Feedback on Walter Johnson HS, particularly for a student with IEP

[Anonymous]

DC is in middle school and will likely be recommended for a special ed program that is at Walter Johnson. They will be in some of the general ed classes, with students who are not in special ed. I would love to read some insight into the general feel of WJ. We have mostly lived upcounty and are still not super close to the WJ area, so I don’t know very much other than it’s a “W.” How is it for kids with special needs, like a quirky student who has a hard time with socializing and making friends? Is it inclusive? Is bullying an issue? Drugs? What about for POC? What kinds of after school clubs are available? We’re a year away from having to make a decision and we have all the info about the specific program they would be in, but I feel like we know very little about what day to day life is like at the school.

[Anonymous]

Is it the GT/LD program?

It's been great for our son. He's left the program now, since he now has a 504, not an IEP, but the special needs team is VERY strong at that school. It's headed by Rachel Wills, who looks out for all the students with special needs. She's a force of nature

Now don't except a lot of hand-holding, if your kid is coming from a similar program in middle school. DS went to the GT/LD program at North Bethesda MS, where they were incredibly nurturing and supportive. In high school, even with an IEP, the resource teachers do try to be somewhat hands-off if they can, to train students to become independent and self-advocating. But the background support is there nonetheless: for example, students with special needs have tacit priority in signing up for classes the following year. They get special attention all throughout their schooling, and progress is monitored much more closely by a team of people.

In terms of the school itself, I feel it's an acceptable level of racial and economic diversity, skewing rich, of course, but not as bad as Whitman HS. It has more to offer academically than BCC HS, so WJ is my favorite Bethesda HS.

The problem is the overcrowding. There's a new high school in early stages of construction down the road, but it won't open until 2025 or something. Students are encouraged to eat out, the cafeteria is too small - but then, there are lots of options within walking distance. During class changes, the corridors become a sea of bodies, wall to wall. There are up and down corridors, to ease flow. And every year, the Principal sends out a few concerned emails because there's so much traffic during pick-up and drop-off that an accident is bound to happen at some point, especially when it's dark out in the winter.

Bullying, gangs and drugs are not an issue.

My son is quirky and introverted and has trouble making friends, but honestly, he'd have that issue anywhere he goes. He found a loose group of friends, though, but he's not close to any of them.

[Anonymous]

Expect, not except, sorry.

[Anonymous]

I am a parent at a different high school but have had friends with children at Walter Johnson with IEPs. Both were really happy with Special Education Services. One had a son in the GT/LD program that went on to University of Maryland after high school. The other friend has a son with dyslexia who is also college bound but to a smaller school that is a great fit for him.

Both parents think the counselors and special education staff are wonderful and truly go above the call of duty for their students.

Not all schools have that type of recommendations from parents. My school would be one. Count your child as blessed if the placement is at WJ.

[Anonymous]

Re clubs, many are student-run and meet at lunch. I haven’t seen much in the way of after school unless you’re on a team of some sort. Maybe others have a different experience?

[Anonymous]

They also have an autism program at WJ.

[Anonymous]

Parent of a recent [quirky, bright] WJ grad who had an IEP. We were very happy with the school. Being a huge school has its benefits--you can know or be unknown to many, so many clubs (that meet at lunchtime, so you can practically meet with smaller sets of like-minded students each day if you don't want to be in the cafeteria or hallways), so many interests even beyond sports teams (my kid was not into sports). All the group meetings listed in the morning announcements and open to all. There is a wide selection of courses too. Based on his strength/weaknesses, DS took a mix of regular classes, honors classes, AP, and self-contained. I am just one parent, though I really feel it was a something for everyone type of place. And to echo a pp, our experience with Rachel Wills was excellent.

A few years old, but here is the link to the "at a glance" sheet for WJ. https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/regulatoryaccountability/glance/currentyear/schools/04424.pdf

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Re clubs, many are student-run and meet at lunch. I haven’t seen much in the way of after school unless you’re on a team of some sort. Maybe others have a different experience?

Lunchtime clubs can be a blessing for kids who might otherwise struggle to find someone to eat with at lunchtimes. They always have somewhere to go where they won’t feel awkward.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thank you for these responses. It's the aspergers/autism program.

[Anonymous]

Our kid went through the aspergers program a few years ago and it was quite good.