getting into middle/high schools

[Anonymous]

I'm divorced, and I can't help but wonder about the student: Does he know about these plans? Is he on board? I would think he's old enough to have a say in this. What it sounds like is the switch from one mixed school system to another, with all sorts of transition/social changes to deal with, which at this age cannot be underestimated. Walls, Ellington and Wilson's academies are all selective programs. I believe the applications are online, he'd need recommendations from current teachers, etc.

As for a place that's easy to check up on him and see how he's doing, some DC schools have coursework and grades online. That can help a motivationally challenged student. Also this age is pretty notorious for this kind of spotty underperformance. He may be more focused in a year or two.

I know students who've worked with academic coaches, the focus is organization, pacing, study skills. Maybe he hasn't be taught how to learn? Maybe he could do that over the summer and over next year, maybe there'd be an improvement.

Good luck ....

[Anonymous]

OP, my dd was in Ellington. FYI there's a big time commitment required by all the programs -- not a bad thing because it keeps kids busy and out of trouble. But much of the student body is not very concerned about academics. Not surprisingly kids want to focus on their art.

Kids can do well at Wilson but dd feels that if she had gone to Wilson she would have become a slacker -- not that she was all that devoted to academics at Ellington either, but there were fewer opportunities for her to get into trouble.

Ellington is a warm community which challenges kids to step up in their chosen field, so it might be good for the young man, if he is truly interested in a particular art.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm divorced, and I can't help but wonder about the student: Does he know about these plans? Is he on board? I would think he's old enough to have a say in this. What it sounds like is the switch from one mixed school system to another, with all sorts of transition/social changes to deal with, which at this age cannot be underestimated.

Yes, I totally agree. I think it could end up making things worse, personally. No one involved wants this to happen. He is already in counseling, he has been to tutors to help him learn organizational skills, etc. in the past. He knows we are talking about this. Hopefully something breaks through to him on this so he can just stay where he's at and we can forgo all of this. But at this point it seems like it would be prudent to have him apply to high schools next year so that if we end up needing him to, he can move in with us and not end up in our horrible local school.

Thanks for the input on Wilson & Ellington. Good things to know! Anyone know if any of them have the online tracking stuff?

[Anonymous]

23:13 I'm assuming you're the OP ... I can ask about friends about Wilson, whether it's got online tracking.