Why is WES not "warm and fuzzy"?

[Anonymous]

I am considering applying to WES for kindergarten for my DD. I've done the tour and the school seems very nice, but there appears to be a common view on this board that WES is not "warm and fuzzy" and is often described as being "cold". Can current or former WES families provide specific examples in support or against this view? Thanks.

[Anonymous]

WES is a wonderful school. It has a new headmaster who no doubt will move things in his direction over time. WES has an excellent exmissions history, which will probably get better. WES was our second choice for our oldest child, and we will be considering it for our youngest. I think what you are "hearing" relates to WES traditional Episcopal approach to school. Strong academics, disciplined, good behavior. I see no issues here personally. And WES is not on the extreme in this regard. The AD at WES has been around a while, and is very professional.

[Anonymous]

OP, it's interesting that you asked this question. I toured WES. It seems like a great school, but I did not find it "warm and fuzzy" like I found the other schools I toured and I'm not sure why.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, it's interesting that you asked this question. I toured WES. It seems like a great school, but I did not find it "warm and fuzzy" like I found the other schools I toured and I'm not sure why.

Mind naming the schools you did find "warm and fuzzy"?

[Anonymous]

I believe that the building that WES is in used to be an old office building for Marriott. The facility is lacking, especially when compared to other local privates. It's not worth the money, in my opinion.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, it's interesting that you asked this question. I toured WES. It seems like a great school, but I did not find it "warm and fuzzy" like I found the other schools I toured and I'm not sure why.

Mind naming the schools you did find "warm and fuzzy"?

Sure. Beauvoir, St. Pat's, NPS and Norwood.

[Anonymous]

WES is a good enough school, but for the money, find another place. Many of the older teachers need an attitude adjustment and that contributes to a not so great atmosphere. The new Head of School needs to make some personnel changes, especially in the 3rd grade area. If you are questioning the school's atmosphere at this point, trust your instincts and move on.

[Anonymous]

We toured WES a couple of years ago and liked teachers, admissions people, and the facility. A fine school. What we liked less though, at least compared to other schools, was the parent crowd - lots of stressed out lawyers and lobbyists.

Maybe this is responsible for the "not so fuzzy" atmosphere? It was also a key reason why we turned WES' offer down.

[Anonymous]

WES mom here,

It is interesting because one of the reasons that we stay at WES is the warm atmosphere that make us feel like we are part of an extended family. For me personally, I experienced it first hand because we had a family tragedy during our first year at WES. I cannot say enough about how supportive (from the faculty to parents were) of our family. People I hadn't met would come and offer their support to us and go out of their way to be of help. I really got the impression that this is an element of the school. That close knit community is what keeps me at WES. I feel as if people really watch out and care for one another. I have no experience with other schools so I can't speak to how it compares. but I know that the warm and supportive atmosphere of the school makes my DC excited to enter the school each and every morning..

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:WES mom here,

It is interesting because one of the reasons that we stay at WES is the warm atmosphere that make us feel like we are part of an extended family. For me personally, I experienced it first hand because we had a family tragedy during our first year at WES. I cannot say enough about how supportive (from the faculty to parents were) of our family. People I hadn't met would come and offer their support to us and go out of their way to be of help. I really got the impression that this is an element of the school. That close knit community is what keeps me at WES. I feel as if people really watch out and care for one another. I have no experience with other schools so I can't speak to how it compares. but I know that the warm and supportive atmosphere of the school makes my DC excited to enter the school each and every morning..

It probably depends on the families with children in your DC's grade. We were also at WES and found many parents to be rather intense and competitive.

[Anonymous]

PP. we are not at the school, but I fail to see your point. How does the parents' allegedly being 'rather intense and competitive' impact the learning environment and what happens with your child inside the school all day long when you aren't there?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We toured WES a couple of years ago and liked teachers, admissions people, and the facility. A fine school. What we liked less though, at least compared to other schools, was the parent crowd - lots of stressed out lawyers and lobbyists.

Maybe this is responsible for the "not so fuzzy" atmosphere? It was also a key reason why we turned WES' offer down.

Name me a private school in DC that does not have "lots of stressed out lawyers and lobbyists." I do not think the parent crowd at WES differs much from that at other schools. Each school will have its fair share of gossipy SAHMs, overly demanding parents, tacky wealth, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We toured WES a couple of years ago and liked teachers, admissions people, and the facility. A fine school. What we liked less though, at least compared to other schools, was the parent crowd - lots of stressed out lawyers and lobbyists.

Maybe this is responsible for the "not so fuzzy" atmosphere? It was also a key reason why we turned WES' offer down.

Name me a private school in DC that does not have "lots of stressed out lawyers and lobbyists." I do not think the parent crowd at WES differs much from that at other schools. Each school will have its fair share of gossipy SAHMs, overly demanding parents, tacky wealth, etc.

Do you think the "parent crowd" at WES and other DC schools also have "gossipy" moms who work outside their homes?

[Anonymous]

Former WES family. We didn't think the parents were so stuffy. But, there was always a group of SAHMs who were
inserting themselves in every aspect of the school. And yes, really hanging around the school. DCs are in different schools now and the parental over involvement just isn't to the WES extent.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:PP. we are not at the school, but I fail to see your point. How does the parents' allegedly being 'rather intense and competitive' impact the learning environment and what happens with your child inside the school all day long when you aren't there?

I was not talking about the learning environment. I was responding to someone who said that she found the community to be warm, which we did not.