West Springfield high vs Woodson

[Anonymous]

I believe the schools have a similar demographic, but in terms of the culture of the school, what are the major differences?

[Anonymous]

Woodson is more Asian, West Springfield more military. I think houses cost more by Woodson. I used to hear that Woodson was a pressure cooker, but West Springfield was not. Having a junior at WS, I don’t think that’s true. WS is a pressure cooker too. Everyone takes 4-5 APs and they’re all stressed out all the time. West Springfield is about to go through some boundary change drama, so if you care about that then make sure you live in an elementary school zone that isn’t getting rezoned.

[Anonymous]

Cannot speak to Woodson. But we loved our principal at WS!

Unfortunately, he left. Now we have a principal with zero high-school experience and who does not know our school whatsoever.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Cannot speak to Woodson. But we loved our principal at WS!

Unfortunately, he left. Now we have a principal with zero high-school experience and who does not know our school whatsoever.

Patrick had been principal at Longfellow but before that was the DSA at Lake Braddock and McLean. He has high school experience.

I think you’re just bitter that Mukai left WS for a higher profile job at TJ.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Woodson is more Asian, West Springfield more military. I think houses cost more by Woodson. I used to hear that Woodson was a pressure cooker, but West Springfield was not. Having a junior at WS, I don’t think that’s true. WS is a pressure cooker too. Everyone takes 4-5 APs and they’re all stressed out all the time. West Springfield is about to go through some boundary change drama, so if you care about that then make sure you live in an elementary school zone that isn’t getting rezoned.

I think it is kid specific.

From my experience (I have had multiple kids of varying academic activities go through WSHS) the kids taking multiple APs are not "stressed all the time"

It is a fairly laid back school culture, fairly similar to what high school was like in the 80s and 90s.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Cannot speak to Woodson. But we loved our principal at WS!

Unfortunately, he left. Now we have a principal with zero high-school experience and who does not know our school whatsoever.

Patrick had been principal at Longfellow but before that was the DSA at Lake Braddock and McLean. He has high school experience.

I think you’re just bitter that Mukai left WS for a higher profile job at TJ.

He seems nice enough, but he is definitely less experienced and has a big learning curve at such a large, well run high school, especially coming from a midfle school which is very different from high school in terms of school culture and the autobomy and freedom given to high school students vs the micromanaging required in a middle school.

There were several hiccups at the beginning, but things seem to be settling down.

Mukai had been at WSHS for years. He was very well respected and had a phenomenal relationship with the students and the overall community.

Mukai was very present with the students, in the halls and at activities. He connected with the kids personally, very difficult to do in such a large school. I think that is something that will take time for the new principal to develop. Mukai was also very responsive to parents, answering emails quickly and even calling if the question could be answered quickly with a phone call. He was very strong with communication. That skill, again, is something that the new principal is going to have to grow in. It takes time to cultivate relationships.

It is always difficult to follow a stellar principal like Mukai. Everyone is rooting for the new principal to be successful, and to have a smooth transition that doesn't disrupt the school culture or upset too many teachers, as often happens when a new principal replaces a beloved administration.

Time will tell.

[Anonymous]

Woodson is the smaller school but still big for a HS.

Our kids have been happy there and did take multiple AP classes. If you care about sports- I think WS has better coaches. Otherwise I think the schools and neighborhoods are pretty similar.

[Anonymous]

Our kids graduated from Woodson. We bought when they were in K and also looked at houses going to West Springfield, Lake Braddock, Robinson, Fairfax High. I think any of them would have been fine.

[Anonymous]

My multiple AP WSHS senior is definitely stressed out as are her friends. I don't think the culture is at all like my 90s high school experience - so much pressure for these kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My multiple AP WSHS senior is definitely stressed out as are her friends. I don't think the culture is at all like my 90s high school experience - so much pressure for these kids.

Seniors are always stressed first semester. Perfectly normal.