Applying out of WES

[Anonymous]

A poster on another thread mentioned that their child was behind in math after attending WES and then transferring to public school. Is there anyone else out there who feels that their child was poorly prepared in math, or any other subject, after leaving WES?

[Anonymous]

"release the hounds . . . ."

[Anonymous]

Agree about the lousy math. We evacuated after 3rd grade and were very surprised about the math. No problems in other areas. Surprised WES still employs the third grade teachers. One of them should have retired a few years ago.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Agree about the lousy math. We evacuated after 3rd grade and were very surprised about the math. No problems in other areas. Surprised WES still employs the third grade teachers. One of them should have retired a few years ago.

My DS is attending WES transition this year. Everything has been great so far. What seems to be the problem with the third grade math teacher(s)? Could you please elaborate? TIA

[Anonymous]

WES is really great in the early years. I don't think anyone could ask for more. The 3rd grade seemed to mark time. Lots of rote and lots of emphasis on History Day, which was an innovative concept many years ago. There is one 3rd grade teacher who doesn't seem to like many of the children. Her emphasis is on rote, same and more rote. I'm surprised the new HM hasn't noticed this. Lots of families leave around this time. Of course, many are looking for a HS, but I really think the WES 3rd grade experience sows doubt and people begin to seek other schools.

[Anonymous]

OP here. I completely agree! Third grade was a horrible experience. We seriously considered leaving then, but my DC didn't want to switch. I didn't push it because I continued to hold onto the belief that, from an academic standpoint, WES would prepare my child well for a top private high school. But now I am having doubts about that as well.

[Anonymous]

We haven't hit grade three yet and we are still glowing in the honeymoon of the school. Really love it. And I do hope we have a different experience than some of you at that point.

[Anonymous]

I think 9:46 meant to say emphasis on "Black History Month" which most schools do in some fashion. Said third grade teacher won an award for the program but all it is is 1) select a famous black person; 2) prepare a few paragraphs on him or her; 3) make a costume (Lord help me); and 4) stand in said costume in library and when your button on your chest is pushed recite the memorized history about the person. Now that I think about it, that description pretty much summarizes my whole view of the school. Show up, line up, and shut up. Yes, 3rd is problematic. Too much rote memorization (math facts); compounded by girl cliques and general unpleasantness amongst the students that goes uncontrolled by this particular teacher. One teacher doesn't seem to like boys so most parents of boys leave before the third grade, as we did. From what I've read on this site the same miserable uncreative art teacher is still there. A french teacher is problematic. And there is a fifth grade teacher (got to be an Aspie - no social skills whatsoever; no eye contact) whom no one likes. 9:46 is right - WES was really great in the early years, but I think the two headmasters hired by the board after Mrs. Schuessler (the founder) left were weak in the management department and preferred to kiss up to the teachers than attend to children's needs. In other words, they are afraid of the teachers that need to be let go. Yes, some have been let go, but there really is still too much rote memorization, punitive measures taken (read some other threads about this) and no training amongst teachers for differentiated styles of learning. Few parents leave feeling good about the school. And by 8th grade, the class is tiny and many of the kids in it came in in later years to fill the slots of those who had left.