seeking info on The Woods Academy

[Anonymous]

Big change in administration last year. Has the school changed? It what ways? What's better and what's not? What are the strengths and needs of this school? What is the profile of your typical Woods student? What kind of student are they looking for? Is the school well known for anything in particular? What is the parent community like? The tuition is twice that of parish schools...what do you get that is 'better' or 'more' and/or 'different' than you get at a parish school in Bethesda/Chevy Chase/Potomac?
Any insight/experiences would be appreciated.
Thanks

[Anonymous]

We just transferred our DC to Woods from a popular Bethesda parochial school and are stunned by the many, many differences. The administration is amazing, the academics are challenging, the facility is beautiful, and the environment is so warm and accepting. Our child is thriving and we felt welcomed as a new family with open arms. It may be a little too early for us to have an objective opinion but, so far, I think The Woods Academy is this area's best kept secret!!

[Anonymous]

New poster here, also interested. What's the boy-girl ratio, generally? How much religion is incorporated into the program? Are there resources for kids with mild learning issues or ADHD?

[Anonymous]

NP here...16:23, which Bethesda catholic school was your child at? I am currently trying to decide between de Chantal and Woods, especifically whether the higher tuition is worth it at The Woods. Are you getting more of a community feel? Does your child get more individualized attention? Are the academics all around better? I seem to hear great things about both schools, so it only makes the decision harder!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:NP here...16:23, which Bethesda catholic school was your child at? I am currently trying to decide between de Chantal and Woods, especifically whether the higher tuition is worth it at The Woods. Are you getting more of a community feel? Does your child get more individualized attention? Are the academics all around better? I seem to hear great things about both schools, so it only makes the decision harder!

I am not the PP, but the class size at The Woods is half the class size at deChantal, so I can't image that how you would NOT get more individualized attention at The Woods. In my view, both schools had very strong communities. Not surprisingly, deChantal is more economically diverse, but its also twice the size and half the cost. My impression was that deChantal was more like a traditional Catholic school, both in instructional/academic philosophy and in terms of religious instruction/practice. The Woods, while definitely a Catholic school that teaches and practices Catholicism, is, I think, more progressive both in its instructional/academic methods and philosophy and from a religion POV. I think there are more non Catholics at The Woods than there are at deChantal. I think would get value for the extra money at The Woods, but deChantal is also a very good school. If you can afford either, then go with the schoolthat seems to be the best fit for your child and where your family feels more comfortable.

I think both schools tend to teach toward the middle of the road student. The student who needs more time/help or who is ready for acceleration may not be a great fit in either school. Although the potential for individualization is greater at The Woods, I didn't see that actually happening, especially with regards to acceleration. They talked about giving kids who learn/finish quickly some 'enrichment' but they did not have a way for very capable students to work at a higher grade level or move through the material faster. There seemed to be more willingness to make changes to curriculum for children who need support at both schools than for high achieving kids, but even than seemed minimal.

[Anonymous]

I'm the PP whose child recently transferred to the Woods. One of the reasons, in fact, that we made the switch was because of Woods' assurance of their ability to accelerate due to small classes and the individualized curriculum. I think that they are respected by the area high schools because their most recent 8th grade graduates all got in to their first high school choices. My child is high achieving and I've seen significant evidence in just a few short weeks that he is being challenged. This is pure speculation on my part but one of the reasons that I think Woods is significantly more expensive than a parish school is because they do not receive any outside assistance from a parish or the Archdiocese. We found their independent status to be very, very appealing. As a previous poster pointed out, there are many more non-Catholics at Woods than at a typical parish school and the Catholics that are there come from a wide variety of parishes throughout the metro area. My impression is that Woods teaches the aspects of the Catholic faith that are important to us as a family while also teaching tolerance and inclusion, which wasn't our experience at a parish school. In addition to the core curriculum, we really liked how often specials are offered (foreign language every day!) and the art program is especially impressive. We have found the girl/boy ratio to be pretty equal for our child's class---and we like the fact that there are two classes for each grade so that class dynamics can be mixed up from year to year. I would wholeheartedly encourage anyone who is interested in the Woods to take a tour of both your parish school options and the Woods. Pose these questions to the person conducting the tour. On our tour (and my child's shadow day), we found Woods to be very honest and frank about their approach to education...and we saw lots of happy smiling faces (on both the teachers and the kids!). We just regret that we didn't start there sooner. We have friends whose children are thriving at parish schools (including the one that we left so I'm hesitant to say anything too negative). It boils down to fit and trusting your gut on what will be the best environment for your child.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm the PP whose child recently transferred to the Woods. One of the reasons, in fact, that we made the switch was because of Woods' assurance of their ability to accelerate due to small classes and the individualized curriculum. I think that they are respected by the area high schools because their most recent 8th grade graduates all got in to their first high school choices. My child is high achieving and I've seen significant evidence in just a few short weeks that he is being challenged. This is pure speculation on my part but one of the reasons that I think Woods is significantly more expensive than a parish school is because they do not receive any outside assistance from a parish or the Archdiocese. We found their independent status to be very, very appealing. As a previous poster pointed out, there are many more non-Catholics at Woods than at a typical parish school and the Catholics that are there come from a wide variety of parishes throughout the metro area. My impression is that Woods teaches the aspects of the Catholic faith that are important to us as a family while also teaching tolerance and inclusion, which wasn't our experience at a parish school. In addition to the core curriculum, we really liked how often specials are offered (foreign language every day!) and the art program is especially impressive. We have found the girl/boy ratio to be pretty equal for our child's class---and we like the fact that there are two classes for each grade so that class dynamics can be mixed up from year to year. I would wholeheartedly encourage anyone who is interested in the Woods to take a tour of both your parish school options and the Woods. Pose these questions to the person conducting the tour. On our tour (and my child's shadow day), we found Woods to be very honest and frank about their approach to education...and we saw lots of happy smiling faces (on both the teachers and the kids!). We just regret that we didn't start there sooner. We have friends whose children are thriving at parish schools (including the one that we left so I'm hesitant to say anything too negative). It boils down to fit and trusting your gut on what will be the best environment for your child.

Your child may indeed be being challenged appropriately. But just to clarify, the PP had expressed concern about a lack of acceleration and this touches on a pet peeve of mine. I'm not at the Woods, so I can't say if this is an issue there or not, but I've seen this enough before that I want to say:

Many parents (at most schools, not just The Woods) do not appreciate the difference between enrichment which is working at a higher level on certain skills,but not all or working on more challenging projects or applications of skills, and acceleration. An enriched curriculum should be challenging and interesting but does not advance your child's skills beyond their grade level to any significant degree. With an enriched curriculum, capable students may learn some higher level skills, new applications of those skills and practice applying those skills by completing interesting projects.

In contrast, acceleration means, for example, that when your child finishes 4th grade, they will have completed the 5th, 6th or even 7th grade curriculum because they were moving through the material faster and/or working at a higher grade level throughout. Some enrichment activities may be included as well, but primarily, students are challenged by the higher level and/or pace of the curriculum.

Both enrichment and acceleration are valid and appropriate approaches to meeting the academic needs of capable and talented students who are ready for more than the standard curriculum. However, that does not mean that both approaches are equally appropriate for all capable students. Some students are not ready for acceleration but thrive with enrichment. And the reasons may not be academic...maybe that student does not work well in a fast paced program or needs the kind of projects that enrichment provides to stay motivated and engaged. Other students may find enrichment interesting, but are capable and motivated to learn much more challenging material. For some children, enrichment is not only not "enough". its not appropriate..they should be working on another level altogether and/or at a much faster pace their peers.

Imagine a 2nd grade reading class where every child reads Nate the Great. At many schools, some kids are still just trying to learn to read the words, while others are appropriately working on comprehension at varying, but grade appropriate, levels. However, some children spent their summer reading Nancy Drew or Hardy Boys. The children who are working on that level can certainly do enrichment activities related to Nate the Great, but probably should not. Not because the enrichment activities are boring or not challenging..they may be quite fun and challenging. But because those students are already at another level entirely, they should be working at that level and not just skimming along the top of the level below them.

[Anonymous]

This is very interesting feedback---thank you. Since we're only two weeks into the new school environment, I really can't defend whether what they're doing with my child would be considered enrichment or acceleration---but I can see that he is much more excited about school and talks excitedly about everything that he is learning---something that has NEVER happened before (in either his MCPS classes--where he first started---or his later parish school). I don't have an education background and honestly didn't appreciate there is a distinction between enrichment vs acceleration. Truth be told, I think that my particular child is a better candidate for enrichment than acceleration as you define it, though his CTY scores suggest higher grade level capability. A prospective parent should definitely explore if/how enrichment and/or acceleration is supported at Woods. Your feedback has encouraged me to ask more questions for a better understanding of their methodology.

[Anonymous]

I firmly believe that no school is perfect and there is no school that will be a perfect fit for every child. It really is about finding a good "match". That said, I have two children at The Woods and we are very happy there. Both my children have usually enjoyed going to school and I frequently hear "I had a great day..listen to this:...." when I pick them up. They are happy about learning, they are happy with their friends, who,on the whole, are kind and well grounded. In my opinion, the new administration has been strong in respecting traditions and ensuring continuity but also in bringing new energy, enthusiasm and fresh ideas. They are great at listening to the parent community and they are responsive. I agree there has been and still is some room for growth in terms of individualizing the curriculum to meet the needs of different abilities of students, but I feel it is a relative weakness, not a great one. Changes are already being implemented to address this and I get the sense that more are in the works. The fact that there is a range of abilities, although much narrower than we experienced in public school, is a strength to me. I want my children to have opportunities to both lead and help others AND learn to follow and ask/accept help when needed. I wish there was more overall diversity: racial, economic, etc.

I suppose I can't ask more from a school than to provide my children a safe, loving place where the adults know them well and know how to meet their needs; a place where they learn and grow in a well rounded, healthy way. Add to that the fact that my children believe it is a fun place to be, well, that's a successful school for me. That said, I'm sure there are parents who have found the right "match" elsewhere and could say the same thing about their school.


PS it may be premature to judge, but it seems there is a significant reduction in homework load this year throughout the school. If this administration espouses a philosophy that respects and encourages family time and balance in how children spend their time, then they deserve bonus points. This would be a refreshing and welcome approach. But its still early in the year, so I don't want to get my hopes up

[Anonymous]

Does anyone know how many new students Woods accepts per grade each year? Are there specific entry years? Thanks.

[Anonymous]

Third grade probably has spots since I know some families send their children to The Woods for the younger grades and then on to a 3-12 school such as The Heights.

[Anonymous]

I would recommend contacting the Director of Admissions, Molly McNamara, to see what grades will potentially have openings. She is very friendly and approachable. She can be reached at [e-mail] or 301-222-0776. Another option would be to come to the Open House on Oct 28 for a chance to see the school and meet some of the teachers/students/administration. Transferring our child to the Woods was one of the very best parenting decisions we have made---both in terms of academic improvement and social/emotional well-being.

[Anonymous]

Good school with very nice people. Not very academically rigorous...that may be okay, however, depending upon what you are looking for. Both of our children went there, had very good experiences. It is a very warm and loving community. On the challenging side, just know going in that it is small. That is both good and bad. Good when they are younger (one of the reasons we selected the school), more challenging when they are older and the cliques start to form (it can be suffocating.) We found the parent community to be very engaged (on the positive side) and also fairly homogenous (white, Catholic, conservative.) Again, that's not bad necessarily, just reality. When we were there, lots of challenges retaining boys which prompted alot of boys to transfer out when middle school years approached. I believe that this has been aggressively tackled by the school in the past year. The new administration is very strong and working hard to reposition the school. Good luck to you on our decision.

[Anonymous]

Nice, small, conservative, Catholic school. Positives: nurturing, small class size. On the other hand, not very academically rigorous, fairly homogenous environment. Wide variations on the quality of teachers. Some great. Some very weak. New administration is strong and really trying hard to move the school forward. If you want to attend an area Catholic high school, it is a fine choice. Most grads go to the traditional host of area Catholic schools (Holy Child, Holy Cross, St Johns, Visi, Stone Ridge....) Not much outside of those obvious choices, but a few outliers every couple of years (one grad went to Madeira and one to Landon last year...one went to Sidwell a few years back.) Overall, it's a good school, not great, but working hard to get there.

[Anonymous]

Love the new administration....hope they continue on the strong course they are on. As a former Woods family from long ago, I'd love to see it become the school we always knew it could be.