Washington Latin

[Anonymous]

Does anyone know how many people applied for open 5th grade slots this year?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is Martha Cutts the head of the private school ? Or is Thomas A. Soule, the Head Master? Does anyone know how the new school is doing, what students and teachers think of it etc?

Soule is head of the private school.

[Anonymous]

I heard there were more applicants than there were slots for 5th grade this year, so they'll have to go to a lottery.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I heard there were more applicants than there were slots for 5th grade this year, so they'll have to go to a lottery.

applications up 50-70 depending on grade %

[Anonymous]

I looked on the Washington Latin PCS website, and saw no mention of music whatsoever. How can it offer a classical education without teaching music?

How often do kids have art class? The website mentions that a full arts program will be implemented in the fall for all grades. What does that mean? Visual arts only? What about drama?

Anyone know how many kids are on the wait list for fifth grade? I think DS would fit in well at WLCPS, but music and phys ed are very important to him.

[Anonymous]

One more question: DS hates the idea of uniforms. Does anyone have a problem with this? Is it a continuing fight, or do the kids adjust?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I looked on the Washington Latin PCS website, and saw no mention of music whatsoever. How can it offer a classical education without teaching music?

How often do kids have art class? The website mentions that a full arts program will be implemented in the fall for all grades. What does that mean? Visual arts only? What about drama?

Anyone know how many kids are on the wait list for fifth grade? I think DS would fit in well at WLCPS, but music and phys ed are very important to him.

Washington Latin focuses on language instruction (1 language 5th, and 6th; 2 languages 7th grade and up), and has an offering of mixed media arts and sports. There are excellent after school offerings (clubs) that flesh out the arts curriculum, and many children take music outside of school (our son takes guitar lessons and is in a band with his Washington Latin friends). The school is a new school, and it is building on its core curriculum in a methodical way--great books, great languages. The children have done annual plays, for which they auditioned and improvised. Really high-quality, performed in theaters and supported by staff enthusiasm and involvement. It would be great if you brought your enthusiasm for music to the school to push to implement a robust program.
Vis uniforms--they are not a problem; comfy, soft white polo shirts, khakis (pants or shorts) and one color sneakers. The children also like to sport their Latin sweats and T-s/shorts for sports. My son is a complete non-conformist dresser in his free time; is completely unfazed by wearing a uniform --and like all children, has found small unconscious ways to personalize. Uniforms are not a big or small issue--pretty much transparent to the kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I looked on the Washington Latin PCS website, and saw no mention of music whatsoever. How can it offer a classical education without teaching music?

How often do kids have art class? The website mentions that a full arts program will be implemented in the fall for all grades. What does that mean? Visual arts only? What about drama?

Anyone know how many kids are on the wait list for fifth grade? I think DS would fit in well at WLCPS, but music and phys ed are very important to him.

Washington Latin focuses on language instruction (1 language 5th, and 6th; 2 languages 7th grade and up), and has an offering of mixed media arts and sports. There are excellent after school offerings (clubs) that flesh out the arts curriculum, and many children take music outside of school (our son takes guitar lessons and is in a band with his Washington Latin friends). The school is a new school, and it is building on its core curriculum in a methodical way--great books, great languages. The children have done annual plays, for which they auditioned and improvised. Really high-quality, performed in theaters and supported by staff enthusiasm and involvement. It would be great if you brought your enthusiasm for music to the school to push to implement a robust program.
Vis uniforms--they are not a problem; comfy, soft white polo shirts, khakis (pants or shorts) and one color sneakers. The children also like to sport their Latin sweats and T-s/shorts for sports. My son is a complete non-conformist dresser in his free time; is completely unfazed by wearing a uniform --and like all children, has found small unconscious ways to personalize. Uniforms are not a big or small issue--pretty much transparent to the kids.

Welcome, by the way, if you are an incoming family! I think there are a handful of small, great schools in DC and Latin is one of them. Salve!

[Anonymous]

T.R. Ahlstrom: If you don't dig him, don't go. Period.

[Anonymous]

Ahlstrom hasn't been at Latin PCS for, what, a year? He took his marbles to the private school playground.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Ahlstrom hasn't been at Latin PCS for, what, a year? He took his marbles to the private school playground.

Ahlstrom deserves credit for starting something good. The school has continued on since his departture to build on the vision of a classics-centered education in the city, and it has moved consistently in an upwards trajectory. Martha Cutts has been head since last spring. She and her team, who you can read about on the website, have been working dedicatedly to build a permanent, stable and visionary school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I looked on the Washington Latin PCS website, and saw no mention of music whatsoever. How can it offer a classical education without teaching music?

How often do kids have art class? The website mentions that a full arts program will be implemented in the fall for all grades. What does that mean? Visual arts only? What about drama?

Anyone know how many kids are on the wait list for fifth grade? I think DS would fit in well at WLCPS, but music and phys ed are very important to him.

Washington Latin focuses on language instruction (1 language 5th, and 6th; 2 languages 7th grade and up), and has an offering of mixed media arts and sports. There are excellent after school offerings (clubs) that flesh out the arts curriculum, and many children take music outside of school (our son takes guitar lessons and is in a band with his Washington Latin friends). The school is a new school, and it is building on its core curriculum in a methodical way--great books, great languages. The children have done annual plays, for which they auditioned and improvised. Really high-quality, performed in theaters and supported by staff enthusiasm and involvement. It would be great if you brought your enthusiasm for music to the school to push to implement a robust program.
Vis uniforms--they are not a problem; comfy, soft white polo shirts, khakis (pants or shorts) and one color sneakers. The children also like to sport their Latin sweats and T-s/shorts for sports. My son is a complete non-conformist dresser in his free time; is completely unfazed by wearing a uniform --and like all children, has found small unconscious ways to personalize. Uniforms are not a big or small issue--pretty much transparent to the kids.

Do girls wear the same uniform -- khaki pants or shorts but no skirts? Sneakers for them, too? I'm pro-uniform in general, but I'd hope for something a little more flattering and feminine!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I looked on the Washington Latin PCS website, and saw no mention of music whatsoever. How can it offer a classical education without teaching music?

How often do kids have art class? The website mentions that a full arts program will be implemented in the fall for all grades. What does that mean? Visual arts only? What about drama?

Anyone know how many kids are on the wait list for fifth grade? I think DS would fit in well at WLCPS, but music and phys ed are very important to him.

Washington Latin focuses on language instruction (1 language 5th, and 6th; 2 languages 7th grade and up), and has an offering of mixed media arts and sports. There are excellent after school offerings (clubs) that flesh out the arts curriculum, and many children take music outside of school (our son takes guitar lessons and is in a band with his Washington Latin friends). The school is a new school, and it is building on its core curriculum in a methodical way--great books, great languages. The children have done annual plays, for which they auditioned and improvised. Really high-quality, performed in theaters and supported by staff enthusiasm and involvement. It would be great if you brought your enthusiasm for music to the school to push to implement a robust program.
Vis uniforms--they are not a problem; comfy, soft white polo shirts, khakis (pants or shorts) and one color sneakers. The children also like to sport their Latin sweats and T-s/shorts for sports. My son is a complete non-conformist dresser in his free time; is completely unfazed by wearing a uniform --and like all children, has found small unconscious ways to personalize. Uniforms are not a big or small issue--pretty much transparent to the kids.

Skirts are an option. What was really cute was a self-organized girls' hip hop dance troupe at Arts Night that had the letters to spell out 'SEPTEM' (Latin for seven) emblazoned on the back of their pullovers. How often do you see that these days?

[Anonymous]

Thanks!

[Anonymous]

For anyone looking for a well-established, terrific parochial school with a classical curriculum, be sure to check out Immanuel Lutheran School in Alexandria. Immanuel is a wonderful small school right off of Russell Road in the City of Alexandria (very easy to find, just beyond Arlington/Alexandria border). Academic expectations are high, as well as behavoral expectations. My son is in 3rd grade and has been at Immanuel since Kindergarten. The classical curriculum is really amazing -- very distinctive -- and light years ahead of just about every other school we considered. Latin begins in 3rd grade and the teaching of classical literature and composers, and the history of western civilization begins in Kindergarten. The material is presented in such a way that children have a terrific time learning. Tuition is a fraction of other area private schools (approx. $7500/year)