WES/Norwood

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Norwood has stronger HS placements.

Stronger based on what evidence? Could you please share?

[Anonymous]

Don't know about WES HS placement but I have a Norwood graduate and lots of friends with kids who graduated before and after my DS's class year and Norwood does an unbelievable job of HS placement. They must have an incredible relationship with the bulk of the big players in the DC metropolitan area and I can say that almost to a person, every single student in my DS's 64 student graduating class ended up with a powerful placement, usually their first or second choice school, most with choices to be made between two or three. Part of what you buy when you select Norwood is their knowledge of and connection with the various area high schools and their ability to understand each of their students and how they each cross-reference with the cultures of the area high schools. Maybe this is the same elsewhere too, but I can tell you Norwood is a great investment if you are looking to secure your child's HS future.

[Anonymous]

Wes has an absolutely outstanding hs placement process and results, too. The impressive list of acceptances is on the home page. On top of being very well prepared to go on to all of the competitive area independent schools (and a few boarding and local public schools), Wes students have an incredibly low rate of changing high schools, which reflects how successful and individualized the process is.

We have two boys at wes, have all been very happy for years and can't imagine changing schools. My boys have truly thrived and flourished at wes. Norwood seems like a wonderful school, too. I think choosing schools is such a tough and individual process, and the right match for each family can depend on so many factors and your general gut feeling when visiting the school. The posted discussion brings up good questions to ask the schools. Good luck with your decision!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Norwood has stronger HS placements.

Stronger based on what evidence? Could you please share?

I have had kids at both schools, and there is no difference in placements. The same sorts of kids at both schools get into the same sorts of high schools.

[Anonymous]

We had one wonderful year at WES, but this year has been very disappointing. It has been very unwelcoming for our boy and the academics have not challenged him. Definitely, keep researching. Basically, WES sounds better than it really is.

[Anonymous]

I was a WES parent, but fed up with the nasty teachers running the school, so pulled all three kids out. Wish I can gone to Norwood from the start.

Do ask WES about turnover. The boys start leaving in second grade. Then anyone else who can leave does. Those that cannot leave, stay. New kids are brought in - if WES can find them - so there is reshuffling every year. And by the time you get to graduation you class is a fraction of what it started to be, plus only a few kids in that class were in your child's original class. Just too much turnover.

Bear in mind also that the endowments of the two school are miles apart.

[Anonymous]

I would choose norwood cautiously. The new head of the lower school is a train wreck waiting to happen. But over all in the 3 years we have been there we are mostly happy. My nephew went to WES and my sister pulled him after a year. It was a nightmare.

[Anonymous]

We are a Norwood family and it has been great. One of my kids has already graduated and the other two are still very happy there. I am sure WES is lovely too, but I can not speak for it. As far as the Virginia commuter question, Norwood has plenty of VA families and runs a bus service in the mornings. Afternoons you are on your own as all the grades get out at varrying times depending on sports and other stuff.

[Anonymous]

Avoid WES. Unchecked mean teachers. The third grade is a real problem in particular.

[Anonymous]

Please elaborate on mean teachers...

[Anonymous]

The sixth grade teacher screams so loudly when he is upset you can hear him in the school counselor's ofice.

[Anonymous]

And WES does nothing . Same as ever while families vote with their feet.

[Anonymous]

As a WES parent, I beg to differ with previous negative posts on WES. Our experience with the school has been great. I am sorry that not everybody sees it that way. Each school has its negatives and positives and not every parent will be happy with every quality of each school. Besides these anonymous forums serve as a place to vent mostly negative emotions.

Given contradictory posts on the school, I would suggest dropping by the school outside the open houses with your son.

WES is a great school and I am sure so is Norwood (although I have no experience there). At the end location will be the determining factor.

[Anonymous]

Well the new head at WES has done something. He did not renew the problematic third grade teacher's contract and has put the Lower School Director on probation.

[Anonymous]

20:52, how do you know this? This WES parent has heard nothing about that. Not sure this is a great place to air information that has not been shared with the community (if it is true).