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DC Public and Public Charter Schools
Washington Latin
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Anonymous
| Sorry, should have mentioned Banneker. |
Anonymous
| No need to get nasty when people disagree. People can have different opinions about a school. One person can think science is terrific and another can find it less so. It is helpful for prospective parents to hear all those opinions. No need for snippy comments. |
Anonymous
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Sorry, but saying that "science is terrible" is pretty snippy too.
The best comments come from parents with kids in the school. I would hope that's true of all the posters here who are posting about the school, but I'm just not sure. |
Anonymous
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Sorry, but saying that "science is terrible" is pretty snippy too. And actually misrepresenting the school's curriculum is worse than snippy.
The best comments come from parents with kids in the school. I would hope that's true of all the posters here who are posting about the school, but I'm just not sure. |
Anonymous
Can you explain why science is terrible? It would be helpful to have concrete examples. |
Anonymous
I think you are assuming all the negative comments are coming from one poster. They are not. I posted only one negative comment regarding the science. I did not misrepresent the school's curriculum. I just gave my opinion based on my experience as a parent. Sorry if it offended you. |
Anonymous
Too theoretical to engage middle schoolers, insufficent field or lab work, odd textbooks at some levels. I suspect the school administrators would admit to weakness in this area. |
Anonymous
| Well, your informed and balanced opinions are most welcome. It's better for all if strengths and flaws are discussed fairly. And if you feel like helping to rebut Aeschylus mom that would be welcome too, as I feel like I'm doing all the heavy lifting. |
Anonymous
| My son attends Washington Latin Public Charter School, grade 6, and absolutely loves it. As someone who studied the classics myself, it thrills me that he is competing in debate club on Saturdays and working on a Latin scrapbook. No school is perfect for every child, and there is no school in which every single subject will captivate every child every year-- but Washington Latin Public Charter School offers a stimulating curriculum within an intimate, quirky framework. The school has a lot of heart, bright teachers and great children (think the full spectrum of DC's diversity meets Harry Potter). We are satisfied that he is learning as much as he would elsewhere, but getting an experience he would not get elsewhere. The first DC classics-based education--for curious, aware children--for free! |
Anonymous
That's great, PP. This is his 1st year of Latin? (I'm guessing here, b/c I'm under the impression the school begins at grade 6.) What other classes is he taking? And is the school 6-8? |
Anonymous
| The school starts in 5th grade. |
Anonymous
I am very interested in the school for my rising 5th grader and have been very impressed with what I have seen so far. I am a bit concerned about breaks and the lack of recess for my very social, sports oriented son. Would someone who has a child at the school be able to comment on whether this is a problem? Is there a recess that I just didn't see? I thought I heard at the open house that PE was every other day, but perhaps I am wrong? What sorts of after-school sports are there? Thanks! |
Anonymous
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Hi there,
The children do not have recess but, in all truth, my son doesn't raise an eyebrow about that as they do sit and talk at lunch and then have PE very frequently. They get out to local parks and tracks and do organized athletic activities. In the upper grades there are organized sports teams that compete all over the city. The after-school offerings (not mandatory in lower grades) are high quality, and include sports. In the upper grades a sport after school is mandatory. You can contact the school's athletic director if you have more questions (the website should have contact info.). My son is a nice, normally active little boy and he enjoys the daily routine of Latin. We offer him every year the opportunity to go to a diff school (we are in-boundary for Deal, and I teach in ritzy DC private) but he is quite content; in fact, he has found a great place for himself, wonderful friends (including rock band mates that practice on weekends), and teachers /subject matter he really likes. Please fire away any more questions-- |
Anonymous
| I think my daughter would enjoy the academic side, but she's not athletic at all. Will this be a problem in the upper grades, or is there some sort of soft option for girls who just aren't interested? |
Anonymous
| I think the attitude is sports for fitness and health (for example, they have the encouraging, morale boosting 'girls on the run' program for girls after school). It is not that hard-core, crazy, competitive type-A sports--no kids whacking each other aggressively with hockey sticks. Just lots of different normal opps for kids to be active and for those who want more, to compete. I know the after school clubs have had options like yoga and tae kwon doe in the pas, but I am not sure about the after school upper school mandatory sports. If you have specific concerns, contact Mr. Bettancourt-- the athletic director at the school. He is very competent and well-liked by the children. Most of the kids look like they are just having fun as they come and go from these sports activities; they seem very playful and collegial. I think the bigger issue for children engaged in after school sports is they need to learn to manage their solid load of homework and projects, with participating in an after-school activity. The upper school sports is not required every day after school year round--just to be clear. I believe it is a requirement for a season (there has been discussion about spreading it year-round, but a few times a week) and is a requirement because in the upper school the children do NOT have PE (I believe), but must secure an athletic credit per graduation--hence an after-school sport requirement. |