Deal Middle school vs Washington latin?

[Anonymous]

we were accepted to WL and are in bounds for Deal. Which one would you choose? Does anyone have experience with both places?

[Anonymous]

Latin has high academic standards but the facilities are poor. Problems this year include bullying:

http://www.wjla.com/news/stories/1109/679956.html

See the charter school board's unfavorable review of the climate of the school here:

http://www.dcpubliccharter.com/data/files/performance_reports/2008/spr_08_secondary_schools.pdf

Deal is large, has many offerings and has a brand new renovation. The IB program is interesting, but it is still DCPS.

That said there are a parents who adore each option. It all depends on your child.

[Anonymous]

Smaller schools are better for students on so many levels. There's been ample data to support this for more than a generation at the elementary level. More recently, researchers are turning to middle and high schools to see if the same holds true. It's my understanding that so far, it does.

So that's a point in Latin's favor. Also, there's the language instruction which is amazing. And, the fact that Latin goes all the way through HS.

Deal has a newer facility. And the IB component is really nice, although the real jewel of the IB program is the IB diploma which is just the last couple years of high school.

Hard to say how to interpret "bullying." I'd be curious to know how this is significantly different from any other middle school. After all DCPS schools could have much more serious problems, but theirs don't get the spotlight of the charter board.

In the end, you're talking about what are arguably the two best public middle schools in DC. If you get into both, then you've got the luxury of a difficult choice. I agree with the PP that it really depends on your child.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for starting and contributing to this thread. I am in the same fortunate position to choose between these two schools. We do not yet live in DC but will be there in June, so we can't even visit the schools yet. Clearly the choice depends on the child, but the more stories I can read from other parents the better I will feel. Thanks again! I wish I had something to contribute.

[Anonymous]

As noted, Deal is much larger, but does a good job of creating a feeling of a smaller school through the use of teams and separating the grades on different floors of the building. Deal just received final designation as an IB school. All students must take a language, but Latin is not offered (French, Spanish, Chinese are offered). There are a few more tours at Deal if you want to visit again --The tours are from 9 - 10 am on the following days:
March 19
April 9
April 23
May 9

Deal has been very good for my child, who initially was concerned about the size, but has not found it to be a problem. Being a larger school, there are more extra curriculars (though it can be harder to get on a sports team, there are many other activities that are open enrollment -- debate, robotics, cooking, art, rugby, ultimate Frisbee and more). Go to the Deal website and look at some of the past Weekly Bulletins from the principal to see a list of the weekly activities. www.alicedeal.org

[Anonymous]

We live in the neighborhood and have nothing against Deal but chose Latin. What can I say, our child is stimulated, known and loved there. It is a small , cool school. The uniforms are a plus in our eyes. No offense , but when I see the Deal and Wilson kids go by without uniform they look messy and poserish to me. Latin kids wear a comfy blazer by day, and put on a blazer and tie or dress slacks/skirts for school dances. They love their teachers and look to them as role models. It's ok to be smart, but it's not competitive- they care about each other. Hope this helps!

[Anonymous]

Sorry - not a comfy blazer by day, rather a comfy uniform - I misspoke

[Anonymous]

I also apologize if I said Deal children look messy or poserish/ it is just the contrast to a uniform which is so unfussy and ustudied. It's pretty liberating in many ways.

[Anonymous]

14:29 here -- thanks again for all the great info!

[Anonymous]

I agree that the Latin students look great. I find the uniform with the crest to be pretty fussy though, sort of British schoolboy.

At least one child has been removed from the school this year because of bullying. I guess that's just middle school though?

[Anonymous]

Well, no, I would not take for granted that all Middle Schools have bullying--schools do have different climates. My child (at WL) says Latin does not have bullying. Children do arrive with different behavior expectations --like any school. A few, vastly different. I am glad that kids are getting removed, after being given chances to change behavior that the school does offer, who don't treat other children well. I am not sure that equates to a school bullying problem. To me it sounds like logical consequences. Our child feels secure there and comfortable in his skin; to me, that is the opposite of a school with a bullying climate. He is not a 'cool' kid. Just normal. The fact that he feels so good there is what makes it a cool school to me.
Vis the uniform--used to be much fussier. The kids' favorite uniform item are their athletic shirts that just say LATIN across the back and items like that. People have stopped us in the street to ask about them. And btw, Sidwell kids look messy to me too as they amble to Tenleytown for the cappuccino hangout at Starbucks. I guess I have just gotten used to/appreciative of a uniform and the fact that it just removes a distractor from academic and social life. And the kids looked so wonderful at their dance--wow, and proud to be there!
BTW, we have found the math program to be stellar. If you wish to peek at curriculum go to the school's webpage and look at the HW wikis--you can get a bit of insight.
Both schools (DEAL and LATIN) are really good; like others have said, you are blessed! Enjoy the decision.

[Anonymous]

The child who left Latin WAS the bullied child.

[Anonymous]

OP here--thanks for all the helpful comments! i toured both schools and there are definitely pros and cons in both.

My main question is about academics: at the open house at latin they kept saying how their curriculum is more challengingthat that of DCPS--I wonder what exactly that means? How is it more challenging? Does anyone have a sense of what this means, specifically?
Thanks

[Anonymous]

OP again --thanksfor the suggestion to see the homework page--very instructive!

[Anonymous]

OP: I asked the same question as you to friends who have kids at Deal and WL. WL folks say it is the classical curriculum and the extra languages. Mentioned that science at lower grades still weak. Lots of homework and challenging projects with demerit system if you don't get things done on-time. Kids who were not challenged academically at other DCPS schools now are stimulated and engaged at WL.

Deal parents have said there is a high expectation of independent organization and performance. Strong math and English. One friend mentioned that summer requirements between 6th and 7th grade were more complicated with reading, research and a paper to be completed that was beyond what Wilson expected of her daughter

I was looking at WL this year for a possible 5th grade transfer. I went to a classical college prep high school and loved it. But in thinking it through for creative, perfectionist DS, that kind of pressure would ensure breakdowns. So, I looked and said no. Good school - not the right school for him.

Kids at WL have said they love it - and I would think it is more rigorous since smaller class means teachers call on your more often. What is your child's temperament? I would think that would be a major determinant. Are you having your kid tour the school? I have decided that I will not apply to any school without him taking a look. He has to live it.