Did Walls interview invites go out?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Im genuinely baffled by how many of my child’s friends that weren’t asked for an interview. These kids had 4.0s or close to it, took the hardest classes, and were excellent students and leaders in their schools. I understand they don’t look at GPA much and no CAPE, but I’m surprised that they were passed over.

I agree. It seems kind of BS. I am sure kids selected are great. But kids not selected seem equally great.

Let’s get real here.

It is BS because there is no objective data being used such as standardized testing.

It’s BS that they just look at GPA only and not at the actual courses that kids take and if it’s the most advance or hardest. Plus grade inflation.

It’s BS that so much of the criteria is weighted with recommendations and subjective and opaque.

The highest performing kids are not getting in due to above and the academic cohort coming into the school is lower.

That is the bottom line.

Yes agreed. I’m not disappointed for my kids but I’m disappointed as a dc taxpayer that our “best” high school has been watered down their admissions to this point.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yeah, my 4.0 kid didn't get an invite to interview at SWW either (assuming they've all been sent out). He's an introvert, and I assume his recs put him at the top for academic potential and intellectual curiosity but couldn't for leadership, teamwork, etc. Mercifully we are at one of the charters that goes through 12th, and we're not sure he would have even chosen SWW over staying put anyway. It makes decisonmaking easier! Good luck to everyone in this process, and I hope all the kids land somewhere that serves them well.

I’m not sure if that’s the case to be honest (about introversion being the reason for less enthusiastic recs). I’m a PP with a kid with a 4.0 and he’s extroverted and friends with everyone. I would say his kindness and friendliness is much stronger than his academic ability (he has to work hard for those grades, it does not come naturally to him). His teachers have always highlighted what a pleasant, friendly, cooperative kid he is. That said, the teacher who would have given him his strongest recommendation ended up leaving the school and we had no way to contact the teacher, so our recommendations may not have been as strong because we had to scramble last minute to find another recommender. In any event, it seems like there isn’t a lot of rhyme or reason to this process but I’m secretly relieved. My kid and I both thought the SWW building felt like a dungeon - very oppressive and dark. He was having second thoughts after the open house, so it’s for the best for us. Best of luck to everyone who wants to get in!

Are you sure you went to SWW? It is crowded but I’ve never heard it described as oppressive and dark. There are tons of windows and natural light.

The open house was at night and there were some areas that had no windows at all (like a science classroom and where the kids supposedly have lunch). Maybe that was why. In any event, it does not feel like the typical high school experience I had with a spacious campus, large auditorium, gymnasium, greenery, parking lot, etc.

So you went to the school at night and complain it was dark? And you think kids eat lunch in the three windowless science classrooms in the basement? Okay. Sounds like the school isn’t a good fit. Your assessment of the school based on a classroom at night is absurd.

My child has almost never eaten lunch at school. They get to leave campus all 4 years - most schools that doesn't start until Junior year or is infeasible due to geography. Lunch is either outside in the GW courtyards or at Western Market.

Point is definitely being missed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yeah, my 4.0 kid didn't get an invite to interview at SWW either (assuming they've all been sent out). He's an introvert, and I assume his recs put him at the top for academic potential and intellectual curiosity but couldn't for leadership, teamwork, etc. Mercifully we are at one of the charters that goes through 12th, and we're not sure he would have even chosen SWW over staying put anyway. It makes decisonmaking easier! Good luck to everyone in this process, and I hope all the kids land somewhere that serves them well.

I’m not sure if that’s the case to be honest (about introversion being the reason for less enthusiastic recs). I’m a PP with a kid with a 4.0 and he’s extroverted and friends with everyone. I would say his kindness and friendliness is much stronger than his academic ability (he has to work hard for those grades, it does not come naturally to him). His teachers have always highlighted what a pleasant, friendly, cooperative kid he is. That said, the teacher who would have given him his strongest recommendation ended up leaving the school and we had no way to contact the teacher, so our recommendations may not have been as strong because we had to scramble last minute to find another recommender. In any event, it seems like there isn’t a lot of rhyme or reason to this process but I’m secretly relieved. My kid and I both thought the SWW building felt like a dungeon - very oppressive and dark. He was having second thoughts after the open house, so it’s for the best for us. Best of luck to everyone who wants to get in!

Are you sure you went to SWW? It is crowded but I’ve never heard it described as oppressive and dark. There are tons of windows and natural light.

The open house was at night and there were some areas that had no windows at all (like a science classroom and where the kids supposedly have lunch). Maybe that was why. In any event, it does not feel like the typical high school experience I had with a spacious campus, large auditorium, gymnasium, greenery, parking lot, etc.

So you went to the school at night and complain it was dark? And you think kids eat lunch in the three windowless science classrooms in the basement? Okay. Sounds like the school isn’t a good fit. Your assessment of the school based on a classroom at night is absurd.

My child has almost never eaten lunch at school. They get to leave campus all 4 years - most schools that doesn't start until Junior year or is infeasible due to geography. Lunch is either outside in the GW courtyards or at Western Market.

Point is definitely being missed.

So Walls has no cafeteria and kids have to eat lunch in the classroom if they don’t want to go outside or if weather is bad?

[Anonymous]

My child is an athlete, is STEM focused, and eats school lunch at the school everyday. DC is having a great experience at Walls. YMMV.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My child is an athlete, is STEM focused, and eats school lunch at the school everyday. DC is having a great experience at Walls. YMMV.

Your kid is at the wrong school. Just change Walls to Basis and you are set. Both similarly lacking in facilities and amenities.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yeah, my 4.0 kid didn't get an invite to interview at SWW either (assuming they've all been sent out). He's an introvert, and I assume his recs put him at the top for academic potential and intellectual curiosity but couldn't for leadership, teamwork, etc. Mercifully we are at one of the charters that goes through 12th, and we're not sure he would have even chosen SWW over staying put anyway. It makes decisonmaking easier! Good luck to everyone in this process, and I hope all the kids land somewhere that serves them well.

I’m not sure if that’s the case to be honest (about introversion being the reason for less enthusiastic recs). I’m a PP with a kid with a 4.0 and he’s extroverted and friends with everyone. I would say his kindness and friendliness is much stronger than his academic ability (he has to work hard for those grades, it does not come naturally to him). His teachers have always highlighted what a pleasant, friendly, cooperative kid he is. That said, the teacher who would have given him his strongest recommendation ended up leaving the school and we had no way to contact the teacher, so our recommendations may not have been as strong because we had to scramble last minute to find another recommender. In any event, it seems like there isn’t a lot of rhyme or reason to this process but I’m secretly relieved. My kid and I both thought the SWW building felt like a dungeon - very oppressive and dark. He was having second thoughts after the open house, so it’s for the best for us. Best of luck to everyone who wants to get in!

Are you sure you went to SWW? It is crowded but I’ve never heard it described as oppressive and dark. There are tons of windows and natural light.

The open house was at night and there were some areas that had no windows at all (like a science classroom and where the kids supposedly have lunch). Maybe that was why. In any event, it does not feel like the typical high school experience I had with a spacious campus, large auditorium, gymnasium, greenery, parking lot, etc.

So you went to the school at night and complain it was dark? And you think kids eat lunch in the three windowless science classrooms in the basement? Okay. Sounds like the school isn’t a good fit. Your assessment of the school based on a classroom at night is absurd.

My child has almost never eaten lunch at school. They get to leave campus all 4 years - most schools that doesn't start until Junior year or is infeasible due to geography. Lunch is either outside in the GW courtyards or at Western Market.

Point is definitely being missed.

So Walls has no cafeteria and kids have to eat lunch in the classroom if they don’t want to go outside or if weather is bad?

Of course there’s a cafeteria. And no kids don’t eat in classrooms. Just find a neighborhood kid who goes to the school and ask them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Im genuinely baffled by how many of my child’s friends that weren’t asked for an interview. These kids had 4.0s or close to it, took the hardest classes, and were excellent students and leaders in their schools. I understand they don’t look at GPA much and no CAPE, but I’m surprised that they were passed over.

I agree. It seems kind of BS. I am sure kids selected are great. But kids not selected seem equally great.

Let’s get real here.

It is BS because there is no objective data being used such as standardized testing.

It’s BS that they just look at GPA only and not at the actual courses that kids take and if it’s the most advance or hardest. Plus grade inflation.

It’s BS that so much of the criteria is weighted with recommendations and subjective and opaque.

The highest performing kids are not getting in due to above and the academic cohort coming into the school is lower.

That is the bottom line.

👍 Let’s say we accept your theory as a parent who has successfully managed your kid into being the smartest in the city but are upset with the interview process.

You can’t manage your finances into a top private with the rest of your cohort?

You can’t manage your kid to an “elite” university from any high school in the DC? While Walls is #1 on our list, we are perfectly confident in our safety school as an option.

I have no doubt that your child is academically superior to most in the city. Unfortunately, academically superior people who don’t react to failure with curiosity and intrigue are not the ideal community builders and leaders of the future.

You are a little blinded by how many great kids are in this city and not just within your small eco system.

That is the bottom line.

That is

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yeah, my 4.0 kid didn't get an invite to interview at SWW either (assuming they've all been sent out). He's an introvert, and I assume his recs put him at the top for academic potential and intellectual curiosity but couldn't for leadership, teamwork, etc. Mercifully we are at one of the charters that goes through 12th, and we're not sure he would have even chosen SWW over staying put anyway. It makes decisonmaking easier! Good luck to everyone in this process, and I hope all the kids land somewhere that serves them well.

I’m not sure if that’s the case to be honest (about introversion being the reason for less enthusiastic recs). I’m a PP with a kid with a 4.0 and he’s extroverted and friends with everyone. I would say his kindness and friendliness is much stronger than his academic ability (he has to work hard for those grades, it does not come naturally to him). His teachers have always highlighted what a pleasant, friendly, cooperative kid he is. That said, the teacher who would have given him his strongest recommendation ended up leaving the school and we had no way to contact the teacher, so our recommendations may not have been as strong because we had to scramble last minute to find another recommender. In any event, it seems like there isn’t a lot of rhyme or reason to this process but I’m secretly relieved. My kid and I both thought the SWW building felt like a dungeon - very oppressive and dark. He was having second thoughts after the open house, so it’s for the best for us. Best of luck to everyone who wants to get in!

Are you sure you went to SWW? It is crowded but I’ve never heard it described as oppressive and dark. There are tons of windows and natural light.

The open house was at night and there were some areas that had no windows at all (like a science classroom and where the kids supposedly have lunch). Maybe that was why. In any event, it does not feel like the typical high school experience I had with a spacious campus, large auditorium, gymnasium, greenery, parking lot, etc.

So you went to the school at night and complain it was dark? And you think kids eat lunch in the three windowless science classrooms in the basement? Okay. Sounds like the school isn’t a good fit. Your assessment of the school based on a classroom at night is absurd.

LOL. The defensiveness around Walls is hilarious. People don’t like the facilities and the building. The person already said the school wasn’t a good fit. Get over it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yeah, my 4.0 kid didn't get an invite to interview at SWW either (assuming they've all been sent out). He's an introvert, and I assume his recs put him at the top for academic potential and intellectual curiosity but couldn't for leadership, teamwork, etc. Mercifully we are at one of the charters that goes through 12th, and we're not sure he would have even chosen SWW over staying put anyway. It makes decisonmaking easier! Good luck to everyone in this process, and I hope all the kids land somewhere that serves them well.

I’m not sure if that’s the case to be honest (about introversion being the reason for less enthusiastic recs). I’m a PP with a kid with a 4.0 and he’s extroverted and friends with everyone. I would say his kindness and friendliness is much stronger than his academic ability (he has to work hard for those grades, it does not come naturally to him). His teachers have always highlighted what a pleasant, friendly, cooperative kid he is. That said, the teacher who would have given him his strongest recommendation ended up leaving the school and we had no way to contact the teacher, so our recommendations may not have been as strong because we had to scramble last minute to find another recommender. In any event, it seems like there isn’t a lot of rhyme or reason to this process but I’m secretly relieved. My kid and I both thought the SWW building felt like a dungeon - very oppressive and dark. He was having second thoughts after the open house, so it’s for the best for us. Best of luck to everyone who wants to get in!

Are you sure you went to SWW? It is crowded but I’ve never heard it described as oppressive and dark. There are tons of windows and natural light.

The open house was at night and there were some areas that had no windows at all (like a science classroom and where the kids supposedly have lunch). Maybe that was why. In any event, it does not feel like the typical high school experience I had with a spacious campus, large auditorium, gymnasium, greenery, parking lot, etc.

So you went to the school at night and complain it was dark? And you think kids eat lunch in the three windowless science classrooms in the basement? Okay. Sounds like the school isn’t a good fit. Your assessment of the school based on a classroom at night is absurd.

LOL. The defensiveness around Walls is hilarious. People don’t like the facilities and the building. The person already said the school wasn’t a good fit. Get over it.

If it is not a good fit, why are they looking for an invite and clicking into this message board?

Walls is living rent-free in their head.

Go to the shiny building with abundant natural light. 🤭

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yeah, my 4.0 kid didn't get an invite to interview at SWW either (assuming they've all been sent out). He's an introvert, and I assume his recs put him at the top for academic potential and intellectual curiosity but couldn't for leadership, teamwork, etc. Mercifully we are at one of the charters that goes through 12th, and we're not sure he would have even chosen SWW over staying put anyway. It makes decisonmaking easier! Good luck to everyone in this process, and I hope all the kids land somewhere that serves them well.

I’m not sure if that’s the case to be honest (about introversion being the reason for less enthusiastic recs). I’m a PP with a kid with a 4.0 and he’s extroverted and friends with everyone. I would say his kindness and friendliness is much stronger than his academic ability (he has to work hard for those grades, it does not come naturally to him). His teachers have always highlighted what a pleasant, friendly, cooperative kid he is. That said, the teacher who would have given him his strongest recommendation ended up leaving the school and we had no way to contact the teacher, so our recommendations may not have been as strong because we had to scramble last minute to find another recommender. In any event, it seems like there isn’t a lot of rhyme or reason to this process but I’m secretly relieved. My kid and I both thought the SWW building felt like a dungeon - very oppressive and dark. He was having second thoughts after the open house, so it’s for the best for us. Best of luck to everyone who wants to get in!

Are you sure you went to SWW? It is crowded but I’ve never heard it described as oppressive and dark. There are tons of windows and natural light.

The open house was at night and there were some areas that had no windows at all (like a science classroom and where the kids supposedly have lunch). Maybe that was why. In any event, it does not feel like the typical high school experience I had with a spacious campus, large auditorium, gymnasium, greenery, parking lot, etc.

So you went to the school at night and complain it was dark? And you think kids eat lunch in the three windowless science classrooms in the basement? Okay. Sounds like the school isn’t a good fit. Your assessment of the school based on a classroom at night is absurd.

LOL. The defensiveness around Walls is hilarious. People don’t like the facilities and the building. The person already said the school wasn’t a good fit. Get over it.

If it is not a good fit, why are they looking for an invite and clicking into this message board?

Walls is living rent-free in their head.

Go to the shiny building with abundant natural light. 🤭

As someone with no skin in the Walls game (kids are too young), I was captivated by this thread and tend to agree with you. It’s a very human reaction to find a reason to be “relieved” by rejection, but the fixation on a highly-selective urban high school’s facilities (after applying there!) is strange. It has to be a defense mechanism kicking in. If it makes parent and kid feel better at the end of the day to be able to say at home that they didn’t want it anyway, okay. But posting it here and expecting that to not been seen for what it is, well, that’s bordering on delusional.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Im genuinely baffled by how many of my child’s friends that weren’t asked for an interview. These kids had 4.0s or close to it, took the hardest classes, and were excellent students and leaders in their schools. I understand they don’t look at GPA much and no CAPE, but I’m surprised that they were passed over.

I agree. It seems kind of BS. I am sure kids selected are great. But kids not selected seem equally great.

Let’s get real here.

It is BS because there is no objective data being used such as standardized testing.

It’s BS that they just look at GPA only and not at the actual courses that kids take and if it’s the most advance or hardest. Plus grade inflation.

It’s BS that so much of the criteria is weighted with recommendations and subjective and opaque.

The highest performing kids are not getting in due to above and the academic cohort coming into the school is lower.

That is the bottom line.

👍 Let’s say we accept your theory as a parent who has successfully managed your kid into being the smartest in the city but are upset with the interview process.

You can’t manage your finances into a top private with the rest of your cohort?

You can’t manage your kid to an “elite” university from any high school in the DC? While Walls is #1 on our list, we are perfectly confident in our safety school as an option.

I have no doubt that your child is academically superior to most in the city. Unfortunately, academically superior people who don’t react to failure with curiosity and intrigue are not the ideal community builders and leaders of the future.

You are a little blinded by how many great kids are in this city and not just within your small eco system.

That is the bottom line.

That is

I don’t have a kid applying to Walls. But posters like above who don’t want to accept the reality of the race to the bottom that is occurring in DCPS with responses like above helps no one. Expectations will just continue to decline.

Good luck in DCPS. Those of us who see the writing on the wall are opting out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Im genuinely baffled by how many of my child’s friends that weren’t asked for an interview. These kids had 4.0s or close to it, took the hardest classes, and were excellent students and leaders in their schools. I understand they don’t look at GPA much and no CAPE, but I’m surprised that they were passed over.

I agree. It seems kind of BS. I am sure kids selected are great. But kids not selected seem equally great.

Let’s get real here.

It is BS because there is no objective data being used such as standardized testing.

It’s BS that they just look at GPA only and not at the actual courses that kids take and if it’s the most advance or hardest. Plus grade inflation.

It’s BS that so much of the criteria is weighted with recommendations and subjective and opaque.

The highest performing kids are not getting in due to above and the academic cohort coming into the school is lower.

That is the bottom line.

👍 Let’s say we accept your theory as a parent who has successfully managed your kid into being the smartest in the city but are upset with the interview process.

You can’t manage your finances into a top private with the rest of your cohort?

You can’t manage your kid to an “elite” university from any high school in the DC? While Walls is #1 on our list, we are perfectly confident in our safety school as an option.

I have no doubt that your child is academically superior to most in the city. Unfortunately, academically superior people who don’t react to failure with curiosity and intrigue are not the ideal community builders and leaders of the future.

You are a little blinded by how many great kids are in this city and not just within your small eco system.

That is the bottom line.

That is

I don’t have a kid applying to Walls. But posters like above who don’t want to accept the reality of the race to the bottom that is occurring in DCPS with responses like above helps no one. Expectations will just continue to decline.

Good luck in DCPS. Those of us who see the writing on the wall are opting out.

Where's the evidence of the race to the bottom at Walls? Your awesome kid not getting in? When I last looked at this, there were 10 more kids taking Algebra I relative to the testing days. That's the race to the bottom?

Good luck wherever you go.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Im genuinely baffled by how many of my child’s friends that weren’t asked for an interview. These kids had 4.0s or close to it, took the hardest classes, and were excellent students and leaders in their schools. I understand they don’t look at GPA much and no CAPE, but I’m surprised that they were passed over.

I agree. It seems kind of BS. I am sure kids selected are great. But kids not selected seem equally great.

Let’s get real here.

It is BS because there is no objective data being used such as standardized testing.

It’s BS that they just look at GPA only and not at the actual courses that kids take and if it’s the most advance or hardest. Plus grade inflation.

It’s BS that so much of the criteria is weighted with recommendations and subjective and opaque.

The highest performing kids are not getting in due to above and the academic cohort coming into the school is lower.

That is the bottom line.

👍 Let’s say we accept your theory as a parent who has successfully managed your kid into being the smartest in the city but are upset with the interview process.

You can’t manage your finances into a top private with the rest of your cohort?

You can’t manage your kid to an “elite” university from any high school in the DC? While Walls is #1 on our list, we are perfectly confident in our safety school as an option.

I have no doubt that your child is academically superior to most in the city. Unfortunately, academically superior people who don’t react to failure with curiosity and intrigue are not the ideal community builders and leaders of the future.

You are a little blinded by how many great kids are in this city and not just within your small eco system.

That is the bottom line.

That is

I don’t have a kid applying to Walls. But posters like above who don’t want to accept the reality of the race to the bottom that is occurring in DCPS with responses like above helps no one. Expectations will just continue to decline.

Good luck in DCPS. Those of us who see the writing on the wall are opting out.

Where's the evidence of the race to the bottom at Walls? Your awesome kid not getting in? When I last looked at this, there were 10 more kids taking Algebra I relative to the testing days. That's the race to the bottom?

Good luck wherever you go.

Well almost 1/3rd of the kids there are not even on grade level in math. For what is supposed to be the best, selective school in this city, that is telling.

You think they have those stats in the magnet schools in the burbs??

[Anonymous]

My kid who has a whole lot going for them and is also extroverted did not get a Walls interview. So you move on. End of story.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kid who has a whole lot going for them and is also extroverted did not get a Walls interview. So you move on. End of story.

This. My kid did not get an interview, but he applied to a handful of the selective schools and wound up at one that has been a terrific fit. If he'd gone to our IB (J-R), I'm sure he would have been just fine there, too. I'm not bitter about Walls; I'm happy he's doing well and likes where he is, now. I know parents who are bitter about their kid not getting in, and it is so annoying.