Wishing this was easier - discovery/williamsburg

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:Do you have a kid who will be at Williamsburg soon? Things can change a lot in a couple years

Current 8th grade class is supposedly full of mean girls.

Yes. Last year I was told by the administration that they had never encountered a group of girls like that, and they were dreading what their eighth grade year would be like. Hoping the lot of them go to Visi.

Why do you think they’re going to Visi?

I think PP is making a comment on their perception of the students at Visi...

They’re probably going to Yorktown High School like the vast majority. All these side comments probably aren’t helping the OP. She doesn’t care about high school at all. Just the middle school.

Well the majority of the problem boys at WMS last year went to Gonzaga.... so?

Not true. Only 17.

So how many problem boys were there?!

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:Kid suspended for very minor altercation (pushing). First offense. No mercy from admin.

Good!!! There should be “no mercy” for assault. Teach your kid better. He’s probably an a hole.

You are a charmer. Judging an 11 year old with no facts. Parents like you are what makes Arlington great. Williamsburg is a fine school. Middle school is short and teachers are lovely. But we are happy to be out of Arlington. Lots of nasty parents.

I"m sure lots of kids saw it. What happened to the kid who punched the kid at lunch a few weeks ago and gave him a concussion? All of 7th grade saw it. Suspended? Did he have a side to tell too? I would have filed a police report if it was my kid, but I'm sure the principal would discourage that. My kid is doing just fine there, but they do tell me they won't use the bathroom since there are kids vaping in there. The education is fine if you are planning to go to public school. I don't think my kid is learning too much and they get all As with almost zero effort. The teachers do all seem pretty good, with a few exceptions.

This is different than the boy who assaulted the girl. MS is a tough tough time. Its no worse at WMS than anywhere else.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thank you everyone for your opinions and thoughts. It's about a lot of discussion, and I appreciate the time with helpful comments. We are actually coming in from overseas. We will be renting so we have a greater choice when it comes to what elementary school and middle school to choose. I am beginning to think Innovation ( our son is on an IEP with pandas/ocd - so a school choice is very important. And yes we have looked at private. It is double the price than where we are from and the deadlines have all passed) and Dorothy ham might be the better choice.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thank you everyone for your opinions and thoughts. It's about a lot of discussion, and I appreciate the time with helpful comments. We are actually coming in from overseas. We will be renting so we have a greater choice when it comes to what elementary school and middle school to choose. I am beginning to think Innovation ( our son is on an IEP with pandas/ocd - so a school choice is very important. And yes we have looked at private. It is double the price than where we are from and the deadlines have all passed) and Dorothy ham might be the better choice.

Best of luck with the move. I’m sure your family will do fine at Innovation and Dorothy Hamm. I have close friends with kids at Hamm and they love it, and speak highly of the principal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’ve been a WMS parent for two years, have an 8th grader in intensified classes there, and cannot see the issue with the principal. The 8th grade counselor - maybe. But the principal is really not ever been a problem. My 8th grader is heading to Yorktown and we aren’t worried.

Those suggesting to find another house in a different middle school - inventory is low. I doubt there are many options. So I would just bite the bullet. You might have to supplement at Discovery if you are hoping for something like pre-algebra in 6th. Without knowing more about OPs situation, it’s hard to say how happy they would be.

My kids did not do any supplemental math at Discovery and are doing just fine in the pre-algebra track (ends in multivariable calculus in senior year of HS) in APS middle and high schools. They were in the APS push in “gifted” for math at Discovery, where they were grouped with other kids identified as gifted.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thank you everyone for your opinions and thoughts. It's about a lot of discussion, and I appreciate the time with helpful comments. We are actually coming in from overseas. We will be renting so we have a greater choice when it comes to what elementary school and middle school to choose. I am beginning to think Innovation ( our son is on an IEP with pandas/ocd - so a school choice is very important. And yes we have looked at private. It is double the price than where we are from and the deadlines have all passed) and Dorothy ham might be the better choice.

Dorothy Hamm is considered the best MS in Arlington among many parents. IYKYK.

[Anonymous]

Wasn’t there just a long thread recently with parents complaining about Hamm?

https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/30/1186563.page#26855170

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Wasn’t there just a long thread recently with parents complaining about Hamm?

https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/30/1186563.page#26855170

People complain about most all schools on this forum, private or public.

[Anonymous]

OP, just keep in mind that DCUM skews extremely negative about everything. It’s a bit of a cesspool due to its anonymous nature. I would never base my school choice on it. I know you are coming from overseas but you really need to talk to live parents who may share your values.

Also, there are 900 kids at these MS. And APS does have excellent schools. MS is just not a great time for many kiddos. Please keep all of this in mind when reading some of the comments.