14:53 -- What are the stats you refer to on HYP this year?

14:43 hits it on all fronts.

/thread.

Unless you look at 5-10 years of data these arguments are meaningless. These schools are relatively small and year to year differences in graduating classes can be surprisingly large. If you were to look at this year only (2011) Sidwell would appear far stronger in these metrics (14 vs 1 Presidential Scholar and similar ratios for National Merit semifinalits and assume finalists, a very large difference in the numbers admitted to HYSP and all the Ivys and little Ivys in the same direction), but this graduating class at Sidwell is phenomenal and this year's at GDS academically in terms of testing, and in terms of leadership and involvement in extracurriculars is much weaker than usual. But if you looked at last year, 2010, the situation would be very different, if not reversed, at least much more equivalent. Bottom line, having had or having kids at both high schools, they are academically more similar than different, and no one should be making a choice between one or the other based on some perceived differences in college accept statistics or SAT scores. Yes, each school has a different set of particularly strong relationships with admissions offices of certain colleges, and kids at one school versus the other might gravitate to colleges perceived as more similar to at least the student body of each school.

For some reason, Sidwell makes gds insecure.

According to the data available in earlier posts on this thread, Sidwell ranks significantly higher than GDS in college acceptances and SAT scores. So PP - what are you talking about - sounds like you are very biased parent or staffer and you have not backed up your claim - one that is contradicted by the earlier posts.

PP, you seem to be claiming you have stats and facts. Otherwise, how would you be able to make some of your claims about GDS compared to Sidwell. Please post yours so we all can see for ourselves.

Anonymous wrote:Most years -- Sidwell has a much better college placement record than GDS

Sorry to say but this poster has no idea what they are talking about. GDS students have been admitted to IVY schools at a greater number than Sidwell students more times than not over the last 20 years. BOTH schools have incredible acceptance rates to fantastic schools - but GDS students have been very very successful when applying to, and being admitted to the countries top institution. Check with the schools, get the lists, the numbers speak for themselves. Also, the GDS English program is so strong, and nationally recognized, that when a GDS student arrives at college, they are immediatley placed into a second year/Sophmore English class. PLease please please stop making up stats and facts people.

If math, Thomas Jefferson. Next question.

At Sidwell the parents are hippies and the kids are preppy. At GDS the kids are hippies and the parents are preppy.

math nerds geeking out. Don't make fun of them.

Anonymous wrote:Are you people seriously having this debate?

Not debating anything. Just asking for basis for statements. What's wrong with that?

Are you people seriously having this debate?

Anonymous wrote:18:24 again - when making the claim I was in a rush and didn't feel comfortable even quoting names of Chinese citizens, just like I'd not name local kids. I can probably give quite a bit more data, if you care to be specific.

I'd be interested in hearing that basis for your claims, and specifically how you are able to compare the enthusiasm of one school's math team versus another's. Are you a GDS teacher? A GDS parent? A Sidwell parent? A GDS student? Someone affiliated with the AMC? I'm also interested in what makes you say GDS is stronger on AIME.

Anonymous wrote:I think someone is a little too preoccupied about Sidwell and math.

Nah, just tired of the specious ways stats get used around here and had a misplaced hope that working through one example might be productive.

Anonymous wrote:I am totally not denigrating Sidwell's overall math program, 16:27. But on the AMC/AIME claim, GDS is stronger at this point. Happy to look at PSAT scores in math or other measures, and Sidwell might come out ahead. The better measure for a math-oriented kid, might the enthusiasm for the math team, size of it, etc., all indicating school commitment to math. The earlier claim that Sidwell is a little indifferent to that, combined with the idea that its most outstanding students are one-year students who may be exchange students, is suggestive but, as many have said, doesn't indict the whole system.

I think the relevant description would be "damning with faint praise".