. They have a spreadsheet that tells them exactly what a 4.0 at Stone Ridge is worth relative to a 3.7 at Sidwell.