SWW - will a quiet 8th grader do well there?
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Anonymous
| My son has been on the quiet side for most of his life, but is supported at his small class size school to contribute in class and does well. He does well in classroom, but is a bit scattered at times and doesn't necessarily relish being in school or doing the work. He does it because he has to, basically. But he's bright. We are turning our attention to HS options, and although he could stay at his school though HS, we are intrigued by the concept of SWW and want to explore it further. My thinking is that maybe this school will be the spark that he's looking for, to allow him to explore in a different setting, to have less behavioral disruptions from his classmates, and to gain some independence from his parents. Unfortunately it looks like tours are not existent until you actually are accepted, which seems so odd to me that I can't seem to wrap my head around having my child go through hoops to get into a place he might not even want to go to. Is this really what everyone who attends there now goes through? No tours at all? |
Anonymous
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No tours. People complain about it every year but it has never changed. They get more applicants than they can accept so no incentive for them to change.
Can you speak to a guidance counselor or someone at your son's current school and see what they think might be a good high school for him? |
Anonymous
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It's not really jumping through hoops, OP. You get the right grades, apply, write an essay (IIRC) and secure teacher recommendations. Take the test and if invited get interviewed. It's really not that different than other DCPS application only schools or privates.
Even if he doesent go, he'll benefit from the experience, IMO. |
Anonymous
No essay for Walls (that's needed at Banneker and Ellington). 3.0 GPA and the entrance exam. An interview if he scores well enough on the test. http://www.myschooldc.org/how-apply/applying-selective-citywide-high-schools/ |
Anonymous
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I too think that your guidance counselor would be the best person from whom to gain insight but meanwhile here is what I think based on your description and my experience (in 9th grade so far): While the peer modelling and pressure might get your son out of his shell, socially and academically, I would be worried about his intrinsic motivation. My experience has been that a bit of scatteredness doesn't do them in but the unwillingness to want to excel definitely would. There is a lot of Type A motivation, among students and parents, to go around at that school. It's hard to tell if some of that would rub off on your son or if would just turn him off, smarts or not. As for the parent portion, don't be fooled. They tell you - and it really is true - that parents are absolutely needed for students to succeed at SWW. And we're a prime example of parents who had to step up our game between middle and high school for our child to do well. Not hovering but close tracking and an occasional meeting with teachers.
Two recommendations to add: How about an environment that fosters his curiosity? You seem to assume that his lack of intrinsic motivation could be remedied by an added challenge. That's totally possible but see my previous point. An alternative way to seek more spark would be to find a school that fits what he is "into" with kids that are "like him". |
Anonymous
I don't get the whole "no tour" thing. We're pretty new to SWW but I really don't see what I would have been able to foresee that I didn't through open houses, Q & A, and meetings with other SWW parents and students (our child's in particular), had I had a "tour" of the school. Let's not even mention the practicality of it. |
Anonymous
I think shadow days are much more valuable than a tour of the building. |
Anonymous
SWW doesn't do those either. |
Anonymous
I know that, thanks. |
Anonymous
They do shadow days for those admitted to the school. We did one and opted eventually not to go to the school even though it is a attractive option. I think taking the admission test in itself is a good experience for students since it gives exposure to testing with some stakes involved. |
Anonymous
| If you go for Walls, don't expect much at all from the guidance/college counselors at Walls for a quiet kid. Hire your own college coach down the road. |
Anonymous
OP here. Thank you for this insightful post...it has given me quite a bit to think about. |
Anonymous
| OP Here. Thank you to all those who wrote it. Great thoughts and very much appreciated. |
Anonymous
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Do not go to Walls.
Go to Wilson, Bannaker, or private. Walls is a scam. They claim to be on a higher level then other public schools, but it is well known among alumni, students, and DC educators that Walls is where they send teachers they don't want to/can't fire but who can't handle the normal classroom. I think its telling that I can't think of a single one of my child's teachers at Walls who stood out positively. A few that might be capable of educating, but the vast majority were outright incompetent. They clearly bank on the fact that the kids that get in are smart enough to teach temselves. If your kid gets in despite their asinine interview process: http://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/15/218881.page |
Anonymous
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Walls parent here:
Yes, Walls does Shadow Days. My DC did a shadow day and he then decided to go to SWW because of the experience that do. Yes, my "quiet" (read "introverted") kid does quite well so far because he found clubs with similar kids. No, SWW is not a "scam." Check out the website: SWW offers many AP choices and a variety of sports and clubs. As for the interview process, my DC's panel had two students and a teacher. We each had a fine experience. The two students were sweet and the teacher was a fine professional. I'm glad my DC chose Walls. |