British School of Washington

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I couldn't believe how they spoke to the children. They support a very strict, authoritarian attitude that IMO borders on intimidation. We went by on a non-tour and listened to how the teachers were speaking with children outside. Overly stern glares and looks along with raised voices to kids from teachers don't build respect for rules and others just fear.

That's completely untrue.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My child is there, and I don't appreciate getting 40 minutes of warning for an early pick-up today for a non-emergency.

They warned us yesterday that they might need to close the school because of over-active heaters that they were trying to fix. They opened this morning at 8:30, only to call with an automated message at 10:50 to say that the school was closing at 11:30. Kids were sent out with their teachers to wait in the 50 degree weather for parents to come. I'm just glad that I could be there on time...

While I can appreciate your irritation with such short notice, I don't think it's unreasonable to wait in 50 degree weather. That's actually mild weather for this time of year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I couldn't believe how they spoke to the children. They support a very strict, authoritarian attitude that IMO borders on intimidation. We went by on a non-tour and listened to how the teachers were speaking with children outside. Overly stern glares and looks along with raised voices to kids from teachers don't build respect for rules and others just fear.

That's completely untrue.

That's absolutely true.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I couldn't believe how they spoke to the children. They support a very strict, authoritarian attitude that IMO borders on intimidation. We went by on a non-tour and listened to how the teachers were speaking with children outside. Overly stern glares and looks along with raised voices to kids from teachers don't build respect for rules and others just fear.

I've visited this school several times, and many times I've watched the teachers interact with the students at a local G'town park. What you have written is baloney.

I have heard some criticisms of the school, but none along the lines of your posts. I hope that no one here takes you seriously.

[Anonymous]

For waht it is worth, I went on a casual tour of the BSW and saw nothing but fun, involved, healthy, affectionate interaction from ALL of the teachers there. In fact, not one of the teachers was distracted to make an impression on us adults and we were barely noticed when we were in the room as all of their attention was on the children. Also, I loved the way that the children, from the youngest to the oldest, were totally involved and enthused about what they were learning. I would put the programs I saw way ahead of anything else I have viewed in VA and DC just because of the fun the kids appeared to be having while learning and the level of work they were doing. When I was a kid, the more fun I had the more I learned. I was extremely impressed and plan to take another look around in a few months.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My child is there, and I don't appreciate getting 40 minutes of warning for an early pick-up today for a non-emergency.

They warned us yesterday that they might need to close the school because of over-active heaters that they were trying to fix. They opened this morning at 8:30, only to call with an automated message at 10:50 to say that the school was closing at 11:30. Kids were sent out with their teachers to wait in the 50 degree weather for parents to come. I'm just glad that I could be there on time...

While I can appreciate your irritation with such short notice, I don't think it's unreasonable to wait in 50 degree weather. That's actually mild weather for this time of year.

PP probably meant that the weather was appropriate enough for the kids to be outside a bit, versus requesting a pick-up within 40 minutes for what she deemed a non-emergency.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For waht it is worth, I went on a casual tour of the BSW and saw nothing but fun, involved, healthy, affectionate interaction from ALL of the teachers there. In fact, not one of the teachers was distracted to make an impression on us adults and we were barely noticed when we were in the room as all of their attention was on the children. Also, I loved the way that the children, from the youngest to the oldest, were totally involved and enthused about what they were learning. I would put the programs I saw way ahead of anything else I have viewed in VA and DC just because of the fun the kids appeared to be having while learning and the level of work they were doing. When I was a kid, the more fun I had the more I learned. I was extremely impressed and plan to take another look around in a few months.

This is really good to hear, because if we get accepted we plan to attend. i was getting a bit concerned based on some of the post.

[Anonymous]

Get accepted? I'd give the chance of getting accepted near 99.9%...most classes are not full so they are usually "itching" for new blood, as in $$$$.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Get accepted? I'd give the chance of getting accepted near 99.9%...most classes are not full so they are usually "itching" for new blood, as in $$$$.

What private school isn't "itching" for new blood? Clearly, you've got your hangups w/BSW. You probably posted the other negative, un-informed comments on the other forums...go away...

[Anonymous]

I was surprised to learn that it is a "for profit" institution. What exactly does that mean (besides, I suppose, the obvious). Who is making the profit? How does that affect the school?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I was surprised to learn that it is a "for profit" institution. What exactly does that mean (besides, I suppose, the obvious). Who is making the profit? How does that affect the school?

The 'for-profit' means they, being a part of several British Schools across the U.S., & abroad, are owned an organization (the name escapes me now), & it means they don't do any fundraising.

[Anonymous]

Bump