Quality of education at Washington International School (primary school)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do kids ever switch languages in upper school after "mastering" another?

Not in my experience, but it may have happened in certain circumstances. I do know many families who choose the "other" language to begin in PS meaning that they may speak Spanish at home, but choose to put their kids on the French track. However, they also have a chinese program that begins in 6th grade. Many kids will pick that language up while continuing their other track.

Also, just to note - by the end of 5th grade the kids will be speaking the language, writing in the language and fully communicating in the language; however, the continuation of the language into the middle and upper school years will allow them to learn how to analyze and think critically in that language rather than simply communicating in it. The language program moves to more English in the middle school and more intensive spanish/french/chinese languages.

Hope that helps.

[Anonymous]

Our child was accepted to 1st grade and these posts have been very helpful and are much appreciated. It is interesting to note that these posts are much more current, more literate, and more specific than commentaries offered on other sites.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Our child was accepted to 1st grade and these posts have been very helpful and are much appreciated. It is interesting to note that these posts are much more current, more literate, and more specific than commentaries offered on other sites.

Agree. My child was also accepted to 1st grade, but we'll decline.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Our child was accepted to 1st grade and these posts have been very helpful and are much appreciated. It is interesting to note that these posts are much more current, more literate, and more specific than commentaries offered on other sites.

Mine was just accepted to the 2nd grade. We are excited!!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Another WIS parent here. DS has been at WIS since 1st grade and is now in 8th grade and DD has been there since K and is now in 6th grade. We are very happy with the school. Our kids are engaged, inquisitive, poised, well-rounded and most importantly, very, very happy there. We think a lot of this has to do with the school, the community and quality of education. Strongly recommend it.

I totally agree, WIS is by far the best primary and middle school program my children have attended. My now-8th grader began in pk3.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Our child was accepted to 1st grade and these posts have been very helpful and are much appreciated. It is interesting to note that these posts are much more current, more literate, and more specific than commentaries offered on other sites.

Mine was just accepted to the 2nd grade. We are excited!!!

Well this is encouraging to hear. DD will be a rising 2nd grader when we apply and I figured this was a nearly impossible entry year. Which language?

[Anonymous]

They just changed the entry year for the Spanish track. English-only students can now apply to enter in 2nd grade. Before, I believe a student had to be nearly fluent in Spanish to begin WIS at any grade other than PreK or K.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They just changed the entry year for the Spanish track. English-only students can now apply to enter in 2nd grade. Before, I believe a student had to be nearly fluent in Spanish to begin WIS at any grade other than PreK or K.

Not true. There have long been a few opportunities each year (through attrition--often families moving abroad) in grades 1+. Children entering WIS after K can start in the "Spanish as an additional language" program (it's not called "second" language because many of the entering children already have 2 or 3 languages, just not Spanish). Some are able to move quickly into the regular immersion track, and some take longer to get there. I believe this entry point is now available in very small numbers for the French program as well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They just changed the entry year for the Spanish track. English-only students can now apply to enter in 2nd grade. Before, I believe a student had to be nearly fluent in Spanish to begin WIS at any grade other than PreK or K.

Not true. There have long been a few opportunities each year (through attrition--often families moving abroad) in grades 1+. Children entering WIS after K can start in the "Spanish as an additional language" program (it's not called "second" language because many of the entering children already have 2 or 3 languages, just not Spanish). Some are able to move quickly into the regular immersion track, and some take longer to get there. I believe this entry point is now available in very small numbers for the French program as well.

How would this work for a 2nd grader with three years of French immersion already for the French program?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They just changed the entry year for the Spanish track. English-only students can now apply to enter in 2nd grade. Before, I believe a student had to be nearly fluent in Spanish to begin WIS at any grade other than PreK or K.

Not true. There have long been a few opportunities each year (through attrition--often families moving abroad) in grades 1+. Children entering WIS after K can start in the "Spanish as an additional language" program (it's not called "second" language because many of the entering children already have 2 or 3 languages, just not Spanish). Some are able to move quickly into the regular immersion track, and some take longer to get there. I believe this entry point is now available in very small numbers for the French program as well.

How would this work for a 2nd grader with three years of French immersion already for the French program?

If your child is already fluent in French or at least has had several years of French then he/she will be put in the advanced dual language class for 2nd grade. The admissions office (or the teachers) will most likely test the child to make sure they are prepared for the class. If they've had 3 of French immersion they should be on the same level as the other kids in the advanced class.

The PPs are correct that the opportunity for kids to enter WIS without any Spanish language has been in place for several years (8-10 years now). It was called "Spanish as a Second Language or SSL". Kids who had no Spanish or very little were able to enter WIS in 2nd grade. The goal is to have them join the advanced dual language program once they are able. The school has now made some changes to the name (as noted above). It's now called "Spanish as an Additional Language". In addition, they have added the opportunity in the same way for the French program - "French as an Additional Language". I believe both programs start in 2nd grade - at least when we were at the Primary School (my kids are now in middle & upper school) it started in 2nd grade. Prior to these programs it was impossible to join WIS after K unless you were a fluent speaker of Spanish or French. I'm glad they have expanded the program. It's great for families interested in joining the school.

[Anonymous]

**3 years of French...

[Anonymous]

Thanks PP! DD will have 1 year in a French preschool and 2 years at the local Lycée when we apply for 2nd. WIS seems like a wonderful school.

[Anonymous]

We found the parent community very warm and accepting...however the academics did not satisfy our youngsters. If your child is an avid learner, he will not be challenged. Proceed with caution and remember, you can always change your mind.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We found the parent community very warm and accepting...however the academics did not satisfy our youngsters. If your child is an avid learner, he will not be challenged. Proceed with caution and remember, you can always change your mind.

where did you end up? aren't many of the big privates fairly easy in elementary, then it really kicks in later for MS and HS? I have heard WIS is quite rigorous for high school with the IB program, is that not correct?

[Anonymous]

The turnover is at the Tregaron campus.