School Without Walls (SWW) - Recent Experience?

[Anonymous]

Can anyone provide thoughts about School Without Walls, particularly parents with students currently there?

We attended the orientation. Several of the teachers seemed under-enthused and a few seemed downright cranky. However, I have heard many positive things about the school, especially the rigorous academics and opportunity to use GW and other resources. Clearly, attending an application-only school results in a highly-motivated cohort, but I am wondering if there are other benefits? I am interested in any insider knowledge, either positive or negative, that will help our child make a decision about whether to attend the school.

[Anonymous]

Now that you're in your DC can do a shadow day.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Can anyone provide thoughts about School Without Walls, particularly parents with students currently there?

We attended the orientation. Several of the teachers seemed under-enthused and a few seemed downright cranky. However, I have heard many positive things about the school, especially the rigorous academics and opportunity to use GW and other resources. Clearly, attending an application-only school results in a highly-motivated cohort, but I am wondering if there are other benefits? I am interested in any insider knowledge, either positive or negative, that will help our child make a decision about whether to attend the school.

Highly motivated cohort and relatively small class size;
Good selection of AP courses (but fewer than Wilson);
The top 10-20% of graduates at SWW will do very well in college placements. Don't expect personalized college admission counseling; there will be one counselor for the entire grade of 120 or so students.

[Anonymous]

I can't speak about later grades or real academics, but My child is in PK3 and it's been amazing. DC's teachers are incredible- so patient, comforting, and amazing at what they do. I have a friend with a child in 4th and she is equally pleased with the school and teachers.

The security, on the other hand, leaves a lot of room for discomfort.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I can't speak about later grades or real academics, but My child is in PK3 and it's been amazing. DC's teachers are incredible- so patient, comforting, and amazing at what they do. I have a friend with a child in 4th and she is equally pleased with the school and teachers.

The security, on the other hand, leaves a lot of room for discomfort.

PP - OP asked about SWW high school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I can't speak about later grades or real academics, but My child is in PK3 and it's been amazing. DC's teachers are incredible- so patient, comforting, and amazing at what they do. I have a friend with a child in 4th and she is equally pleased with the school and teachers.

The security, on the other hand, leaves a lot of room for discomfort.

The OP is asking about SWW, not Francis-Stevens at SWW. These are completely different schools despite the "merger."

[Anonymous]

When was the orientation? The letter on Friday about admission only said that we would be getting information about new parent orientation and the bridge program once we've enrolled and after the counselor is finished helping the current graduating class in their placements.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:When was the orientation? The letter on Friday about admission only said that we would be getting information about new parent orientation and the bridge program once we've enrolled and after the counselor is finished helping the current graduating class in their placements.

I think OP meant the open house.

In past years they have allowed admitted students to shadow during the month of April. But it sounds like they aren't making that particularly easy this time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When was the orientation? The letter on Friday about admission only said that we would be getting information about new parent orientation and the bridge program once we've enrolled and after the counselor is finished helping the current graduating class in their placements.

I think OP meant the open house.

In past years they have allowed admitted students to shadow during the month of April. But it sounds like they aren't making that particularly easy this time.

PP here. I suspected the open house too, just double-checking we didn't miss anything. Actually, it looks like the sign up for the shadows is pretty open on the link in the email with plenty of spots still available.

[Anonymous]

OP here: yes, I was referring to the open house, not the orientation. My child will do the shadow day, but I’m also hoping to hear from families who are currently at the school.

[Anonymous]

Can any current walls high school parents whose child was originally waitlisted comment on their experience? If your student received an offer in April or early May were they able to take advantage of a shadow day?

[Anonymous]

I have a 9th grader at Walls and I'm not happy with the school, but she is. She likes the motivated cohort of students and the vibrant discussions in class.

90% of the teachers she has are sub-par. Completely wacky, or else phoning it in. No Geometry teacher for most of the first quarter and then pulled in a teacher who is brand new to the profession and doing ok, but certainly not stellar teaching.

I like the 9th grade guidance counselor. She is responsive and professional, but the rest of the administration is iffy.

The classes are unispiring--a slog through AP World History, Biology and Geometry. Not sure what the humanities class is supposed to be, but I don't see any kind of in depth reading of literature or instruction in writing.

There is nothing special about this school at all, except that the students are selected for their academic abilities. Otherwise, just four years of preparing kids to apply to college, no heart or greater mission detectable.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: Can any current walls high school parents whose child was originally waitlisted comment on their experience? If your student received an offer in April or early May were they able to take advantage of a shadow day?

Yes, they were able to do a shadow visit. My student had a low wait list number last year. She shadowed and really enjoyed it. The students are all really supportive of the shadows. The teachers expect the student to come ready to learn. The student needs to see if they are comfortable and happy there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have a 9th grader at Walls and I'm not happy with the school, but she is. She likes the motivated cohort of students and the vibrant discussions in class.

90% of the teachers she has are sub-par. Completely wacky, or else phoning it in. No Geometry teacher for most of the first quarter and then pulled in a teacher who is brand new to the profession and doing ok, but certainly not stellar teaching.

I like the 9th grade guidance counselor. She is responsive and professional, but the rest of the administration is iffy.

The classes are unispiring--a slog through AP World History, Biology and Geometry. Not sure what the humanities class is supposed to be, but I don't see any kind of in depth reading of literature or instruction in writing.

There is nothing special about this school at all, except that the students are selected for their academic abilities. Otherwise, just four years of preparing kids to apply to college, no heart or greater mission detectable.

I am a long time Walks parent. A lot of what you said is accurate. For me, I cannot afford private school. I still think Walls is the best public high school in DC. The counseling is not great there. The administration is not particularly warm. There is not many opportunities to go to the school. If like my student, your child happens to run into personal problems, don't expect the school to help much. You will need outside help. As far as college counseling goes, there is little help from the school. Some of the teachers absolutely will not return emails. The positive is that the students are around like minded hard working students. There are no fights, no disruptive kids. Your student will be overworked 9th grade especially. They will become articulate and able to speak up for themselves. They also have to do presentations in every class often, which is great preparation for college and the working world. If your child is extremely shy, that might be difficult. So, all in all , I am glad that my children attended.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have a 9th grader at Walls and I'm not happy with the school, but she is. She likes the motivated cohort of students and the vibrant discussions in class.

90% of the teachers she has are sub-par. Completely wacky, or else phoning it in. No Geometry teacher for most of the first quarter and then pulled in a teacher who is brand new to the profession and doing ok, but certainly not stellar teaching.

I like the 9th grade guidance counselor. She is responsive and professional, but the rest of the administration is iffy.

The classes are unispiring--a slog through AP World History, Biology and Geometry. Not sure what the humanities class is supposed to be, but I don't see any kind of in depth reading of literature or instruction in writing.

There is nothing special about this school at all, except that the students are selected for their academic abilities. Otherwise, just four years of preparing kids to apply to college, no heart or greater mission detectable.

I am a long time Walks parent. A lot of what you said is accurate. For me, I cannot afford private school. I still think Walls is the best public high school in DC. The counseling is not great there. The administration is not particularly warm. There is not many opportunities to go to the school. If like my student, your child happens to run into personal problems, don't expect the school to help much. You will need outside help. As far as college counseling goes, there is little help from the school. Some of the teachers absolutely will not return emails. The positive is that the students are around like minded hard working students. There are no fights, no disruptive kids. Your student will be overworked 9th grade especially. They will become articulate and able to speak up for themselves. They also have to do presentations in every class often, which is great preparation for college and the working world. If your child is extremely shy, that might be difficult. So, all in all , I am glad that my children attended.

NP. Thank you, these are both helpful posts.