J.O. Wilson

[Anonymous]

My DC will be entering PS in the Fall. I recently toured J.O. Wilson and was very impressed with the Principal, the teachers, the school and the curriculum.

Afterwards, I did a search on DC Urban Mom and was confused by the feedback (which seemed like it was by people who did not have any experience with the school).

Can anyone provide any RECENT first-hand experience with this school (your child is there, your friend's child is there, you volunteer with the school or you've been on a tour)? The Principal is brand new and seems really on the ball. She talked about the changes she's making (afterschool program, etc) and how well received her teachers are by other area schools (e.g. tours to her school to see top teachers in action). She also has an open door policy where any parent can come talk to her and she'll seriously consider any suggestion.

I'm curious if folks around the Hill are unaware of the current status of the school (because it was off the radar for so long). It's one of the better schools I've toured and I've been to a lot of them. I just don't get it.

[Anonymous]

I know of several high SES families there. They are very happy with the school. I suggest folks go on a tour.

[Anonymous]

Tell me about it -- we go to Ludlow Taylor and the DCUM commentary (or invective) on the school bears NO relation to what's really going on there. JO Wilson seems to be making some substantial changes fast, and I've heard nothing but good things about the new principal. My good friend got into -- gasp -- Creative Minds last year and decided to keep her kids at JO b/c she is so happy with all the changes going on there.

[Anonymous]

I toured JO last month and was shocked by how nice the facilities are. Huge ballet studio, large music studio with lots of nice instruments (guitars, drums, etc), art room, very big classrooms. The principal even said she thought they were too big, but I lived all the space. It'll be on my list just not sure where yet.

[Anonymous]

Do not use what people say on various threads as a barometer, you will go bonkers. In the long run who are you going to hold accountable people on DCUM or the people at DCPS if issues arise.

[Anonymous]

Never been inside, but it has the best playground on the Hill for sure

[Anonymous]

I liked that they keep the little kids and the big kids separate. The PS kids eat in different room and go on playground at different times.

[Anonymous]

My friend's kid goes to JO Wilson and they love it. It's a hidden gem. I suspect it will be a few years (maybe less) for it to be a Hill choice school.

[Anonymous]

The JO Wilson principal said her goal was to make it a "community school." She said she wants dedicated families come, stay and contribute to the school culture over the long-term. Yea, she seemed sharp.

[Anonymous]

J.O Wilson has always been a hidden gem.

[Anonymous]

Neighborhood around JO is also changing fast -- the school will also change whether principal likes it or not (and it sounds like she does like it).

[Anonymous]

We are inbound for JO Wilson. Many of our neighbors are seriously considering JO but are trying for the nearby charters first - Two Rivers, SWS, etc.

We realize that those are long shots and would be happy if JO was the only good option.

[Anonymous]

current JO parent here...we love the school. The building is great, the PS classroom is great--nice and spacious with lots of age appropriate stimulation, our PS3 teacher is dynamic and smart, the program (which is play-based) is working out wonderfully for our child (much to my surprise--my first thought was "a play based" program instead of a "literacy based" program is wacky). They also work hard to encourage the little ones to be more independent. The entire staff is warm and welcoming...and always very accessible. You should def check it out!

[Anonymous]

There is much evidence of rampant cheating at JO Wilson on the DC CAS. This, of course, was under the previous administration so hopefully that will not be the case with the new principal. I do wonder if the same teachers are there, though. JO Wilson was one of the worst offenders-- there was excessive erasures in almost every classroom that tested.

[Anonymous]

I think testing protocols have been tightened up citywide, so I wouldn't continue to hold the testing scandal against the school, especially since the administration has turned over.