Inquiries about Washington Episcopal School ?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Those who can leave WES do. That's just how it goes.

Or Perhaps those who can stay at WES do. Just look at the schools the graduating class is enrolled this year.

[Anonymous]

I am one of the families who left. We were very happy with Transition, but disappointed with Kindergarten. The head K teacher we had is still there. There was a wonderful teacher who taught Transition, then K, but she got married and moved out of town.

[Anonymous]

oh- and the umbrellas break immediately!

[Anonymous]

You were wise to leave after K.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Those who can leave WES do. That's just how it goes.

Or Perhaps those who can stay at WES do. Just look at the schools the graduating class is enrolled this year.

+1

[Anonymous]

WES is a wonderful school with caring teachers and faculty.
The Early Childhood teachers are all friendly and nurturing. I just wish I had found this school earlier!

The classroom teachers really prepare the children for their next school. And for behaviors- what school doesnt have a few active boys or behaviors? These are children we are talking about- not robots.

[Anonymous]

WES is very nurturing. The early childhood is the best. My children have thrived at WES. I plan to stay all the way. The first grade teachers are amazing, attentive and creative.

[Anonymous]

This thread is a doozy. It can't all be untrue.
Pro tip: ask about attrition - same issues even in 2021.

[Anonymous]

There is one person on this thread with a bone to pick. This is why I hate DCUM. I am an actual parent of a fourth grader. Here is what we have found:

1. The leadership, particularly Danny (HOS) and Zoe (elementary) are fantastic. They are approachable, conscientious, and just strong leaders. They care deeply about pedagogy and are a big reason we love WES.
2. The academics are top-notch. Our son loves to learn and we are confident that he will be well prepared for a too high school. This is not our first private school experience (daughter has gone the all-girls route) and WES’s academics are very good.
3. The kids, with *very* few exceptions, are kind. “Kind” is in the school’s mantra and it’s actually true. This is not to say that it’s a hippie love fest—it’s not—but it is a humane environment.
4. They’ve done a very good job with DL during Covid. I get that not all parents are happy, but this has been a very tough year to make decisions. The reality is that the school has had a lot of in-person time—4th is now back 4 days and is going to 5 in April—and the DL has been excellent.
5. One of the things that makes WES special is the travel / STEM labs / experiential aspect. Its been hard to lose this, but it will be back.
6. Sports are excellent albeit limited. Not “excellent like your kid will play D-1 ball” but excellent inasmuch as all kids participate, they are well-coaches, and sporty kids (and non-sporty) can all fit in.

In summary, WES is a really great option for smart, kind kids who for whatever reason aren’t going the same-sex route or for whom public (particularly MCPS) has failed. We are very happy there and honestly I don’t understand the crazy negativity.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This thread is a doozy. It can't all be untrue.
Pro tip: ask about attrition - same issues even in 2021.

You dug up an 8 year old thread?????? I have no affiliation with the school but am shocked you think this reflects the current state of a school. Why do you hold a grudge and want to bash a school you have no knowledge about.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There is one person on this thread with a bone to pick. This is why I hate DCUM. I am an actual parent of a fourth grader. Here is what we have found:

1. The leadership, particularly Danny (HOS) and Zoe (elementary) are fantastic. They are approachable, conscientious, and just strong leaders. They care deeply about pedagogy and are a big reason we love WES.
2. The academics are top-notch. Our son loves to learn and we are confident that he will be well prepared for a too high school. This is not our first private school experience (daughter has gone the all-girls route) and WES’s academics are very good.
3. The kids, with *very* few exceptions, are kind. “Kind” is in the school’s mantra and it’s actually true. This is not to say that it’s a hippie love fest—it’s not—but it is a humane environment.
4. They’ve done a very good job with DL during Covid. I get that not all parents are happy, but this has been a very tough year to make decisions. The reality is that the school has had a lot of in-person time—4th is now back 4 days and is going to 5 in April—and the DL has been excellent.
5. One of the things that makes WES special is the travel / STEM labs / experiential aspect. Its been hard to lose this, but it will be back.
6. Sports are excellent albeit limited. Not “excellent like your kid will play D-1 ball” but excellent inasmuch as all kids participate, they are well-coaches, and sporty kids (and non-sporty) can all fit in.

In summary, WES is a really great option for smart, kind kids who for whatever reason aren’t going the same-sex route or for whom public (particularly MCPS) has failed. We are very happy there and honestly I don’t understand the crazy negativity.

Middle school has not been great during DL. Why aren't they back for more days? Why is everything about the elementary school students? Other schools have all of their students back.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There is one person on this thread with a bone to pick. This is why I hate DCUM. I am an actual parent of a fourth grader. Here is what we have found:

1. The leadership, particularly Danny (HOS) and Zoe (elementary) are fantastic. They are approachable, conscientious, and just strong leaders. They care deeply about pedagogy and are a big reason we love WES.
2. The academics are top-notch. Our son loves to learn and we are confident that he will be well prepared for a too high school. This is not our first private school experience (daughter has gone the all-girls route) and WES’s academics are very good.
3. The kids, with *very* few exceptions, are kind. “Kind” is in the school’s mantra and it’s actually true. This is not to say that it’s a hippie love fest—it’s not—but it is a humane environment.
4. They’ve done a very good job with DL during Covid. I get that not all parents are happy, but this has been a very tough year to make decisions. The reality is that the school has had a lot of in-person time—4th is now back 4 days and is going to 5 in April—and the DL has been excellent.
5. One of the things that makes WES special is the travel / STEM labs / experiential aspect. Its been hard to lose this, but it will be back.
6. Sports are excellent albeit limited. Not “excellent like your kid will play D-1 ball” but excellent inasmuch as all kids participate, they are well-coaches, and sporty kids (and non-sporty) can all fit in.

In summary, WES is a really great option for smart, kind kids who for whatever reason aren’t going the same-sex route or for whom public (particularly MCPS) has failed. We are very happy there and honestly I don’t understand the crazy negativity.

Middle school has not been great during DL. Why aren't they back for more days? Why is everything about the elementary school students? Other schools have all of their students back.

Are you kidding? My son is an eighth grader and feels incredibly fortunate to have him at WES. The distance learning program has been a godsend, and the school is a source of joy during these trying times.

[Anonymous]

News flash. MS has been two days a week. On march 1 they will be 4 days a week. As a WES parent you know the logistics have to be different since unlike elementary where the class can essentially “pod” - in middle school there is much more movement between classrooms.

If u have children in MS and early childhood/elementary you completely grasp why the priorities were made based on age and “vulnerability”. The younger they are, the harder virtual learning is.

Its just like the COVID vaccine. Some need to be first in line.

To potential WES families: The parents unhappy are the minority. Not the majority.

[Anonymous]

Didn't realize this was an old thread when I started reading and I was very confused because the negative comments were so radically different than what my family has experienced. It should go without saying a lot can change in 8+ years (including a HOS, staff, etc) so for those considering WES for 2021 or beyond, please make sure you are talking to current families. Our (current) experience has been overwhelmingly positive and, although we have some quibbles with some decisions made regarding the return to school, we think the school has done an excellent job with DL/hybrid.

[Anonymous]

We are currently applying to WES. Its very unhelpful to read a thread from 2011. My third grader wasn't even born then. If you want to ask about the school, start a new thread.