Any Wakefield parents on here?

[Anonymous]

Hi, my DC is slated for one of these high schools: Yorktown, W&L, but for many reasons I would rather he goes to Wakefield. DC is well traveled, adaptable and seems to feel more at home with a more diverse school environment. DC doesn't care where he goes for high school but DH does. We're in disagreement, DH is insisting that DC attends his homeschool, but after reading some of the comments on here(read:patronizing, condescending towards those who look different or who doesn't have a house in the 'right' boundary) I hesitate to send my kid to one of those schools. And given the curriculum is the same in all the schools, I don't think the positive (better test score) outweigh some of the negatives - entitlement, mean girl environment at the other schools. I'm also looking forward to the new Wakefield facilities. FWIW, I think DC would do fine at any school, but I'm wondering where it would take less effort socially. DC have had a roller coaster ride adjusting to two different international schools during the past 5 years and is stronger for it, but I am looking for easier landing for us as a family. DH however just want DC to attend our home school. In the interest of keeping this short, I've simplified our reasons for feeling one way or another. I guess what I want to know is how closely linked the Wakefield school community is and how will we fit in? I don't think I'll convince DH to change his mind, but I think DC could.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hi, my DC is slated for one of these high schools: Yorktown, W&L, but for many reasons I would rather he goes to Wakefield. DC is well traveled, adaptable and seems to feel more at home with a more diverse school environment. DC doesn't care where he goes for high school but DH does. We're in disagreement, DH is insisting that DC attends his homeschool, but after reading some of the comments on here(read:patronizing, condescending towards those who look different or who doesn't have a house in the 'right' boundary) I hesitate to send my kid to one of those schools. And given the curriculum is the same in all the schools, I don't think the positive (better test score) outweigh some of the negatives - entitlement, mean girl environment at the other schools. I'm also looking forward to the new Wakefield facilities. FWIW, I think DC would do fine at any school, but I'm wondering where it would take less effort socially. DC have had a roller coaster ride adjusting to two different international schools during the past 5 years and is stronger for it, but I am looking for easier landing for us as a family. DH however just want DC to attend our home school. In the interest of keeping this short, I've simplified our reasons for feeling one way or another. I guess what I want to know is how closely linked the Wakefield school community is and how will we fit in? I don't think I'll convince DH to change his mind, but I think DC could.

I think W&L is more diverse than Wakefield, both economically and racially, so I don't really understand your post. It seems like much angst for no obvious reason.

[Anonymous]

Yes. W-L is by far the most diverse high school in the county. This is because it draws students from the wealthy, middle class, and poor parts of North and South Arlington. If diversity is what you're after, then you should be happy with W-L.

There is no way you are slated for both W-L and Yortkown unless you live on a street that is a boundary between the two schools. Only then do you have the option, but that may have changed with overcrowding at both schools. Wakefield is the only high school accepting regular transfers at the moment.

[Anonymous]

OP, your post is the very definition of irony. Are you trolling? Or just dense?

[Anonymous]

And Yorktown has some diversity, too, at least compared to schools like Langley. I honestly think W-L is the "safest bet" for a kid who may need a soft landing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, your post is the very definition of irony. Are you trolling? Or just dense?

No need to be mean. I don't see any obvious signs of a troll, but perhaps unnecessary anxiety about a new school.

[Anonymous]

(she's not zoned for both; she just doesn't want to reveal)

OP: You would not be the first family to make that choice, although it isn't a common one. More common among families of color, since Wakefield is a more inclusive place.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:(she's not zoned for both; she just doesn't want to reveal)

OP: You would not be the first family to make that choice, although it isn't a common one. More common among families of color, since Wakefield is a more inclusive place.

What exactly does that mean? Wakefield is a high-poverty, majority black/hispanic school where only about 10% of the students are white. W-L is more balanced.

I'm trying to understand what open arms would be extended to a new student at Wakefield that would not be extended at W-L. If someone just wants a school that's more than 15% black, maybe he or she should be specific, rather than claim Wakefield is more "inclusive."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:(she's not zoned for both; she just doesn't want to reveal)

OP: You would not be the first family to make that choice, although it isn't a common one. More common among families of color, since Wakefield is a more inclusive place.

What exactly does that mean? Wakefield is a high-poverty, majority black/hispanic school where only about 10% of the students are white. W-L is more balanced.

I'm trying to understand what open arms would be extended to a new student at Wakefield that would not be extended at W-L. If someone just wants a school that's more than 15% black, maybe he or she should be specific, rather than claim Wakefield is more "inclusive."

All three high schools are inclusive to some degree, but to say that Wakefield is more inclusive is flat out wrong. Yorktown has won awards for its character building workshops. W-L has won awards for its Best Buddies program. Wakefield is unique for its multicultural spirit week before homecoming. One could go on and on. And all three high schools have multicultural events throughout the year.

[Anonymous]

OP doesn't seem to be basing this on any real info about the schools, just her perception about what a few people have written on DCUM. That seems like a super odd and frankly irresponsible way to choose a school for your child. I honestly think OP is full of s**t and just some sour grapes person who thinks this silly post would make W-L and Yorktown parents feel like they are giving their schools a bad name. Try again OP, but thanks for playing!

[Anonymous]

OP here, I want to hear from folks who have kids at Wakefield and what their experiences are like. I'm considering Wakefield as an option for DC. I want to have an idea what the social environment will be like. How hard will it be for DC to fit in, I'm looking for a softer landing than what we've experienced so far. I know enough about our home school, its virtues have been well debated here. With all things considered, I think Wakefield is a good option for us and I'd like to hear from the parents.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here, I want to hear from folks who have kids at Wakefield and what their experiences are like. I'm considering Wakefield as an option for DC. I want to have an idea what the social environment will be like. How hard will it be for DC to fit in, I'm looking for a softer landing than what we've experienced so far. I know enough about our home school, its virtues have been well debated here. With all things considered, I think Wakefield is a good option for us and I'd like to hear from the parents.

Tell us about your DC then. What race, what income level, etc.

[Anonymous]

I'm not a Wakefield parent, but I know parents of Wakefield kids that live in the Arlington Ridge and Barcroft neighborhoods. They seem perfectly happy with the school. Their kids are white and well to do.

The Wakefield student cheering section at rivalry games like basketball and football is truly diverse, whereas the student fans at W-L and Yorktown are mostly white.

[Anonymous]

Inclusive: I meant, your kid might make a sports team without having played ten years of travel. Fewer type A parents and kids means more opportunities to explore etc.

I wasn't thinking about race. My son's not at Wakefield, but some of my friend's kids are.

My son will go to W&L, which is the right place for us.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Inclusive: I meant, your kid might make a sports team without having played ten years of travel. Fewer type A parents and kids means more opportunities to explore etc.

I wasn't thinking about race. My son's not at Wakefield, but some of my friend's kids are.

My son will go to W&L, which is the right place for us.

At W-L and Yorktown a lot of the kids are on travel and club teams. Athletics are weaker at Wakefield but it is competitive in Basketball; the team has won the region tournament three times over the past ten years. On the other hand, the field hockey and lacrosse teams recorded their first wins in over a decade last year.

The Wakefield student fans tend to more polite, whereas the W-L and Yorktown fans occasionally put down the opponent with their "cheers" or jeers, especially some of the Fairfax County schools.