Walls vs JR?

[Anonymous]

So, my 4.0 DC got waitlisted at Walls. We are somewhat surprised given we assume their recommendations are very good and they are a strong writer (it’s actually a hobby/passion of theirs) but given all the subjectivity of the process we are not shocked.

We are going to move forward registering for JR but are wondering whether to make the switch if they get off the wait list… I have been surprised by the number of DC’s friends who are very good students to be waitlisted at Walls (2 out of 7 got in…4 waitlisted with mid-to-high numbers, one deemed “ineligible” after an interview). With the new process I’m wondering if there will be a higher proportion of very strong students going to the DC public’s (JR, MacArthur, Banneker).

[Anonymous]

Your child will have more elective opportunities and course offerings at JR. With the current budget realities, Walls had to cut positions and decided to eliminate a world language teacher and the only performance arts teacher for next - so no drama, public speaking, creative arts, dance, etc. will be offered.

The teachers at Walls do a great job introducing really interesting concepts and curriculum (they don't have to follow the DCPS scope and sequence for many of the course offerings), but not all of them are the best teachers. Many assume the students should know how to do an assignment.

[Anonymous]

Wait/ no performing arts at Walls next year at all?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Wait/ no performing arts at Walls next year at all?

Depends on if central office calls Walls bluff - one of the two teachers on the chopping block is the drama teacher. (But there will still be band/orchestra/choir).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So, my 4.0 DC got waitlisted at Walls. We are somewhat surprised given we assume their recommendations are very good and they are a strong writer (it’s actually a hobby/passion of theirs) but given all the subjectivity of the process we are not shocked.

We are going to move forward registering for JR but are wondering whether to make the switch if they get off the wait list… I have been surprised by the number of DC’s friends who are very good students to be waitlisted at Walls (2 out of 7 got in…4 waitlisted with mid-to-high numbers, one deemed “ineligible” after an interview). With the new process I’m wondering if there will be a higher proportion of very strong students going to the DC public’s (JR, MacArthur, Banneker).

There are always a ton of very high-achieving students at JR; many (including my own kids) had no interest in Walls/Banneker/Duke because they wanted a bigger school with more activities.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So, my 4.0 DC got waitlisted at Walls. We are somewhat surprised given we assume their recommendations are very good and they are a strong writer (it’s actually a hobby/passion of theirs) but given all the subjectivity of the process we are not shocked.

We are going to move forward registering for JR but are wondering whether to make the switch if they get off the wait list… I have been surprised by the number of DC’s friends who are very good students to be waitlisted at Walls (2 out of 7 got in…4 waitlisted with mid-to-high numbers, one deemed “ineligible” after an interview). With the new process I’m wondering if there will be a higher proportion of very strong students going to the DC public’s (JR, MacArthur, Banneker).

Why are you surprised? There are exponentially more 4.0 DCPS kids than there are seats at Walls. Deserving students don't get in every year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wait/ no performing arts at Walls next year at all?

Depends on if central office calls Walls bluff - one of the two teachers on the chopping block is the drama teacher. (But there will still be band/orchestra/choir).

Didn't Central already call their bluff? I mean, Walls requested budget assistance from Central and the request was not granted. The only way Walls gets the extra $260,000 needed to save these two positions is if DC Council magically gives schools more money.

[Anonymous]

Does anyone know where JR is with budget cuts?
A reason we went Walls a few years ago was the challenge with Wilson (at the time) staffing for electives.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So, my 4.0 DC got waitlisted at Walls. We are somewhat surprised given we assume their recommendations are very good and they are a strong writer (it’s actually a hobby/passion of theirs) but given all the subjectivity of the process we are not shocked.

We are going to move forward registering for JR but are wondering whether to make the switch if they get off the wait list… I have been surprised by the number of DC’s friends who are very good students to be waitlisted at Walls (2 out of 7 got in…4 waitlisted with mid-to-high numbers, one deemed “ineligible” after an interview). With the new process I’m wondering if there will be a higher proportion of very strong students going to the DC public’s (JR, MacArthur, Banneker).

I'm going to hazard a guess and say no. There are always far more super-qualified students than can fit at Walls. The process this year was probably a little LESS random, since in the years since they killed the entrance test, something like 85% of a student's score was determined by a 5-10-minute interview.

Also, to pick a few nits: Banneker is, like SWW, a selective school, so it's simply not in the same category as JR and Macarthur. And all four of these are DC public schools!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Does anyone know where JR is with budget cuts?
A reason we went Walls a few years ago was the challenge with Wilson (at the time) staffing for electives.

Losing 8.5 teaching positions, according to this: https://thejackson-reedbeacon.com/22546/news/changes-in-school-budget-will-impact-students-and-staff/. There tends to be teacher turnover year to year, so hopefully some can be addressed by attrition? I had heard that they were basically going to cut one position per department, but I don’t know if that’s accurate.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wait/ no performing arts at Walls next year at all?

Depends on if central office calls Walls bluff - one of the two teachers on the chopping block is the drama teacher. (But there will still be band/orchestra/choir).

Didn't Central already call their bluff? I mean, Walls requested budget assistance from Central and the request was not granted. The only way Walls gets the extra $260,000 needed to save these two positions is if DC Council magically gives schools more money.

I think it's important to note that Walls had other options than cutting these two teaching positions and the elective offerings for students. The Walls administration originally proposed eliminating one counseling position (Walls currently has 1 counselor per grade, supporting ~150 students) and one world language position. The LSAT asked for an additional option so admin presented eliminating two teaching positions based on historical course enrollment data. The LSAT then proposed a 3rd option: cutting a Special Education position and assigning those duties to teachers with GeneralEd and SpecialEd credentials. The LSAT then voted to cut two positions and the administration decided to accept that recommendation. The District signed off.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Does anyone know where JR is with budget cuts?
A reason we went Walls a few years ago was the challenge with Wilson (at the time) staffing for electives.

Losing 8.5 teaching positions, according to this: https://thejackson-reedbeacon.com/22546/news/changes-in-school-budget-will-impact-students-and-staff/. There tends to be teacher turnover year to year, so hopefully some can be addressed by attrition? I had heard that they were basically going to cut one position per department, but I don’t know if that’s accurate.

These are not all classroom teachers…some are instructional coaches. Also, JR’s population is declining because of the opening of MacArthur. The school is not cutting electives.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So, my 4.0 DC got waitlisted at Walls. We are somewhat surprised given we assume their recommendations are very good and they are a strong writer (it’s actually a hobby/passion of theirs) but given all the subjectivity of the process we are not shocked.

We are going to move forward registering for JR but are wondering whether to make the switch if they get off the wait list… I have been surprised by the number of DC’s friends who are very good students to be waitlisted at Walls (2 out of 7 got in…4 waitlisted with mid-to-high numbers, one deemed “ineligible” after an interview). With the new process I’m wondering if there will be a higher proportion of very strong students going to the DC public’s (JR, MacArthur, Banneker).

I'm going to hazard a guess and say no. There are always far more super-qualified students than can fit at Walls. The process this year was probably a little LESS random, since in the years since they killed the entrance test, something like 85% of a student's score was determined by a 5-10-minute interview.

Also, to pick a few nits: Banneker is, like SWW, a selective school, so it's simply not in the same category as JR and Macarthur. And all four of these are DC public schools!

But it seems like a bunch of 4.0 students didn’t even get an interview this year…that’s what makes me think the process is more random.

[Anonymous]

OP, to answer your actual question, I’m guessing a lot more high achieving students will go to JR…the overcrowding problem that has been a problem the past few years is getting much better and the post-COVID behavior issues are also better. Parents seem to like the new principal.

[Anonymous]

JR Academy sign up is open, do it now if your DC is interested they do fill up.