WIS Primary School?

[Anonymous]

Learned this weekend that our daughter was accepted to Pre-K French at WIS. I loved the school on the tour and play visit, but I'm wondering if anyone would be willing to share their experiences about the primary school. We are new to DC and appreciate the feedback. Thank you.

[Anonymous]

That's great news. We are delighted with the school - our DC is currently in PK French. It is what it appears to be. A gem.

[Anonymous]

If I were you I would research the French education system and compare it with your expectations.

[clayring2734]

Congrats. It is very competitive.

[Anonymous]

OP, do you speak French? You might want to look at Lycee Rochambeau in Bethesda for comparison.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, do you speak French? You might want to look at Lycee Rochambeau in Bethesda for comparison.

Thank you for your response. We do not speak French. I did check out Lycee online a when we first moved here and it looked like the school calendar had more breaks than we would be able to handle.

[Anonymous]

WIS is a very nice school, but it seems to have a very high admit rate which we could not completely figure out....not competitive? not enough interest? Most people with reasonable WPPSIs and no crazy red flags at the play visit seem to be admitted

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:WIS is a very nice school, but it seems to have a very high admit rate which we could not completely figure out....not competitive? not enough interest? Most people with reasonable WPPSIs and no crazy red flags at the play visit seem to be admitted

This is ABSOLUTELY not true. Many more waitlisted or rejected than admitted. We've been there 7 years and last year many sibs got shut out. From what I hear, there is about a 20% or so admit rate - at least in Spanish. Probably less for Spanish K.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:WIS is a very nice school, but it seems to have a very high admit rate which we could not completely figure out....not competitive? not enough interest? Most people with reasonable WPPSIs and no crazy red flags at the play visit seem to be admitted

This is ABSOLUTELY not true. Many more waitlisted or rejected than admitted. We've been there 7 years and last year many sibs got shut out. From what I hear, there is about a 20% or so admit rate - at least in Spanish. Probably less for Spanish K.

Completely agree. Kathleen Visconti revamped the entire admissions process, and it has become very competitive to get into WIS, even for siblings.

[Anonymous]

Kathleen is such a turn off. To get past the bad vibe she puts out is really difficult.

[Anonymous]

We have been wait listed for the 2nd year in a row. Any point in trying for K next year? Won't all PreKs move up & fill all slots now?

[Anonymous]

AGREED 9:49!

[Anonymous]

If admitted to PK, the school is saying your child will be able to participate well in the IB PYP program in the target language. IMHO that is a meaningfully different admissions process result than those flowing from the other sought after schools. Sorry to see some parent feelings have been ruffled in the process - hope you look past that and focus on what will be best for DC over time. We are delighted with the PK program this year. We do not speak the target language. Speak to current parents. Distortions abound on this website.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:WIS is a very nice school, but it seems to have a very high admit rate which we could not completely figure out....not competitive? not enough interest? Most people with reasonable WPPSIs and no crazy red flags at the play visit seem to be admitted

This is ABSOLUTELY not true. Many more waitlisted or rejected than admitted. We've been there 7 years and last year many sibs got shut out. From what I hear, there is about a 20% or so admit rate - at least in Spanish. Probably less for Spanish K.

Of course, many more waitlisted/rejected than admit rate. The comparison is of admit rate at WIS versus admit rate at top schools in the area. And PP's post ( it is not mine) seems to be saying that it is a high admit rate relative to other schools. I do not know if this is true, but I do not think it is typically thought of among the top 3-5 in the DC area.

[Anonymous]

WIS is an immersion school for PK and K, it is often the first choice for those seeking that kind of program - especially so if they desire a PK-12 school. Thus some at WIS have declined admission at Sidwell, Beauvoir, GDS, Maret, and/or St. Pats. Shocking!