Any Walls boosters / haters these days?

[Anonymous]

Trying to make our decision for DD next year. My research on here reveals both excitement about getting into Walls and jaded parents who seem disappointed with the school, particularly the admin and teachers. But a lot of the critical posts are a few years old now, and colored by covid experience. Anyone with more recent experience who can share their thoughts, one way or another? Thanks very much.

[Anonymous]

I'm not a booster or a hater. I'd say it depends on how Walls is impacted in the budget process this year.

I'm not sure whether Walls is better than J-R, and I think that's the real question for a lot of people. It's miles better than the other IB high schools (except maybe MacArthur, in the future).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm not a booster or a hater. I'd say it depends on how Walls is impacted in the budget process this year.

I'm not sure whether Walls is better than J-R, and I think that's the real question for a lot of people. It's miles better than the other IB high schools (except maybe MacArthur, in the future).

I'm in a similar situation, deciding between SWW and another HS. I heard a language teacher and drama teacher are being eliminated. Is there a course catalog to review?

[Anonymous]

I'm not sure if Walls or McKinley is better for STEM. I feel like McKinley has better facilities, but still, the stats aren't that impressive.

[Anonymous]

OP why would you not tell us what your alternative is? That is a critical piece of information! My kid is a 9th grader there - she is really enjoying herself/her year. Academics are fine so far (not super impressive, but fine); the best thing about school from my (parental) perspective is the uniformly high performing/non disruptive student body. No disruptive kids in class - what a concept! And all the kids seem to be hard working and attentive and trying to get good grades.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm not sure if Walls or McKinley is better for STEM. I feel like McKinley has better facilities, but still, the stats aren't that impressive.

When I went to the Walls open house earlier this year, the math teacher openly said that it's not a STEM school. That doesn't mean it doesn't teach math, but it means that DCPS doesn't really give Walls the kinds of resources/access to opportunities a true STEM school would have. It looks like DCPS is choosing to put those resources towards McKinley.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP why would you not tell us what your alternative is? That is a critical piece of information! My kid is a 9th grader there - she is really enjoying herself/her year. Academics are fine so far (not super impressive, but fine); the best thing about school from my (parental) perspective is the uniformly high performing/non disruptive student body. No disruptive kids in class - what a concept! And all the kids seem to be hard working and attentive and trying to get good grades.

Not OP, but looking at a local private school as well. Not sure which will be a better fit.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Our in-bound HS is JR. Thanks.

[Anonymous]

Do you count families where the student probably got in but picked another academic high school as haters? (Lottery didn’t makegetting in clear.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm not a booster or a hater. I'd say it depends on how Walls is impacted in the budget process this year.

I'm not sure whether Walls is better than J-R, and I think that's the real question for a lot of people. It's miles better than the other IB high schools (except maybe MacArthur, in the future).

We heard they had to let go of three teachers next year due to budget cuts. I believe they were specials teachers - drama, foreign language, and I’m not sure if the third. This may impact some people’s decisions next year.

I'm in a similar situation, deciding between SWW and another HS. I heard a language teacher and drama teacher are being eliminated. Is there a course catalog to review?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Our in-bound HS is JR. Thanks.

So Walls would be a much calmer/smaller school experience. And again, at Walls, no disruptive students, no fights in the halls or outside of school. What does your kid want? Could always try Walls out then go back to JR if s/he doesn't like it, right?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm not sure if Walls or McKinley is better for STEM. I feel like McKinley has better facilities, but still, the stats aren't that impressive.

When I went to the Walls open house earlier this year, the math teacher openly said that it's not a STEM school. That doesn't mean it doesn't teach math, but it means that DCPS doesn't really give Walls the kinds of resources/access to opportunities a true STEM school would have. It looks like DCPS is choosing to put those resources towards McKinley.

Not sure why anyone thinks Walls is a STEM school. They never advertise as such and McKinley is literally the STEM application school.

Walls has all the hard sciences and advanced Math and is good in what they offer...but you won't find any Engineering classes or AP Computer Science or the breadth of STEM activities that McKinley (and JR) offer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Our in-bound HS is JR. Thanks.

So Walls would be a much calmer/smaller school experience. And again, at Walls, no disruptive students, no fights in the halls or outside of school. What does your kid want? Could always try Walls out then go back to JR if s/he doesn't like it, right?

BUT I HEARD WALLS HAS A CLUB FOR EVERYTHING HOW DO THEY NOT HAVE A FIGHT CLUB?

[Anonymous]

Why worry, OP, your odds of admission to Walls aren't good. Moreover, the school is going downhill without standardized test scores in admissions for three years now. The new head doesn't have a clear vision for the place, and that's putting it mildly. Some good teachers, yes, good crew team, not much else to cheer about at Walls these days.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why worry, OP, your odds of admission to Walls aren't good. Moreover, the school is going downhill without standardized test scores in admissions for three years now. The new head doesn't have a clear vision for the place, and that's putting it mildly. Some good teachers, yes, good crew team, not much else to cheer about at Walls these days.

Girls soccer team won DCIAA championship (beating JR) last year - woo hoo - SO FUN!

https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2023/10/30/school-without-walls-girls-dciaa-soccer-champions/#:~:text=That%20feeling%20proved%20prescient%3A%20Freed%27s,it%20was%20just%20such%20relief.%E2%80%9D