HB-Woodlawn - what is the level of "independent study" in MS?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are interested in applying for middle school placement via the lottery this October, but we're not familiar with how teaching is done at the school. From what we gather from the HB-Woodlawn's website, it seems that there is a higher degree of independent study given to students. Do HB Woodlawn middle schoolers spend their time doing their own research and planning their coursework independently (akin to college-style study), or do they rely on designated textbooks and workbooks outlined by the teacher? How much face-to-face teaching and assessment quizzes are given at the school?

The next lottery will open next December, and around that same time there will also be an information night where they will explain their philosophy and independent study, etc. and much more. You should plan to attend - usually a weeknight around 7 pm. And no, it's not like college, it's very much like at the other middle schools, but counselors help them plan their curriculum and there is some flexibility as they progress to higher grades.

A lot of this is good info except HB has no counselors so that part if wrong.

There really isn't independent study in middle school. Middle schoolers take the same classes as other middle schools in APS. The curriculum is mandated by the Virginia standards of learning. There is room in their schedules for an extra elective as compared to the other middle schools, so you get more choice in what to take that way. Also HB teachers seem more flexible in how they let kids approach projects. If a student can make a good case for doing a project differently than proscribed, the teacher is likely to let them, as long as it still meets instructional objectives. As far as tests and quizzes,yes, they still have all of those, although they seem to have less than the other APS middle school I have experience with, and more projects and presentations instead.

In high school, students can do an independent study if they want, and there is also a course in which the topics are driven by student interest (I think). But they have to do this on top of fulfilling all the standard diploma requirements, and those classes are regular classes. Except, as in middle school, it seems like my high school kid has a little less tests/quizzes than a friend at another APS HS.

Students in high school do design their own course schedules, so choice and independence definitely comes into play there.

In general, the school gives students a high degree of independence, so yes, in that sense, it does remind me a lot of college. For instance, if students finish their work in a class, it's not unusual for a teacher to let them leave, increasingly so as they get older.

They do have counselors, who are also teachers, just not separate counseling staff. Each kid at HB has a counselor, an assigned TA in middle school who stays with them for 6/7/8, and one they pick who stays with them for 9/10/11/12.

I thought kids got a different TA for each year of middle school but then picked another TA to stick with them through all 4 years of high school?

No, they have a teacher advisor who stays with them, and a small group of kids they stay with, all through middle school. They have an adult that gets to know them closely and keep an eye on them during those three important years, it's one of the really nice things about the model. The middle school TA may help suggest who they might want to talk to about being their high school TA, who will be their college counselor (and the high school TAs are mixed grades, while the middle school TAs are a "class"). The middle school TA will also help them understand how the course selection process works, what electives are available, how they can take classes at the Career Center in high school, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are interested in applying for middle school placement via the lottery this October, but we're not familiar with how teaching is done at the school. From what we gather from the HB-Woodlawn's website, it seems that there is a higher degree of independent study given to students. Do HB Woodlawn middle schoolers spend their time doing their own research and planning their coursework independently (akin to college-style study), or do they rely on designated textbooks and workbooks outlined by the teacher? How much face-to-face teaching and assessment quizzes are given at the school?

The next lottery will open next December, and around that same time there will also be an information night where they will explain their philosophy and independent study, etc. and much more. You should plan to attend - usually a weeknight around 7 pm. And no, it's not like college, it's very much like at the other middle schools, but counselors help them plan their curriculum and there is some flexibility as they progress to higher grades.

A lot of this is good info except HB has no counselors so that part if wrong.

There really isn't independent study in middle school. Middle schoolers take the same classes as other middle schools in APS. The curriculum is mandated by the Virginia standards of learning. There is room in their schedules for an extra elective as compared to the other middle schools, so you get more choice in what to take that way. Also HB teachers seem more flexible in how they let kids approach projects. If a student can make a good case for doing a project differently than proscribed, the teacher is likely to let them, as long as it still meets instructional objectives. As far as tests and quizzes,yes, they still have all of those, although they seem to have less than the other APS middle school I have experience with, and more projects and presentations instead.

In high school, students can do an independent study if they want, and there is also a course in which the topics are driven by student interest (I think). But they have to do this on top of fulfilling all the standard diploma requirements, and those classes are regular classes. Except, as in middle school, it seems like my high school kid has a little less tests/quizzes than a friend at another APS HS.

Students in high school do design their own course schedules, so choice and independence definitely comes into play there.

In general, the school gives students a high degree of independence, so yes, in that sense, it does remind me a lot of college. For instance, if students finish their work in a class, it's not unusual for a teacher to let them leave, increasingly so as they get older.

They do have counselors, who are also teachers, just not separate counseling staff. Each kid at HB has a counselor, an assigned TA in middle school who stays with them for 6/7/8, and one they pick who stays with them for 9/10/11/12.

I thought kids got a different TA for each year of middle school but then picked another TA to stick with them through all 4 years of high school?

No, they have a teacher advisor who stays with them, and a small group of kids they stay with, all through middle school. They have an adult that gets to know them closely and keep an eye on them during those three important years, it's one of the really nice things about the model. The middle school TA may help suggest who they might want to talk to about being their high school TA, who will be their college counselor (and the high school TAs are mixed grades, while the middle school TAs are a "class"). The middle school TA will also help them understand how the course selection process works, what electives are available, how they can take classes at the Career Center in high school, etc.

I think this has changed. My kid is currently a 7th grader at HB, and he has a different TA, and different class of kids with that TA, than the one he had in 6th. At the end of 6th, they were introduced to all the teachers who were going to be TAs for 7th, and then ranked them in order of preference (like they did at the beginning of 6th). I don't remember his TA from 6th being one of the options (but I might be wrong about that). Once they get to 9th grade, they get a TA who will be with them for all four years of high school.

[Anonymous]

They do have counselors, who are also teachers, just not separate counseling staff. Each kid at HB has a counselor, an assigned TA in middle school who stays with them for 6/7/8, and one they pick who stays with them for 9/10/11/12.

I thought kids got a different TA for each year of middle school but then picked another TA to stick with them through all 4 years of high school?

No, they have a teacher advisor who stays with them, and a small group of kids they stay with, all through middle school. They have an adult that gets to know them closely and keep an eye on them during those three important years, it's one of the really nice things about the model. The middle school TA may help suggest who they might want to talk to about being their high school TA, who will be their college counselor (and the high school TAs are mixed grades, while the middle school TAs are a "class"). The middle school TA will also help them understand how the course selection process works, what electives are available, how they can take classes at the Career Center in high school, etc.

I think this has changed. My kid is currently a 7th grader at HB, and he has a different TA, and different class of kids with that TA, than the one he had in 6th. At the end of 6th, they were introduced to all the teachers who were going to be TAs for 7th, and then ranked them in order of preference (like they did at the beginning of 6th). I don't remember his TA from 6th being one of the options (but I might be wrong about that). Once they get to 9th grade, they get a TA who will be with them for all four years of high school.

Yes, this has changed. I have an 8th grader at HB and she has had a different TA each year. The middle school TA's for each grade tend to be the teachers who teach core classes for that grade, with a few exceptions. I believe once they reach high school, the kids choose a TA and can keep that TA throughout high school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

They do have counselors, who are also teachers, just not separate counseling staff. Each kid at HB has a counselor, an assigned TA in middle school who stays with them for 6/7/8, and one they pick who stays with them for 9/10/11/12.

I thought kids got a different TA for each year of middle school but then picked another TA to stick with them through all 4 years of high school?

No, they have a teacher advisor who stays with them, and a small group of kids they stay with, all through middle school. They have an adult that gets to know them closely and keep an eye on them during those three important years, it's one of the really nice things about the model. The middle school TA may help suggest who they might want to talk to about being their high school TA, who will be their college counselor (and the high school TAs are mixed grades, while the middle school TAs are a "class"). The middle school TA will also help them understand how the course selection process works, what electives are available, how they can take classes at the Career Center in high school, etc.

I think this has changed. My kid is currently a 7th grader at HB, and he has a different TA, and different class of kids with that TA, than the one he had in 6th. At the end of 6th, they were introduced to all the teachers who were going to be TAs for 7th, and then ranked them in order of preference (like they did at the beginning of 6th). I don't remember his TA from 6th being one of the options (but I might be wrong about that). Once they get to 9th grade, they get a TA who will be with them for all four years of high school.

Yes, this has changed. I have an 8th grader at HB and she has had a different TA each year. The middle school TA's for each grade tend to be the teachers who teach core classes for that grade, with a few exceptions. I believe once they reach high school, the kids choose a TA and can keep that TA throughout high school.

OK, sorry, I guess it has changed recently.

[Anonymous]

At least 3 years ago, but okay.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are interested in applying for middle school placement via the lottery this October, but we're not familiar with how teaching is done at the school. From what we gather from the HB-Woodlawn's website, it seems that there is a higher degree of independent study given to students. Do HB Woodlawn middle schoolers spend their time doing their own research and planning their coursework independently (akin to college-style study), or do they rely on designated textbooks and workbooks outlined by the teacher? How much face-to-face teaching and assessment quizzes are given at the school?

The next lottery will open next December, and around that same time there will also be an information night where they will explain their philosophy and independent study, etc. and much more. You should plan to attend - usually a weeknight around 7 pm. And no, it's not like college, it's very much like at the other middle schools, but counselors help them plan their curriculum and there is some flexibility as they progress to higher grades.

A lot of this is good info except HB has no counselors so that part if wrong.

There really isn't independent study in middle school. Middle schoolers take the same classes as other middle schools in APS. The curriculum is mandated by the Virginia standards of learning. There is room in their schedules for an extra elective as compared to the other middle schools, so you get more choice in what to take that way. Also HB teachers seem more flexible in how they let kids approach projects. If a student can make a good case for doing a project differently than proscribed, the teacher is likely to let them, as long as it still meets instructional objectives. As far as tests and quizzes,yes, they still have all of those, although they seem to have less than the other APS middle school I have experience with, and more projects and presentations instead.

In high school, students can do an independent study if they want, and there is also a course in which the topics are driven by student interest (I think). But they have to do this on top of fulfilling all the standard diploma requirements, and those classes are regular classes. Except, as in middle school, it seems like my high school kid has a little less tests/quizzes than a friend at another APS HS.

Students in high school do design their own course schedules, so choice and independence definitely comes into play there.

In general, the school gives students a high degree of independence, so yes, in that sense, it does remind me a lot of college. For instance, if students finish their work in a class, it's not unusual for a teacher to let them leave, increasingly so as they get older.

They do have counselors, who are also teachers, just not separate counseling staff. Each kid at HB has a counselor, an assigned TA in middle school who stays with them for 6/7/8, and one they pick who stays with them for 9/10/11/12.

I thought kids got a different TA for each year of middle school but then picked another TA to stick with them through all 4 years of high school?

No, they have a teacher advisor who stays with them, and a small group of kids they stay with, all through middle school. They have an adult that gets to know them closely and keep an eye on them during those three important years, it's one of the really nice things about the model. The middle school TA may help suggest who they might want to talk to about being their high school TA, who will be their college counselor (and the high school TAs are mixed grades, while the middle school TAs are a "class"). The middle school TA will also help them understand how the course selection process works, what electives are available, how they can take classes at the Career Center in high school, etc.

I think this has changed. My kid is currently a 7th grader at HB, and he has a different TA, and different class of kids with that TA, than the one he had in 6th. At the end of 6th, they were introduced to all the teachers who were going to be TAs for 7th, and then ranked them in order of preference (like they did at the beginning of 6th). I don't remember his TA from 6th being one of the options (but I might be wrong about that). Once they get to 9th grade, they get a TA who will be with them for all four years of high school.

Why all the discussion about teacher counselors? Its not like most kids ever see their counselor at the neighborhood middle and high schools, as they are swamped with high need cases - if your kid is average or even looking for college guidance, they just don't have the bandwidth.

I guess its possible HBW would have less high need cases, since it takes parental initiative to even attend the school?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are interested in applying for middle school placement via the lottery this October, but we're not familiar with how teaching is done at the school. From what we gather from the HB-Woodlawn's website, it seems that there is a higher degree of independent study given to students. Do HB Woodlawn middle schoolers spend their time doing their own research and planning their coursework independently (akin to college-style study), or do they rely on designated textbooks and workbooks outlined by the teacher? How much face-to-face teaching and assessment quizzes are given at the school?

The next lottery will open next December, and around that same time there will also be an information night where they will explain their philosophy and independent study, etc. and much more. You should plan to attend - usually a weeknight around 7 pm. And no, it's not like college, it's very much like at the other middle schools, but counselors help them plan their curriculum and there is some flexibility as they progress to higher grades.

A lot of this is good info except HB has no counselors so that part if wrong.

There really isn't independent study in middle school. Middle schoolers take the same classes as other middle schools in APS. The curriculum is mandated by the Virginia standards of learning. There is room in their schedules for an extra elective as compared to the other middle schools, so you get more choice in what to take that way. Also HB teachers seem more flexible in how they let kids approach projects. If a student can make a good case for doing a project differently than proscribed, the teacher is likely to let them, as long as it still meets instructional objectives. As far as tests and quizzes,yes, they still have all of those, although they seem to have less than the other APS middle school I have experience with, and more projects and presentations instead.

In high school, students can do an independent study if they want, and there is also a course in which the topics are driven by student interest (I think). But they have to do this on top of fulfilling all the standard diploma requirements, and those classes are regular classes. Except, as in middle school, it seems like my high school kid has a little less tests/quizzes than a friend at another APS HS.

Students in high school do design their own course schedules, so choice and independence definitely comes into play there.

In general, the school gives students a high degree of independence, so yes, in that sense, it does remind me a lot of college. For instance, if students finish their work in a class, it's not unusual for a teacher to let them leave, increasingly so as they get older.

They do have counselors, who are also teachers, just not separate counseling staff. Each kid at HB has a counselor, an assigned TA in middle school who stays with them for 6/7/8, and one they pick who stays with them for 9/10/11/12.

No they do not have counselors. They have TAs, which stands for teacher advisors - teachers, not counselors. Do you even have a kid who go to HB? No one who goes there would claim they are counselors. And no, they do not have the same TA for 6/7/8. They switch every year in MS, then most kids keep the same TA in HS. Again it doesn't sound like you have a kid at HB cuz you don't have accurate info.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:At least 3 years ago, but okay.

At least 4-5 years ago, if it was ever different.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are interested in applying for middle school placement via the lottery this October, but we're not familiar with how teaching is done at the school. From what we gather from the HB-Woodlawn's website, it seems that there is a higher degree of independent study given to students. Do HB Woodlawn middle schoolers spend their time doing their own research and planning their coursework independently (akin to college-style study), or do they rely on designated textbooks and workbooks outlined by the teacher? How much face-to-face teaching and assessment quizzes are given at the school?

The next lottery will open next December, and around that same time there will also be an information night where they will explain their philosophy and independent study, etc. and much more. You should plan to attend - usually a weeknight around 7 pm. And no, it's not like college, it's very much like at the other middle schools, but counselors help them plan their curriculum and there is some flexibility as they progress to higher grades.

A lot of this is good info except HB has no counselors so that part if wrong.

There really isn't independent study in middle school. Middle schoolers take the same classes as other middle schools in APS. The curriculum is mandated by the Virginia standards of learning. There is room in their schedules for an extra elective as compared to the other middle schools, so you get more choice in what to take that way. Also HB teachers seem more flexible in how they let kids approach projects. If a student can make a good case for doing a project differently than proscribed, the teacher is likely to let them, as long as it still meets instructional objectives. As far as tests and quizzes,yes, they still have all of those, although they seem to have less than the other APS middle school I have experience with, and more projects and presentations instead.

In high school, students can do an independent study if they want, and there is also a course in which the topics are driven by student interest (I think). But they have to do this on top of fulfilling all the standard diploma requirements, and those classes are regular classes. Except, as in middle school, it seems like my high school kid has a little less tests/quizzes than a friend at another APS HS.

Students in high school do design their own course schedules, so choice and independence definitely comes into play there.

In general, the school gives students a high degree of independence, so yes, in that sense, it does remind me a lot of college. For instance, if students finish their work in a class, it's not unusual for a teacher to let them leave, increasingly so as they get older.

They do have counselors, who are also teachers, just not separate counseling staff. Each kid at HB has a counselor, an assigned TA in middle school who stays with them for 6/7/8, and one they pick who stays with them for 9/10/11/12.

No they do not have counselors. They have TAs, which stands for teacher advisors - teachers, not counselors. Do you even have a kid who go to HB? No one who goes there would claim they are counselors. And no, they do not have the same TA for 6/7/8. They switch every year in MS, then most kids keep the same TA in HS. Again it doesn't sound like you have a kid at HB cuz you don't have accurate info.

Why are you all worked up? It’s not like neighborhood schools really see their counselors. TA or counselors, 90% of students are on their own.

HBW Is a tiny school with a self selected population, I’m sure the TA are doing fine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are interested in applying for middle school placement via the lottery this October, but we're not familiar with how teaching is done at the school. From what we gather from the HB-Woodlawn's website, it seems that there is a higher degree of independent study given to students. Do HB Woodlawn middle schoolers spend their time doing their own research and planning their coursework independently (akin to college-style study), or do they rely on designated textbooks and workbooks outlined by the teacher? How much face-to-face teaching and assessment quizzes are given at the school?

The next lottery will open next December, and around that same time there will also be an information night where they will explain their philosophy and independent study, etc. and much more. You should plan to attend - usually a weeknight around 7 pm. And no, it's not like college, it's very much like at the other middle schools, but counselors help them plan their curriculum and there is some flexibility as they progress to higher grades.

A lot of this is good info except HB has no counselors so that part if wrong.

There really isn't independent study in middle school. Middle schoolers take the same classes as other middle schools in APS. The curriculum is mandated by the Virginia standards of learning. There is room in their schedules for an extra elective as compared to the other middle schools, so you get more choice in what to take that way. Also HB teachers seem more flexible in how they let kids approach projects. If a student can make a good case for doing a project differently than proscribed, the teacher is likely to let them, as long as it still meets instructional objectives. As far as tests and quizzes,yes, they still have all of those, although they seem to have less than the other APS middle school I have experience with, and more projects and presentations instead.

In high school, students can do an independent study if they want, and there is also a course in which the topics are driven by student interest (I think). But they have to do this on top of fulfilling all the standard diploma requirements, and those classes are regular classes. Except, as in middle school, it seems like my high school kid has a little less tests/quizzes than a friend at another APS HS.

Students in high school do design their own course schedules, so choice and independence definitely comes into play there.

In general, the school gives students a high degree of independence, so yes, in that sense, it does remind me a lot of college. For instance, if students finish their work in a class, it's not unusual for a teacher to let them leave, increasingly so as they get older.

They do have counselors, who are also teachers, just not separate counseling staff. Each kid at HB has a counselor, an assigned TA in middle school who stays with them for 6/7/8, and one they pick who stays with them for 9/10/11/12.

No they do not have counselors. They have TAs, which stands for teacher advisors - teachers, not counselors. Do you even have a kid who go to HB? No one who goes there would claim they are counselors. And no, they do not have the same TA for 6/7/8. They switch every year in MS, then most kids keep the same TA in HS. Again it doesn't sound like you have a kid at HB cuz you don't have accurate info.

Why are you all worked up? It’s not like neighborhood schools really see their counselors. TA or counselors, 90% of students are on their own.

HBW Is a tiny school with a self selected population, I’m sure the TA are doing fine.

Not worked up, and yes, my kid is doing fine with their TA. Just correcting misinformation.

[Anonymous]

It's weird when a person puts false info out there and then accuses someone of getting worked up just for correcting them. Big ego I guess.

[Anonymous]

+1

HB fam here and I'm always surprised how much false info is out there about HB

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's weird when a person puts false info out there and then accuses someone of getting worked up just for correcting them. Big ego I guess.

Different PPs, Einstein.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:+1

HB fam here and I'm always surprised how much false info is out there about HB

It’s a small price to pay for private school sized campus on public dime. Accept your good fortune. My DS has never met his counselor.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:+1

HB fam here and I'm always surprised how much false info is out there about HB

It’s a small price to pay for private school sized campus on public dime. Accept your good fortune. My DS has never met his counselor.

It's not a private school sized campus. It's an extremely small campus.