New W-L Principal

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As a parent of W-L kids, the academic rigor is great, and the kids in those classes are doing fine and college placement is impressive. I hope that isn't changed. I do think there is a group of kids at the school not getting educated very well, not attending class, threatening teachers, and the school needs to find a better solution to deal with them.

My problem is that I have a kid in the middle of the pack - not an academic superstar who is going to be IB or even shoot for UVA. I worry already about him getting lost in the crowd because he’s not advanced enough to take 17 APs or whatever; but not behind enough to get “equity” resources. He would benefit from a school where the baseline is really high so thay even where he is (“normal” classes) the expectations are appropriate.

I have one kid that fits that description at W-L. He took a couple AP classes, a coupme IB classes and some GenEd. The teachers in the advanced classes went out of their way to bring him along. I have been so impressed. The GenEd teachers were always in touch and helpful too. I understand your concerns but they didn’t play out with my student.

I have that kid, too. He just graduated. I was not thrilled with his education at WL and am glad to be done. The AP and IB classes he took were mostly good. The problem is the large gap between the advanced classes and the regular classes because there is such a divide between the students who take them. There seems to be very little middle ground. He also had a class every year that was not staffed by an actual teacher for part of the year. This especially hurt him in math where he had no geometry teacher for most of the first semester. Last year his physics teacher just up and left in the middle of the year. We got little to no contact from the school about any of it. We did love the school spirit and he made good friends. But in my opinion, if you are a kid in the middle of the pack, you can get a bit lost. Those kids who are motivated and take all upper level classes will do just fine.

WL is a tale of two schools?

Not necesarily. Like most schools, everyone’s experience is different. Some gen ed classes are perfectly fine with inspiring teachers and the right amount of challenge. Others could be better. Many if not most students take a mix of gen ed and AP classes.

If this new principal was hired based on his “track record of transforming schools”, I’m not sure how that would apply to W-L which is already a good school. Continuity is always better than taking a gamble on someone with a different philosophy, and Willmore would have offered continuity.

That said, best of luck to the new principal. He’ll be leading a school with a strong academic legacy that spans generations. Indeed, the parents and grandparents of a number of current students attended W-L. Many on the staff are alumni. I hope the new principal builds on these strengths and does not plan a purge of what has worked.

I understand what is happening now. This is basically union-busting. There have been vocal teachers at WL that are trying to have an outsize impact on the school (there was the speaker at the SB meeting). They have been pushing to collaborate with the administration and have influence on how the school is run.

One of those recommendations from the teaching staff went sideways in a bad way, and that is why Hall left abruptly. They want to restore a top down traditional administration, and that is his job, to come in and bust up the old paradigm. He won't have any qualms sweeping away the permissive, poll-taking administrators, and will stand fast to the teachers who want to act as mini-principals and won't waver when they quit. Coming from the maelstrom that is ACHS, this type of action for a principal will be small beer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As a parent of W-L kids, the academic rigor is great, and the kids in those classes are doing fine and college placement is impressive. I hope that isn't changed. I do think there is a group of kids at the school not getting educated very well, not attending class, threatening teachers, and the school needs to find a better solution to deal with them.

My problem is that I have a kid in the middle of the pack - not an academic superstar who is going to be IB or even shoot for UVA. I worry already about him getting lost in the crowd because he’s not advanced enough to take 17 APs or whatever; but not behind enough to get “equity” resources. He would benefit from a school where the baseline is really high so thay even where he is (“normal” classes) the expectations are appropriate.

I have one kid that fits that description at W-L. He took a couple AP classes, a coupme IB classes and some GenEd. The teachers in the advanced classes went out of their way to bring him along. I have been so impressed. The GenEd teachers were always in touch and helpful too. I understand your concerns but they didn’t play out with my student.

I have that kid, too. He just graduated. I was not thrilled with his education at WL and am glad to be done. The AP and IB classes he took were mostly good. The problem is the large gap between the advanced classes and the regular classes because there is such a divide between the students who take them. There seems to be very little middle ground. He also had a class every year that was not staffed by an actual teacher for part of the year. This especially hurt him in math where he had no geometry teacher for most of the first semester. Last year his physics teacher just up and left in the middle of the year. We got little to no contact from the school about any of it. We did love the school spirit and he made good friends. But in my opinion, if you are a kid in the middle of the pack, you can get a bit lost. Those kids who are motivated and take all upper level classes will do just fine.

WL is a tale of two schools?

Not necesarily. Like most schools, everyone’s experience is different. Some gen ed classes are perfectly fine with inspiring teachers and the right amount of challenge. Others could be better. Many if not most students take a mix of gen ed and AP classes.

If this new principal was hired based on his “track record of transforming schools”, I’m not sure how that would apply to W-L which is already a good school. Continuity is always better than taking a gamble on someone with a different philosophy, and Willmore would have offered continuity.

That said, best of luck to the new principal. He’ll be leading a school with a strong academic legacy that spans generations. Indeed, the parents and grandparents of a number of current students attended W-L. Many on the staff are alumni. I hope the new principal builds on these strengths and does not plan a purge of what has worked.

I understand what is happening now. This is basically union-busting. There have been vocal teachers at WL that are trying to have an outsize impact on the school (there was the speaker at the SB meeting). They have been pushing to collaborate with the administration and have influence on how the school is run.

One of those recommendations from the teaching staff went sideways in a bad way, and that is why Hall left abruptly. They want to restore a top down traditional administration, and that is his job, to come in and bust up the old paradigm. He won't have any qualms sweeping away the permissive, poll-taking administrators, and will stand fast to the teachers who want to act as mini-principals and won't waver when they quit. Coming from the maelstrom that is ACHS, this type of action for a principal will be small beer.

What was the thing that went sideways?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As a parent of W-L kids, the academic rigor is great, and the kids in those classes are doing fine and college placement is impressive. I hope that isn't changed. I do think there is a group of kids at the school not getting educated very well, not attending class, threatening teachers, and the school needs to find a better solution to deal with them.

My problem is that I have a kid in the middle of the pack - not an academic superstar who is going to be IB or even shoot for UVA. I worry already about him getting lost in the crowd because he’s not advanced enough to take 17 APs or whatever; but not behind enough to get “equity” resources. He would benefit from a school where the baseline is really high so thay even where he is (“normal” classes) the expectations are appropriate.

I have one kid that fits that description at W-L. He took a couple AP classes, a coupme IB classes and some GenEd. The teachers in the advanced classes went out of their way to bring him along. I have been so impressed. The GenEd teachers were always in touch and helpful too. I understand your concerns but they didn’t play out with my student.

I have that kid, too. He just graduated. I was not thrilled with his education at WL and am glad to be done. The AP and IB classes he took were mostly good. The problem is the large gap between the advanced classes and the regular classes because there is such a divide between the students who take them. There seems to be very little middle ground. He also had a class every year that was not staffed by an actual teacher for part of the year. This especially hurt him in math where he had no geometry teacher for most of the first semester. Last year his physics teacher just up and left in the middle of the year. We got little to no contact from the school about any of it. We did love the school spirit and he made good friends. But in my opinion, if you are a kid in the middle of the pack, you can get a bit lost. Those kids who are motivated and take all upper level classes will do just fine.

WL is a tale of two schools?

Not necesarily. Like most schools, everyone’s experience is different. Some gen ed classes are perfectly fine with inspiring teachers and the right amount of challenge. Others could be better. Many if not most students take a mix of gen ed and AP classes.

If this new principal was hired based on his “track record of transforming schools”, I’m not sure how that would apply to W-L which is already a good school. Continuity is always better than taking a gamble on someone with a different philosophy, and Willmore would have offered continuity.

That said, best of luck to the new principal. He’ll be leading a school with a strong academic legacy that spans generations. Indeed, the parents and grandparents of a number of current students attended W-L. Many on the staff are alumni. I hope the new principal builds on these strengths and does not plan a purge of what has worked.

I understand what is happening now. This is basically union-busting. There have been vocal teachers at WL that are trying to have an outsize impact on the school (there was the speaker at the SB meeting). They have been pushing to collaborate with the administration and have influence on how the school is run.

One of those recommendations from the teaching staff went sideways in a bad way, and that is why Hall left abruptly. They want to restore a top down traditional administration, and that is his job, to come in and bust up the old paradigm. He won't have any qualms sweeping away the permissive, poll-taking administrators, and will stand fast to the teachers who want to act as mini-principals and won't waver when they quit. Coming from the maelstrom that is ACHS, this type of action for a principal will be small beer.

This collaborative approach has been a hallmark of W-L under various principals since at least the 1960s. And there have only been five or six principals since then. Why the change now. Why rock the boat. The school has benefitted from many years of continuity.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As a parent of W-L kids, the academic rigor is great, and the kids in those classes are doing fine and college placement is impressive. I hope that isn't changed. I do think there is a group of kids at the school not getting educated very well, not attending class, threatening teachers, and the school needs to find a better solution to deal with them.

My problem is that I have a kid in the middle of the pack - not an academic superstar who is going to be IB or even shoot for UVA. I worry already about him getting lost in the crowd because he’s not advanced enough to take 17 APs or whatever; but not behind enough to get “equity” resources. He would benefit from a school where the baseline is really high so thay even where he is (“normal” classes) the expectations are appropriate.

I have one kid that fits that description at W-L. He took a couple AP classes, a coupme IB classes and some GenEd. The teachers in the advanced classes went out of their way to bring him along. I have been so impressed. The GenEd teachers were always in touch and helpful too. I understand your concerns but they didn’t play out with my student.

I have that kid, too. He just graduated. I was not thrilled with his education at WL and am glad to be done. The AP and IB classes he took were mostly good. The problem is the large gap between the advanced classes and the regular classes because there is such a divide between the students who take them. There seems to be very little middle ground. He also had a class every year that was not staffed by an actual teacher for part of the year. This especially hurt him in math where he had no geometry teacher for most of the first semester. Last year his physics teacher just up and left in the middle of the year. We got little to no contact from the school about any of it. We did love the school spirit and he made good friends. But in my opinion, if you are a kid in the middle of the pack, you can get a bit lost. Those kids who are motivated and take all upper level classes will do just fine.

We have had that too at at different APS high school. That's just the state of education these days. Good teachers are being driven out, starting with how they were treated during the pandemic by certain parents, who are now continuing to harass them. No one wants to be a teacher these days.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As a parent of W-L kids, the academic rigor is great, and the kids in those classes are doing fine and college placement is impressive. I hope that isn't changed. I do think there is a group of kids at the school not getting educated very well, not attending class, threatening teachers, and the school needs to find a better solution to deal with them.

My problem is that I have a kid in the middle of the pack - not an academic superstar who is going to be IB or even shoot for UVA. I worry already about him getting lost in the crowd because he’s not advanced enough to take 17 APs or whatever; but not behind enough to get “equity” resources. He would benefit from a school where the baseline is really high so thay even where he is (“normal” classes) the expectations are appropriate.

I have one kid that fits that description at W-L. He took a couple AP classes, a coupme IB classes and some GenEd. The teachers in the advanced classes went out of their way to bring him along. I have been so impressed. The GenEd teachers were always in touch and helpful too. I understand your concerns but they didn’t play out with my student.

I have that kid, too. He just graduated. I was not thrilled with his education at WL and am glad to be done. The AP and IB classes he took were mostly good. The problem is the large gap between the advanced classes and the regular classes because there is such a divide between the students who take them. There seems to be very little middle ground. He also had a class every year that was not staffed by an actual teacher for part of the year. This especially hurt him in math where he had no geometry teacher for most of the first semester. Last year his physics teacher just up and left in the middle of the year. We got little to no contact from the school about any of it. We did love the school spirit and he made good friends. But in my opinion, if you are a kid in the middle of the pack, you can get a bit lost. Those kids who are motivated and take all upper level classes will do just fine.

WL is a tale of two schools?

Not necesarily. Like most schools, everyone’s experience is different. Some gen ed classes are perfectly fine with inspiring teachers and the right amount of challenge. Others could be better. Many if not most students take a mix of gen ed and AP classes.

If this new principal was hired based on his “track record of transforming schools”, I’m not sure how that would apply to W-L which is already a good school. Continuity is always better than taking a gamble on someone with a different philosophy, and Willmore would have offered continuity.

That said, best of luck to the new principal. He’ll be leading a school with a strong academic legacy that spans generations. Indeed, the parents and grandparents of a number of current students attended W-L. Many on the staff are alumni. I hope the new principal builds on these strengths and does not plan a purge of what has worked.

I understand what is happening now. This is basically union-busting. There have been vocal teachers at WL that are trying to have an outsize impact on the school (there was the speaker at the SB meeting). They have been pushing to collaborate with the administration and have influence on how the school is run.

One of those recommendations from the teaching staff went sideways in a bad way, and that is why Hall left abruptly. They want to restore a top down traditional administration, and that is his job, to come in and bust up the old paradigm. He won't have any qualms sweeping away the permissive, poll-taking administrators, and will stand fast to the teachers who want to act as mini-principals and won't waver when they quit. Coming from the maelstrom that is ACHS, this type of action for a principal will be small beer.

This collaborative approach has been a hallmark of W-L under various principals since at least the 1960s. And there have only been five or six principals since then. Why the change now. Why rock the boat. The school has benefitted from many years of continuity.

Teachers are much more unhappy, so are demanding more. And parents are expecting more. Money is tight. We live in interesting times.

[Anonymous]

As an ACPS parent would have preferred to keep Duncan over the unknown of a new hire.

Better than Balas who you all also took, he went to Wakefield.

Duncan is average in every sense. Somewhat surprised you all didn’t have pull to get someone more dynamic with track record of success.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As a parent of W-L kids, the academic rigor is great, and the kids in those classes are doing fine and college placement is impressive. I hope that isn't changed. I do think there is a group of kids at the school not getting educated very well, not attending class, threatening teachers, and the school needs to find a better solution to deal with them.

My problem is that I have a kid in the middle of the pack - not an academic superstar who is going to be IB or even shoot for UVA. I worry already about him getting lost in the crowd because he’s not advanced enough to take 17 APs or whatever; but not behind enough to get “equity” resources. He would benefit from a school where the baseline is really high so thay even where he is (“normal” classes) the expectations are appropriate.

I have one kid that fits that description at W-L. He took a couple AP classes, a coupme IB classes and some GenEd. The teachers in the advanced classes went out of their way to bring him along. I have been so impressed. The GenEd teachers were always in touch and helpful too. I understand your concerns but they didn’t play out with my student.

I have that kid, too. He just graduated. I was not thrilled with his education at WL and am glad to be done. The AP and IB classes he took were mostly good. The problem is the large gap between the advanced classes and the regular classes because there is such a divide between the students who take them. There seems to be very little middle ground. He also had a class every year that was not staffed by an actual teacher for part of the year. This especially hurt him in math where he had no geometry teacher for most of the first semester. Last year his physics teacher just up and left in the middle of the year. We got little to no contact from the school about any of it. We did love the school spirit and he made good friends. But in my opinion, if you are a kid in the middle of the pack, you can get a bit lost. Those kids who are motivated and take all upper level classes will do just fine.

WL is a tale of two schools?

Not necesarily. Like most schools, everyone’s experience is different. Some gen ed classes are perfectly fine with inspiring teachers and the right amount of challenge. Others could be better. Many if not most students take a mix of gen ed and AP classes.

If this new principal was hired based on his “track record of transforming schools”, I’m not sure how that would apply to W-L which is already a good school. Continuity is always better than taking a gamble on someone with a different philosophy, and Willmore would have offered continuity.

That said, best of luck to the new principal. He’ll be leading a school with a strong academic legacy that spans generations. Indeed, the parents and grandparents of a number of current students attended W-L. Many on the staff are alumni. I hope the new principal builds on these strengths and does not plan a purge of what has worked.

I understand what is happening now. This is basically union-busting. There have been vocal teachers at WL that are trying to have an outsize impact on the school (there was the speaker at the SB meeting). They have been pushing to collaborate with the administration and have influence on how the school is run.

One of those recommendations from the teaching staff went sideways in a bad way, and that is why Hall left abruptly. They want to restore a top down traditional administration, and that is his job, to come in and bust up the old paradigm. He won't have any qualms sweeping away the permissive, poll-taking administrators, and will stand fast to the teachers who want to act as mini-principals and won't waver when they quit. Coming from the maelstrom that is ACHS, this type of action for a principal will be small beer.

Oh spill the tea. What was the initiative that went sideways?

[Anonymous]

While I too would like some hot tea, this line of thinking that somehow this is union busting - seems a bit conspiracy-theory-ish.

1.) Very few teachers and staff, by percentage actually belong to the AEA. While they are doing some good things for teachers in general, they are a loud minority and take up a lot of space. They listen to their group, not necessarily to other teacher concerns outside of their circle.

2.) The rumor is that Hall left because of health issues. I do not know him personally, but multiple people at W-L have told me this.

3.) I agree that it would have been preferable to keep Willmore for continuity. Maybe Duncan just aced his interview with Duran. Who knows. All of this speculation is kind of ridiculous.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:While I too would like some hot tea, this line of thinking that somehow this is union busting - seems a bit conspiracy-theory-ish.

1.) Very few teachers and staff, by percentage actually belong to the AEA. While they are doing some good things for teachers in general, they are a loud minority and take up a lot of space. They listen to their group, not necessarily to other teacher concerns outside of their circle.

2.) The rumor is that Hall left because of health issues. I do not know him personally, but multiple people at W-L have told me this.

3.) I agree that it would have been preferable to keep Willmore for continuity. Maybe Duncan just aced his interview with Duran. Who knows. All of this speculation is kind of ridiculous.

Not union busting. Just more breaking up the teacher complaining cycle. Bad choice of words

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What the hell are all of you complaining about? By every indication Washington liberty is a high performing school. It has a very diverse population. The new principal is experienced in dealing with both. What the hell do you people want? Why aren’t you willing to even give the guy a chance? You’re just a bunch of overinvolved weirdos.

I’m the DCPS parent who posted above. I totally agree with you that there is a subset of parents who will be aggrieved at anything they feel they were not personally consulted about, and are unreasonably triggered by the notion of having to share resources with different types of people. But … it is still true that W-L has a college bound cohort who deserve to be seen as legitimate stakeholders and not just “rich white kids who will be fine no matter what.” And while Duncan’s record on disciple seems promising (just based on what the ACPS parent wrote here) I also am wary of the very very bad “woke”” educational trends that eviscerate academics, like getting rid of honors programs and “tracking,” endless redos, no or little homework, and failure to focus on content. So yeah, I would be more comfortable if he had a background in some kind of college prep program environment.

There would be a revolt in the community if the new leadership proposed undermining W-L’s academic legacy in any way, by lowering the bar so to speak.

For generations, the school has set high expectations across the board, and has been recognized for its academics by the U.S. Dept of Education, and the Ladies Home Journal way back in my grandparents’ generation.

To the DCPS poster I wouldn’t say W-L is uniquely diverse, as some have said, but the diversity it does have provides a healthy dose different perspectives. It is mostly white and affluent, reflecting the immediately surrounding neighborhoods, but has students from all walks of life. It is more diverse than Yorktown, which is uniquely not diverse in the context of the DC region, where public schools are quite diverse.

As you already know, both schools are good though, and your family should be fine at either.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What the hell are all of you complaining about? By every indication Washington liberty is a high performing school. It has a very diverse population. The new principal is experienced in dealing with both. What the hell do you people want? Why aren’t you willing to even give the guy a chance? You’re just a bunch of overinvolved weirdos.

I’m the DCPS parent who posted above. I totally agree with you that there is a subset of parents who will be aggrieved at anything they feel they were not personally consulted about, and are unreasonably triggered by the notion of having to share resources with different types of people. But … it is still true that W-L has a college bound cohort who deserve to be seen as legitimate stakeholders and not just “rich white kids who will be fine no matter what.” And while Duncan’s record on disciple seems promising (just based on what the ACPS parent wrote here) I also am wary of the very very bad “woke”” educational trends that eviscerate academics, like getting rid of honors programs and “tracking,” endless redos, no or little homework, and failure to focus on content. So yeah, I would be more comfortable if he had a background in some kind of college prep program environment.

There would be a revolt in the community if the new leadership proposed undermining W-L’s academic legacy in any way, by lowering the bar so to speak.

For generations, the school has set high expectations across the board, and has been recognized for its academics by the U.S. Dept of Education, and the Ladies Home Journal way back in my grandparents’ generation.

To the DCPS poster I wouldn’t say W-L is uniquely diverse, as some have said, but the diversity it does have provides a healthy dose different perspectives. It is mostly white and affluent, reflecting the immediately surrounding neighborhoods, but has students from all walks of life. It is more diverse than Yorktown, which is uniquely not diverse in the context of the DC region, where public schools are quite diverse.

As you already know, both schools are good though, and your family should be fine at either.

Rigor has already dropped with homework and retest policies.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What the hell are all of you complaining about? By every indication Washington liberty is a high performing school. It has a very diverse population. The new principal is experienced in dealing with both. What the hell do you people want? Why aren’t you willing to even give the guy a chance? You’re just a bunch of overinvolved weirdos.

I’m the DCPS parent who posted
above. I totally agree with you that there is a subset of parents who will be aggrieved at anything they feel they were not personally consulted about, and are unreasonably triggered by the notion of having to share resources with different types of people. But … it is still true that W-L has a college bound cohort who deserve to be seen as legitimate stakeholders and not just “rich white kids who will be fine no matter what.” And while Duncan’s record on disciple seems promising (just based on what the ACPS parent wrote here) I also am wary of the very very bad “woke”” educational trends that eviscerate academics, like getting rid of honors programs and “tracking,” endless redos, no or little homework, and failure to focus on content. So yeah, I would be more comfortable if he had a background in some kind of college prep program environment.

There would be a revolt in the community if the new leadership proposed undermining W-L’s academic legacy in any way, by lowering the bar so to speak.

For generations, the school has set high expectations across the board, and has been recognized for its academics by the U.S. Dept of Education, and the Ladies Home Journal way back in my grandparents’ generation.

To the DCPS poster I wouldn’t say W-L is uniquely diverse, as some have said, but the diversity it does have provides a healthy dose different perspectives. It is mostly white and affluent, reflecting the immediately surrounding neighborhoods, but has students from all walks of life. It is more diverse than Yorktown, which is uniquely not diverse in the context of the DC region, where public schools are quite diverse.

As you already know, both schools are good though, and your family should be fine at either.

Rigor has already dropped with homework and retest policies.

Maybe in your kids’ classes this is true, but not in any of the classes my DD takes. It was a homework intense year with a lot expected of her. Retakes can only get you an 80–not something most kids will settle for.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What the hell are all of you complaining about? By every indication Washington liberty is a high performing school. It has a very diverse population. The new principal is experienced in dealing with both. What the hell do you people want? Why aren’t you willing to even give the guy a chance? You’re just a bunch of overinvolved weirdos.

I’m the DCPS parent who posted above. I totally agree with you that there is a subset of parents who will be aggrieved at anything they feel they were not personally consulted about, and are unreasonably triggered by the notion of having to share resources with different types of people. But … it is still true that W-L has a college bound cohort who deserve to be seen as legitimate stakeholders and not just “rich white kids who will be fine no matter what.” And while Duncan’s record on disciple seems promising (just based on what the ACPS parent wrote here) I also am wary of the very very bad “woke”” educational trends that eviscerate academics, like getting rid of honors programs and “tracking,” endless redos, no or little homework, and failure to focus on content. So yeah, I would be more comfortable if he had a background in some kind of college prep program environment.

There would be a revolt in the community if the new leadership proposed undermining W-L’s academic legacy in any way, by lowering the bar so to speak.

For generations, the school has set high expectations across the board, and has been recognized for its academics by the U.S. Dept of Education, and the Ladies Home Journal way back in my grandparents’ generation.

To the DCPS poster I wouldn’t say W-L is uniquely diverse, as some have said, but the diversity it does have provides a healthy dose different perspectives. It is mostly white and affluent, reflecting the immediately surrounding neighborhoods, but has students from all walks of life. It is more diverse than Yorktown, which is uniquely not diverse in the context of the DC region, where public schools are quite diverse.

As you already know, both schools are good though, and your family should be fine at either.

It is actually not mostly white. It’s a majority minority. It’s 42% white, 33% Hispanic, 9% Asian and 8 percent black. It’s 24% economically disadvantaged. Yorktown is 61% white and 12% economically disadvantaged.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What the hell are all of you complaining about? By every indication Washington liberty is a high performing school. It has a very diverse population. The new principal is experienced in dealing with both. What the hell do you people want? Why aren’t you willing to even give the guy a chance? You’re just a bunch of overinvolved weirdos.

I’m the DCPS parent who posted above. I totally agree with you that there is a subset of parents who will be aggrieved at anything they feel they were not personally consulted about, and are unreasonably triggered by the notion of having to share resources with different types of people. But … it is still true that W-L has a college bound cohort who deserve to be seen as legitimate stakeholders and not just “rich white kids who will be fine no matter what.” And while Duncan’s record on disciple seems promising (just based on what the ACPS parent wrote here) I also am wary of the very very bad “woke”” educational trends that eviscerate academics, like getting rid of honors programs and “tracking,” endless redos, no or little homework, and failure to focus on content. So yeah, I would be more comfortable if he had a background in some kind of college prep program environment.

There would be a revolt in the community if the new leadership proposed undermining W-L’s academic legacy in any way, by lowering the bar so to speak.

For generations, the school has set high expectations across the board, and has been recognized for its academics by the U.S. Dept of Education, and the Ladies Home Journal way back in my grandparents’ generation.

To the DCPS poster I wouldn’t say W-L is uniquely diverse, as some have said, but the diversity it does have provides a healthy dose different perspectives. It is mostly white and affluent, reflecting the immediately surrounding neighborhoods, but has students from all walks of life. It is more diverse than Yorktown, which is uniquely not diverse in the context of the DC region, where public schools are quite diverse.

As you already know, both schools are good though, and your family should be fine at either.

It is actually not mostly white. It’s a majority minority. It’s 42% white, 33% Hispanic, 9% Asian and 8 percent black. It’s 24% economically disadvantaged. Yorktown is 61% white and 12% economically disadvantaged.

WL is mostly white. That’s the largest subgroup, hence “mostly”. There are very few if any majority white high schools in Northern Va, namely Yorktown and Madison.

That said, the school has the diversity lacking in most other close-in, affluent school districts, outside of Phila or Boston, etc. many of those schools are still 80-plus percent white.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What the hell are all of you complaining about? By every indication Washington liberty is a high performing school. It has a very diverse population. The new principal is experienced in dealing with both. What the hell do you people want? Why aren’t you willing to even give the guy a chance? You’re just a bunch of overinvolved weirdos.

I’m the DCPS parent who posted above. I totally agree with you that there is a subset of parents who will be aggrieved at anything they feel they were not personally consulted about, and are unreasonably triggered by the notion of having to share resources with different types of people. But … it is still true that W-L has a college bound cohort who deserve to be seen as legitimate stakeholders and not just “rich white kids who will be fine no matter what.” And while Duncan’s record on disciple seems promising (just based on what the ACPS parent wrote here) I also am wary of the very very bad “woke”” educational trends that eviscerate academics, like getting rid of honors programs and “tracking,” endless redos, no or little homework, and failure to focus on content. So yeah, I would be more comfortable if he had a background in some kind of college prep program environment.

There would be a revolt in the community if the new leadership proposed undermining W-L’s academic legacy in any way, by lowering the bar so to speak.

For generations, the school has set high expectations across the board, and has been recognized for its academics by the U.S. Dept of Education, and the Ladies Home Journal way back in my grandparents’ generation.

To the DCPS poster I wouldn’t say W-L is uniquely diverse, as some have said, but the diversity it does have provides a healthy dose different perspectives. It is mostly white and affluent, reflecting the immediately surrounding neighborhoods, but has students from all walks of life. It is more diverse than Yorktown, which is uniquely not diverse in the context of the DC region, where public schools are quite diverse.

As you already know, both schools are good though, and your family should be fine at either.

It is actually not mostly white. It’s a majority minority. It’s 42% white, 33% Hispanic, 9% Asian and 8 percent black. It’s 24% economically disadvantaged. Yorktown is 61% white and 12% economically disadvantaged.

WL is mostly white. That’s the largest subgroup, hence “mostly”. There are very few if any majority white high schools in Northern Va, namely Yorktown and Madison.

That said, the school has the diversity lacking in most other close-in, affluent school districts, outside of Phila or Boston, etc. many of those schools are still 80-plus percent white.

Wow Yorktown is only 61% white?! More diverse than I thought.