Why is SWS so white?

[Anonymous]

We are a family of color that lives EOTR and we genuinely liked SWS and placed it high on our list. The only negative we saw was the majority white aspect, which is actually a big deal since we live in DC to avoid this. There’s just virtually no chance of getting in.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We are a family of color that lives EOTR and we genuinely liked SWS and placed it high on our list. The only negative we saw was the majority white aspect, which is actually a big deal since we live in DC to avoid this. There’s just virtually no chance of getting in.

I think the slim odds of anyone getting into the school make it hard to address the majority white issue. With small class sizes, sibling preference, perhaps some POC families choosing not to rank because of demographics/location/vibe, and then the fact that such a small percentage of those who rank the school get a match, I don’t see it changing anytime soon.

It’s an example of how the lottery can work against equity, entrenching existing inequalities when it comes to certain scarce resources (like the particular education approach at SWS).

[Anonymous]

People keep saying that there is no chance of getting in certain schools like SWS yet some kids get in and don’t even put the school in the top spot. Include it as one of the 12 lottery spots and try your hand.

Some people may not be drawn to SWS because of the Reggio curriculum, which they may not understand or appreciate. Then there is the posting on the wall of written prose by students that has plenty of misspelling that may leave parents to wonder.

There is a bus stop near SWS (Goding building) and a doable walk to Union Station. The street car is not too far. Also, plenty of parents drop their kids off on the way to work.

Finally, “School within School” name may leave you wondering.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:People keep saying that there is no chance of getting in certain schools like SWS yet some kids get in and don’t even put the school in the top spot. Include it as one of the 12 lottery spots and try your hand.

Some people may not be drawn to SWS because of the Reggio curriculum, which they may not understand or appreciate. Then there is the posting on the wall of written prose by students that has plenty of misspelling that may leave parents to wonder.

There is a bus stop near SWS (Goding building) and a doable walk to Union Station. The street car is not too far. Also, plenty of parents drop their kids off on the way to work.

Finally, “School within School” name may leave you wondering.

Friendship Armstrong has a Reggio program, so I wouldn’t say Reggio is the reason why.

[Anonymous]

Union Station is 0.8 miles. You’re crazy if you think preschoolers and early elementary kids are going to walk that (R/T) when there are more accessible options.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Union Station is 0.8 miles. You’re crazy if you think preschoolers and early elementary kids are going to walk that (R/T) when there are more accessible options.

I used to walk that far with my 3 year old on foot, but we’re admittedly an exception. putting a city-wide school in an inaccessible spot was pretty dumb.

[Anonymous]

Has anyone listened to Nashville Public Radio podcast The Promise? It sheds some good light on this issue. I actually think it should be required listening for all the liberal white parents who fret about the lottery DCUM

[Anonymous]

When people talk about how much longer L-T took to become majority IB/gentrify than Brent & Maury and act like the latter two communities did something really special/right to make it happen, I always point to CHML and SWS *both* of which are IB for LT — which is a pretty tiny district to begin with. It is actually insane how much DCPS set up LT to not become a neighborhood school and I think LT’s recent sharp turn towards IB students is very related to CHML’s cliff dive.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This study is older, but has some interesting findings.

https://www.mathematica.org/news/school-choice-in-dc-june-2016

Wow! This is basically what the Brookings study found out while mining DCUM posts in 2020-2021.

[Anonymous]

One thing that hasn’t been mentioned is that is has a not great feeder, Eliot Hine. That’s fine if you live in bounds for Stuart Hobson, which lots of the white families at SWS do, but not great if you don’t.

Many families get in, then move into $$$Capitol Hill, with rights to SH. Many POC can’t and don’t, and don’t stay through upper grades.

It is also a lovely magical place for a three year old (in person). Around 2nd/3rd grade, it is a little, WTF, are you ever going to help my kid spell. Our kids are out, have extremely fond memories, but middle school is a rude awakening.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:WOC here - My kids are older now so my experience is admittedly dated, but I toured SWS during open house season when my oldest was entering PK3. I recall feeling very out of place and unwelcome among the parent crowd and had zero interest in applying afterwards. I talked to another friend who is a WOC and she had a similar cold feeling during her visit and didn’t even bother to finish the tour.

In the years since, my DC have played on sports teams and had other activities with kids from SWS and they and their families are all very lovely and nice people. We’ve also become friends with another minority family that attends SWS and they rave about the school as well. I am willing to chalk my experience up to a bad first impression.

Thanks, I appreciate your thoughtfulness. I'm also a POC, and whenever I find people "cold" at first impression, especially people who are "different" in some way, I don't discount the possibility that some of it comes from my own projections and insecurities, or that some people are just introverted and take longer to get to know, or that it's just a stressful situation and people just didn't happen to be in the mood to chat or be especially friendly. Or that people with good intentions just have discomfort with people who are "different" at first and it's very human to have to take time with that. I'm glad you got the chance to get a second impression.

White mom here. Another factor is that I think SWS has a really strong “in-group” ethos with respect to their program with the atelier etc etc. I’ve dealt with SWS power parents on some neighborhood issues, and let me just say, they have a STRONG sense of their own specialness. Because the school is so popular they likely also feel no need to be welcoming during open houses. So you were probably feeling that vibe (which could also be mixed with race). I will also say that there always appears to be an inverse relationship between how much people espouse a “wonderful child-centered program!!!” and their warmth/flexibility ....

I think this is less true as the original families age out. I remember hearing about the strong “in-crowd” when I first started SWS, and I did see it at older grades, but not so at younger grades. I think this is because the earlier families were very close since they essentially were starting a new school together . and fighting common causes. I don’t think they were purposely leaving people out. Again, I think this is NOT the case anymore.

Current SWS parent here. This is off the mark. There are very few families left with any connection to Peabody or Logan Annex. Probably just a handful. The "in-crowd" are just your typical type-A's you find in any affluent DC public school. The school, like the neighborhood, continues to attract wealthier and whiter families who prioritize it in lottery preferences. The school admin and teachers support equity, but they also pander to many families who don't value it while also pushing ambitious fundraising goals. School would be better served with real diversity.

[Anonymous]

Long time former sws parent. The old cliquey crowd has almost phased out. Yes, they were pretty terrible. Kids are happy but there is no focus or emphasis on academic achievement. If you have the resources to supplement heavily or you are fine with middling academics it is a lovely place with nice kids and more diverse than most of NW.

[Anonymous]

I think there are a lot of families that find things like "atelieristas" "Reggio Emilia" "Love Fairy" and a gala/auction off-putting, or at least not particularly appealing and not worth commuting past a lot of other schools for. How available are before and aftercare? Is breakfast and lunch free for everyone? Are there classroom/activity fees? Do the kids seem respectful of the adults or do they talk back? Not saying all families use all of these criteria but these are some things that families I know care about.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:One thing that hasn’t been mentioned is that is has a not great feeder, Eliot Hine. That’s fine if you live in bounds for Stuart Hobson, which lots of the white families at SWS do, but not great if you don’t.

Many families get in, then move into $$$Capitol Hill, with rights to SH. Many POC can’t and don’t, and don’t stay through upper grades.

It is also a lovely magical place for a three year old (in person). Around 2nd/3rd grade, it is a little, WTF, are you ever going to help my kid spell. Our kids are out, have extremely fond memories, but middle school is a rude awakening.

Come on, Stuart Hobson is no prize so few IB parents touch it. More SWS grads end up at Basis, Latin, privates and the burbs than SH.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This study is older, but has some interesting findings.

https://www.mathematica.org/news/school-choice-in-dc-june-2016

Wow! This is basically what the Brookings study found out while mining DCUM posts in 2020-2021.

And both studies were funded by the Walton Foundation...