Recent Walls Admits from Private?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The biggest Walls feeders are Deal and Hardy. It's not like it's a school for kids with no other options.

True and that is still DCPS. Kids with options for private or charters are not choosing DCPS because of the lowering of admissions and standards and offerrings.

[Anonymous]

When we were interviewing at a DC private, admissions officer said many years they tend usually lose someone to Walls when HS hits. "It's unfortunate but you can't blame families when it's a great free education."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:When we were interviewing at a DC private, admissions officer said many years they tend usually lose someone to Walls when HS hits. "It's unfortunate but you can't blame families when it's a great free education."

+1
We've heard the same. For some people the money is no big deal, but free v. $50-60K a year is pretty meaningful to a lot of families.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hello, I'm looking to get advice from parents of students recently admitted to Walls from private school.

My student is in 7th and plans to apply during 8th grade year for high school (2027-2028 school year freshman). I'm curious about tips, things you found out and figured out that you wished you would have known sooner. Any helpful anecdote that comes to mind is sincerely appreciated. (especially thoughts from those admitted this year and last year). Those parents of students admitted prior, any regrets or encouraging thoughts on your students' experience as they are ending at Walls and headed to college?

I have reviewed the website in terms of DC Lottery, open houses, admission criteria, etc. I have a few questions.[b]

What can you share about the essay? Is the essay in person and timed? (elsewhere online this was implied but not stated on the website) Any other testing?

I assume along with transcripts and recommendation letters, the private schools send ERBs since we don't do CAPE. Do they review all of 7th and 8th ERBs?

If your student has a testing accommodation with the private school when applying was that verification enough for any in-person timed testing? My student does not (yet) have a 504. I understand from the SWW website that it says that after admissions those documents will be accepted.

My student and I have started talking about the admissions process and the interview piece, including how competitive admissions is, even with the grades and all the other strengths. I would like to be confident, realistic, and flexible. No matter what, my student has options. I have heard many students check all the boxes and don't get an offer. With that in mind, my student really appreciates planning ahead anyway. What information can you share about the TOUR DAY for admitted students, especially this year's tour day? (My student has hosted shadow students at their school and thinks they will get one for Walls. I said probably not.)

I'm also speaking with my student's care team regarding the plan for testing if 504 accommodation is deemed medically appropriate to have those items in line.

I will add that having taught at GW as an adjunct professor, that's how I heard about Walls (before kids!) It's an option I have always followed and had interest in, but of course, wanted to wait to see their developments, needs, fit etc. Through the years, I have seen bright students get into Walls and choose their local public. I have seen bright students enter from private and from public. Asking them directly, nobody regrets accepting Walls from private or rejecting Walls for inbound public. My mindset is about being prepared and supporting my student going through the experience. My student has friends in sports who attend Walls and has a good amount of anecdotal feedback. I will help with speaking with students who attend our local public HS as well.

Greatly appreciate any support you can provide to a stranger on the internet!

If you can afford it, would not leave private for Walls!

[Anonymous]

I know multiple families who chose Walls over private (were admitted to top privates and put down a deposit before knowing if they got into Walls, then chose Walls when they got in). Fine if you prefer private, but you certainly won’t be alone if private is your backup if you don’t get into walls.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I know multiple families who chose Walls over private (were admitted to top privates and put down a deposit before knowing if they got into Walls, then chose Walls when they got in). Fine if you prefer private, but you certainly won’t be alone if private is your backup if you don’t get into walls.

I know a lot of families who looked at walls and wondered why on earth you’d leave a school with great extracurriculars and lots of interesting course offerings for one without strong advanced coursework and dwindling Extracurriculars. But I guess not all privates are equal of course.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I know multiple families who chose Walls over private (were admitted to top privates and put down a deposit before knowing if they got into Walls, then chose Walls when they got in). Fine if you prefer private, but you certainly won’t be alone if private is your backup if you don’t get into walls.

I know a lot of families who looked at walls and wondered why on earth you’d leave a school with great extracurriculars and lots of interesting course offerings for one without strong advanced coursework and dwindling Extracurriculars. But I guess not all privates are equal of course.

What ECs has Walls cut or lost in the past few years?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I know multiple families who chose Walls over private (were admitted to top privates and put down a deposit before knowing if they got into Walls, then chose Walls when they got in). Fine if you prefer private, but you certainly won’t be alone if private is your backup if you don’t get into walls.

I know a lot of families who looked at walls and wondered why on earth you’d leave a school with great extracurriculars and lots of interesting course offerings for one without strong advanced coursework and dwindling Extracurriculars. But I guess not all privates are equal of course.

What ECs has Walls cut or lost in the past few years?

This idea of losing things is new to me. What I think is closer to reality is that which clubs and so forth are really active depends on the interests of the current teachers and students. That's true at all small and mid-size schools.

[Anonymous]

OP here: testing - thanks - I probably got old information re CAPE scores. Good to know about the recent process.

Those saying "stay in private" I wonder if you have experience in DCPS and private. I do. I admit, I was surprised when I first heard of kids leaving top DC privates for Walls... I thought "why would you do that?" These are teens who I hired to work with my kids on various sports coaching. I asked "oh and do you like it?" They said they loved it. I don't know, maybe they appreciated co-ed or their school was a pressure cooker. One said "the social drama at private was too much". I decided that our plans should be flexible based on a variety of factors that fit the child and our family. Mine is thriving academically in private, but there are reasons to make the change. My other child has been DCPS all the way and it's been comparable with the private kid TBH. I would think with all these options of students and the admissions criteria of grades, letters, and nterviews, Walls has high achieving bright students who want to attend every day, want to learn and engage with inspiring teachers, want to do sports and clubs that interest them. If they have Math Olympiad, debate, model UN, that should work for mine. Hopefully some of the clubs would be during the school day. We are keeping our options open, but from where I sit, Walls is an EXCELLENT option and I'm frankly surprised to find people dogging it. Hmmmmm... I'll search to find out what's "wrong" at Walls. But my child knows people there and we know a few families. We are only hearing good things.

[Anonymous]

People leave seemingly great situations for all kinds of reasons. One big reason is just because they want to try something new. Meet new friends, try a new environment. Why would that be shocking?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:People leave seemingly great situations for all kinds of reasons. One big reason is just because they want to try something new. Meet new friends, try a new environment. Why would that be shocking?

Usually people don’t downgrade but you do you!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here: testing - thanks - I probably got old information re CAPE scores. Good to know about the recent process.

Those saying "stay in private" I wonder if you have experience in DCPS and private. I do. I admit, I was surprised when I first heard of kids leaving top DC privates for Walls... I thought "why would you do that?" These are teens who I hired to work with my kids on various sports coaching. I asked "oh and do you like it?" They said they loved it. I don't know, maybe they appreciated co-ed or their school was a pressure cooker. One said "the social drama at private was too much". I decided that our plans should be flexible based on a variety of factors that fit the child and our family. Mine is thriving academically in private, but there are reasons to make the change. My other child has been DCPS all the way and it's been comparable with the private kid TBH. I would think with all these options of students and the admissions criteria of grades, letters, and nterviews, Walls has high achieving bright students who want to attend every day, want to learn and engage with inspiring teachers, want to do sports and clubs that interest them. If they have Math Olympiad, debate, model UN, that should work for mine. Hopefully some of the clubs would be during the school day. We are keeping our options open, but from where I sit, Walls is an EXCELLENT option and I'm frankly surprised to find people dogging it. Hmmmmm... I'll search to find out what's "wrong" at Walls. But my child knows people there and we know a few families. We are only hearing good things.

Have you visited the school? I would go to an open house with your kid before making any sort of decision. We decided not to apply after attending an open house.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here: testing - thanks - I probably got old information re CAPE scores. Good to know about the recent process.

Those saying "stay in private" I wonder if you have experience in DCPS and private. I do. I admit, I was surprised when I first heard of kids leaving top DC privates for Walls... I thought "why would you do that?" These are teens who I hired to work with my kids on various sports coaching. I asked "oh and do you like it?" They said they loved it. I don't know, maybe they appreciated co-ed or their school was a pressure cooker. One said "the social drama at private was too much". I decided that our plans should be flexible based on a variety of factors that fit the child and our family. Mine is thriving academically in private, but there are reasons to make the change. My other child has been DCPS all the way and it's been comparable with the private kid TBH. I would think with all these options of students and the admissions criteria of grades, letters, and nterviews, Walls has high achieving bright students who want to attend every day, want to learn and engage with inspiring teachers, want to do sports and clubs that interest them. If they have Math Olympiad, debate, model UN, that should work for mine. Hopefully some of the clubs would be during the school day. We are keeping our options open, but from where I sit, Walls is an EXCELLENT option and I'm frankly surprised to find people dogging it. Hmmmmm... I'll search to find out what's "wrong" at Walls. But my child knows people there and we know a few families. We are only hearing good things.

Have you visited the school? I would go to an open house with your kid before making any sort of decision. We decided not to apply after attending an open house.

I was super excited about the school until I saw my stem kid would not have the courses they need to get into the college/major of their choosing. I’m sure it’s great for some but not for us.

[Anonymous]

I love that OP came on asking for advice from people whose kids were admitted to Walls from private and got a bunch of people whose kids don't go to Walls dumping on the school. One person offered actual advice. Never change, DCUM.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here: testing - thanks - I probably got old information re CAPE scores. Good to know about the recent process.

Those saying "stay in private" I wonder if you have experience in DCPS and private. I do. I admit, I was surprised when I first heard of kids leaving top DC privates for Walls... I thought "why would you do that?" These are teens who I hired to work with my kids on various sports coaching. I asked "oh and do you like it?" They said they loved it. I don't know, maybe they appreciated co-ed or their school was a pressure cooker. One said "the social drama at private was too much". I decided that our plans should be flexible based on a variety of factors that fit the child and our family. Mine is thriving academically in private, but there are reasons to make the change. My other child has been DCPS all the way and it's been comparable with the private kid TBH. I would think with all these options of students and the admissions criteria of grades, letters, and nterviews, Walls has high achieving bright students who want to attend every day, want to learn and engage with inspiring teachers, want to do sports and clubs that interest them. If they have Math Olympiad, debate, model UN, that should work for mine. Hopefully some of the clubs would be during the school day. We are keeping our options open, but from where I sit, Walls is an EXCELLENT option and I'm frankly surprised to find people dogging it. Hmmmmm... I'll search to find out what's "wrong" at Walls. But my child knows people there and we know a few families. We are only hearing good things.

Have you visited the school? I would go to an open house with your kid before making any sort of decision. We decided not to apply after attending an open house.

I was super excited about the school until I saw my stem kid would not have the courses they need to get into the college/major of their choosing. I’m sure it’s great for some but not for us.

That is a reasonable conclusion. I'd guess that really serious STEM kids at Walls are taking college classes at GW in math or science; there are a couple different options/programs.