Whitman vs Walter Johnson HSs

[Anonymous]

Honestly: Just how much better is Whitman than Walter Johnson ("WJ"):

1) academically,
2) sports-wise,
3) aesthetically (campus, buildings, neighborhood)
4) "the arts"
5) college placement
6) student happiness
7) teachers who care

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Honestly: Just how much better is Whitman than Walter Johnson ("WJ"):

1) academically,
2) sports-wise,
3) aesthetically (campus, buildings, neighborhood)
4) "the arts"
5) college placement
6) student happiness
7) teachers who care

They're pretty similar on all those counts. In fact, you're just splitting hairs. So pick the school for whichever community appeals to you r family more.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Honestly: Just how much better is Whitman than Walter Johnson ("WJ"):

1) academically,
2) sports-wise,
3) aesthetically (campus, buildings, neighborhood)
4) "the arts"
5) college placement
6) student happiness
7) teachers who care

They're pretty similar on all those counts. In fact, you're just splitting hairs. So pick the school for whichever community appeals to you r family more.

Good to know. Homes in the Whitman district (literally a few blocks away from similar/identical homes in the WJ district are notably more expensive so it made me think...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Honestly: Just how much better is Whitman than Walter Johnson ("WJ"):

1) academically,
2) sports-wise,
3) aesthetically (campus, buildings, neighborhood)
4) "the arts"
5) college placement
6) student happiness
7) teachers who care

They're pretty similar on all those counts. In fact, you're just splitting hairs. So pick the school for whichever community appeals to you r family more.

Good to know. Homes in the Whitman district (literally a few blocks away from similar/identical homes in the WJ district are notably more expensive so it made me think...

One of the reason is WJ rezoning. Whitman is also part of boundary change, but only small change is possible there. WJ may become part of DCC or simply take 2 elementary schools from DCC. A much larger change is possible in WJ.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Honestly: Just how much better is Whitman than Walter Johnson ("WJ"):

1) academically,
2) sports-wise,
3) aesthetically (campus, buildings, neighborhood)
4) "the arts"
5) college placement
6) student happiness
7) teachers who care

They're pretty similar on all those counts. In fact, you're just splitting hairs. So pick the school for whichever community appeals to you r family more.

Good to know. Homes in the Whitman district (literally a few blocks away from similar/identical homes in the WJ district are notably more expensive so it made me think...

One of the reason is WJ rezoning. Whitman is also part of boundary change, but only small change is possible there. WJ may become part of DCC or simply take 2 elementary schools from DCC. A much larger change is possible in WJ.

True, but there has been a premium for Whitman long before rezoning was an issue. Whether that premium is worth it is a separate question.

[Anonymous]

When I looked at the average SAT scores by demographic cohort that the county accidentally released a few years back, I found WJ had a slight edge over Whitman. It was the highest of the W's for my kid's demographic.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Honestly: Just how much better is Whitman than Walter Johnson ("WJ"):

1) academically,
2) sports-wise,
3) aesthetically (campus, buildings, neighborhood)
4) "the arts"
5) college placement
6) student happiness
7) teachers who care

They're pretty similar on all those counts. In fact, you're just splitting hairs. So pick the school for whichever community appeals to you r family more.

Good to know. Homes in the Whitman district (literally a few blocks away from similar/identical homes in the WJ district are notably more expensive so it made me think...

One of the reason is WJ rezoning. Whitman is also part of boundary change, but only small change is possible there. WJ may become part of DCC or simply take 2 elementary schools from DCC. A much larger change is possible in WJ.

WJ will not become part of the DCC, I'd imagine some families who live closer to DCC school may land there, though. However, I think BCC may end up in the DCC since it was originally part of it until the parents complained but it is the most downcounty of all moco high-schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:When I looked at the average SAT scores by demographic cohort that the county accidentally released a few years back, I found WJ had a slight edge over Whitman. It was the highest of the W's for my kid's demographic.

+1 You have to take the numbers with a grain of salt. WJ has a reportable FARMs and ESOL population. WW does not (ie < 5%).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When I looked at the average SAT scores by demographic cohort that the county accidentally released a few years back, I found WJ had a slight edge over Whitman. It was the highest of the W's for my kid's demographic.

+1 You have to take the numbers with a grain of salt. WJ has a reportable FARMs and ESOL population. WW does not (ie < 5%).

+2 For students of certain demographics, Whitman isn't as successful as some nearby schools.

OP for student happiness, try getting an idea from the schools' newspapers.
https://www.wjpitch.com
https://theblackandwhite.net

[Anonymous]

Both schools totally suck at sports as do all the Bethesda schools.

WJ is more ethnically diverse than Whitman and you can walk to a coffee shop from it, which you can't really do from Whitman.

[Anonymous]

Same academic opportunities at both Whitman & WJ. WJ is friendlier and more diverse.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Both schools totally suck at sports as do all the Bethesda schools.

WJ is more ethnically diverse than Whitman and you can walk to a coffee shop from it, which you can't really do from Whitman.

That’s a huge over-generalization re sports. The W schools always have strong soccer teams, and often the state champs come from one. WJ has a very strong girls’ XC program. Churchill girls just went to the State basketball championship, and there are plenty of other recent examples. If by “sports” you mean “football” then you have a point.

I think both schools are great, and most kids we know who have attended them have enjoyed their HS years. Whitman is definitely more of a pressure cooker for ambitious students, though.

[Anonymous]

Whitman is also closer in than WJ. Taking location of the district out of it entirely I would probably prefer WJ (with Apex) over Whitman (with the demographics and pressure), but the house we found was in the BCC district and we've been very happy with BCC.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Honestly: Just how much better is Whitman than Walter Johnson ("WJ"):

1) academically,
2) sports-wise,
3) aesthetically (campus, buildings, neighborhood)
4) "the arts"
5) college placement
6) student happiness
7) teachers who care

They're pretty similar on all those counts. In fact, you're just splitting hairs. So pick the school for whichever community appeals to you r family more.

Good to know. Homes in the Whitman district (literally a few blocks away from similar/identical homes in the WJ district are notably more expensive so it made me think...

One of the reason is WJ rezoning. Whitman is also part of boundary change, but only small change is possible there. WJ may become part of DCC or simply take 2 elementary schools from DCC. A much larger change is possible in WJ.

Oh please with the DCC.

The home pricing difference existed 15 years ago when we considered new very similar new construction builds within blocks of each other north and south of Greentree Rd. This is not a new rezoning phenomenon that that pp would have you believe. Many of our immediate neighbors go to private school and pay $$$ for their homes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Whitman is also closer in than WJ. Taking location of the district out of it entirely I would probably prefer WJ (with Apex) over Whitman (with the demographics and pressure), but the house we found was in the BCC district and we've been very happy with BCC.

We chose WJ over Whitman based on location for our downtown jobs. If you drive, I see appeal of Whitman. But for public transport - Metro or Marc - we found WJ to be the better option.