Walls vs Private- How Would You Compare

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Great, tell us what she does to deliver on Walls' mission. I'm struggling to see what she brings to the role and I've been in several long Zoom meetings with her this fall. Her leadership makes me think of the government of Italy. A long-serving PM leaves in disgrace, probably undeservedly, only to be replaced by a clueless seeming newbie. Meanwhile, the bureaucracy trundles on because it essentially runs itself.

YOU FIRST.

List your grievances WITH examples. I only see insults being hurled at the principal.

NO.

YOU FIRST.

Of course you don’t have anything substantive to say…just a lot of complaining. If you don’t like Walls, find another school.

NO

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Great, tell us what she does to deliver on Walls' mission. I'm struggling to see what she brings to the role and I've been in several long Zoom meetings with her this fall. Her leadership makes me think of the government of Italy. A long-serving PM leaves in disgrace, probably undeservedly, only to be replaced by a clueless seeming newbie. Meanwhile, the bureaucracy trundles on because it essentially runs itself.

YOU FIRST.

List your grievances WITH examples. I only see insults being hurled at the principal.

NO.

YOU FIRST.

Of course you don’t have anything substantive to say…just a lot of complaining. If you don’t like Walls, find another school.

NO

That’s right, your child didn’t get into Walls. Or you’re too broke for private.

Lol—Seethe!

[Anonymous]

Neither of you is mature enough to go to high school much less discuss how to run one.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Neither of you is mature enough to go to high school much less discuss how to run one.

This is DCUM. You are being trolled by a Walls freshman.

[Anonymous]

Is anybody mature enough to return to OP's original question?

Unless a family is loaded, 35-45K/year privates aren't worth it as compared to Walls. But reputable 20-25K a year DCMD/VA high schools like Gonzaga, St. John's, DeMatha, Bishop O'Connell and Bishop Ireton might be for those without philosophical or religious objections to parochial schools. They tend to offer better facilities, smaller classes, more serious sports and better humanities instruction.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is anybody mature enough to return to OP's original question?

Unless a family is loaded, 35-45K/year privates aren't worth it as compared to Walls. But reputable 20-25K a year DCMD/VA high schools like Gonzaga, St. John's, DeMatha, Bishop O'Connell and Bishop Ireton might be for those without philosophical or religious objections to parochial schools. They tend to offer better facilities, smaller classes, more serious sports and better humanities instruction.

Some truth, especially with sports. But once you see all the additional fees you at $30K+. DC was admitted to one of the schools mentioned. On shadow day a lot of the kids seemed to have used the private as a backup to Walls. I just wouldn't want to pay for tuition and additional tutors(if necessary). That just doesn't seem like money well spent.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is anybody mature enough to return to OP's original question?

Unless a family is loaded, 35-45K/year privates aren't worth it as compared to Walls. But reputable 20-25K a year DCMD/VA high schools like Gonzaga, St. John's, DeMatha, Bishop O'Connell and Bishop Ireton might be for those without philosophical or religious objections to parochial schools. They tend to offer better facilities, smaller classes, more serious sports and better humanities instruction.

I would disagree. The academics at those Catholics are not much different than the academics at public. I've given this a lot of though with 4 kids who have attended many different schools from DPCS to Catholic to "top" privates (Sidwell/STA). it's really only the top schools (Sidwell/STA/NCS/GDS) that have a
substantial academic difference over public (specifically DCPS). They operate on their own level--for better or worse. I say "better or worse" because in my experience this is only good for kids who really want an academic slog--there are many unhappy kids at these schools. They weren't the right fit for all my kids. The large Catholics have more in common academically with the publics than they do with the top privates. Of course, you may elect to pay for Catholic high school over public for other benefits: smaller classes, consistent teachers (no missing teachers like can happen in DCPS), possibly better facilities, the tight-knit Catholic community, and of course the religious aspect (which is a feature, not a bug to most of the families who choose these schools).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is anybody mature enough to return to OP's original question?

Unless a family is loaded, 35-45K/year privates aren't worth it as compared to Walls. But reputable 20-25K a year DCMD/VA high schools like Gonzaga, St. John's, DeMatha, Bishop O'Connell and Bishop Ireton might be for those without philosophical or religious objections to parochial schools. They tend to offer better facilities, smaller classes, more serious sports and better humanities instruction.

I would disagree. The academics at those Catholics are not much different than the academics at public. I've given this a lot of though with 4 kids who have attended many different schools from DPCS to Catholic to "top" privates (Sidwell/STA). it's really only the top schools (Sidwell/STA/NCS/GDS) that have a
substantial academic difference over public (specifically DCPS). They operate on their own level--for better or worse. I say "better or worse" because in my experience this is only good for kids who really want an academic slog--there are many unhappy kids at these schools. They weren't the right fit for all my kids. The large Catholics have more in common academically with the publics than they do with the top privates. Of course, you may elect to pay for Catholic high school over public for other benefits: smaller classes, consistent teachers (no missing teachers like can happen in DCPS), possibly better facilities, the tight-knit Catholic community, and of course the religious aspect (which is a feature, not a bug to most of the families who choose these schools).

I agree. If sports is the priority some of these could be a good pick, but I would go with Walls for academic challenge. IMO Walls classes so far are around 20 students who h is not huge. Theoretically a Catholic private may offer more individual attention compared to public. Walls is more comparable to an elite private, though how to stack them up is a complicated question and perhaps difficult to answer.

[Anonymous]

Walls seems a lot better than those unless you like sports and Catholic doctrine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Walls seems a lot better than those unless you like sports and Catholic doctrine.

Except Walls doesn't always have teachers. Last year they were missing a French teacher and a humanities teacher for at least half of the year each. The kids sat in study halls and did nothing for half the year in these courses.
It's this kind of stuff (missing teachers) that you'll never find in a Catholic or independent.
You can also go PK-12 in DCPS and by luck-of-the-draw not encounter it. But when you do, it's the kind of thing that drives one to seek alternatives.

[Anonymous]

The biggest problem with Walls is that it is part of the DCPS system, subject to the whims of Central Office. By HS, many parents are tired of dealing with the BS and want something more stable if they can get it.

[Anonymous]

We feel that way after almost 8 years at our thoroughly gentrified DCPS ES EotP. The school has always given our children top grades, even when they have worked up to a year behind grade level in writing and math due to Covid learning loss. Good tutors have sorted them out this fall. We’re already eager for a parochial middle school for our eldest, applying now. I can’t imagine staying the course in DCPS for 7, 8 or 9 more years.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The biggest problem with Walls is that it is part of the DCPS system, subject to the whims of Central Office. By HS, many parents are tired of dealing with the BS and want something more stable if they can get it.

The BS is worsening. Pre-Covid, Deal had few sub issues. Now multiple sub-less classes get herded into the auditorium to watch a movie for lack of subs. More stable sounds great.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is anybody mature enough to return to OP's original question?

Unless a family is loaded, 35-45K/year privates aren't worth it as compared to Walls. But reputable 20-25K a year DCMD/VA high schools like Gonzaga, St. John's, DeMatha, Bishop O'Connell and Bishop Ireton might be for those without philosophical or religious objections to parochial schools. They tend to offer better facilities, smaller classes, more serious sports and better humanities instruction.

Some truth, especially with sports. But once you see all the additional fees you at $30K+. DC was admitted to one of the schools mentioned. On shadow day a lot of the kids seemed to have used the private as a backup to Walls. I just wouldn't want to pay for tuition and additional tutors(if necessary). That just doesn't seem like money well spent.

But what is the alternative?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is anybody mature enough to return to OP's original question?

Unless a family is loaded, 35-45K/year privates aren't worth it as compared to Walls. But reputable 20-25K a year DCMD/VA high schools like Gonzaga, St. John's, DeMatha, Bishop O'Connell and Bishop Ireton might be for those without philosophical or religious objections to parochial schools. They tend to offer better facilities, smaller classes, more serious sports and better humanities instruction.

Some truth, especially with sports. But once you see all the additional fees you at $30K+. DC was admitted to one of the schools mentioned. On shadow day a lot of the kids seemed to have used the private as a backup to Walls. I just wouldn't want to pay for tuition and additional tutors(if necessary). That just doesn't seem like money well spent.

But what is the alternative?

IMO, you have to cast a wide net-reasonably priced privates(DeMatha, St. Jerome, etc.), Lottery, and aim for the higher-end privates and see if you get a good aid package. Factor in tutors(if necessary) for writing and math. I know it's a lot but that's what we did. Of course, moving was an option also. Did some investigative work on that end. No guarantees doing that either. Have friends that did move and they are not convinced they came out ahead. It does give them some certainty but nothing spectacular. I really think it really matters if DC is in a magnet program. With all the complaints the MoCo, Fairfax, etc. magnet programs are not really magnet anymore, friends are very pleased. DC seems to be getting a similar education to her buddies in MoCo. Only a Walls freshman so time will tell.