Walls vs Private- How Would You Compare

[Anonymous]

Curious if anyone has experience in this realm.

[Anonymous]

Yes. Walls is cheaper.

[Anonymous]

😂😂😂😂

[Anonymous]

Walls is no where near a private in terms of resources, facilities, fields, rigor. But Walls provides a solid enough education to save 50K a year

[Anonymous]

If your kid is an athlete, I'd probably look elsewhere. The resources are just not there. I think the rigor is very murky when comparing the top. It depends on the school, teachers, etc. We had mixed bag at private and so far the same at Walls. Pandemic may be playing a role. I just know we weren't happy with mediocre teaching while paying for it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If your kid is an athlete, I'd probably look elsewhere. The resources are just not there. I think the rigor is very murky when comparing the top. It depends on the school, teachers, etc. We had mixed bag at private and so far the same at Walls. Pandemic may be playing a role. I just know we weren't happy with mediocre teaching while paying for it.

Which private did you leave for Walls?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If your kid is an athlete, I'd probably look elsewhere. The resources are just not there. I think the rigor is very murky when comparing the top. It depends on the school, teachers, etc. We had mixed bag at private and so far the same at Walls. Pandemic may be playing a role. I just know we weren't happy with mediocre teaching while paying for it.

Because of its unique offering, Walls kids can join clubs and sports teams at Jackson-Reed when they're not offered at Walls. J-R is welcoming and offers competitive programs in several sports like crew. This can give Walls kids a small academic environment with the benefit of big public school ECs.

[Anonymous]

Isn’t that a huge pain to commute from Walls to JR for after school practices?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Isn’t that a huge pain to commute from Walls to JR for after school practices?

Not really. Especially when you work from home and it’s free. I’ll put in maximum effort for a free and top notch education for my children.

[Anonymous]

Walls is a DCPS and comes with all the baggage that entails.

[Anonymous]

I have a child at Walls and at Private. My children are at the right spot for them BUT hands down private is a better educational experience.
Private has elements where it is the "easy button". Example - both kids got COVID and were out for a little more than a week. Private school counselor helped create a plan to make up work. Walls - you are on your own to jump back and catch up.
My child at Walls is a solid student but not top of class. If you are at the top of the class - there are lots of opportunities available to you. If you are not - you muddle through almost as a 2nd tier.
There are also interesting racial dynamics at Walls - not to say that they are not at other schools but since you are not able to do a "shadow day" like privates allow - make sure you speak to as many students as possible to understand the landscape.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have a child at Walls and at Private. My children are at the right spot for them BUT hands down private is a better educational experience.
Private has elements where it is the "easy button". Example - both kids got COVID and were out for a little more than a week. Private school counselor helped create a plan to make up work. Walls - you are on your own to jump back and catch up.
My child at Walls is a solid student but not top of class. If you are at the top of the class - there are lots of opportunities available to you. If you are not - you muddle through almost as a 2nd tier.
There are also interesting racial dynamics at Walls - not to say that they are not at other schools but since you are not able to do a "shadow day" like privates allow - make sure you speak to as many students as possible to understand the landscape.

Please expand. What are the “interesting racial dynamics at Walls”?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have a child at Walls and at Private. My children are at the right spot for them BUT hands down private is a better educational experience.
Private has elements where it is the "easy button". Example - both kids got COVID and were out for a little more than a week. Private school counselor helped create a plan to make up work. Walls - you are on your own to jump back and catch up.
My child at Walls is a solid student but not top of class. If you are at the top of the class - there are lots of opportunities available to you. If you are not - you muddle through almost as a 2nd tier.
There are also interesting racial dynamics at Walls - not to say that they are not at other schools but since you are not able to do a "shadow day" like privates allow - make sure you speak to as many students as possible to understand the landscape.

Please expand. What are the “interesting racial dynamics at Walls”?

NP. My kid is mixed race and interested in Walls, so I am also very interested in learning more about this... Please share some details!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have a child at Walls and at Private. My children are at the right spot for them BUT hands down private is a better educational experience.
Private has elements where it is the "easy button". Example - both kids got COVID and were out for a little more than a week. Private school counselor helped create a plan to make up work. Walls - you are on your own to jump back and catch up.
My child at Walls is a solid student but not top of class. If you are at the top of the class - there are lots of opportunities available to you. If you are not - you muddle through almost as a 2nd tier.
There are also interesting racial dynamics at Walls - not to say that they are not at other schools but since you are not able to do a "shadow day" like privates allow - make sure you speak to as many students as possible to understand the landscape.

Please expand. What are the “interesting racial dynamics at Walls”?

NP. My kid is mixed race and interested in Walls, so I am also very interested in learning more about this... Please share some details!

+1 My mixed race kid is in 10th grade at Walls and has never shared anything "interesting" about the "racial dynamics" so following, with intrigue.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have a child at Walls and at Private. My children are at the right spot for them BUT hands down private is a better educational experience.
Private has elements where it is the "easy button". Example - both kids got COVID and were out for a little more than a week. Private school counselor helped create a plan to make up work. Walls - you are on your own to jump back and catch up.
My child at Walls is a solid student but not top of class. If you are at the top of the class - there are lots of opportunities available to you. If you are not - you muddle through almost as a 2nd tier.
There are also interesting racial dynamics at Walls - not to say that they are not at other schools but since you are not able to do a "shadow day" like privates allow - make sure you speak to as many students as possible to understand the landscape.

Lots of private schools have few non-white folks and almost no economically at-risk of any race. Maybe I'm reading something into PP's comment, but it sounds like she means the white folk don't have to deal with issues of race at her private.