Have you transfered from DCPS to British School of Washington?

[Anonymous]

BSW seems to be a great school for our DC, and the fact that we live close by is a plus). That said, in order to save money, we are planning to go Ward 3 DCPS from PK/K to mid-elementary school, and then transfer. It seems that it is not too hard to be admitted to BSW. I'd would be interested in the experience of parents who went DCPS (or PCS) and then transferred to WIS.

[Anonymous]

BSW doesn't require near-fluency in a second language. At WIS without a strong handle on a second language your chances of being admitted are very weak. That said, BSW seems to offer a comparable and strong curriculum and the kids and families seem very happy. Having observed all of these schools for a while my guess is it won't be as easy to get into BSW in the future, as they're settling into a great new location with excellent facilities, thanks to partnership with Jelleff/Maret and use of the field, etc...

[Anonymous]

PP here -- I mean in upper grades at WIS, the 2nd language, as they begin with full immersion in pre-k.

[Anonymous]

Bump.
Any recent experiences with BSW?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Bump.
Any recent experiences with BSW?

Not in BWS, but attending a Brit school. Kids don't like it, so we will switch back to the US system in HS.

[Anonymous]

One thing to keep in mind: British School of Washington is a for profit school. They give no FA and therefore do not have much SE diversity. They take profit quite seriously.

[Anonymous]

Our 4th year in BSW and have had good experiences. Despite what poster above said, there is great international diversity which is a plus. Classes are relatively small, students get to know each other well, every staff member and teacher seems to know my son even though I don't know all of them.

[Anonymous]

We are in our third year at BSW and have been extremely happy so far. The school, its administrators and faculty have been very welcoming. I know other parents who have had their children there for a longer period of time, and who have been very happy. In one case, the child transfered in at sixth grade from DCPS and did very well. I think the school is highly underrated.

[Anonymous]

We spent Year 5 years at BSW before leaving to another Private School. BSW Lower School is fantastic! But leave by 4th or 5th grade. Not as challenging as other schools, not diverse at all, No financial aid, high teacher turn-over and ask this question for yourself. How many students from your year 6 (5th grade) and year 7 (6th grade) are leaving. That just might answer all you need to know. The 5 years we were there 4 were awesome and the last was not that graet. For the cost a lot of other choices. Hope this helps.

[Anonymous]

The primary/lower school years are fantastic - small classes and great emphasis on reading skills.

[Anonymous]

My DC was at BSW for 5 years! From Reception through Year 5. We are now at another DC Private school. The early vears are wonderful! They gave my child a love for reading and his handwriting skills are second to none. But that is it! After 4th grade and maybe even 3rd grade I would begin to ask LOTS of QUESTIONS!!!!! Yes if you will travel overseas and you are looking for an easy transition then yes, this is the school for you. But overall nice facilities but not comparable to other schools. Especially at $25,000. Look at year 5 and 6 as another poster stated earlier....KIDS are LEAVING! Ask why and then you make the call.
Again, early years...wonderful...

[Anonymous]

Be prepared for lots dramas of bullying, discrimation by students and some teachers. The poor leadership and management is not worth the money you pay. No teacher accountability and interest in adressing parents concerns. School is only interested in profits and not getting it right for your child. Favoritism given to british kids by many teachers. Sadly good teachers are just a handful. Quality deteriorates as grade levels increase. Fantastic lip service and masters of not giving straight answers. Verdict: do not waste your time. Will save yourself a lot of stress and money. Been there for 6 years.

[Anonymous]

No, we have not transferred from DCPS to BSW but we like many other parents now leaving BSW are in the process of doing the reverse. As an example, just across from BSW you have a public school where the facilities (sports, computers, space,ratio of bathrooms,canteen, music and language lessons, focus on healthy nutrition, support to special need children,playground, etc.) are superior at all levels.

BSW is the worst school experience we have ever had and you ought to tour the premises before you even consider enrolling your children there. Last year two heads of school were fired a few months apart. For 6 months there was no school nurse which was kept secret to the parents. BSW is owned by a company called WCL which in turn was owned by Sovereign Capital, an investment company,until a few months ago, when WCL got a new owner. The main focus however remains the same: profit. WCL does not own the BSW school building but leases it.The third floor is and has always been since BSW moved in by 2008, entirely empty. Empty are also the repeated promises which have been made to parents about an inclusion of the third floor and general renovations of the school where both additional space and upgrade of facilities are much needed. There is no canteen and the room used for lunch is a multi purpose one, also used for meetings,gym etc. Parents have to come to the school every day to help 'transform' the room in order for the children to have a place to eat. As there is no kitchen you either provide your child with a lunch box or order food from the BSW chosen caterer, which is unhealthy and greasy. There is no facility by the 'lunch room' where children can wash their hands before they eat. BSW does not have its own sports facilities but has to negotiate with neighboring owners of such facilities on a regular basis for the use of theirs. There are two (2) showers available at BSW.
In terms of teachers, BSW is like a train station. Teachers come and go and it appears that the best have left.

In conclusion, if transferring your children from DCPS to BSW be prepared for a down grade at all levels.

[Anonymous]

We've had 6 years at BSW and experienced excellent British teachers. We are moving to another private, but our kids are very well prepared (I think more advanced in reading and math from what I have seen, but we'll have to see). The only reason we are moving is because the student population comes and goes and, combined with the small year groups, we feel more stability and a bigger group to choose from will be good for our kids.

Some PPs have obviously had specific issues. Some points are valid, but I don't agree with the ones about teachers - they are excellent. And I think I'm going to miss the for-profit thing when we get constantly asked for money at the new private (at least we never get asked for donations at BSW)! Despite what PPs say, it's not 'in your face' (the for-profit thing).

We have no regrets with our years at BSW. It's a hidden gem.

[Anonymous]

BSW has for us and our child during his last three and a half years in middle school, been a nightmare beyond proportions. Of course on the social side he will fortunately keep good memories of his friends, but on the academic side (despite his good grades - at BSW maked in a most unusual incomprehensible way never experienced before) we cannot say the same. The profit objective of this school overtakes everything else: 4 toilets for 400 people or rather, 2 for 350 kids and the other two for the staff. No showers. Unhealthy food catered in, supplemented by organized outings to safeway (under teacher supervision); bullying as a normal schoolyard activity; no phys ed. facilities (has to be begged from other institutiosn next door every time), outdated IT equipment, constant exodus of teachers (2/3 left in the last 14 months, while the shool is now 'led' by its third schoolmaster during the same period. The fact this is the only international school that accepts kids anytime (all others have long waiting lists) speaks for itself. We were blinded by the name 'British School' as our child comes from another 'British School' in another country, thinking it would be the continuation of the same standards, curriculum and teaching methods; grave mistake: Other than the name, it had nothing to do. We are moving to a public shool very nearby, where facilities are a million times better (including healthy breakfast and lunch at the school, latest IMac, three IT rooms, inside and outside PE facilities etc). Don t make the same mistake: Save your money and go elsewhere.