Walls admissions article in the Post

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What did you hear?

Also, does anyone know if Walls has any plans to reinstate the test? My DC is a rising 8th grader and without the test I don't see any point of having him apply...if the requirements are absurd inflated DCPS grades and interviews, the advantage of Walls over Wilson (academically stronger peer group) will no longer be strong enough to make up for the disadvantages.

Privates don't test in so you're not considering them either? They accept some of the same DCPS inflated grades.

Yes, privates test in.

But this is the DCPS forum.

They do not test in. They may give assessment tests after admitted. That's the poster'a point--Will accept from a private but not SWW🤷🏽‍♂️

For high school admissions, local privates usually require an entrance exam - SSAT/ISEE/HSPT/SCAT/OLSAT or an in-house test - that they use for admissions and sometimes class placement.

I thought some were now at least provisionally test-optional (seeing as the point is to prep students for the Ivy League, which is now provisionally test optional).

Pre-covid, most if not all required some sort of testing. For the next cycle, most schools have not yet announced what their requirements will be.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What did you hear?

Also, does anyone know if Walls has any plans to reinstate the test? My DC is a rising 8th grader and without the test I don't see any point of having him apply...if the requirements are absurd inflated DCPS grades and interviews, the advantage of Walls over Wilson (academically stronger peer group) will no longer be strong enough to make up for the disadvantages.

Privates don't test in so you're not considering them either? They accept some of the same DCPS inflated grades.

Yes, privates test in.

But this is the DCPS forum.

They do not test in. They may give assessment tests after admitted. That's the poster'a point--Will accept from a private but not SWW🤷🏽‍♂️

For high school admissions, local privates usually require an entrance exam - SSAT/ISEE/HSPT/SCAT/OLSAT or an in-house test - that they use for admissions and sometimes class placement.

I thought some were now at least provisionally test-optional (seeing as the point is to prep students for the Ivy League, which is now provisionally test optional).

Pre-covid, most if not all required some sort of testing. For the next cycle, most schools have not yet announced what their requirements will be.

Pre-covid ALL required testing. All waived the outside testing (SSAT, ISEE) for 2021 but some (Sidwell, Potomac) created their own in-house testing. This spring (2022) some required outside (SSAT/ISEE) testing (NCS is one I know of), others required outside or in-house testing (Sidwell/Potomac, etc).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kid didn’t have any students in the interview. Was that supposed to be standard?

This is the issue--zero standards. Totally capricious.

[Anonymous]

Contact your Council Member and the Board. Complaining here won't change anything or make it better.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What did you hear?

Also, does anyone know if Walls has any plans to reinstate the test? My DC is a rising 8th grader and without the test I don't see any point of having him apply...if the requirements are absurd inflated DCPS grades and interviews, the advantage of Walls over Wilson (academically stronger peer group) will no longer be strong enough to make up for the disadvantages.

Walls will still be filled with straight A kids, this is the advantage over Wilson, all other considerations being equal (like proximity form your house).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What did you hear?

Also, does anyone know if Walls has any plans to reinstate the test? My DC is a rising 8th grader and without the test I don't see any point of having him apply...if the requirements are absurd inflated DCPS grades and interviews, the advantage of Walls over Wilson (academically stronger peer group) will no longer be strong enough to make up for the disadvantages.

Walls will still be filled with straight A kids, this is the advantage over Wilson, all other considerations being equal (like proximity form your house).

Right...but straight A isn't what it used to be given grade inflation. Something like 40 percent of Deal gets straight As (and I've hear that it's higher at some other schools). So, yes, there is some advantage but it is mainly one of behavior/discipline...and, while that may be a big advantage--especially if your kid is really bothered by disruption/hallway tussles--don't kid yourself that your DC will be surrounded by "high achievers" at Walls. The question is whether that advantage outweighs the disadvantages of Walls (e.g., if your option is Wilson, far fewer clubs/extracurriculars, APs, overall teacher quality). Having a kid at each right now, it's kind of a wash.

[Anonymous]

Anyone file a FOIA request yet?

Surprised that the Washington Post hasn’t jumped on this?

😉

[Anonymous]

I'm also frustrated by the lack of transparency with the new process, but the kids that I know going to Walls next year from my kid's school are who I expected. (not that I know exact test scores and GPAs. I just know who is in advanced classes and makes the high honor roll).

We're at a charter so less families can likely afford private and very few are in bounds for Wilson. So Walls seems to draw lots of our top performers. Maybe it seems less equitable to kids from Deal because they are over-represented at Walls?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What did you hear?

Also, does anyone know if Walls has any plans to reinstate the test? My DC is a rising 8th grader and without the test I don't see any point of having him apply...if the requirements are absurd inflated DCPS grades and interviews, the advantage of Walls over Wilson (academically stronger peer group) will no longer be strong enough to make up for the disadvantages.

Walls will still be filled with straight A kids, this is the advantage over Wilson, all other considerations being equal (like proximity form your house).

Right...but straight A isn't what it used to be given grade inflation. Something like 40 percent of Deal gets straight As (and I've hear that it's higher at some other schools). So, yes, there is some advantage but it is mainly one of behavior/discipline...and, while that may be a big advantage--especially if your kid is really bothered by disruption/hallway tussles--don't kid yourself that your DC will be surrounded by "high achievers" at Walls. The question is whether that advantage outweighs the disadvantages of Walls (e.g., if your option is Wilson, far fewer clubs/extracurriculars, APs, overall teacher quality). Having a kid at each right now, it's kind of a wash.

+1
This is our experience too...we have had two go through Walls (one graduated a couple of years ago) and one at Wilson. Walls has deteriorated pretty substantially since our first went through...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What did you hear?

Also, does anyone know if Walls has any plans to reinstate the test? My DC is a rising 8th grader and without the test I don't see any point of having him apply...if the requirements are absurd inflated DCPS grades and interviews, the advantage of Walls over Wilson (academically stronger peer group) will no longer be strong enough to make up for the disadvantages.

Walls will still be filled with straight A kids, this is the advantage over Wilson, all other considerations being equal (like proximity form your house).

Right...but straight A isn't what it used to be given grade inflation. Something like 40 percent of Deal gets straight As (and I've hear that it's higher at some other schools). So, yes, there is some advantage but it is mainly one of behavior/discipline...and, while that may be a big advantage--especially if your kid is really bothered by disruption/hallway tussles--don't kid yourself that your DC will be surrounded by "high achievers" at Walls. The question is whether that advantage outweighs the disadvantages of Walls (e.g., if your option is Wilson, far fewer clubs/extracurriculars, APs, overall teacher quality). Having a kid at each right now, it's kind of a wash.

+1
This is our experience too...we have had two go through Walls (one graduated a couple of years ago) and one at Wilson. Walls has deteriorated pretty substantially since our first went through...

How do you know it’s deteriorated substantially since your kids’ graduated? Honest question.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What did you hear?

Also, does anyone know if Walls has any plans to reinstate the test? My DC is a rising 8th grader and without the test I don't see any point of having him apply...if the requirements are absurd inflated DCPS grades and interviews, the advantage of Walls over Wilson (academically stronger peer group) will no longer be strong enough to make up for the disadvantages.

Walls will still be filled with straight A kids, this is the advantage over Wilson, all other considerations being equal (like proximity form your house).

Right...but straight A isn't what it used to be given grade inflation. Something like 40 percent of Deal gets straight As (and I've hear that it's higher at some other schools). So, yes, there is some advantage but it is mainly one of behavior/discipline...and, while that may be a big advantage--especially if your kid is really bothered by disruption/hallway tussles--don't kid yourself that your DC will be surrounded by "high achievers" at Walls. The question is whether that advantage outweighs the disadvantages of Walls (e.g., if your option is Wilson, far fewer clubs/extracurriculars, APs, overall teacher quality). Having a kid at each right now, it's kind of a wash.

Any sense of grade inflation continuing at Walls or Wilson? Grading at most schools is uneven. AP course work and scores is the better indicator than GPA but most HS students don't take significant AP load until 2nd half of HS

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What did you hear?

Also, does anyone know if Walls has any plans to reinstate the test? My DC is a rising 8th grader and without the test I don't see any point of having him apply...if the requirements are absurd inflated DCPS grades and interviews, the advantage of Walls over Wilson (academically stronger peer group) will no longer be strong enough to make up for the disadvantages.

Walls will still be filled with straight A kids, this is the advantage over Wilson, all other considerations being equal (like proximity form your house).

Right...but straight A isn't what it used to be given grade inflation. Something like 40 percent of Deal gets straight As (and I've hear that it's higher at some other schools). So, yes, there is some advantage but it is mainly one of behavior/discipline...and, while that may be a big advantage--especially if your kid is really bothered by disruption/hallway tussles--don't kid yourself that your DC will be surrounded by "high achievers" at Walls. The question is whether that advantage outweighs the disadvantages of Walls (e.g., if your option is Wilson, far fewer clubs/extracurriculars, APs, overall teacher quality). Having a kid at each right now, it's kind of a wash.

+1
This is our experience too...we have had two go through Walls (one graduated a couple of years ago) and one at Wilson. Walls has deteriorated pretty substantially since our first went through...

How do you know it’s deteriorated substantially since your kids’ graduated? Honest question.

I mean, all I can speak to is the comparative experience of our two kids but compared to our older kid, the quality of the teaching, administration, and engagement of the kids is all substantially worse now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What did you hear?

Also, does anyone know if Walls has any plans to reinstate the test? My DC is a rising 8th grader and without the test I don't see any point of having him apply...if the requirements are absurd inflated DCPS grades and interviews, the advantage of Walls over Wilson (academically stronger peer group) will no longer be strong enough to make up for the disadvantages.

Walls will still be filled with straight A kids, this is the advantage over Wilson, all other considerations being equal (like proximity form your house).

Right...but straight A isn't what it used to be given grade inflation. Something like 40 percent of Deal gets straight As (and I've hear that it's higher at some other schools). So, yes, there is some advantage but it is mainly one of behavior/discipline...and, while that may be a big advantage--especially if your kid is really bothered by disruption/hallway tussles--don't kid yourself that your DC will be surrounded by "high achievers" at Walls. The question is whether that advantage outweighs the disadvantages of Walls (e.g., if your option is Wilson, far fewer clubs/extracurriculars, APs, overall teacher quality). Having a kid at each right now, it's kind of a wash.

So in other words, you have no idea. Got it!

+1
This is our experience too...we have had two go through Walls (one graduated a couple of years ago) and one at Wilson. Walls has deteriorated pretty substantially since our first went through...

How do you know it’s deteriorated substantially since your kids’ graduated? Honest question.

I mean, all I can speak to is the comparative experience of our two kids but compared to our older kid, the quality of the teaching, administration, and engagement of the kids is all substantially worse now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What did you hear?

Also, does anyone know if Walls has any plans to reinstate the test? My DC is a rising 8th grader and without the test I don't see any point of having him apply...if the requirements are absurd inflated DCPS grades and interviews, the advantage of Walls over Wilson (academically stronger peer group) will no longer be strong enough to make up for the disadvantages.

Walls will still be filled with straight A kids, this is the advantage over Wilson, all other considerations being equal (like proximity form your house).

Right...but straight A isn't what it used to be given grade inflation. Something like 40 percent of Deal gets straight As (and I've hear that it's higher at some other schools). So, yes, there is some advantage but it is mainly one of behavior/discipline...and, while that may be a big advantage--especially if your kid is really bothered by disruption/hallway tussles--don't kid yourself that your DC will be surrounded by "high achievers" at Walls. The question is whether that advantage outweighs the disadvantages of Walls (e.g., if your option is Wilson, far fewer clubs/extracurriculars, APs, overall teacher quality). Having a kid at each right now, it's kind of a wash.

+1
This is our experience too...we have had two go through Walls (one graduated a couple of years ago) and one at Wilson. Walls has deteriorated pretty substantially since our first went through...

How do you know it’s deteriorated substantially since your kids’ graduated? Honest question.

I mean, all I can speak to is the comparative experience of our two kids but compared to our older kid, the quality of the teaching, administration, and engagement of the kids is all substantially worse now.

So in other words, you have no idea. Got it!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What did you hear?

Also, does anyone know if Walls has any plans to reinstate the test? My DC is a rising 8th grader and without the test I don't see any point of having him apply...if the requirements are absurd inflated DCPS grades and interviews, the advantage of Walls over Wilson (academically stronger peer group) will no longer be strong enough to make up for the disadvantages.

Walls will still be filled with straight A kids, this is the advantage over Wilson, all other considerations being equal (like proximity form your house).

Right...but straight A isn't what it used to be given grade inflation. Something like 40 percent of Deal gets straight As (and I've hear that it's higher at some other schools). So, yes, there is some advantage but it is mainly one of behavior/discipline...and, while that may be a big advantage--especially if your kid is really bothered by disruption/hallway tussles--don't kid yourself that your DC will be surrounded by "high achievers" at Walls. The question is whether that advantage outweighs the disadvantages of Walls (e.g., if your option is Wilson, far fewer clubs/extracurriculars, APs, overall teacher quality). Having a kid at each right now, it's kind of a wash.

Any sense of grade inflation continuing at Walls or Wilson? Grading at most schools is uneven. AP course work and scores is the better indicator than GPA but most HS students don't take significant AP load until 2nd half of HS

Grade inflation is here to stay but it’s due to DCPS policy, not the individual schools. You cannot receive lower than a 63 on any assignment, test, quiz, etc. that you turn in. So kids can fail every test they take and still get a B+ in a class.