Considering pulling kid from Wilson

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I've had my kids in a collective 22 years of DCPS but have one in private high school this year and it's night and day over the DCPS foolery. Kid has already read 3 books including the Odyssey and written a half dozen papers. Classes are quiet and kids are respectful. My kid misses the fights and the drama of DCPS but he/she is learning.
The wealth is not an issue and there is about 55% kids of color, 30% of kids on aid. We are scraping our pennies together for this experience because we were tired of the hit-of-miss and often chaotic environment of DCPS. Last year my kid had an ELA teacher who only logged on 50% of the time. The other 50%? I have no idea. I talked to the principal and the principal
said there was nothing to be done because there was a valid excuse (different one each day) each time. My stress level over school has returned to zero. No fights. Quiet classrooms. Textbooks. Multiple writing assignments. It's ridiculous that we have to pay for what was a standard experience when we were kids.

Glad private is working out for you.

For a slightly different perspective - Wilson’s admin is a mess, but my kid never experience violence or bullying of any kind in 4 years at Wilson. There were a few fights, but his take was that the kids involved were generally kids who felt they needed to maintain a reputation for being tough. As a parent, I know that there ARE kids whose experience has been different, but that’s what my kid thinks.

In contrast, my white, working class high school was very, very much more violent than Wilson. Growing up, I didn’t know anybody who hadn’t been in a lot of fistfights. My kid and all of his close friends have never had that experience.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I've had my kids in a collective 22 years of DCPS but have one in private high school this year and it's night and day over the DCPS foolery. Kid has already read 3 books including the Odyssey and written a half dozen papers. Classes are quiet and kids are respectful. My kid misses the fights and the drama of DCPS but he/she is learning.
The wealth is not an issue and there is about 55% kids of color, 30% of kids on aid. We are scraping our pennies together for this experience because we were tired of the hit-of-miss and often chaotic environment of DCPS. Last year my kid had an ELA teacher who only logged on 50% of the time. The other 50%? I have no idea. I talked to the principal and the principal
said there was nothing to be done because there was a valid excuse (different one each day) each time. My stress level over school has returned to zero. No fights. Quiet classrooms. Textbooks. Multiple writing assignments. It's ridiculous that we have to pay for what was a standard experience when we were kids.

Glad private is working out for you.

For a slightly different perspective - Wilson’s admin is a mess, but my kid never experience violence or bullying of any kind in 4 years at Wilson. There were a few fights, but his take was that the kids involved were generally kids who felt they needed to maintain a reputation for being tough. As a parent, I know that there ARE kids whose experience has been different, but that’s what my kid thinks. In contrast, my white, working class high school was very, very much more violent than Wilson. Growing up, I didn’t know anybody who hadn’t been in a lot of fistfights. My kid and all of his close friends have never had that experience.

+1
I've got two kids at Wilson. They both have excellent teachers this year and their friends are well behaved, smart, and hardworking. Each of them has witnessed one fight this year (the same one). They both think the violence is overblown because of these Instagram accounts.

Is their experience the norm? I don't know. But we've been pretty happy with the school overall and both my kids appreciate the fact that they have friends from all over the city, all races/socioeconomic backgrounds. There is ZERO competition over material goods or vacations. They shop at thrift stores, take public transportation everywhere, and have picnics because (although many in their cohort are UMC) others are not.

Is it the same "quality" as a private education? Probably not. Are they learning other life skills/perspectives that they wouldn't get at a private school? I imagine so.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I've had my kids in a collective 22 years of DCPS but have one in private high school this year and it's night and day over the DCPS foolery. Kid has already read 3 books including the Odyssey and written a half dozen papers. Classes are quiet and kids are respectful. My kid misses the fights and the drama of DCPS but he/she is learning.
The wealth is not an issue and there is about 55% kids of color, 30% of kids on aid. We are scraping our pennies together for this experience because we were tired of the hit-of-miss and often chaotic environment of DCPS. Last year my kid had an ELA teacher who only logged on 50% of the time. The other 50%? I have no idea. I talked to the principal and the principal
said there was nothing to be done because there was a valid excuse (different one each day) each time. My stress level over school has returned to zero. No fights. Quiet classrooms. Textbooks. Multiple writing assignments. It's ridiculous that we have to pay for what was a standard experience when we were kids.

Glad private is working out for you.

For a slightly different perspective - Wilson’s admin is a mess, but my kid never experience violence or bullying of any kind in 4 years at Wilson. There were a few fights, but his take was that the kids involved were generally kids who felt they needed to maintain a reputation for being tough. As a parent, I know that there ARE kids whose experience has been different, but that’s what my kid thinks. In contrast, my white, working class high school was very, very much more violent than Wilson. Growing up, I didn’t know anybody who hadn’t been in a lot of fistfights. My kid and all of his close friends have never had that experience.

+1
I've got two kids at Wilson. They both have excellent teachers this year and their friends are well behaved, smart, and hardworking. Each of them has witnessed one fight this year (the same one). They both think the violence is overblown because of these Instagram accounts.

Is their experience the norm? I don't know. But we've been pretty happy with the school overall and both my kids appreciate the fact that they have friends from all over the city, all races/socioeconomic backgrounds. There is ZERO competition over material goods or vacations. They shop at thrift stores, take public transportation everywhere, and have picnics because (although many in their cohort are UMC) others are not.

Is it the same "quality" as a private education? Probably not. Are they learning other life skills/perspectives that they wouldn't get at a private school? I imagine so.

Exactly this

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I've had my kids in a collective 22 years of DCPS but have one in private high school this year and it's night and day over the DCPS foolery. Kid has already read 3 books including the Odyssey and written a half dozen papers. Classes are quiet and kids are respectful. My kid misses the fights and the drama of DCPS but he/she is learning.
The wealth is not an issue and there is about 55% kids of color, 30% of kids on aid. We are scraping our pennies together for this experience because we were tired of the hit-of-miss and often chaotic environment of DCPS. Last year my kid had an ELA teacher who only logged on 50% of the time. The other 50%? I have no idea. I talked to the principal and the principal
said there was nothing to be done because there was a valid excuse (different one each day) each time. My stress level over school has returned to zero. No fights. Quiet classrooms. Textbooks. Multiple writing assignments. It's ridiculous that we have to pay for what was a standard experience when we were kids.

Glad private is working out for you.

For a slightly different perspective - Wilson’s admin is a mess, but my kid never experience violence or bullying of any kind in 4 years at Wilson. There were a few fights, but his take was that the kids involved were generally kids who felt they needed to maintain a reputation for being tough. As a parent, I know that there ARE kids whose experience has been different, but that’s what my kid thinks. In contrast, my white, working class high school was very, very much more violent than Wilson. Growing up, I didn’t know anybody who hadn’t been in a lot of fistfights. My kid and all of his close friends have never had that experience.

+1
I've got two kids at Wilson. They both have excellent teachers this year and their friends are well behaved, smart, and hardworking. Each of them has witnessed one fight this year (the same one). They both think the violence is overblown because of these Instagram accounts.

Is their experience the norm? I don't know. But we've been pretty happy with the school overall and both my kids appreciate the fact that they have friends from all over the city, all races/socioeconomic backgrounds. There is ZERO competition over material goods or vacations. They shop at thrift stores, take public transportation everywhere, and have picnics because (although many in their cohort are UMC) others are not.

Is it the same "quality" as a private education? Probably not. Are they learning other life skills/perspectives that they wouldn't get at a private school? I imagine so.

Exactly this

For Your kid. Not mine.

My kid has one interesting class. Two filler classes and one class with no teacher. In a filler class, the teacher is calling in sick regularly. So, sitting doing nothing 3/4 of a day. Why? B/c the 4x4 schedule increased the class sizes to average of approx 35 kids per class. Teacher are exhausted. The school is over enrolled by 700 students. The administration would need to hire at least an additional 15% of teachers to meet the demand for classes. There’s no money in the budget for this. So, my kid is enrolled in crap classes that are going to look like garbage for a college application. Maybe next semester will be different bc stacking three AP classes into one semester and have to change a class bc it’s already been taken. But who know… everything could get shuffled again.

Also, property stolen from backpack during class w/ no teacher. Has witnessed 3-4 fights in and out of school. Has been offered to buy LSD in school. It’s toxic.

This is not normal. There are serious problems in this school and just because it’s not happening to your kid doesn’t mean it’s not happening.

Imo, part of the issue is that parents see things in terms of “my kid” and not about the community. The Wilson community is not OK. Many staff, teachers and students are struggling and you can’t see it bc your kid is “fine”. It’s disheartening that parents can support numerous causes for people you don’t know and march on the Mall but cannot stand support people in your community and your school when they tell you something is very wrong.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I've had my kids in a collective 22 years of DCPS but have one in private high school this year and it's night and day over the DCPS foolery. Kid has already read 3 books including the Odyssey and written a half dozen papers. Classes are quiet and kids are respectful. My kid misses the fights and the drama of DCPS but he/she is learning.
The wealth is not an issue and there is about 55% kids of color, 30% of kids on aid. We are scraping our pennies together for this experience because we were tired of the hit-of-miss and often chaotic environment of DCPS. Last year my kid had an ELA teacher who only logged on 50% of the time. The other 50%? I have no idea. I talked to the principal and the principal
said there was nothing to be done because there was a valid excuse (different one each day) each time. My stress level over school has returned to zero. No fights. Quiet classrooms. Textbooks. Multiple writing assignments. It's ridiculous that we have to pay for what was a standard experience when we were kids.

Glad private is working out for you.

For a slightly different perspective - Wilson’s admin is a mess, but my kid never experience violence or bullying of any kind in 4 years at Wilson. There were a few fights, but his take was that the kids involved were generally kids who felt they needed to maintain a reputation for being tough. As a parent, I know that there ARE kids whose experience has been different, but that’s what my kid thinks. In contrast, my white, working class high school was very, very much more violent than Wilson. Growing up, I didn’t know anybody who hadn’t been in a lot of fistfights. My kid and all of his close friends have never had that experience.

+1
I've got two kids at Wilson. They both have excellent teachers this year and their friends are well behaved, smart, and hardworking. Each of them has witnessed one fight this year (the same one). They both think the violence is overblown because of these Instagram accounts.

Is their experience the norm? I don't know. But we've been pretty happy with the school overall and both my kids appreciate the fact that they have friends from all over the city, all races/socioeconomic backgrounds. There is ZERO competition over material goods or vacations. They shop at thrift stores, take public transportation everywhere, and have picnics because (although many in their cohort are UMC) others are not.

Is it the same "quality" as a private education? Probably not. Are they learning other life skills/perspectives that they wouldn't get at a private school? I imagine so.

Exactly this

For Your kid. Not mine.

My kid has one interesting class. Two filler classes and one class with no teacher. In a filler class, the teacher is calling in sick regularly. So, sitting doing nothing 3/4 of a day. Why? B/c the 4x4 schedule increased the class sizes to average of approx 35 kids per class. Teacher are exhausted. The school is over enrolled by 700 students. The administration would need to hire at least an additional 15% of teachers to meet the demand for classes. There’s no money in the budget for this. So, my kid is enrolled in crap classes that are going to look like garbage for a college application. Maybe next semester will be different bc stacking three AP classes into one semester and have to change a class bc it’s already been taken. But who know… everything could get shuffled again.

Also, property stolen from backpack during class w/ no teacher. Has witnessed 3-4 fights in and out of school. Has been offered to buy LSD in school. It’s toxic.

This is not normal. There are serious problems in this school and just because it’s not happening to your kid doesn’t mean it’s not happening.

Imo, part of the issue is that parents see things in terms of “my kid” and not about the community. The Wilson community is not OK. Many staff, teachers and students are struggling and you can’t see it bc your kid is “fine”. It’s disheartening that parents can support numerous causes for people you don’t know and march on the Mall but cannot stand support people in your community and your school when they tell you something is very wrong.

Calm down. The PP said “my kid” . And drugs are sold everywhere

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I've had my kids in a collective 22 years of DCPS but have one in private high school this year and it's night and day over the DCPS foolery. Kid has already read 3 books including the Odyssey and written a half dozen papers. Classes are quiet and kids are respectful. My kid misses the fights and the drama of DCPS but he/she is learning.
The wealth is not an issue and there is about 55% kids of color, 30% of kids on aid. We are scraping our pennies together for this experience because we were tired of the hit-of-miss and often chaotic environment of DCPS. Last year my kid had an ELA teacher who only logged on 50% of the time. The other 50%? I have no idea. I talked to the principal and the principal
said there was nothing to be done because there was a valid excuse (different one each day) each time. My stress level over school has returned to zero. No fights. Quiet classrooms. Textbooks. Multiple writing assignments. It's ridiculous that we have to pay for what was a standard experience when we were kids.

Glad private is working out for you.

For a slightly different perspective - Wilson’s admin is a mess, but my kid never experience violence or bullying of any kind in 4 years at Wilson. There were a few fights, but his take was that the kids involved were generally kids who felt they needed to maintain a reputation for being tough. As a parent, I know that there ARE kids whose experience has been different, but that’s what my kid thinks. In contrast, my white, working class high school was very, very much more violent than Wilson. Growing up, I didn’t know anybody who hadn’t been in a lot of fistfights. My kid and all of his close friends have never had that experience.

+1
I've got two kids at Wilson. They both have excellent teachers this year and their friends are well behaved, smart, and hardworking. Each of them has witnessed one fight this year (the same one). They both think the violence is overblown because of these Instagram accounts.

Is their experience the norm? I don't know. But we've been pretty happy with the school overall and both my kids appreciate the fact that they have friends from all over the city, all races/socioeconomic backgrounds. There is ZERO competition over material goods or vacations. They shop at thrift stores, take public transportation everywhere, and have picnics because (although many in their cohort are UMC) others are not.

Is it the same "quality" as a private education? Probably not. Are they learning other life skills/perspectives that they wouldn't get at a private school? I imagine so.

Exactly this

For Your kid. Not mine.

My kid has one interesting class. Two filler classes and one class with no teacher. In a filler class, the teacher is calling in sick regularly. So, sitting doing nothing 3/4 of a day. Why? B/c the 4x4 schedule increased the class sizes to average of approx 35 kids per class. Teacher are exhausted. The school is over enrolled by 700 students. The administration would need to hire at least an additional 15% of teachers to meet the demand for classes. There’s no money in the budget for this. So, my kid is enrolled in crap classes that are going to look like garbage for a college application. Maybe next semester will be different bc stacking three AP classes into one semester and have to change a class bc it’s already been taken. But who know… everything could get shuffled again.

Also, property stolen from backpack during class w/ no teacher. Has witnessed 3-4 fights in and out of school. Has been offered to buy LSD in school. It’s toxic.

This is not normal. There are serious problems in this school and just because it’s not happening to your kid doesn’t mean it’s not happening.

Imo, part of the issue is that parents see things in terms of “my kid” and not about the community. The Wilson community is not OK. Many staff, teachers and students are struggling and you can’t see it bc your kid is “fine”. It’s disheartening that parents can support numerous causes for people you don’t know and march on the Mall but cannot stand support people in your community and your school when they tell you something is very wrong.

This. I mean honestly, we talk about Wilson "after school behavior" . Why don't parents lock arms and come up with a plan to monitor the Whole Foods corridor. As just one example of, you know, caring about your child and their community.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I've had my kids in a collective 22 years of DCPS but have one in private high school this year and it's night and day over the DCPS foolery. Kid has already read 3 books including the Odyssey and written a half dozen papers. Classes are quiet and kids are respectful. My kid misses the fights and the drama of DCPS but he/she is learning.
The wealth is not an issue and there is about 55% kids of color, 30% of kids on aid. We are scraping our pennies together for this experience because we were tired of the hit-of-miss and often chaotic environment of DCPS. Last year my kid had an ELA teacher who only logged on 50% of the time. The other 50%? I have no idea. I talked to the principal and the principal
said there was nothing to be done because there was a valid excuse (different one each day) each time. My stress level over school has returned to zero. No fights. Quiet classrooms. Textbooks. Multiple writing assignments. It's ridiculous that we have to pay for what was a standard experience when we were kids.

Glad private is working out for you.

For a slightly different perspective - Wilson’s admin is a mess, but my kid never experience violence or bullying of any kind in 4 years at Wilson. There were a few fights, but his take was that the kids involved were generally kids who felt they needed to maintain a reputation for being tough. As a parent, I know that there ARE kids whose experience has been different, but that’s what my kid thinks. In contrast, my white, working class high school was very, very much more violent than Wilson. Growing up, I didn’t know anybody who hadn’t been in a lot of fistfights. My kid and all of his close friends have never had that experience.

+1
I've got two kids at Wilson. They both have excellent teachers this year and their friends are well behaved, smart, and hardworking. Each of them has witnessed one fight this year (the same one). They both think the violence is overblown because of these Instagram accounts.

Is their experience the norm? I don't know. But we've been pretty happy with the school overall and both my kids appreciate the fact that they have friends from all over the city, all races/socioeconomic backgrounds. There is ZERO competition over material goods or vacations. They shop at thrift stores, take public transportation everywhere, and have picnics because (although many in their cohort are UMC) others are not.

Is it the same "quality" as a private education? Probably not. Are they learning other life skills/perspectives that they wouldn't get at a private school? I imagine so.

Exactly this

For Your kid. Not mine.

My kid has one interesting class. Two filler classes and one class with no teacher. In a filler class, the teacher is calling in sick regularly. So, sitting doing nothing 3/4 of a day. Why? B/c the 4x4 schedule increased the class sizes to average of approx 35 kids per class. Teacher are exhausted. The school is over enrolled by 700 students. The administration would need to hire at least an additional 15% of teachers to meet the demand for classes. There’s no money in the budget for this. So, my kid is enrolled in crap classes that are going to look like garbage for a college application. Maybe next semester will be different bc stacking three AP classes into one semester and have to change a class bc it’s already been taken. But who know… everything could get shuffled again.

Also, property stolen from backpack during class w/ no teacher. Has witnessed 3-4 fights in and out of school. Has been offered to buy LSD in school. It’s toxic.

This is not normal. There are serious problems in this school and just because it’s not happening to your kid doesn’t mean it’s not happening.

Imo, part of the issue is that parents see things in terms of “my kid” and not about the community. The Wilson community is not OK. Many staff, teachers and students are struggling and you can’t see it bc your kid is “fine”. It’s disheartening that parents can support numerous causes for people you don’t know and march on the Mall but cannot stand support people in your community and your school when they tell you something is very wrong.

Calm down. The PP said “my kid” . And drugs are sold everywhere

This. Self-righteous complacency which is mostly due to wealth and perceived status. Entitlement. You live in a bubble.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I've had my kids in a collective 22 years of DCPS but have one in private high school this year and it's night and day over the DCPS foolery. Kid has already read 3 books including the Odyssey and written a half dozen papers. Classes are quiet and kids are respectful. My kid misses the fights and the drama of DCPS but he/she is learning.
The wealth is not an issue and there is about 55% kids of color, 30% of kids on aid. We are scraping our pennies together for this experience because we were tired of the hit-of-miss and often chaotic environment of DCPS. Last year my kid had an ELA teacher who only logged on 50% of the time. The other 50%? I have no idea. I talked to the principal and the principal
said there was nothing to be done because there was a valid excuse (different one each day) each time. My stress level over school has returned to zero. No fights. Quiet classrooms. Textbooks. Multiple writing assignments. It's ridiculous that we have to pay for what was a standard experience when we were kids.

Glad private is working out for you.

For a slightly different perspective - Wilson’s admin is a mess, but my kid never experience violence or bullying of any kind in 4 years at Wilson. There were a few fights, but his take was that the kids involved were generally kids who felt they needed to maintain a reputation for being tough. As a parent, I know that there ARE kids whose experience has been different, but that’s what my kid thinks. In contrast, my white, working class high school was very, very much more violent than Wilson. Growing up, I didn’t know anybody who hadn’t been in a lot of fistfights. My kid and all of his close friends have never had that experience.

+1
I've got two kids at Wilson. They both have excellent teachers this year and their friends are well behaved, smart, and hardworking. Each of them has witnessed one fight this year (the same one). They both think the violence is overblown because of these Instagram accounts.

Is their experience the norm? I don't know. But we've been pretty happy with the school overall and both my kids appreciate the fact that they have friends from all over the city, all races/socioeconomic backgrounds. There is ZERO competition over material goods or vacations. They shop at thrift stores, take public transportation everywhere, and have picnics because (although many in their cohort are UMC) others are not.

Is it the same "quality" as a private education? Probably not. Are they learning other life skills/perspectives that they wouldn't get at a private school? I imagine so.

Exactly this

For Your kid. Not mine.

My kid has one interesting class. Two filler classes and one class with no teacher. In a filler class, the teacher is calling in sick regularly. So, sitting doing nothing 3/4 of a day. Why? B/c the 4x4 schedule increased the class sizes to average of approx 35 kids per class. Teacher are exhausted. The school is over enrolled by 700 students. The administration would need to hire at least an additional 15% of teachers to meet the demand for classes. There’s no money in the budget for this. So, my kid is enrolled in crap classes that are going to look like garbage for a college application. Maybe next semester will be different bc stacking three AP classes into one semester and have to change a class bc it’s already been taken. But who know… everything could get shuffled again.

Also, property stolen from backpack during class w/ no teacher. Has witnessed 3-4 fights in and out of school. Has been offered to buy LSD in school. It’s toxic.

This is not normal. There are serious problems in this school and just because it’s not happening to your kid doesn’t mean it’s not happening.

Imo, part of the issue is that parents see things in terms of “my kid” and not about the community. The Wilson community is not OK. Many staff, teachers and students are struggling and you can’t see it bc your kid is “fine”. It’s disheartening that parents can support numerous causes for people you don’t know and march on the Mall but cannot stand support people in your community and your school when they tell you something is very wrong.

I found this very moving. Without pointing the finger at anyone, your account certainly resonates with what we have experienced. Thank you for posting.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I've had my kids in a collective 22 years of DCPS but have one in private high school this year and it's night and day over the DCPS foolery. Kid has already read 3 books including the Odyssey and written a half dozen papers. Classes are quiet and kids are respectful. My kid misses the fights and the drama of DCPS but he/she is learning.
The wealth is not an issue and there is about 55% kids of color, 30% of kids on aid. We are scraping our pennies together for this experience because we were tired of the hit-of-miss and often chaotic environment of DCPS. Last year my kid had an ELA teacher who only logged on 50% of the time. The other 50%? I have no idea. I talked to the principal and the principal
said there was nothing to be done because there was a valid excuse (different one each day) each time. My stress level over school has returned to zero. No fights. Quiet classrooms. Textbooks. Multiple writing assignments. It's ridiculous that we have to pay for what was a standard experience when we were kids.

Glad private is working out for you.

For a slightly different perspective - Wilson’s admin is a mess, but my kid never experience violence or bullying of any kind in 4 years at Wilson. There were a few fights, but his take was that the kids involved were generally kids who felt they needed to maintain a reputation for being tough. As a parent, I know that there ARE kids whose experience has been different, but that’s what my kid thinks. In contrast, my white, working class high school was very, very much more violent than Wilson. Growing up, I didn’t know anybody who hadn’t been in a lot of fistfights. My kid and all of his close friends have never had that experience.

+1
I've got two kids at Wilson. They both have excellent teachers this year and their friends are well behaved, smart, and hardworking. Each of them has witnessed one fight this year (the same one). They both think the violence is overblown because of these Instagram accounts.

Is their experience the norm? I don't know. But we've been pretty happy with the school overall and both my kids appreciate the fact that they have friends from all over the city, all races/socioeconomic backgrounds. There is ZERO competition over material goods or vacations. They shop at thrift stores, take public transportation everywhere, and have picnics because (although many in their cohort are UMC) others are not.

Is it the same "quality" as a private education? Probably not. Are they learning other life skills/perspectives that they wouldn't get at a private school? I imagine so.

Exactly this

For Your kid. Not mine.

My kid has one interesting class. Two filler classes and one class with no teacher. In a filler class, the teacher is calling in sick regularly. So, sitting doing nothing 3/4 of a day. Why? B/c the 4x4 schedule increased the class sizes to average of approx 35 kids per class. Teacher are exhausted. The school is over enrolled by 700 students. The administration would need to hire at least an additional 15% of teachers to meet the demand for classes. There’s no money in the budget for this. So, my kid is enrolled in crap classes that are going to look like garbage for a college application. Maybe next semester will be different bc stacking three AP classes into one semester and have to change a class bc it’s already been taken. But who know… everything could get shuffled again.

Also, property stolen from backpack during class w/ no teacher. Has witnessed 3-4 fights in and out of school. Has been offered to buy LSD in school. It’s toxic.

This is not normal. There are serious problems in this school and just because it’s not happening to your kid doesn’t mean it’s not happening.

Imo, part of the issue is that parents see things in terms of “my kid” and not about the community. The Wilson community is not OK. Many staff, teachers and students are struggling and you can’t see it bc your kid is “fine”. It’s disheartening that parents can support numerous causes for people you don’t know and march on the Mall but cannot stand support people in your community and your school when they tell you something is very wrong.

And this this is genuinely alarming.

[Anonymous]

I'm the parent from upthread whose kid's experience was good. I do want to acknowledge that I know other parents whose kids didn't have a good experience. I know of one entire friend group of 6-8 kids from middle school of whom only one eventually graduated from Wilson. Some transferred to charters, some went private and some moved to other regular DCPS high schools (not the ones DCUM readers discuss) where they thrived because the schools did a better job of meeting those kids where they were, not pushing them into honors and AP classes.

It does feel to me like post-pandemic Wilson is struggling much more with staffing, with some negative consequences of the 4x4 schedule, and with the negative impact of honors for all (including the negative impacts on kids who need on-level classes, not being forced into honors classes that they don't want).

I'm curious what current parents are hearing from the admin, from the PTSO and from the LSAT. Looking online, I notice that there don't seem to have been LSAT minutes posted since 2020 (https://www.wilsonhs.org/m/pages/index.jsp?dir=LSAT%20Meeting%20Minutes%20%20Past&uREC_ID=127889&type=d&termREC_ID=&pREC_ID=487509). Are you guys reaching to LSAT representatives, and if so, what are you hearing from them?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I've had my kids in a collective 22 years of DCPS but have one in private high school this year and it's night and day over the DCPS foolery. Kid has already read 3 books including the Odyssey and written a half dozen papers. Classes are quiet and kids are respectful. My kid misses the fights and the drama of DCPS but he/she is learning.
The wealth is not an issue and there is about 55% kids of color, 30% of kids on aid. We are scraping our pennies together for this experience because we were tired of the hit-of-miss and often chaotic environment of DCPS. Last year my kid had an ELA teacher who only logged on 50% of the time. The other 50%? I have no idea. I talked to the principal and the principal
said there was nothing to be done because there was a valid excuse (different one each day) each time. My stress level over school has returned to zero. No fights. Quiet classrooms. Textbooks. Multiple writing assignments. It's ridiculous that we have to pay for what was a standard experience when we were kids.

Glad private is working out for you.

For a slightly different perspective - Wilson’s admin is a mess, but my kid never experience violence or bullying of any kind in 4 years at Wilson. There were a few fights, but his take was that the kids involved were generally kids who felt they needed to maintain a reputation for being tough. As a parent, I know that there ARE kids whose experience has been different, but that’s what my kid thinks. In contrast, my white, working class high school was very, very much more violent than Wilson. Growing up, I didn’t know anybody who hadn’t been in a lot of fistfights. My kid and all of his close friends have never had that experience.

+1
I've got two kids at Wilson. They both have excellent teachers this year and their friends are well behaved, smart, and hardworking. Each of them has witnessed one fight this year (the same one). They both think the violence is overblown because of these Instagram accounts.

Is their experience the norm? I don't know. But we've been pretty happy with the school overall and both my kids appreciate the fact that they have friends from all over the city, all races/socioeconomic backgrounds. There is ZERO competition over material goods or vacations. They shop at thrift stores, take public transportation everywhere, and have picnics because (although many in their cohort are UMC) others are not.

Is it the same "quality" as a private education? Probably not. Are they learning other life skills/perspectives that they wouldn't get at a private school? I imagine so.

Exactly this

For Your kid. Not mine.

My kid has one interesting class. Two filler classes and one class with no teacher. In a filler class, the teacher is calling in sick regularly. So, sitting doing nothing 3/4 of a day. Why? B/c the 4x4 schedule increased the class sizes to average of approx 35 kids per class. Teacher are exhausted. The school is over enrolled by 700 students. The administration would need to hire at least an additional 15% of teachers to meet the demand for classes. There’s no money in the budget for this. So, my kid is enrolled in crap classes that are going to look like garbage for a college application. Maybe next semester will be different bc stacking three AP classes into one semester and have to change a class bc it’s already been taken. But who know… everything could get shuffled again.

Also, property stolen from backpack during class w/ no teacher. Has witnessed 3-4 fights in and out of school. Has been offered to buy LSD in school. It’s toxic.

This is not normal. There are serious problems in this school and just because it’s not happening to your kid doesn’t mean it’s not happening.

Imo, part of the issue is that parents see things in terms of “my kid” and not about the community. The Wilson community is not OK. Many staff, teachers and students are struggling and you can’t see it bc your kid is “fine”. It’s disheartening that parents can support numerous causes for people you don’t know and march on the Mall but cannot stand support people in your community and your school when they tell you something is very wrong.

I found this very moving. Without pointing the finger at anyone, your account certainly resonates with what we have experienced. Thank you for posting.

I really don’t understand this. At the end of the day we can only understand and weigh in in how our own kids are doing. Sure I can hope everyone thrives and do our best to support that outcome but seriously there is nothing wrong with weighing in and saying that while you recognize there are problems your particular kid is doing well. This has nothing to do with wealth or status if kid is at Wilson. And it’s useful perspective in this discussion.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I've had my kids in a collective 22 years of DCPS but have one in private high school this year and it's night and day over the DCPS foolery. Kid has already read 3 books including the Odyssey and written a half dozen papers. Classes are quiet and kids are respectful. My kid misses the fights and the drama of DCPS but he/she is learning.
The wealth is not an issue and there is about 55% kids of color, 30% of kids on aid. We are scraping our pennies together for this experience because we were tired of the hit-of-miss and often chaotic environment of DCPS. Last year my kid had an ELA teacher who only logged on 50% of the time. The other 50%? I have no idea. I talked to the principal and the principal
said there was nothing to be done because there was a valid excuse (different one each day) each time. My stress level over school has returned to zero. No fights. Quiet classrooms. Textbooks. Multiple writing assignments. It's ridiculous that we have to pay for what was a standard experience when we were kids.

Glad private is working out for you.

For a slightly different perspective - Wilson’s admin is a mess, but my kid never experience violence or bullying of any kind in 4 years at Wilson. There were a few fights, but his take was that the kids involved were generally kids who felt they needed to maintain a reputation for being tough. As a parent, I know that there ARE kids whose experience has been different, but that’s what my kid thinks. In contrast, my white, working class high school was very, very much more violent than Wilson. Growing up, I didn’t know anybody who hadn’t been in a lot of fistfights. My kid and all of his close friends have never had that experience.

+1
I've got two kids at Wilson. They both have excellent teachers this year and their friends are well behaved, smart, and hardworking. Each of them has witnessed one fight this year (the same one). They both think the violence is overblown because of these Instagram accounts.

Is their experience the norm? I don't know. But we've been pretty happy with the school overall and both my kids appreciate the fact that they have friends from all over the city, all races/socioeconomic backgrounds. There is ZERO competition over material goods or vacations. They shop at thrift stores, take public transportation everywhere, and have picnics because (although many in their cohort are UMC) others are not.

Is it the same "quality" as a private education? Probably not. Are they learning other life skills/perspectives that they wouldn't get at a private school? I imagine so.

Exactly this

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm the parent from upthread whose kid's experience was good. I do want to acknowledge that I know other parents whose kids didn't have a good experience. I know of one entire friend group of 6-8 kids from middle school of whom only one eventually graduated from Wilson. Some transferred to charters, some went private and some moved to other regular DCPS high schools (not the ones DCUM readers discuss) where they thrived because the schools did a better job of meeting those kids where they were, not pushing them into honors and AP classes.

It does feel to me like post-pandemic Wilson is struggling much more with staffing, with some negative consequences of the 4x4 schedule, and with the negative impact of honors for all (including the negative impacts on kids who need on-level classes, not being forced into honors classes that they don't want).

I'm curious what current parents are hearing from the admin, from the PTSO and from the LSAT. Looking online, I notice that there don't seem to have been LSAT minutes posted since 2020 (https://www.wilsonhs.org/m/pages/index.jsp?dir=LSAT%20Meeting%20Minutes%20%20Past&uREC_ID=127889&type=d&termREC_ID=&pREC_ID=487509). Are you guys reaching to LSAT representatives, and if so, what are you hearing from them?

I was wondering the same. Let’s all go to the next PTO meeting is Principal coffee and ask for a discussion around these issues

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I've had my kids in a collective 22 years of DCPS but have one in private high school this year and it's night and day over the DCPS foolery. Kid has already read 3 books including the Odyssey and written a half dozen papers. Classes are quiet and kids are respectful. My kid misses the fights and the drama of DCPS but he/she is learning.
The wealth is not an issue and there is about 55% kids of color, 30% of kids on aid. We are scraping our pennies together for this experience because we were tired of the hit-of-miss and often chaotic environment of DCPS. Last year my kid had an ELA teacher who only logged on 50% of the time. The other 50%? I have no idea. I talked to the principal and the principal
said there was nothing to be done because there was a valid excuse (different one each day) each time. My stress level over school has returned to zero. No fights. Quiet classrooms. Textbooks. Multiple writing assignments. It's ridiculous that we have to pay for what was a standard experience when we were kids.

Glad private is working out for you.

For a slightly different perspective - Wilson’s admin is a mess, but my kid never experience violence or bullying of any kind in 4 years at Wilson. There were a few fights, but his take was that the kids involved were generally kids who felt they needed to maintain a reputation for being tough. As a parent, I know that there ARE kids whose experience has been different, but that’s what my kid thinks. In contrast, my white, working class high school was very, very much more violent than Wilson. Growing up, I didn’t know anybody who hadn’t been in a lot of fistfights. My kid and all of his close friends have never had that experience.

+1
I've got two kids at Wilson. They both have excellent teachers this year and their friends are well behaved, smart, and hardworking. Each of them has witnessed one fight this year (the same one). They both think the violence is overblown because of these Instagram accounts.

Is their experience the norm? I don't know. But we've been pretty happy with the school overall and both my kids appreciate the fact that they have friends from all over the city, all races/socioeconomic backgrounds. There is ZERO competition over material goods or vacations. They shop at thrift stores, take public transportation everywhere, and have picnics because (although many in their cohort are UMC) others are not.

Is it the same "quality" as a private education? Probably not. Are they learning other life skills/perspectives that they wouldn't get at a private school? I imagine so.

Exactly this

For Your kid. Not mine.

My kid has one interesting class. Two filler classes and one class with no teacher. In a filler class, the teacher is calling in sick regularly. So, sitting doing nothing 3/4 of a day. Why? B/c the 4x4 schedule increased the class sizes to average of approx 35 kids per class. Teacher are exhausted. The school is over enrolled by 700 students. The administration would need to hire at least an additional 15% of teachers to meet the demand for classes. There’s no money in the budget for this. So, my kid is enrolled in crap classes that are going to look like garbage for a college application. Maybe next semester will be different bc stacking three AP classes into one semester and have to change a class bc it’s already been taken. But who know… everything could get shuffled again.

Also, property stolen from backpack during class w/ no teacher. Has witnessed 3-4 fights in and out of school. Has been offered to buy LSD in school. It’s toxic.

This is not normal. There are serious problems in this school and just because it’s not happening to your kid doesn’t mean it’s not happening.

Imo, part of the issue is that parents see things in terms of “my kid” and not about the community. The Wilson community is not OK. Many staff, teachers and students are struggling and you can’t see it bc your kid is “fine”. It’s disheartening that parents can support numerous causes for people you don’t know and march on the Mall but cannot stand support people in your community and your school when they tell you something is very wrong.

What metric are you using to say Wilson is 700 over enrolled?

[Anonymous]

The building was designed for 1550 students. This trend has been happening for years - educating more students for less money from downtown. All when costs are rising and teacher salaries stagnant. Notice in this article that Bargeman who is now principal after Martin was interim principal in 2015.


https://ggwash.org/view/37747/dcps-plans-to-give-wilson-high-school-less-money-to-serve-more-students