Tell me about Whitman

[Anonymous]

Assuming my DS will not get into any privates just because it’s almost impossible right now, we are turning to our inbounds HS, Whitman. I hear only great things. My DS is a very good student with some LD, great athlete who will no doubt make the team of his sport and may even play varsity freshman year. He’s super quiet. How will he do at Whitman? He’s never been in such a huge school. His current school is tiny. But he’s looking forward to HS.

[Anonymous]

OP how do the LDs affect your DS academically? Apart from low student/teacher ratios, what supports does he get/need at his current school?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP how do the LDs affect your DS academically? Apart from low student/teacher ratios, what supports does he get/need at his current school?

None currently. But I expect that to possibly change. Mainly he needs extra time on tests. I am concerned that a huge workload would be punishing for him. He has slow processing. So it takes him twice as long to do his work. He gets very good grades though.

[Anonymous]

I think he'll do great! Good students and great athletes do well there.

[Anonymous]

Get to know the counselors. They will be helpful to your DS's situation if they know him. With so many students they aren't likely to know him unless a parent/student reaches out. And that's ok. Some students/parents don't need attention.

[Anonymous]

grab the popcorn

[Anonymous]

Despite what you read on here (and what I'm sure will be posted soon), I can say from experience (2 kids graduated and one currently there now) that it's an all around great school. Academically it can be quite challenged though, specifically the first two years. So if that is a factor I agree with the PP who recommended getting in touch with counselors. And certainly if he needs extra time because of LD he will get that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Get to know the counselors. They will be helpful to your DS's situation if they know him. With so many students they aren't likely to know him unless a parent/student reaches out. And that's ok. Some students/parents don't need attention.

We have not found the counselors very helpful or even very accessible. It is a big school and teachers have a lot of students. Kids with 504 plans need to be able to advocate themselves for their supports or they don't get them. Quiet or anxious kids can easily get lost.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Get to know the counselors. They will be helpful to your DS's situation if they know him. With so many students they aren't likely to know him unless a parent/student reaches out. And that's ok. Some students/parents don't need attention.

We have not found the counselors very helpful or even very accessible. It is a big school and teachers have a lot of students. Kids with 504 plans need to be able to advocate themselves for their supports or they don't get them. Quiet or anxious kids can easily get lost.

Newsflash: Teachers who have 150+ students per day need some reminders. Yes, if your child is afraid to speak to their teacher, it will cause problems.

[Anonymous]

This is all great. I hope I get more feedback. My boy is quiet but not with teachers. He has no problem advocating for himself and reaching out. They will probably be sick of him! Lol!

[Anonymous]

My DC entered Whitman at 9th from a small private school and had a great experience. Sports helped a lot in terms of getting socially integrated. DC doesn't have any LDs so that wasn't an issue but the workload can be challenging. The counselors can help with appropriate class selection. Don't be afraid to take on on level class if needed, rather then honors or AP. Focus the more challenging classes on his passions. As others have said, he will need to not only self advocate but also speak up in class. DC found there was always a group of super engaged students (DC was one of them) but also kids who were quiet and didn't speak up. The classes are big enough that the teacher isn't going to draw out the quiet kids when there are plenty of kids engaged in the class.

[Anonymous]

It’s a typical suburban high school not significantly different from hundreds, even thousands, like it across the country.

Academics are good to excellent for the top 20% or 10% of the class. There’s a very large Asian presence at the top of the class.

Many of the richer families and more athletically gifted students choose private schools instead.

Sports teams and coaching are mediocre at best.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is all great. I hope I get more feedback. My boy is quiet but not with teachers. He has no problem advocating for himself and reaching out. They will probably be sick of him! Lol!

He sounds like my DS who is in 9th at Whitman now. He is quiet amongst his peers except in the context of a class. And this semester he eats lunch alone every day unless there's a kid from one of his classes to sit with and he likes the break from the cacophony of the classrooms, it's a welcome "down time". Some classes are more crowded and rowdy than others.

The teachers are a mixed bag - but if you get a dud for the 1st semester there's a very high possibility you'll get a good one for the 2nd. So far proving to be the case.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:grab the popcorn

The W of Ws! Gonna be a DCUM funfest!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Assuming my DS will not get into any privates just because it’s almost impossible right now, we are turning to our inbounds HS, Whitman. I hear only great things. My DS is a very good student with some LD, great athlete who will no doubt make the team of his sport and may even play varsity freshman year. He’s super quiet. How will he do at Whitman? He’s never been in such a huge school. His current school is tiny. But he’s looking forward to HS.

Whitman is better than any private school in the area