Washington Episcopal School -- what is it like?

[Anonymous]

I’d say it prepares them well for a lot of different schools. In DD’s class there’s a range of abilities academically but teachers have a nice way of finding a balance between push and support for each kid.

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:It's vibe is like William and Mary

What does this mean?

From Google: "William & Mary is a tough academic school. However the school recognizes that, and provides de-stressing activities like 'pet-a-puppy' and massage chairs in the library during finals. The on-campus community takes care of one another, and the students make W&M a place to love."

The description is half right for WES. It's definitely committed to de-stressing activities, but those who know the local private school landscape would not call WES "a tough academic school." That's not a criticism of WES -- it focuses on keeping kids happy, and it prepares them well for schools like Bullis and St. Andrews.

Only roughly half of the past graduating classes have gone to St. Andrew's and schools at that level.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's vibe is like William and Mary

What does this mean?

From Google: "William & Mary is a tough academic school. However the school recognizes that, and provides de-stressing activities like 'pet-a-puppy' and massage chairs in the library during finals. The on-campus community takes care of one another, and the students make W&M a place to love."

The description is half right for WES. It's definitely committed to de-stressing activities, but those who know the local private school landscape would not call WES "a tough academic school." That's not a criticism of WES -- it focuses on keeping kids happy, and it prepares them well for schools like Bullis and St. Andrews.

I’m sorry, but you are minimizing the school’s academic chops. The top of the class kids at WES have always had their pick of Sidwell, GDS, St. Alban’s, etc. There is a broad range of talents in the class since the kids start so young. The graduating class typically includes kids who go to a broad range of schools, including public HS like Whitman or the magnets.

[Anonymous]

I’m sorry, but you are minimizing the school’s academic chops. The top of the class kids at WES have always had their pick of Sidwell, GDS, St. Alban’s, etc. There is a broad range of talents in the class since the kids start so young. The graduating class typically includes kids who go to a broad range of schools, including public HS like Whitman or the magnets.

This is factual. Some of you guys should look at their end-of-year magazines. Kids are accepted to Sidwell, Maret, STA/NCS, etc. and a few kids stand out every year as high SSAT scorers.

Don't underestimate these kids.

[Anonymous]

+1 The idea that you have to have a wildly intense pressure cooker type of academic experience in MS to get accepted at “top” area privates for HS is just not true. WES provides kids with an excellent academic foundation to thrive at a variety of different schools, but also manages to create a balanced and joyful school experience. WES graduates attend a wide range of schools.

[Anonymous]

One great thing about WES is that there tend to be fewer social climber parents who derive their self worth from their children’s nominal accomplishments.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:One great thing about WES is that there tend to be fewer social climber parents who derive their self worth from their children’s nominal accomplishments.

Not the case for the family I know there

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:One great thing about WES is that there tend to be fewer social climber parents who derive their self worth from their children’s nominal accomplishments.

Not the case for the family I know there

Always an exception to a rule.

[Anonymous]

Another WES parent here. Our kids joined coming from public ES. My impression of the vibe is that it’s a nice mix of well-connected or well-off families who wouldn’t consider public, families who rely on aid to be able to attend, and those in the middle who could just as easily be happy in public and maybe are stretching to be at WES — and it can be hard to tell who is who. Overall, it’s a pretty welcoming group and the school cares about the community feel.

In terms of academics, there are some very smart kids at WES. And those kids enjoy a lot of success in their HS placement. I found the range of academic abilities to be similar to public school. But the HOS and Head of the MS are very helpful in the HS process and meet with each HS to talk about the WES applicants.

And I can’t say enough about the middle school experience at WES. It is uniquely special. The kids come out of there well-prepared for HS, able to advocate for themselves and interact with adults, and very close because of their small class sizes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Another WES parent here. Our kids joined coming from public ES. My impression of the vibe is that it’s a nice mix of well-connected or well-off families who wouldn’t consider public, families who rely on aid to be able to attend, and those in the middle who could just as easily be happy in public and maybe are stretching to be at WES — and it can be hard to tell who is who. Overall, it’s a pretty welcoming group and the school cares about the community feel.

In terms of academics, there are some very smart kids at WES. And those kids enjoy a lot of success in their HS placement. I found the range of academic abilities to be similar to public school. But the HOS and Head of the MS are very helpful in the HS process and meet with each HS to talk about the WES applicants.

And I can’t say enough about the middle school experience at WES. It is uniquely special. The kids come out of there well-prepared for HS, able to advocate for themselves and interact with adults, and very close because of their small class sizes.

I would love to be able to have a kid that came out of middle school well prepared for any HS, able to advocate for themselves and interact with adults, and very close. I know some think it's not a strong academic school, or it's too small, but coming out of public, the offerings are impressive and the parents and students we met have been wonderful so far.

[Anonymous]

What are the sports and arts/music like at WES? Are the teachers supportive of those of all abilities? Well rounded kid who plays sports, and who loves art and music, and looking for a well rounded school - not a "sports powerhouse" (LOL!). Thanks!

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:What is the English reading/writing education like? Finding that MCPS does not have strengths in this area. Thank you!

The 6th-grade English teacher is a published writer and former college/university professor. The 7th/8th grade English teacher has been there for over 15 years, and her classes are typically writing and discussion-based. Almost all 7th/8th-grade teachers organize courses that are freshman year-level material, and alumni consistently report honors class preparedness.

Current WES parent here. The school is amazing at recruiting talented faculty. Especially in the 7th and 8th grade years, the teachers expect constant improvement and self-advocacy. High school preparedness is consistently mentioned in classes.

WES is a great school for students with learning challenges, and there are many middle school students who need and get extra support. The school is easy going on workload, with lots of grace shown on late or missing assignments.

Can you expand on this? I talked with admissions last spring and they told me that WES is not the best place for kids with LDs that need support.

Your kid may have needed more support than they could provide, or they may have “maxed out” on the number of kids in a particular grade with some LDs.

Yeah I feel like people are not giving a realistic picture. There are a couple of students in ASC each year, but those tend to be kids that have been in the school since they were young. WES is not set up to handle learning challenges beyond very mild ADHD and the like that most every school can deal with. If you report learning differences it is likely you will get the same message this applicant did. It’s a very small school and they just don’t have the resources for that.

My child was admitted to WES for lower school with several documented learning disabilities and ADHD. Whether or not they are set up to handle learning challenges or not, they certainly stressed in the application process that they would and could.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What is the English reading/writing education like? Finding that MCPS does not have strengths in this area. Thank you!

The 6th-grade English teacher is a published writer and former college/university professor. The 7th/8th grade English teacher has been there for over 15 years, and her classes are typically writing and discussion-based. Almost all 7th/8th-grade teachers organize courses that are freshman year-level material, and alumni consistently report honors class preparedness.

Current WES parent here. The school is amazing at recruiting talented faculty. Especially in the 7th and 8th grade years, the teachers expect constant improvement and self-advocacy. High school preparedness is consistently mentioned in classes.

WES is a great school for students with learning challenges, and there are many middle school students who need and get extra support. The school is easy going on workload, with lots of grace shown on late or missing assignments.

Can you expand on this? I talked with admissions last spring and they told me that WES is not the best place for kids with LDs that need support.

Your kid may have needed more support than they could provide, or they may have “maxed out” on the number of kids in a particular grade with some LDs.

Yeah I feel like people are not giving a realistic picture. There are a couple of students in ASC each year, but those tend to be kids that have been in the school since they were young. WES is not set up to handle learning challenges beyond very mild ADHD and the like that most every school can deal with. If you report learning differences it is likely you will get the same message this applicant did. It’s a very small school and they just don’t have the resources for that.

My child was admitted to WES for lower school with several documented learning disabilities and ADHD. Whether or not they are set up to handle learning challenges or not, they certainly stressed in the application process that they would and could.

PP, do you feel like the school has handled your child's learning challenges well?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What are the sports and arts/music like at WES? Are the teachers supportive of those of all abilities? Well rounded kid who plays sports, and who loves art and music, and looking for a well rounded school - not a "sports powerhouse" (LOL!). Thanks!

Until 7th grade, kids take band and chorus twice a week. Every 7th—8th grader chooses one to focus on. Everyone participates in the 6th grade musical and Shakespeare in 8th. Jam band and a capella clubs on Fridays as well. We all love the new band teacher. All sports are no-cut and the facilities are the best a K-8 can have. No tennis/volleyball/softball, though. They have everything else. The teachers are used to and accommodate to kids with specific talents. No program is really prioritized over another, and most of the kids love being able to play competitive sports at school no matter how good they are.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What is the English reading/writing education like? Finding that MCPS does not have strengths in this area. Thank you!

The 6th-grade English teacher is a published writer and former college/university professor. The 7th/8th grade English teacher has been there for over 15 years, and her classes are typically writing and discussion-based. Almost all 7th/8th-grade teachers organize courses that are freshman year-level material, and alumni consistently report honors class preparedness.

Current WES parent here. The school is amazing at recruiting talented faculty. Especially in the 7th and 8th grade years, the teachers expect constant improvement and self-advocacy. High school preparedness is consistently mentioned in classes.

WES is a great school for students with learning challenges, and there are many middle school students who need and get extra support. The school is easy going on workload, with lots of grace shown on late or missing assignments.

Can you expand on this? I talked with admissions last spring and they told me that WES is not the best place for kids with LDs that need support.

Your kid may have needed more support than they could provide, or they may have “maxed out” on the number of kids in a particular grade with some LDs.

Yeah I feel like people are not giving a realistic picture. There are a couple of students in ASC each year, but those tend to be kids that have been in the school since they were young. WES is not set up to handle learning challenges beyond very mild ADHD and the like that most every school can deal with. If you report learning differences it is likely you will get the same message this applicant did. It’s a very small school and they just don’t have the resources for that.

My child was admitted to WES for lower school with several documented learning disabilities and ADHD. Whether or not they are set up to handle learning challenges or not, they certainly stressed in the application process that they would and could.

PP, do you feel like the school has handled your child's learning challenges well?

We chose a different school that went until 12th grade. I shouldn’t have said admitted, I meant accepted!