Washington Episcopal School - feedback needed

[Anonymous]

WES middle school had been a phenomenal experience. They make a noted effort to give the kids more independence and responsibility while still in a small and nurturing space. My own child has relished in the considerable change of how the students are treated more maturely, and as a parent, the change from elementary to middle school has clearly been given much consideration.

That said, the upper elementary grades were pretty fantastic, too, but there is clearly and rightfully a division between elementary and middle school.

Last year WES sent 28 kids to 22 schools. I think this speaks to the diversity of the community— families choose a huge variety of schools because that is what they want, and WES seems able to accommodate them at Big 3, Catholics, publics, boarding schools, and smaller independents.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:WES middle school had been a phenomenal experience. They make a noted effort to give the kids more independence and responsibility while still in a small and nurturing space. My own child has relished in the considerable change of how the students are treated more maturely, and as a parent, the change from elementary to middle school has clearly been given much consideration.

That said, the upper elementary grades were pretty fantastic, too, but there is clearly and rightfully a division between elementary and middle school.

Last year WES sent 28 kids to 22 schools. I think this speaks to the diversity of the community— families choose a huge variety of schools because that is what they want, and WES seems able to accommodate them at Big 3, Catholics, publics, boarding schools, and smaller independents.

Thank you for everyone's great feedback!

[Anonymous]

Anything people DO NOT like about WES middle school? We know it's very small and only goes to 8th...thanks!

[Anonymous]

Well I think anytime you are talking about a small school you have to take cohorts into account. Two of my three DC’s cohorts are great, no issues. Parents are largely people we genuinely enjoy socializing with and kids get along. In the third DC’s class, there’s more drama because of a couple strong personalities. There are a also a couple parents in that class that I steer clear of. I think this is very common (anywhere) and is a potential issue at a small school that you need to be prepared for. Also—in MS there’s more cross class activities (clubs, sports, advisory) and that helps.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Well I think anytime you are talking about a small school you have to take cohorts into account. Two of my three DC’s cohorts are great, no issues. Parents are largely people we genuinely enjoy socializing with and kids get along. In the third DC’s class, there’s more drama because of a couple strong personalities. There are a also a couple parents in that class that I steer clear of. I think this is very common (anywhere) and is a potential issue at a small school that you need to be prepared for. Also—in MS there’s more cross class activities (clubs, sports, advisory) and that helps.

Thank you for your helpful feedback! We're lucky to have options in this area for so many different types of students!

[Anonymous]

If you are looking for an athletic powerhouse school, WES is not it. They’ve have had some stronger teams over the years, but sports domination is not a reason people choose WES. That said our DD has absolutely LOVED playing sports at WES and it’s a big reason why she loves the school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you are looking for an athletic powerhouse school, WES is not it. They’ve have had some stronger teams over the years, but sports domination is not a reason people choose WES. That said our DD has absolutely LOVED playing sports at WES and it’s a big reason why she loves the school.

It’s a elementary/middle school lol what kind of crazy people are looking for a K-8 athletic powerhouse. The dc area is pathetic. Glad your child is loving it and having fun. That’s what middle school sports are about.

[Anonymous]

Another happy WES parent here. It really is a wonderful school and I also agree that the middle school is where it really shines. The head of the school and head of the middle school are both excellent leaders. The teachers are exceptionally caring, thoughtful educators. The workload and expectations are definitely a step up from elementary, but not so much as to be unreasonable or overwhelming. DS is a graduate and was very well-prepared for high school. DD is still there and I'll be sad when our time at WES ends.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you are looking for an athletic powerhouse school, WES is not it. They’ve have had some stronger teams over the years, but sports domination is not a reason people choose WES. That said our DD has absolutely LOVED playing sports at WES and it’s a big reason why she loves the school.

It’s a elementary/middle school lol what kind of crazy people are looking for a K-8 athletic powerhouse. The dc area is pathetic. Glad your child is loving it and having fun. That’s what middle school sports are about.

We’ve played a few schools where it’s clear that they (parents and school) have a very different perspective on the purpose of MS sports so that’s why I made that comment about it not being a sports powerhouse school. But yes I agree athletics at WES are very much in line with what I think MS should be! The size of the school makes it so everyone plays (they combine grades or make A/B teams depending on interest and abilities each year) and I’m very grateful for that as well. Not sure DD would have made the cut at her zoned MCPS school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Another parent with a WES graduate and a current middle schooler. I agree with PPs that MS is the school’s strength. If [b]I had it to do over again, I would skip ES but definitely put both kids in MS at WES. The environment is supportive for those awkward years, and the classes become very close. And the trips are great for developing independence.

HS placement was fine. The process is painful, but the school is supportive and goes to each school for an in-person meeting to advocate for their students.

What are the issues for elementary? Looking at the school for my young son.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Another parent with a WES graduate and a current middle schooler. I agree with PPs that MS is the school’s strength. If [b]I had it to do over again, I would skip ES but definitely put both kids in MS at WES. The environment is supportive for those awkward years, and the classes become very close. And the trips are great for developing independence.

HS placement was fine. The process is painful, but the school is supportive and goes to each school for an in-person meeting to advocate for their students.

What are the issues for elementary? Looking at the school for my young son.

Previous poster who said that the middle school is a highlight of WES. I wouldn’t say that there are issues, at all. It was a great experience for our DD, she learned a lot, made good friends, had lovely teachers, etc. Honestly, no complaints. But I guess it feels like while there isn’t anything wrong and it checks all the boxes, it felt more like a good, solid school than something that really wowed and exceeded expectations, which is what the middle school feels like.

We switched from MCPS and I definitely felt like WES elementary demonstrated its value, but I think it did that in the ways I expected (eg, benefits of smaller class size). The middle school goes beyond that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:


What are the issues for elementary? Looking at the school for my young son.

I’m the PP you quoted. There was not necessarily anything wrong with the ES, but there also wasn’t anything special about it for us. DC had some social issues, I thought ES administration was not as strong as MS, and the lack of grades made it nearly impossible to tell whether DC was actually learning enough. We could have done as well or better elsewhere for ES.

[Anonymous]

While ES is less expensive than MS, it’s still a lot. MS tuition includes all of the trips and kids are older/preparing for HS so for our family it is worth it. MS can be pretty miserable at a lot of schools and WES gave our DCs a place to actually enjoy the middle grades while also preparing them for HS. I suppose if I had unlimited resources—and many in the DMV do—I wouldn’t think twice about paying for private in ES At WES or elsewhere.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Another parent with a WES graduate and a current middle schooler. I agree with PPs that MS is the school’s strength. If [b]I had it to do over again, I would skip ES but definitely put both kids in MS at WES. The environment is supportive for those awkward years, and the classes become very close. And the trips are great for developing independence.

HS placement was fine. The process is painful, but the school is supportive and goes to each school for an in-person meeting to advocate for their students.

What are the issues for elementary? Looking at the school for my young son.

I think the concern was not that there was any problem or issue with elementary school, but that families who are more cost conscious might not feel they can pay for private for all grades.

WES is a little haven of semi-normalcy in an area where there are a lot of school communities that are socially intense for the entire family, not just the kids.

Another bonus for the middle schoolers is that they have a lot of freedom to use the Capital Crescent Trail to walk into Bethesda after school, and lots of kids walk or bike home or to friends’ houses. It’s just a little location perk, but it offers some independence.

[Anonymous]

If what you want is co-ed, Episcopal, friendly community, rigorous curriculum without the burnout culture, then WES is great. But it's over in 8th.

My advice is to get all that at St. Andrew's and then avoid the Upper School admissions process by staying through 12th. SAES has a MUCH nicer campus, more competitive sports, great college placement, amazing teachers, slightly larger MS but still small, and there's are two different bus routes within a couple of minutes of WES.