Compare Latin to Wilson for High School

[Anonymous]

How easy is it for a child to “get lost” at Wilson? I should ask how much of a self starter/take initiative attitude is necessary to do well there?

[Anonymous]

Wilson is a part of DCPS. Every spring there is a discussion on how the budget is cut again.

Every year there is a thread on some event at the school where there is a fight or other threat to the students [what was the driver behind not being able to bring liquids into the school?]

I know a child who was moved to another school after she was an innocent bystander

[Anonymous]

How would you compare teachers at Latin v Wilson?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Wilson is a part of DCPS. Every spring there is a discussion on how the budget is cut again.

Every year there is a thread on some event at the school where there is a fight or other threat to the students [what was the driver behind not being able to bring liquids into the school?]

I know a child who was moved to another school after she was an innocent bystander

I suppose you believe other conspiracy theories, like the moon landing was fake? Throwing out this conjecture is bullshit and gives a bad rap to a lot of great kids. Shame!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wilson is a part of DCPS. Every spring there is a discussion on how the budget is cut again.

Every year there is a thread on some event at the school where there is a fight or other threat to the students [what was the driver behind not being able to bring liquids into the school?]

I know a child who was moved to another school after she was an innocent bystander

I suppose you believe other conspiracy theories, like the moon landing was fake? Throwing out this conjecture is bullshit and gives a bad rap to a lot of great kids. Shame!

Yeah, there are a lot of people who seem to spend a lot of time writing weird, made up negative stuff about Wilson. Happens every single time a thread mentions Wilson. It's like a disease.

For anyone who cares, liquids aren't banned. my kid brings a thermos of tea in to Wilson every day. Most of his friends bring water bottles.

My kid is a junior and has never been in a fight or been "an innocent bystander", whatever the hell that means.

There's plenty to quibble with the school about (like disorganization among some athletic teams, teachers not entering grades in a timely manner, etc.). No need to make stuff up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:To answer OP's question, my DD is a high schooler at Latin and we love the small classes, amazing teachers, and non-competitive sports (i.e. my DD can actually be on a team). However, it is a small environment socially, which may not be right for every kid. My sense from the few families we know at Wilson is that it is a big, fun school with lots going on but not a lot of individual attention from the teachers or administrators.

I know nothing about Latin, but DS's experience of Wilson has been that kids can get individual attention IF they seek it out (e.g. go in to see teachers for office hours). DS has done a lot of that this year, and it's been helpful.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How would you compare teachers at Latin v Wilson?

When our child was at Latin, teachers were funny, with-it, genuine, smart committed. They really connected as mentors. I'd say they are one of Latins strongest features, especially for teenagers

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Wilson is a part of DCPS. Every spring there is a discussion on how the budget is cut again.

RE the budget -- it is being "cut" because the number of at-risk students has been steadily falling. Schools serving larger at-risk populations get more money to serve those students (although it appears, based on reporting by the Post, that many principals have not been using the funding on targetted supports for those students but rather on general overhead or needs).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What are the pluses or minuses of each and how do they compare? Why would you choose one for your child over another?

I assume you are currently enrolled in Latin MS and thinking about staying vs going to Wilson which is your IB school? The families I know who were in this position were at Latin b/c their oldest won the lottery for middle school when Hardy was not an option. Once they were at Latin - their social network with friends became stronger each year and they wanted to stay through graduation. [although I also know of a few who did not go to Wilson or Latin]

Wilson is a large urban HS. You walk through metal detectors. Like many DCPS, the performance and behavior challenges have changed as the city has gone through a major gentrification the last 10 years - but it is still an very large urban high school.

Would you mind sharing what you mean by continuing to call it an urban school? Other that metal detectors (which would have prevented Haynes stabbing and many school shootings), what are you saying by calling it Urban over and over agin?

(NP) Both Latin and Wilson are urban high schools. They are both in the city, and both will be listed as urban for college purposes.

[Anonymous]

I know a few kids who moved from Latin to Wilson for high school. They liked Latin but moved because they wanted more extra-curricular opportunities, interested in the Wilson newspaper, more sports, to be with more friends from elementary school, a bigger environment and the musical.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I know a few kids who moved from Latin to Wilson for high school. They liked Latin but moved because they wanted more extra-curricular opportunities, interested in the Wilson newspaper, more sports, to be with more friends from elementary school, a bigger environment and the musical.

Athletics are a huge difference but, fwiw, Latin has a great school musical every year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I know a few kids who moved from Latin to Wilson for high school. They liked Latin but moved because they wanted more extra-curricular opportunities, interested in the Wilson newspaper, more sports, to be with more friends from elementary school, a bigger environment and the musical.

Same. For some a happy transition, and for some not. Leaving before HS is a decision based on middle school. I'd say latin HS is more dynamic, but maintains those close relationships. Some of the students we know who shifted were subsequently.underwhelmed (not all).