Takoma v Whittier v Lewis v Height

[Anonymous]

Are there key differences between these four schools? Other than what we can see on the surface?

I know parents won’t have experience at all four. Haha. But maybe two? Or they know families that go to each one?

I’ve looked at test scores, facilities, location.. they each seem to have their own pros and cons (of course, capt obvious here).

Lewis campus is the nicest to us. Takoma felt more neighborhoody. Whittier is closest to our house (so this is IB). Height was, I guess, more of the outlier but it’s within our bubble.

The intangibles that the web can’t give you is what we are looking for.

Leadership? Teachers? Other parents engaging with classrooms? Strong PTO and school culture?

Thanks. I’ll hang up and listen.

[Anonymous]

I know people at several of them. Whittier's test scores for at risk kids are noticably better, see the bold performance schools. If before and after care matter to you that's worth comparing. Unless that's a deciding factor for you, I would pick the closest/in bounds school. They don't seem different enough to travel further!

[Anonymous]

OP here. Forgot to mention this is for K.

[Anonymous]

I’m in the neighborhood. Takoma, Whittier, and West all have more buy-in and momentum than Height. Of those three, I’d pick whichever was walkable without having to cross Georgia Ave or other main roads.

[Anonymous]

I know happy families at all four.

I personally know the principals of Whittier and Lewis are well liked. I’ve heard mixed reviews of the Takoma principal, and I don’t know the Height principal at all.

Strong PTOs at Whittier and Takoma, not familiar with the Lewis and Height ones.

Whittier has a strong STEM focus, Takoma more arts.

Of course Whittier will be moving to swing space after next year and then have a great new building two years after that.

If feeder middles are on your radar yet, Wells is outperforming MacFarland but I know happy families at both.

(My kid went to Whittier and is now at Wells.)

[Anonymous]

I should add that Whittier also has a robust performing arts program, in addition to the STEM. Likewise, Takoma has lots of gardens and more outdoor space on its immediate campus. So you get both STEM and art at both. They just lean into them differently.

[Anonymous]

We know families who have been at Whitter and Lewis- Lewis has nicer facilities but all the families prefer the Whittier community and school culture. They don’t dislike Lewis, just prefer Whittier. But Whittier’s physical plant is pretty bad at this point.

[Anonymous]

PP again. While test scores aren’t the end all be all, Whittier’s test scores and growth are fantastic, especially among at risk student groups. It’s very impressive and not easy to achieve.

[Anonymous]

At Takoma and know families at Whittier. I am impressed by Whittier’s test performance but not enough to want to jump ship from our inbound. We’ve had great teachers at Takoma for multiple years and our kid is doing well academically. If we were inbound at Whittier we’d probably look wistfully at some of the things Takoma has a bit better but again stick with the inbound.

[Anonymous]

So no Powell?

[Anonymous]

My kid has gone to 2 of the four. With the caveat that is think you'd be well served by any of them - Height is Reggio and very warm (we were there for preK but have friends there still), and has a ridiculously nice new campus. I know it has historically been a preK option for people who move to their IB, but I think there's a chance that changes with the new building.

Takoma has a nice campus and very involved and motivated admin. Teachers are uneven. Specials are great and the arts integration is a distinguishing factor.

Whittier has a great culture and community buy in but the facilities are a mess so you're going to be waiting for the fix.

Lewis was recently updated and I know people in K there but we haven't had in depth conversations about pros and cons.

[Anonymous]

OP, I would add Military Road Early Learning Center to your list just for preK availability. I chose it over Height for logistical reasons mainly but it has been great for my child. It’s a really cute little school.

[Anonymous]

Maybe not super relevant but it warms my heart to see the growing acceptance for our local schools. I live in Brightwood and when I was first starting to think about where my own kids would go to school about 10 years ago I don’t think the general answer was “they all will probably be OK for you”. I know our schools locally still have challenges and are far from perfect but my kids have done well in our inbound schools and I hope this trend continues.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, I would add Military Road Early Learning Center to your list just for preK availability. I chose it over Height for logistical reasons mainly but it has been great for my child. It’s a really cute little school.

OP said this is for K. Glad you’re having a great experience!

[Anonymous]

From experience and interactions with 3/4

Lewis has the best facility but unless you're IB it might not feel as community focused. It's also not walkable. That said friends who are there are very happy just wouldn't prioritize given the distance unless the arts program is a huge focus.

Takoma has better facilities than Whittier but less community feel and mixed views on the actual school itself based on others I've heard from.

In three years when Whittier has a new facility it feels like it's going to skyrocket in popularity. It's already growing like 50+ kids a year with the poor facilities. It's a very tight know communities and the education has been stellar in our experience (third year now). Walk past any day it's remotely nice out around 5 and you'll see parents talking while their kids refuse to leave and stop playing together.

That said as someone else noted it's incredible progress that all these schools are priorities for neighborhood kids and families and it's not just a we'll survive if they have to go there.

One other note Wells definitely seems like the better MS options and that's Takoma or Whittier.