Would you choose School Without Walls over the private HS in which your DC is accepted?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DC got into SWW, GDS and Sidwell and shadowed at all three. DC reported that there was a dramatic difference between experience at SWW and that of Sidwell/GDS. in particular, the cohort attending DC’s various classes all day, the level of discourse, and the attitude of many of the teachers and their engagement with the students.

I don’t know why these factors are all but ignored in the many threads on this exact topic. The only aspect that is ever mentioned — seriously, ever — is college matriculation. As if that’s the only point of attending high school for high-ability teens: precisely how high does your college rank on the USNWR list?

OP here: can you be more specific? Which schools looked better during the shadow days, and how different were the levels of discourse, etc? I happen to agree with your comment about college matriculation -- for us the most important thing is the quality of the education, not the matriculation data.

[Anonymous]

Yes. Then or Banneker!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DC got into SWW, GDS and Sidwell and shadowed at all three. DC reported that there was a dramatic difference between experience at SWW and that of Sidwell/GDS. in particular, the cohort attending DC’s various classes all day, the level of discourse, and the attitude of many of the teachers and their engagement with the students.

I don’t know why these factors are all but ignored in the many threads on this exact topic. The only aspect that is ever mentioned — seriously, ever — is college matriculation. As if that’s the only point of attending high school for high-ability teens: precisely how high does your college rank on the USNWR list?

#14.......and attending and graduating from a great university is pretty high for most serious kids. Now if you have a trust fund I guess it doesn't matter..

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If I was poor I certainly would have my kid go to SWW. They have really bad sports offerings though.

I believe you meant to say, "If I were poor... "
Signed,
Public school kid

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DC got into SWW, GDS and Sidwell and shadowed at all three. DC reported that there was a dramatic difference between experience at SWW and that of Sidwell/GDS. in particular, the cohort attending DC’s various classes all day, the level of discourse, and the attitude of many of the teachers and their engagement with the students.

I don’t know why these factors are all but ignored in the many threads on this exact topic. The only aspect that is ever mentioned — seriously, ever — is college matriculation. As if that’s the only point of attending high school for high-ability teens: precisely how high does your college rank on the USNWR list?

I’m with you — what’s the experience of the 4 HS years like? College will workbotself out.

But to clarify, are you saying Sidwell/GDS were more impressive than SWW?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If I was poor I certainly would have my kid go to SWW. They have really bad sports offerings though.

I believe you meant to say, "If I were poor... "
Signed,
Public school kid

Ha, ha - I totally thought the same thing.

Signed,
A TJ kid

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DC got into SWW, GDS and Sidwell and shadowed at all three. DC reported that there was a dramatic difference between experience at SWW and that of Sidwell/GDS. in particular, the cohort attending DC’s various classes all day, the level of discourse, and the attitude of many of the teachers and their engagement with the students.

I don’t know why these factors are all but ignored in the many threads on this exact topic. The only aspect that is ever mentioned — seriously, ever — is college matriculation. As if that’s the only point of attending high school for high-ability teens: precisely how high does your college rank on the USNWR list?

They are ignored to preempt the obvious comments some woke PP will make -- you are racist and classist and privileged and so on.

[Anonymous]

DD chose private. Walls was #2, followed by other privates.

If she is accepted to Walls, we will tell them she won't go there - and I promise to do that asap.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DC got into SWW, GDS and Sidwell and shadowed at all three. DC reported that there was a dramatic difference between experience at SWW and that of Sidwell/GDS. in particular, the cohort attending DC’s various classes all day, the level of discourse, and the attitude of many of the teachers and their engagement with the students.

I don’t know why these factors are all but ignored in the many threads on this exact topic. The only aspect that is ever mentioned — seriously, ever — is college matriculation. As if that’s the only point of attending high school for high-ability teens: precisely how high does your college rank on the USNWR list?

+1

Our DS applied at SWW as backup if top private’s didnt pan out. They did, and he will decline SWW walls if its offered. I understand why folks choose SWW but for our family it isn’t about college matriculation or cost of public vs private but instead about quality of experience and for our child SWW is a lesser option.

[Anonymous]

If the private option was Sidwell or the like, that is the school I would choose, because I would feel my child was getting very challenging academics, a strong intellectual cohort and teachers, and a robust experience of activity and sports offerings. If I calould not comfortably afford that, I would happily send DC to SWW but I would feel the facilities/sports/spirit aspect was probably not as good.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:College placement stats for "Walls" are fantastic...

http://www.swwhs.org/student-news/college-matriculation/

It's a shame they haven't updated these. My DC graduated from SWW last year and after seeing some snarky comments about the college admissions rates, I looked up three years' worth of data on Naviance. Roughly 6-8% of the class over the past three years has been admitted to an Ivy, including the full range of HYP. The numbers were especially impressive to me because most of them were *not* ED, because many of the kids can't afford to apply without being able to compare financial aid packages and don't have a legacy boost. I did a quick search but can't find my original post, while included specific #s.

I second this. I know kids from the last three graduating classes and two from about 5-6 years ago that declined top schools because they couldn't afford to enroll. 3 of these kids ended up at GW. Two of them were truly exceptional students and are now in excellent PhD programs. So counting "HYP" admits (hate that asinine shorthand) is stupid, not to mention comparing these stats to those from schools like Sidwell and GDS where most parents can afford to send their children anywhere they get in. I would know, I am one of those parents.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:College placement stats for "Walls" are fantastic...

http://www.swwhs.org/student-news/college-matriculation/

It's a shame they haven't updated these. My DC graduated from SWW last year and after seeing some snarky comments about the college admissions rates, I looked up three years' worth of data on Naviance. Roughly 6-8% of the class over the past three years has been admitted to an Ivy, including the full range of HYP. The numbers were especially impressive to me because most of them were *not* ED, because many of the kids can't afford to apply without being able to compare financial aid packages and don't have a legacy boost. I did a quick search but can't find my original post, while included specific #s.

I second this. I know kids from the last three graduating classes and two from about 5-6 years ago that declined top schools because they couldn't afford to enroll. 3 of these kids ended up at GW. Two of them were truly exceptional students and are now in excellent PhD programs. So counting "HYP" admits (hate that asinine shorthand) is stupid, not to mention comparing these stats to those from schools like Sidwell and GDS where most parents can afford to send their children anywhere they get in. I would know, I am one of those parents.

Could a SWW parent here please post the last three years SWW college acceptance list? That would be so helpful!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:College placement stats for "Walls" are fantastic...

http://www.swwhs.org/student-news/college-matriculation/

It's a shame they haven't updated these. My DC graduated from SWW last year and after seeing some snarky comments about the college admissions rates, I looked up three years' worth of data on Naviance. Roughly 6-8% of the class over the past three years has been admitted to an Ivy, including the full range of HYP. The numbers were especially impressive to me because most of them were *not* ED, because many of the kids can't afford to apply without being able to compare financial aid packages and don't have a legacy boost. I did a quick search but can't find my original post, while included specific #s.

I second this. I know kids from the last three graduating classes and two from about 5-6 years ago that declined top schools because they couldn't afford to enroll. 3 of these kids ended up at GW. Two of them were truly exceptional students and are now in excellent PhD programs. So counting "HYP" admits (hate that asinine shorthand) is stupid, not to mention comparing these stats to those from schools like Sidwell and GDS where most parents can afford to send their children anywhere they get in. I would know, I am one of those parents.

That's generally why these lists usually include stats for both admission AND matriculation.

[Anonymous]

For high school, and assuming that we could comfortably afford the private, I'd let my kid choose. There are advantages and disadvantages to both options.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If the private option was Sidwell or the like, that is the school I would choose, because I would feel my child was getting very challenging academics, a strong intellectual cohort and teachers, and a robust experience of activity and sports offerings. If I calould not comfortably afford that, I would happily send DC to SWW but I would feel the facilities/sports/spirit aspect was probably not as good.

Exactly our thoughts. DC ended up choosing private (and we can afford it). But I like the idea of a public very urban high school. It was a hard decision.