Deal Middle school vs Washington latin?

[Anonymous]

I'm actually a student at WL( we just call it Latin at school). I have to say Latin is rigorius and challenging , but in the best way because it makes us ( the students) stick together. I've been at WLPCS for 4 years now and I'm going to the WL high school this fall. I'm excited to go there and take French and Latin, also to blossom as a freshman. Eventhough Latin is small, it's growing into a nice diverse school. I've personally never met so many extradinary people. In class , the atmosphere is small enough for us to have intimate debates and seminars , but big enough that each indivisual brings a different and new idea to the experiance. If my parents hadn't sent me here back in the fall of 2008, I wouldn't have met my best friends , for we all come from different wards and ethnic backgrounds. I love Latin!!!!
the genuine future freshman,
Khalia G.

[Anonymous]

This thread is more "up" on Latin and Deal than previous ones, but we've rejected both for 7th grade (IB for Deal, lotteried into Latin) for lack of differentiation in most classes for a math and science-gifted kid.

Latin tracks only for 8th grade algebra and Latin. Deal offers "ability grouping" a little more for math, but doesn't offer G&T/honors classes across the board. We're switching to a MoCo MS that tracks heavily (even offering 6th grade algebra), putting our kid on a path to BC (upper level) AP calculus and physics by 12th grade.

We've found that the emphasis on educating poor urban youth who are "behind" hasn't worked terribly well for us at Latin. If the school ran on a selective admissions basis we'd probably stay, but there are too many low-income kids who need, and get, remediation at Latin at the expense of high performers for our tastes. It would be a different story if the poor kids were coming out of ES G&T programs, like at the best NYC public middle schools and those in the burbs.

If your kid is future INTEL or Siemens competition material, math and science are on the basic side at both Deal and Latin. These are certainly very fine schools by DC standards, but not great ones by MoCo or Fairfax standards. If my very bright and disciplined kid would be challenged and pushed at Deal/Wilson or Latin MS/Latin HS, or I could afford a private, I'd stay in the city.

[Anonymous]

This is strange PP. Our child is at Latin HS; we have mapped out studies, and our child is on track for AP calculus and physics in 12th grade. I agree that Latin does not bring the intensity to math and science that attending a math and science G and T program would bring, but our child has received very personalized attention this year. We are also excited to be making inroads into Science Fair, and an expanded FIRST robotics club next year. Latin grows yearly. The one thing I think they could do in math/science is form more partnership/s with area universities or research institutes to give the kids access to more applied science. To the incoming poster above, welcome! I think you will be happy in Upper School. The children are very welcoming and the older grades look out for the incoming class.

[Anonymous]

What about taking upper level courses at a community college or university? When I was in public high school, I took many courses at the local community college, as well as two at the local university. These were mainly for enrichment and out of personal interest - classes not offered at the high school, not advanced levels of math. Of course that could be done. It was super easy and very inexpensive. It did involve me driving to the community college and taking classes at night but if a school fits a kid for every other reason, why not stay at that school and get the one or two classes the student needs elsewhere.

[Anonymous]

WLPCS because if you pick deal and change your mind it will be too late and you can always go to deal because you are in bounds

[Anonymous]

I don't understand why any JKLM parent would put their child on a bus all the way across town to attend Latin. Why not just give up the ghost of "urban" utopia and move a mile down the road to VA or MD and have your child attend a high functioning school.
Should your child have to schlep all over town to get to this school just so you can have a "walkable" living experience? What a joke! Instead of being a grown up and dealing with a commute yourself, you have your CHILD do the commute all the way over to Latin every day. It is parental malpractice. Just nuts.

[Anonymous]

We have lived here for 15 years hoping the schools in our neighborhood would improve by the time our kids were ready for middle school, surely 6 years is enough time we thought. Well they didn't and now a lot of us can't afford to move. We are stuck in DC, moving expenses, MD penalty tax, money to finish your house to get it ready to sell. We would all love to keep our kids in the neighborhood, who wouldn't.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't understand why any JKLM parent would put their child on a bus all the way across town to attend Latin. Why not just give up the ghost of "urban" utopia and move a mile down the road to VA or MD and have your child attend a high functioning school.
Should your child have to schlep all over town to get to this school just so you can have a "walkable" living experience? What a joke! Instead of being a grown up and dealing with a commute yourself, you have your CHILD do the commute all the way over to Latin every day. It is parental malpractice. Just nuts.

Riggght. And a parents nightmare commute and absence from home is definitely in the best interest of the children. Why so judgemental? All the way to parental malpractice. You are one insecure suburbanite!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't understand why any JKLM parent would put their child on a bus all the way across town to attend Latin. Why not just give up the ghost of "urban" utopia and move a mile down the road to VA or MD and have your child attend a high functioning school.
Should your child have to schlep all over town to get to this school just so you can have a "walkable" living experience? What a joke! Instead of being a grown up and dealing with a commute yourself, you have your CHILD do the commute all the way over to Latin every day. It is parental malpractice. Just nuts.

Wait -- kids don't take buses to school in VA or MD?!?!?!

[Anonymous]

We toured Deal and spoke with many happy Deal parents (when our son was in 4th grade), but we ultimately chose Washington Latin. We are so happy with our choice. The commute to its new modernized facility is well worth it. The administration is clear on its mission, organized, and personal. It's taking the school a bit longer to get the gym built because the school is so committed to maintaining small class sizes (17 kids/class). The school sets clear, high academic expectations and, at the same time, is a warm, playful, and welcoming community. We love the diversity of the school. Kids come from all over the city. Because the school is relatively small (roughly 75/grade), kids have ample leadership opportunities in and outside the classroom.

[Anonymous]

re: Bullying at WL - With two kids at WL, we occasionally hear stories about students who are act out and engage in bully-ish behavior. The school consistently responds with appropriate, logical consequences. Most important, though, the small class and overall school size ensures that everyone is known. It's an intimate (but not too intimate) community where -- it seems -- kids of all stripes feel a sense of belonging. Of course concerning incidents surface from time to time, but a culture of mutual respect and warmth clearly permeates the school.

[Anonymous]

Another happy Latin parent here. I hear wonderful things about Deal and know many people who are very happy with it, but if you believe a smaller school environment would be better for your DC, then Latin is a wonderful choice. I am continually pleased with both the curriculum and the warmth of the school culture and its commitment to raising students who are thoughtful and responsible citizens. Latin's senior administration is very, very strong.

[Anonymous]

Another incredibly happy Latin parent. We are new to Latin, and couldn't be more impressed. Much stronger academics than my child was used to, but she's rising to the occasion. So glad we left before Deal was our only option. Now we will get sibling preference, and with the small class sizes and the incredibly happy teachers, we are incredibly happy to have won the lottery.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This thread is more "up" on Latin and Deal than previous ones, but we've rejected both for 7th grade (IB for Deal, lotteried into Latin) for lack of differentiation in most classes for a math and science-gifted kid.

Latin tracks only for 8th grade algebra and Latin. Deal offers "ability grouping" a little more for math, but doesn't offer G&T/honors classes across the board. We're switching to a MoCo MS that tracks heavily (even offering 6th grade algebra), putting our kid on a path to BC (upper level) AP calculus and physics by 12th grade.

We've found that the emphasis on educating poor urban youth who are "behind" hasn't worked terribly well for us at Latin. If the school ran on a selective admissions basis we'd probably stay, but there are too many low-income kids who need, and get, remediation at Latin at the expense of high performers for our tastes. It would be a different story if the poor kids were coming out of ES G&T programs, like at the best NYC public middle schools and those in the burbs.

If your kid is future INTEL or Siemens competition material, math and science are on the basic side at both Deal and Latin. These are certainly very fine schools by DC standards, but not great ones by MoCo or Fairfax standards. If my very bright and disciplined kid would be challenged and pushed at Deal/Wilson or Latin MS/Latin HS, or I could afford a private, I'd stay in the city.

We had The same problem at Latin (attended) AND Deal. Then along came BASIS. Wihout the whole social pecking order of a large HS where jocks rule the roost, our 7h grader is in precal and getting A/s.

[Anonymous]

The thread is about Latin and Deal. Not BASIS.