Washington Episcopal School - feedback needed

[Anonymous]

Oh, and admission to SAES in the 9th grader has become competitive while 6th grade is still doable.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If what you want is co-ed, Episcopal, friendly community, rigorous curriculum without the burnout culture, then WES is great. But it's over in 8th.

My advice is to get all that at St. Andrew's and then avoid the Upper School admissions process by staying through 12th. SAES has a MUCH nicer campus, more competitive sports, great college placement, amazing teachers, slightly larger MS but still small, and there's are two different bus routes within a couple of minutes of WES.

St Andrew’s is much, much further out than WES. I wouldn’t consider it for elementary or middle school if I lived in 20815, 20816, or possibly even 20817, which is where the majority of the WES community lives. St. Andrew’s middle school experience also doesn’t compare to that of a K-8. Of course going to a school that goes through 12th secures you a high school placement, but then you are also choosing a high school when you child is still young and you don’t know what will be the best fit. It’s a strategy, but not necessarily the best one for your kid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If what you want is co-ed, Episcopal, friendly community, rigorous curriculum without the burnout culture, then WES is great. But it's over in 8th.

My advice is to get all that at St. Andrew's and then avoid the Upper School admissions process by staying through 12th. SAES has a MUCH nicer campus, more competitive sports, great college placement, amazing teachers, slightly larger MS but still small, and there's are two different bus routes within a couple of minutes of WES.

Just to clarify: WES is a great school to choose if you're looking for an easy-going place for your child in Middle School. It is NOT rigorous (except for the MS Science program and some MS Math classes.) Students mostly go to St. Andrews, Bullis, Holy Child, and schools of similar academic strength - or to public schools. In recent years, there have been very few students going to Sidwell, GDS, STA, or NCS. Which is fine for most of the families at WES, who don't want those types of schools for their children. They want a more relaxed, fun environment with trips.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If what you want is co-ed, Episcopal, friendly community, rigorous curriculum without the burnout culture, then WES is great. But it's over in 8th.

My advice is to get all that at St. Andrew's and then avoid the Upper School admissions process by staying through 12th. SAES has a MUCH nicer campus, more competitive sports, great college placement, amazing teachers, slightly larger MS but still small, and there's are two different bus routes within a couple of minutes of WES.

St Andrew’s is much, much further out than WES. I wouldn’t consider it for elementary or middle school if I lived in 20815, 20816, or possibly even 20817, which is where the majority of the WES community lives. St. Andrew’s middle school experience also doesn’t compare to that of a K-8. Of course going to a school that goes through 12th secures you a high school placement, but then you are also choosing a high school when you child is still young and you don’t know what will be the best fit. It’s a strategy, but not necessarily the best one for your kid.

The other aspect of K-8 vs K-12 is the social dynamics of entering in 9th grade.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If what you want is co-ed, Episcopal, friendly community, rigorous curriculum without the burnout culture, then WES is great. But it's over in 8th.

My advice is to get all that at St. Andrew's and then avoid the Upper School admissions process by staying through 12th. SAES has a MUCH nicer campus, more competitive sports, great college placement, amazing teachers, slightly larger MS but still small, and there's are two different bus routes within a couple of minutes of WES.

Just to clarify: WES is a great school to choose if you're looking for an easy-going place for your child in Middle School. It is NOT rigorous (except for the MS Science program and some MS Math classes.) Students mostly go to St. Andrews, Bullis, Holy Child, and schools of similar academic strength - or to public schools. In recent years, there have been very few students going to Sidwell, GDS, STA, or NCS. Which is fine for most of the families at WES, who don't want those types of schools for their children. They want a more relaxed, fun environment with trips.

Interesting. I don't think anyone would think to call Beauvoir rigorous yet they almost all go to STA/NCS?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If what you want is co-ed, Episcopal, friendly community, rigorous curriculum without the burnout culture, then WES is great. But it's over in 8th.

My advice is to get all that at St. Andrew's and then avoid the Upper School admissions process by staying through 12th. SAES has a MUCH nicer campus, more competitive sports, great college placement, amazing teachers, slightly larger MS but still small, and there's are two different bus routes within a couple of minutes of WES.

Just to clarify: WES is a great school to choose if you're looking for an easy-going place for your child in Middle School. It is NOT rigorous (except for the MS Science program and some MS Math classes.) Students mostly go to St. Andrews, Bullis, Holy Child, and schools of similar academic strength - or to public schools. In recent years, there have been very few students going to Sidwell, GDS, STA, or NCS. Which is fine for most of the families at WES, who don't want those types of schools for their children. They want a more relaxed, fun environment with trips.

Interesting. I don't think anyone would think to call Beauvoir rigorous yet they almost all go to STA/NCS?

Beauvoir has a relationship with NCS/St Albans though. WES doesn’t.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If what you want is co-ed, Episcopal, friendly community, rigorous curriculum without the burnout culture, then WES is great. But it's over in 8th.

My advice is to get all that at St. Andrew's and then avoid the Upper School admissions process by staying through 12th. SAES has a MUCH nicer campus, more competitive sports, great college placement, amazing teachers, slightly larger MS but still small, and there's are two different bus routes within a couple of minutes of WES.

St Andrew’s is much, much further out than WES. I wouldn’t consider it for elementary or middle school if I lived in 20815, 20816, or possibly even 20817, which is where the majority of the WES community lives. St. Andrew’s middle school experience also doesn’t compare to that of a K-8. Of course going to a school that goes through 12th secures you a high school placement, but then you are also choosing a high school when you child is still young and you don’t know what will be the best fit. It’s a strategy, but not necessarily the best one for your kid.

In addition to 20854, the zip codes 20816, 20815, and 20817 is where most of SAES upper school students come from according to the school directory's "students by zip code" pages.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If what you want is co-ed, Episcopal, friendly community, rigorous curriculum without the burnout culture, then WES is great. But it's over in 8th.

My advice is to get all that at St. Andrew's and then avoid the Upper School admissions process by staying through 12th. SAES has a MUCH nicer campus, more competitive sports, great college placement, amazing teachers, slightly larger MS but still small, and there's are two different bus routes within a couple of minutes of WES.

Just to clarify: WES is a great school to choose if you're looking for an easy-going place for your child in Middle School. It is NOT rigorous (except for the MS Science program and some MS Math classes.) Students mostly go to St. Andrews, Bullis, Holy Child, and schools of similar academic strength - or to public schools. In recent years, there have been very few students going to Sidwell, GDS, STA, or NCS. Which is fine for most of the families at WES, who don't want those types of schools for their children. They want a more relaxed, fun environment with trips.

Kids also go to SR, GPrep, Landon, WIS, Holton, SJC…Kids from WES go all over because there is a range of what families want and kids’ abilities. I think for MS, families choose WES because it’s a great place to grow. The faculty and trips are awesome. There’s differentiation in math classes and supports for kids who need it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If what you want is co-ed, Episcopal, friendly community, rigorous curriculum without the burnout culture, then WES is great. But it's over in 8th.

My advice is to get all that at St. Andrew's and then avoid the Upper School admissions process by staying through 12th. SAES has a MUCH nicer campus, more competitive sports, great college placement, amazing teachers, slightly larger MS but still small, and there's are two different bus routes within a couple of minutes of WES.

St Andrew’s is much, much further out than WES. I wouldn’t consider it for elementary or middle school if I lived in 20815, 20816, or possibly even 20817, which is where the majority of the WES community lives. St. Andrew’s middle school experience also doesn’t compare to that of a K-8. Of course going to a school that goes through 12th secures you a high school placement, but then you are also choosing a high school when you child is still young and you don’t know what will be the best fit. It’s a strategy, but not necessarily the best one for your kid.

In addition to 20854, the zip codes 20816, 20815, and 20817 is where most of SAES upper school students come from according to the school directory's "students by zip code" pages.

Yes. I live in 20816 and would only consider St. Andrew’s for upper school. It would be too far for elementary.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If what you want is co-ed, Episcopal, friendly community, rigorous curriculum without the burnout culture, then WES is great. But it's over in 8th.

My advice is to get all that at St. Andrew's and then avoid the Upper School admissions process by staying through 12th. SAES has a MUCH nicer campus, more competitive sports, great college placement, amazing teachers, slightly larger MS but still small, and there's are two different bus routes within a couple of minutes of WES.

Just to clarify: WES is a great school to choose if you're looking for an easy-going place for your child in Middle School. It is NOT rigorous (except for the MS Science program and some MS Math classes.) Students mostly go to St. Andrews, Bullis, Holy Child, and schools of similar academic strength - or to public schools. In recent years, there have been very few students going to Sidwell, GDS, STA, or NCS. Which is fine for most of the families at WES, who don't want those types of schools for their children. They want a more relaxed, fun environment with trips.

Kids also go to SR, GPrep, Landon, WIS, Holton, SJC…Kids from WES go all over because there is a range of what families want and kids’ abilities. I think for MS, families choose WES because it’s a great place to grow. The faculty and trips are awesome. There’s differentiation in math classes and supports for kids who need it.

Just for context, in the years where our children applied out, less than half of the kids applied to any of the DC privates. When you are applying for ninth, there are a lot of other factors that come into a decision - social fit, where you might fall in the class (much better to be near the top wherever you go rather than having a brand name), sports fit, other activities fit. When applying for K, many people have Sidwell, Cathedral, GDS, Maret at the top of the list. That is much less true in high school when you have a lot more information on your kid and they have input.

But the percentage going to the privates changes year to year. A couple years ago with my older child it was like 12 of 30. Other years it’s more like 4-5 kids. It just depends on who is in the class and whether the kids that would be competitive choose to apply to those schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If what you want is co-ed, Episcopal, friendly community, rigorous curriculum without the burnout culture, then WES is great. But it's over in 8th.

My advice is to get all that at St. Andrew's and then avoid the Upper School admissions process by staying through 12th. SAES has a MUCH nicer campus, more competitive sports, great college placement, amazing teachers, slightly larger MS but still small, and there's are two different bus routes within a couple of minutes of WES.

Just to clarify: WES is a great school to choose if you're looking for an easy-going place for your child in Middle School. It is NOT rigorous (except for the MS Science program and some MS Math classes.) Students mostly go to St. Andrews, Bullis, Holy Child, and schools of similar academic strength - or to public schools. In recent years, there have been very few students going to Sidwell, GDS, STA, or NCS. Which is fine for most of the families at WES, who don't want those types of schools for their children. They want a more relaxed, fun environment with trips.

Interesting. I don't think anyone would think to call Beauvoir rigorous yet they almost all go to STA/NCS?

Beauvoir has a relationship with NCS/St Albans though. WES doesn’t.

Like other posters have said, WES sends kids everywhere. And you shouldn't forget that just because a certain school may not be on one year's list doesn't mean a student wasn't admitted there. They very well may have chosen to attend elsewhere.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If what you want is co-ed, Episcopal, friendly community, rigorous curriculum without the burnout culture, then WES is great. But it's over in 8th.

My advice is to get all that at St. Andrew's and then avoid the Upper School admissions process by staying through 12th. SAES has a MUCH nicer campus, more competitive sports, great college placement, amazing teachers, slightly larger MS but still small, and there's are two different bus routes within a couple of minutes of WES.

Just to clarify: WES is a great school to choose if you're looking for an easy-going place for your child in Middle School. It is NOT rigorous (except for the MS Science program and some MS Math classes.) Students mostly go to St. Andrews, Bullis, Holy Child, and schools of similar academic strength - or to public schools. In recent years, there have been very few students going to Sidwell, GDS, STA, or NCS. Which is fine for most of the families at WES, who don't want those types of schools for their children. They want a more relaxed, fun environment with trips.

Interesting. I don't think anyone would think to call Beauvoir rigorous yet they almost all go to STA/NCS?

Beauvoir has a relationship with NCS/St Albans though. WES doesn’t.

Like other posters have said, WES sends kids everywhere. And you shouldn't forget that just because a certain school may not be on one year's list doesn't mean a student wasn't admitted there. They very well may have chosen to attend elsewhere.

This post was in answer to a question about Beauvoir not considered rigorous, it had nothing to do with if WES kids have gone to STA/NCS. I’m sure they have.

[Anonymous]

The lists of where people attend for the K-8s are way less informative than you think. The specific K-8 isn’t going to change your odds. But one thing to consider if you want the Big 3 type schools that you might not realize now is that on tours and shadow days, those often aren’t the schools that stand out to eighth graders. The facilities are meh and the schools don’t go out of their way to present themselves in the best light. So you might have some convincing of your child. Eighth graders are a lot different than kindergarteners and have preferences than might not align with yours if you give them a choice.

[Anonymous]

Agree that k-8 choice has minimal impact on where your child ends up for HS and that an 8th grader might choose a different school than what you might choose for them if applying for earlier grade. Kids in 8th grade tend to have strong opinions that don’t always line up with parent opinions!

The strategy of moving kids from a k-8 to a school where you want them for high school is something a lot of people do to help with admissions odds. This is fine IF you are confident about HS fit for your kid (or, I guess, if you think they have very low chances of getting in later). That said, I can’t think of a school where middle grades shine in the way they do at a k-8 and MS At WES was/is a great experience for our DCs. And yes, kids from their classes ended up/will end up scattered around DMV high schools public and private.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If what you want is co-ed, Episcopal, friendly community, rigorous curriculum without the burnout culture, then WES is great. But it's over in 8th.

My advice is to get all that at St. Andrew's and then avoid the Upper School admissions process by staying through 12th. SAES has a MUCH nicer campus, more competitive sports, great college placement, amazing teachers, slightly larger MS but still small, and there's are two different bus routes within a couple of minutes of WES.

St Andrew’s is much, much further out than WES. I wouldn’t consider it for elementary or middle school if I lived in 20815, 20816, or possibly even 20817, which is where the majority of the WES community lives. St. Andrew’s middle school experience also doesn’t compare to that of a K-8. Of course going to a school that goes through 12th secures you a high school placement, but then you are also choosing a high school when you child is still young and you don’t know what will be the best fit. It’s a strategy, but not necessarily the best one for your kid.

In addition to 20854, the zip codes 20816, 20815, and 20817 is where most of SAES upper school students come from according to the school directory's "students by zip code" pages.

Yes. I live in 20816 and would only consider St. Andrew’s for upper school. It would be too far for elementary.

We live in 20816 and have been at St Andrew's since Lower School. Going against rush hour traffic, it takes less time to get there than some other NW DC options. But we started on the bus at 6th grade.