Atmosphere at Minnie Howard & TC Williams?

[Anonymous]

DC is been at a very nurturing k-8 private but we are considering going public for HS, partly for financial reasons, partly b/c a more diverse school would be nice. I am not concerned about the academics; clearly, despite the detractors, ACPS gets plenty of rbight kids and they do well in college admissions. But, here's my biggest fear: would it be hard for a fairly quiet kid from a very small school, one where kids get a lot of independence, to adjust? Can anyone whose kids are currently at Minnie Howard or TC comment on the atmosphere?

By that, I mean: does it feel chaotic? Overly structured? Friendly? Hostile? When you walk around in the halls, does it seem quiet and calm? Noisy? Out of control, or overly rigid and disciplined? Do the kids seem HAPPY when you see them walking around? Do teachers seem happy? Does it feel friendly and welcoming, or like a prison, or like a Grand Central Station?

[Anonymous]

what I have heard is that you sign your kid up for honors classes and you make sure they get involved in a sport or band and things should be ok. She will make friends with those kids and that will form a small group.

lots of kids go to public after attending the K-8 privates in Alexandria.

[Anonymous]

TC is just fabulous in every respect -- far better in every respect than our former privates, and I mean it.

[Anonymous]

How does signing up for classes work, anyway? How does a kid coming in from outside ACPS know what classes are at the right level?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How does signing up for classes work, anyway? How does a kid coming in from outside ACPS know what classes are at the right level?

Everything is open enrollment. They can pick their classes.

[Anonymous]

DO they offer any meaningful assistance in figuring which classes would be right for a particular child?

[Anonymous]

Each student (or student & parent) meets individually with a guidance counselor when registering. Make an appointment.

[Anonymous]

And what is the social atmosphere like? Scary? Calm? A lot of boisterous and rowdy kids? Bullying? Welcoming?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:TC is just fabulous in every respect -- far better in every respect than our former privates, and I mean it.

Don't know what it was like this year, but in the past, there has been a lot of chaos and fighting in the hallways, and a stark divide racially. A lot of gang wannabe problems.

Granted, that was our experience about three years ago. And I guess it was related to four or five families who live(d) in the projects? Maybe it has changed.

It is definitely an underperforming school, but if you get "tracked" right, you can do well.

Here's video from one of the fights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TvpLb-fexLI

Here's another story: http://www.acpsk12.org/theogony/2009-2010/2010/01/07/sophomores-account-for-most-tc-fights/ -- I mean, 40 fights in one term? Wow.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:TC is just fabulous in every respect -- far better in every respect than our former privates, and I mean it.

Please, please give some details: what do you like? What's better?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:TC is just fabulous in every respect -- far better in every respect than our former privates, and I mean it.

Please, please give some details: what do you like? What's better?

Bumpety bump.

[Anonymous]

You really have to buy into the "Yale of Jail" thing and be sure to get tracked away from the "diversity."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:TC is just fabulous in every respect -- far better in every respect than our former privates, and I mean it.

Please, please give some details: what do you like? What's better?

Bumpety bump.

I think one of the great advantages is the wealth of course offerings the school has. You can see the list of available courses in the Program of Studies:
http://www.acps.k12.va.us/guidehs/program-of-studies.pdf

There's also a ton of extra-curricular activities, both athletic and non-athletic. You can get more information on that by contact the school.

Note that the PP who posted an article talking about fights was referring to an article from several years ago. They've current students and parents I speak with say that problem was dealt with quite effectively, and the the hallways are calm and orderly. I'm not going to say there are never fights, of course there are at this school or any school, but it just doesn't appear to be an issue.

Regarding the transition from private to public and whether there is a "Yale or jail" or "divide" between the students, I think that rather than having us anonymous posters trade comments, perhaps we might all benefit from reading the graduation speech made by last years valedictorian, who himself transferred into TC Williams after private school. His speech directly touches on both points.

http://www.acps.k12.va.us/news2014/nr2014061301-goodwin.php

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:TC is just fabulous in every respect -- far better in every respect than our former privates, and I mean it.

Please, please give some details: what do you like? What's better?

Bumpety bump.

I think one of the great advantages is the wealth of course offerings the school has. You can see the list of available courses in the Program of Studies:
http://www.acps.k12.va.us/guidehs/program-of-studies.pdf

There's also a ton of extra-curricular activities, both athletic and non-athletic. You can get more information on that by contact the school.

Note that the PP who posted an article talking about fights was referring to an article from several years ago. They've current students and parents I speak with say that problem was dealt with quite effectively, and the the hallways are calm and orderly. I'm not going to say there are never fights, of course there are at this school or any school, but it just doesn't appear to be an issue.

Regarding the transition from private to public and whether there is a "Yale or jail" or "divide" between the students, I think that rather than having us anonymous posters trade comments, perhaps we might all benefit from reading the graduation speech made by last years valedictorian, who himself transferred into TC Williams after private school. His speech directly touches on both points.

http://www.acps.k12.va.us/news2014/nr2014061301-goodwin.php

Impressive speech.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:TC is just fabulous in every respect -- far better in every respect than our former privates, and I mean it.

Please, please give some details: what do you like? What's better?

Bumpety bump.

I think one of the great advantages is the wealth of course offerings the school has. You can see the list of available courses in the Program of Studies:
http://www.acps.k12.va.us/guidehs/program-of-studies.pdf

There's also a ton of extra-curricular activities, both athletic and non-athletic. You can get more information on that by contact the school.

Note that the PP who posted an article talking about fights was referring to an article from several years ago. They've current students and parents I speak with say that problem was dealt with quite effectively, and the the hallways are calm and orderly. I'm not going to say there are never fights, of course there are at this school or any school, but it just doesn't appear to be an issue.

Regarding the transition from private to public and whether there is a "Yale or jail" or "divide" between the students, I think that rather than having us anonymous posters trade comments, perhaps we might all benefit from reading the graduation speech made by last years valedictorian, who himself transferred into TC Williams after private school. His speech directly touches on both points.

http://www.acps.k12.va.us/news2014/nr2014061301-goodwin.php

This sums it up: "And its definitely not the athletic program considering we can't even play home games at night. "