Sending son to Walls but he does not want to go

[Anonymous]

He is not interested or motivated to go. Is this a bad idea? He basically doesn’t want a school with so much stress and homework and doesn’t like that sports are so difficult to get to, etc.

But it’s a great school and it’s our only public option so not sure what to do. We could do private but not easily. I’m just afraid he will drown at walls especially is he thinks he doenst want to be there.

Can anyone with a child there weigh in

[Anonymous]

Reposting my response from your first post in the wrong forum (which you should ask Jeff to remove)

Did you apply to private schools? What was your back up if he didn't get into Walls?

Yes, it's a bad idea. How much of a bad idea depends on the other options.

[Anonymous]

The privates will have more easily accessible sports, but certainly not less homework.

Sounds like your only realistic private option is something like SJC. Homework won’t be too bad, but the sports are massively competitive and your kid may never get to play (or make the team).

What sport? I guess basketball is pretty close if that is your kid’s sport.

[Anonymous]

No, I would not. It would be different if he were in the fence or simply nervous about workload/pressure. But it sounds like he knows what he wants and it's the opposite of Walls.

I'd look at less competitive privates, consider a temporary move (to suburbs or IB for JR or MacArthur), look at your IB again to see if one year would be the worst thing, and consider adding any HS where he has any shot at a spot post-lottery.

[Anonymous]

My freshman is there and I would not say the homework and environment is overly stressful. I agree with PP that it is not more work than a private school would be. I'd also encourage them to check in with the school's athletic director and coach of the sport they are interested in. My kid is playing sports there and the extra time getting to the location is definitely a factor but my kid has adapted. It's just what they do, and they've gotten to know the city really well. I'd also find people you know at Walls and talk to the parents and have your kid talk to their kid (if you don't know anyone from your MS that's there).

I think it's hard to advise because our kid wanted to go there. But also what alternative do you have at this point? Aren't private school commitments due already?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Reposting my response from your first post in the wrong forum (which you should ask Jeff to remove)

Did you apply to private schools? What was your back up if he didn't get into Walls?

Yes, it's a bad idea. How much of a bad idea depends on the other options.

This is OP. So yes his private option is St. John's and we have committed but still have the few weeks left to decide for DCPS. Our back up was to move or rent in bounds for Jackson Reed so I'm glad we don't need to look at that. I have talked to parents who say the workload isn't awful at Walls and who say that its not easy at St John's. He very definitely isn't interested in Walls but I think he would be fine if he were there.

[Anonymous]

^ I will add that while is is motivated to work hard that motivation is often more talking than doing. Another reason Walls worries me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Reposting my response from your first post in the wrong forum (which you should ask Jeff to remove)

Did you apply to private schools? What was your back up if he didn't get into Walls?

Yes, it's a bad idea. How much of a bad idea depends on the other options.

This is OP. So yes his private option is St. John's and we have committed but still have the few weeks left to decide for DCPS. Our back up was to move or rent in bounds for Jackson Reed so I'm glad we don't need to look at that. I have talked to parents who say the workload isn't awful at Walls and who say that its not easy at St John's. He very definitely isn't interested in Walls but I think he would be fine if he were there.

I have a kid at SJC. Workload is really not that bad. It is all well organized in Canvas so you always know what is due the next day, and they have a fairly strict late policy. Kind of makes it straightforward for the kid to understand that what is due tomorrow, is really due tomorrow (you can be late with things, but only be I think one day and your max grade for one day late is reduced). My kid was all Honors classes in 9th and didn't find the workload particularly bad (maybe averaged an hour of homework per night?).

As you might expect, the school is very tolerating of missing class/school for sports commitments and then making up the work as a result. Tolerating in that a teacher knows why you missed a test that day...but you do need to communicate a bunch with the teachers to make-up work and make it up on the schedule they give you.

Yes, all the sports are right on campus at SJC...but super competitive for the most part...there are no cut sports like XCountry and a sport like crew doesn't really cut...however, crew is the one sport where Walls is much more convenient to the boat house vs. SJC.

[Anonymous]

It actually sounds like the structure of SJC would be well-suited to him.

Have you sat down and made a formal list of pros and cons?

Does your kid actually get a vote in the final decision or not?

I'd answer those two questions and then that will inform your next steps. For high school, I'm inclined to listen to the kid's preference if it is a strong one AND if there is not a fit/structural reason why I think they should go somewhere else.

[Anonymous]

Another thing to consider is how his peers affect DS. At Walls, he'll be surrounded by very motivated and achieving kids for the most part. At SJC it will be a more mixed bag. Will one environment be better for him than the next?

Also, where is he coming from? Does he know other kids going to both schools?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Another thing to consider is how his peers affect DS. At Walls, he'll be surrounded by very motivated and achieving kids for the most part. At SJC it will be a more mixed bag. Will one environment be better for him than the next?

Also, where is he coming from? Does he know other kids going to both schools?

Coming from Deal and yes is VERY influenced by peers. He says that the kids who want to study all of the time want to go to Walls and thats not him. I would like a more well rounded environment also but he is not at all on the fence. So I worry that he will drown at Walls but the peer group would likely help keep him together. He does know kids going to both schools.

[Anonymous]

My kid is a junior. It’s a ton of work.

[Anonymous]

I strongly advise letting your high schooler pick their school - they will have more incentive to do well. And you obviously thought SJC was good enough to apply, I'd let him go.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Another thing to consider is how his peers affect DS. At Walls, he'll be surrounded by very motivated and achieving kids for the most part. At SJC it will be a more mixed bag. Will one environment be better for him than the next?

Also, where is he coming from? Does he know other kids going to both schools?

Coming from Deal and yes is VERY influenced by peers. He says that the kids who want to study all of the time want to go to Walls and thats not him. I would like a more well rounded environment also but he is not at all on the fence. So I worry that he will drown at Walls but the peer group would likely help keep him together. He does know kids going to both schools.

So, I am very confused. If your kid is coming from DEAL, you are already in boundary for JR, no? Has DCPS made some policy change of which I am not aware?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Another thing to consider is how his peers affect DS. At Walls, he'll be surrounded by very motivated and achieving kids for the most part. At SJC it will be a more mixed bag. Will one environment be better for him than the next?

Also, where is he coming from? Does he know other kids going to both schools?

Coming from Deal and yes is VERY influenced by peers. He says that the kids who want to study all of the time want to go to Walls and thats not him. I would like a more well rounded environment also but he is not at all on the fence. So I worry that he will drown at Walls but the peer group would likely help keep him together. He does know kids going to both schools.

So, I am very confused. If your kid is coming from DEAL, you are already in boundary for JR, no? Has DCPS made some policy change of which I am not aware?

I was just about to say this. Why not send your kid to JR if you're coming from Deal and he doesn't want to go to Walls?