Washington International School's college matriculation rivals STA/NCS... why no attention?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Never see WIS discussed but it appears to be just as competent at sending kids to the Ivies as STA/NCS, Sidwell, and GDS. So why do we pretend it doesn't exist?

Maybe because their admits are the token Italians, Ghanans, brasilians at the colleges they get admitted to?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Never see WIS discussed but it appears to be just as competent at sending kids to the Ivies as STA/NCS, Sidwell, and GDS. So why do we pretend it doesn't exist?

Maybe because their admits are the token Italians, Ghanans, brasilians at the colleges they get admitted to?

If the kids were born here, they are American regardless of where their parents came from. And those admitted to top colleges might just be very smart children of very accomplished parents. For example a son of a high level official at the IMF who was admitted to Princeton despite neither parent being a legacy. To get any meaningful comparison of WIS vs STA/NCS admits to top schools you would need to know the share of legacies. I would be almost certain it is much lower at WIS. Many WIS parents are not interested in US colleges either because IMF kids get 75% of their tuition and any travel expenses paid if they go abroad. That explains the high proportion of top UK and Canadian colleges among their admits.

[Anonymous]

WIS parents are funny. Nobody would ever consider WIS as a Big 3.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:WIS parents are funny. Nobody would ever consider WIS as a Big 3.

I never met a WIS parent who referred to the school as a Big 3. Partially because they would not even be aware what the Big 3 is. The school does not attract your typical prestige obsessed DCUM mom, god bless. I find it actually more fascinating why so many who “would never consider” the school, have such a strong urge to insult it whenever given a chance.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:WIS parents are funny. Nobody would ever consider WIS as a Big 3.

Which is what makes WIS so awesome.

[Anonymous]

You mean, there is a well-regraded school in dc with great college matriculation and non-asshole parents? I don’t believe you, post a peer reviewed article published in a well-regarded scientific journal or IT ISN'T TRUE!

Just kidding. I just love dcum!!

[Anonymous]

My kid graduated from WIS a few years ago. DC got into several top LACs and desirable public universities like UCLA, Michigan and UNC with a ACT score of 31 and grades of 6's and 5's in most of the WIS classes (that would be the equivalent of B+ and Bs at other private high schools). We think the rigor of the IB program/reputation of WIS/and personal interaction with admissions officers visiting the school (graduating class only has about 60 students) definitely helped DC with admissions. Friends at comparable Big 3 schools needed a higher testing score and probably a better GPA to get into the same schools. I should add that DC is not a minority or an athlete but did have some unique volunteering extracurriculars that could have helped with admissions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Never see WIS discussed but it appears to be just as competent at sending kids to the Ivies as STA/NCS, Sidwell, and GDS. So why do we pretend it doesn't exist?

A. Comparing WIS to non-IB is schools is useless. Like apples and star fruit.

B. It's a small pool of comparables. Three are public or public charter schools. One is Catholic (Archbishop Carroll). One is for-profit (British International School) and then there's WIS.

That's not a lot of parents to begin with. Why would they spend much time here? Ivies aren't usually a priority for parents and students who pick IB Diploma schools.

BTW, the public DC schools include Benjamin Banneker (academically selective STEM school, also AP.), Eastern (honors program, not the entire school), DC International (charter with bilingual feeder school network). DCI is probably closest to WIS in bilingual model. It's free, but you only get in by lottery. You literally cannot buy your way into the school.

So are we done with this thread or are the PP trolls coming back out from under their bridges?

Stay safe!

[Anonymous]

I mean, why fight to be called one of the Big Apples when everyone recognizes you’re THE star fruit (whether they like star fruit or not)?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:WIS parents are funny. Nobody would ever consider WIS as a Big 3.

I'm not sure why this thread is so divisive. Our DC got into WIS middle school last year, and we loved it in so many ways. DC wanted a different school and we went with it. He's delighted where he is. But we looked long and hard at WIS and thought it had a ton to offer - smart, nice kids and families, excellent outcomes, lovely setting, great experiences, and strong teachers/faculty.

WIS is definitely under appreciated beyond families with ties to the bank and the fund. And I don't think the parents are on here regularly if at all. You've got to really meet families who have kids there to see what it offers. It's worth taking the time and getting to know the school, which is clearly going places.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:WIS parents are funny. Nobody would ever consider WIS as a Big 3.

I'm not sure why this thread is so divisive.

I think there's a strong anti-immigrant bias behind many of the negative comments about the school on this forum in general. It's unfortunate, but best to turn the other cheek and remember that trash talk reflects mostly on those who do the talking.

[Anonymous]

Never see WIS discussed but it appears to be just as competent at sending kids to the Ivies as STA/NCS, Sidwell, and GDS. So why do we pretend it doesn't exist?

None of these schools "send" kids to the Ivies. The top prep schools are filled with hooked and connected kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Nobody cares about that school

Sorry that your kid was rejected.

1. We never even thought of that school, let alone applied.

2. Everyone gets into that school

3. Have you seen the facilities? LOL.

WHY CAN'T ANYONE ANSWER THE QUESTION? WHAT IS THE REAL DEAL WITH WIS?

WIS had always been a desirable school for the lower school and admission is competitive.

A few years ago there was a lot of “noise” about the poor quality of their lower school math program. Several families who are well connected/known in NWDC circles left WIS and were somewhat noisy about why. There were also rumors about racism toward American blacks at the lower school. Plus it attracts international families (expats) from WB, IMF and Embassies who eventually return home so the student population can be a bit transient.

All that said the upper school is a different kettle of fish. It’s a very strong community with an excellent IB program. The reason it doesn’t attract the same families as STA NCS and Sidwell is because WIS offers an IB degree. American parents aren’t as familiar or attracted to that as its not the tradition here. It IS a great school but it attracts the international crowd - which includes American families with a more international lifestyle/outlook.

It is 100% this. Although as DCI becomes more of a presence in DC, more people are realizing the value of an IB degree.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I mean, why fight to be called one of the Big Apples when everyone recognizes you’re THE star fruit (whether they like star fruit or not)?

I mean, why revive a six yr old thread?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Nobody cares about that school

Sorry that your kid was rejected.

1. We never even thought of that school, let alone applied.

2. Everyone gets into that school

3. Have you seen the facilities? LOL.

WHY CAN'T ANYONE ANSWER THE QUESTION? WHAT IS THE REAL DEAL WITH WIS?

WIS had always been a desirable school for the lower school and admission is competitive.

A few years ago there was a lot of “noise” about the poor quality of their lower school math program. Several families who are well connected/known in NWDC circles left WIS and were somewhat noisy about why. There were also rumors about racism toward American blacks at the lower school. Plus it attracts international families (expats) from WB, IMF and Embassies who eventually return home so the student population can be a bit transient.

All that said the upper school is a different kettle of fish. It’s a very strong community with an excellent IB program. The reason it doesn’t attract the same families as STA NCS and Sidwell is because WIS offers an IB degree. American parents aren’t as familiar or attracted to that as its not the tradition here. It IS a great school but it attracts the international crowd - which includes American families with a more international lifestyle/outlook.

It is 100% this. Although as DCI becomes more of a presence in DC, more people are realizing the value of an IB degree.

DCI was specifically designed based off of WIS's model.