I never hear much about WIS, what’s good or bad about it?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The best thing to do is to go visit the school. It will give you a better sense than anything you will get on DCUM. Also, try to talk to current WIS parents to find out more details. The admissions office might even be able to put you in touch with some parents, if you ask.

My kids were "lifers" at WIS and we were extremely happy with the school. Of course it's not perfect, but no school can claim that title. Our kids who are now in college feel great affection for their time there and would definitely say it prepared them for university. Th community is warm and friendly (not sure what the PP above was talking about, but it sounds like they are basing their opinion on a small pool of people...)

I have some limited knowledge of St. John's through friends and family and it is vastly different than WIS in most ways. It is a fine school with a focus on sports. The academics are perfectly fine, but not as strong as WIS', whereas academics are very strong at WIS, but sports is not a big focus (definitely present, but not a focus).

Again, visit the school. You might find yourself pleasantly surprised, even if you decide that it's not the right fit for your kid.

Good luck!

SMH. I don't know how you can say that the academics are not as strong at St John's.

[Anonymous]

"That's not true - my children are at WIS. The IMF/WB/IDB make up 25-30% of the population at most."

This is not true. The AMERICAN parents make up about 23% of the school. It is strictly still an Int'l school--as it was designed to be. Excellent if you're in the WB or IMF, etc.

It's a wonderful group of parents--the person who said that the American parents at WIS are snooty made me laugh. They are so friendly! And if you feel the Int'l ones are not, it could just be cultural differences.

Check out WIS if you want languages and a cultural experience and a tough academic/IB experience.

Do understand that WIS favors the Int'l families the most. They just do. There's no getting around that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How does it compare to another private school, like St. John’s College High School?

OP, are you sure you mean WIS as in Washington International School? WIS is pretty much the opposite of a Catholic/Christian school.

If you search this forum for WIS you'll see there is a disproportionate amount of hearsay about the school compared to the actual number of current and former families who could comment first hand.

In other words, ignore the trolls who spout things about racism, classism, etc. Don't believe the hype or the hate. It's a school. Compare it to other secular IB high schools to see what you prefer.

[Anonymous]

Perhaps OP is thinking of WES?

[Anonymous]

Can anyone weight in on how well a white kid will fit in who learned spanish as a second language in a public immersion? My kid is shy but we want to conintue with spanish for middle and high school and are considering applying.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Can anyone weight in on how well a white kid will fit in who learned spanish as a second language in a public immersion? My kid is shy but we want to conintue with spanish for middle and high school and are considering applying.

Your kid will fit in perfectly fine. They will need a strong foundation of Spanish so coming from an immersion school will be good and should prove to be a seamless transition. They do have "beginning" Spanish and French classes in the middle and upper school, but I believe kids fare better if they've had a good exposure to the language.

As for the community, it is friendly and open. The administrations for both middle and upper are very good, particularly the middle school as I believe they really "get" middle school aged kids quite well. Definitely visit the school and consider applying.

Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can anyone weight in on how well a white kid will fit in who learned spanish as a second language in a public immersion? My kid is shy but we want to conintue with spanish for middle and high school and are considering applying.

Your kid will fit in perfectly fine. They will need a strong foundation of Spanish so coming from an immersion school will be good and should prove to be a seamless transition. They do have "beginning" Spanish and French classes in the middle and upper school, but I believe kids fare better if they've had a good exposure to the language.

As for the community, it is friendly and open. The administrations for both middle and upper are very good, particularly the middle school as I believe they really "get" middle school aged kids quite well. Definitely visit the school and consider applying.

Good luck!

I agree with this - I especially love the new (two years now) head of school. My kids are lifers at WIS (we're a mixed international/US born family) and they have a lot of friends who have come to WIS at various years from DC public schools. The school tries to maintain 1/3 both parents international, 1/3 mixed like us, and 1/3 pure US families.

So much misinformation on threads about WIS that I don't even bother.....

[Anonymous]

Does anyone know how hard it is for families with native French/Spanish to get into the early years program?

[Anonymous]

Does WIS have entry years or is it more fluid since international families come and go? We’re in an immersion public now for early elementary and are non-native fluent Spanish speakers and interested in WIS for middle and maybe earlier.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Perhaps OP is thinking of WES?

SJC is high school. WES goes to 8th grade. So unlikely.