Recent Walls Admits from Private?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I love that OP came on asking for advice from people whose kids were admitted to Walls from private and got a bunch of people whose kids don't go to Walls dumping on the school. One person offered actual advice. Never change, DCUM.

People deciding against a school can offer good insights too. I posted above saying that my child would not find the courses she needed to get into the college/major she wanted. This is very helpful information. Walls has some serious deficiencies that smart kids should know in advance, especially if they’re leaving a solid private.

[Anonymous]

whether you're coming from private or public, make sure their 7th grade grades are are strong as possible. Not sure about the last 2 years, but when my kid was applying, the lowest GPA invited for an interview was something like a 3.7 even though their published floor was much lower.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here: testing - thanks - I probably got old information re CAPE scores. Good to know about the recent process.

Those saying "stay in private" I wonder if you have experience in DCPS and private. I do. I admit, I was surprised when I first heard of kids leaving top DC privates for Walls... I thought "why would you do that?" These are teens who I hired to work with my kids on various sports coaching. I asked "oh and do you like it?" They said they loved it. I don't know, maybe they appreciated co-ed or their school was a pressure cooker. One said "the social drama at private was too much". I decided that our plans should be flexible based on a variety of factors that fit the child and our family. Mine is thriving academically in private, but there are reasons to make the change. My other child has been DCPS all the way and it's been comparable with the private kid TBH. I would think with all these options of students and the admissions criteria of grades, letters, and nterviews, Walls has high achieving bright students who want to attend every day, want to learn and engage with inspiring teachers, want to do sports and clubs that interest them. If they have Math Olympiad, debate, model UN, that should work for mine. Hopefully some of the clubs would be during the school day. We are keeping our options open, but from where I sit, Walls is an EXCELLENT option and I'm frankly surprised to find people dogging it. Hmmmmm... I'll search to find out what's "wrong" at Walls. But my child knows people there and we know a few families. We are only hearing good things.

Have you visited the school? I would go to an open house with your kid before making any sort of decision. We decided not to apply after attending an open house.

I was super excited about the school until I saw my stem kid would not have the courses they need to get into the college/major of their choosing. I’m sure it’s great for some but not for us.

PP - thanks so much for pointing this out! We’ve been considering this school for our 7th grader, and I’m now seeing they don’t offer AP Biology and AP Chemistry?!

[Anonymous]

We go to a private that had numerous kids offered a spot for Walls - including mine. Only 1 or 2 are seriously considering it. We have neighbors who have been happy with Walls but after looking into it we decided to stick with the private we had already put a deposit down for. We started in DCPS through late elementary and were not excited to go back. We also have a kid who receives accommodations and were not impressed with what Walls has to offer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here: testing - thanks - I probably got old information re CAPE scores. Good to know about the recent process.

Those saying "stay in private" I wonder if you have experience in DCPS and private. I do. I admit, I was surprised when I first heard of kids leaving top DC privates for Walls... I thought "why would you do that?" These are teens who I hired to work with my kids on various sports coaching. I asked "oh and do you like it?" They said they loved it. I don't know, maybe they appreciated co-ed or their school was a pressure cooker. One said "the social drama at private was too much". I decided that our plans should be flexible based on a variety of factors that fit the child and our family. Mine is thriving academically in private, but there are reasons to make the change. My other child has been DCPS all the way and it's been comparable with the private kid TBH. I would think with all these options of students and the admissions criteria of grades, letters, and nterviews, Walls has high achieving bright students who want to attend every day, want to learn and engage with inspiring teachers, want to do sports and clubs that interest them. If they have Math Olympiad, debate, model UN, that should work for mine. Hopefully some of the clubs would be during the school day. We are keeping our options open, but from where I sit, Walls is an EXCELLENT option and I'm frankly surprised to find people dogging it. Hmmmmm... I'll search to find out what's "wrong" at Walls. But my child knows people there and we know a few families. We are only hearing good things.

Have you visited the school? I would go to an open house with your kid before making any sort of decision. We decided not to apply after attending an open house.

I was super excited about the school until I saw my stem kid would not have the courses they need to get into the college/major of their choosing. I’m sure it’s great for some but not for us.

PP - thanks so much for pointing this out! We’ve been considering this school for our 7th grader, and I’m now seeing they don’t offer AP Biology and AP Chemistry?!

I'm curious what course are lacking for what college/major? To answer PP's question, AP Biology is offered every other year; no AP Chemistry is offered. AP Physics 1 and C are offered every year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here: testing - thanks - I probably got old information re CAPE scores. Good to know about the recent process.

Those saying "stay in private" I wonder if you have experience in DCPS and private. I do. I admit, I was surprised when I first heard of kids leaving top DC privates for Walls... I thought "why would you do that?" These are teens who I hired to work with my kids on various sports coaching. I asked "oh and do you like it?" They said they loved it. I don't know, maybe they appreciated co-ed or their school was a pressure cooker. One said "the social drama at private was too much". I decided that our plans should be flexible based on a variety of factors that fit the child and our family. Mine is thriving academically in private, but there are reasons to make the change. My other child has been DCPS all the way and it's been comparable with the private kid TBH. I would think with all these options of students and the admissions criteria of grades, letters, and nterviews, Walls has high achieving bright students who want to attend every day, want to learn and engage with inspiring teachers, want to do sports and clubs that interest them. If they have Math Olympiad, debate, model UN, that should work for mine. Hopefully some of the clubs would be during the school day. We are keeping our options open, but from where I sit, Walls is an EXCELLENT option and I'm frankly surprised to find people dogging it. Hmmmmm... I'll search to find out what's "wrong" at Walls. But my child knows people there and we know a few families. We are only hearing good things.

Have you visited the school? I would go to an open house with your kid before making any sort of decision. We decided not to apply after attending an open house.

I was super excited about the school until I saw my stem kid would not have the courses they need to get into the college/major of their choosing. I’m sure it’s great for some but not for us.

PP - thanks so much for pointing this out! We’ve been considering this school for our 7th grader, and I’m now seeing they don’t offer AP Biology and AP Chemistry?!

I'm curious what course are lacking for what college/major? To answer PP's question, AP Biology is offered every other year; no AP Chemistry is offered. AP Physics 1 and C are offered every year.

Math goes up to calc BC in AP's, then multivariate. They also have AP Stats. In science, they also offer AP environmental science.

It's not a STEM-focused school, but a family friend graduated last year and is at Johns Hopkins in a STEM major, so STEM kids definitely go there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here: testing - thanks - I probably got old information re CAPE scores. Good to know about the recent process.

Those saying "stay in private" I wonder if you have experience in DCPS and private. I do. I admit, I was surprised when I first heard of kids leaving top DC privates for Walls... I thought "why would you do that?" These are teens who I hired to work with my kids on various sports coaching. I asked "oh and do you like it?" They said they loved it. I don't know, maybe they appreciated co-ed or their school was a pressure cooker. One said "the social drama at private was too much". I decided that our plans should be flexible based on a variety of factors that fit the child and our family. Mine is thriving academically in private, but there are reasons to make the change. My other child has been DCPS all the way and it's been comparable with the private kid TBH. I would think with all these options of students and the admissions criteria of grades, letters, and nterviews, Walls has high achieving bright students who want to attend every day, want to learn and engage with inspiring teachers, want to do sports and clubs that interest them. If they have Math Olympiad, debate, model UN, that should work for mine. Hopefully some of the clubs would be during the school day. We are keeping our options open, but from where I sit, Walls is an EXCELLENT option and I'm frankly surprised to find people dogging it. Hmmmmm... I'll search to find out what's "wrong" at Walls. But my child knows people there and we know a few families. We are only hearing good things.

Have you visited the school? I would go to an open house with your kid before making any sort of decision. We decided not to apply after attending an open house.

I was super excited about the school until I saw my stem kid would not have the courses they need to get into the college/major of their choosing. I’m sure it’s great for some but not for us.

PP - thanks so much for pointing this out! We’ve been considering this school for our 7th grader, and I’m now seeing they don’t offer AP Biology and AP Chemistry?!

I'm curious what course are lacking for what college/major? To answer PP's question, AP Biology is offered every other year; no AP Chemistry is offered. AP Physics 1 and C are offered every year.

Math goes up to calc BC in AP's, then multivariate. They also have AP Stats. In science, they also offer AP environmental science.

It's not a STEM-focused school, but a family friend graduated last year and is at Johns Hopkins in a STEM major, so STEM kids definitely go there.

Sure. If they have no other choice a stem kid will do fine as long as they figure out how to get the courses they need. Tons of dual enrollment I imagine? Not what I want for my kid. I want them to be in a high school class with other math nerds. Walls just doesn’t offer enough for my kids.

This might come across as rude but whatever. I have seen comments here about the science curriculum at dcps and made efforts to understand more from smart kids i know at dcps. I don’t want my kid in the same class as kids who are that poorly prepared in science and math. Sorry. Being honest.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here: testing - thanks - I probably got old information re CAPE scores. Good to know about the recent process.

Those saying "stay in private" I wonder if you have experience in DCPS and private. I do. I admit, I was surprised when I first heard of kids leaving top DC privates for Walls... I thought "why would you do that?" These are teens who I hired to work with my kids on various sports coaching. I asked "oh and do you like it?" They said they loved it. I don't know, maybe they appreciated co-ed or their school was a pressure cooker. One said "the social drama at private was too much". I decided that our plans should be flexible based on a variety of factors that fit the child and our family. Mine is thriving academically in private, but there are reasons to make the change. My other child has been DCPS all the way and it's been comparable with the private kid TBH. I would think with all these options of students and the admissions criteria of grades, letters, and nterviews, Walls has high achieving bright students who want to attend every day, want to learn and engage with inspiring teachers, want to do sports and clubs that interest them. If they have Math Olympiad, debate, model UN, that should work for mine. Hopefully some of the clubs would be during the school day. We are keeping our options open, but from where I sit, Walls is an EXCELLENT option and I'm frankly surprised to find people dogging it. Hmmmmm... I'll search to find out what's "wrong" at Walls. But my child knows people there and we know a few families. We are only hearing good things.

Have you visited the school? I would go to an open house with your kid before making any sort of decision. We decided not to apply after attending an open house.

I was super excited about the school until I saw my stem kid would not have the courses they need to get into the college/major of their choosing. I’m sure it’s great for some but not for us.

PP - thanks so much for pointing this out! We’ve been considering this school for our 7th grader, and I’m now seeing they don’t offer AP Biology and AP Chemistry?!

I'm curious what course are lacking for what college/major? To answer PP's question, AP Biology is offered every other year; no AP Chemistry is offered. AP Physics 1 and C are offered every year.

Math goes up to calc BC in AP's, then multivariate. They also have AP Stats. In science, they also offer AP environmental science.

It's not a STEM-focused school, but a family friend graduated last year and is at Johns Hopkins in a STEM major, so STEM kids definitely go there.

Sure. If they have no other choice a stem kid will do fine as long as they figure out how to get the courses they need. Tons of dual enrollment I imagine? Not what I want for my kid. I want them to be in a high school class with other math nerds. Walls just doesn’t offer enough for my kids.

This might come across as rude but whatever. I have seen comments here about the science curriculum at dcps and made efforts to understand more from smart kids i know at dcps. I don’t want my kid in the same class as kids who are that poorly prepared in science and math. Sorry. Being honest.

You're not sorry. It's perfectly possible to say that Walls didn't seem like a good fit for you kid without being rude, and if you weren't being rude, you wouldn'thave to apologize for it. Walls might not be the best place for a kid who's really focused on science and engineering. That's fine. Not every school is the right place for every kid.

Just a reminder I need to get off DCUM because people here are so much more obnoxious then the people I know in real life.

[Anonymous]

Im telling you why we aren’t interested in the school and providing a valid critique of the poor choices offered to students like my daughter. Sorry this doesn’t reinforce your choice of schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Im telling you why we aren’t interested in the school and providing a valid critique of the poor choices offered to students like my daughter. Sorry this doesn’t reinforce your choice of schools.

Why aren't you answering the question of what specific courses are lacking that your kid needs to get into college/specific major? Genuinely curious.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Im telling you why we aren’t interested in the school and providing a valid critique of the poor choices offered to students like my daughter. Sorry this doesn’t reinforce your choice of schools.

Why aren't you answering the question of what specific courses are lacking that your kid needs to get into college/specific major? Genuinely curious.

From your tone it’s clear you want to argue with me about the choice I made in regards to a school you like. I’m not going to do that. But if you think the paltry offerings at walls are enough for you- congratulations. Btw I am certain I’m not alone in my thoughts about STEM- any walls administrator or college counselor will confirm it’s not great for kids like mine who will literally not have the courses they need. Best of luck to you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Im telling you why we aren’t interested in the school and providing a valid critique of the poor choices offered to students like my daughter. Sorry this doesn’t reinforce your choice of schools.

Why aren't you answering the question of what specific courses are lacking that your kid needs to get into college/specific major? Genuinely curious.

From your tone it’s clear you want to argue with me about the choice I made in regards to a school you like. I’m not going to do that. But if you think the paltry offerings at walls are enough for you- congratulations. Btw I am certain I’m not alone in my thoughts about STEM- any walls administrator or college counselor will confirm it’s not great for kids like mine who will literally not have the courses they need. Best of luck to you.

dp - Just noting that your to e is argumentative as well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Im telling you why we aren’t interested in the school and providing a valid critique of the poor choices offered to students like my daughter. Sorry this doesn’t reinforce your choice of schools.

Why aren't you answering the question of what specific courses are lacking that your kid needs to get into college/specific major? Genuinely curious.

From your tone it’s clear you want to argue with me about the choice I made in regards to a school you like. I’m not going to do that. But if you think the paltry offerings at walls are enough for you- congratulations. Btw I am certain I’m not alone in my thoughts about STEM- any walls administrator or college counselor will confirm it’s not great for kids like mine who will literally not have the courses they need. Best of luck to you.

dp - Just noting that your to e is argumentative as well.

and still refusing to answer the question! Good grief.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Im telling you why we aren’t interested in the school and providing a valid critique of the poor choices offered to students like my daughter. Sorry this doesn’t reinforce your choice of schools.

Why aren't you answering the question of what specific courses are lacking that your kid needs to get into college/specific major? Genuinely curious.

From your tone it’s clear you want to argue with me about the choice I made in regards to a school you like. I’m not going to do that. But if you think the paltry offerings at walls are enough for you- congratulations. Btw I am certain I’m not alone in my thoughts about STEM- any walls administrator or college counselor will confirm it’s not great for kids like mine who will literally not have the courses they need. Best of luck to you.

dp - Just noting that your to e is argumentative as well.

and still refusing to answer the question! Good grief.

Like i said. You want to argue. Enjoy the AP chem that may or may not be taught this year. I’ve done deep dives on here and know exactly how this will go and am not wasting my time. You said above, Walls is not a stem school. Just own that and be happy. I’m happy paying a ton of money for my private if it means my kid is getting what she needs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Im telling you why we aren’t interested in the school and providing a valid critique of the poor choices offered to students like my daughter. Sorry this doesn’t reinforce your choice of schools.

Why aren't you answering the question of what specific courses are lacking that your kid needs to get into college/specific major? Genuinely curious.

From your tone it’s clear you want to argue with me about the choice I made in regards to a school you like. I’m not going to do that. But if you think the paltry offerings at walls are enough for you- congratulations. Btw I am certain I’m not alone in my thoughts about STEM- any walls administrator or college counselor will confirm it’s not great for kids like mine who will literally not have the courses they need. Best of luck to you.

dp - Just noting that your to e is argumentative as well.

and still refusing to answer the question! Good grief.

Like i said. You want to argue. Enjoy the AP chem that may or may not be taught this year. I’ve done deep dives on here and know exactly how this will go and am not wasting my time. You said above, Walls is not a stem school. Just own that and be happy. I’m happy paying a ton of money for my private if it means my kid is getting what she needs.

Sure, Jan