Washington Episcopal School -- what is it like?

[Anonymous]

My eldest WES grad finished college a year ago, and my younger is a senior in high school. I still get a smile on my face when I think of WES. The HS seniors, families, faculty and staff are having a reunion later this month. It is a wonderful place.

[Anonymous]

We toured WES and absolutely loved it. However, the emphasis on multi-day class trips in the middle school years (to far away places like Utah, Italy, France) gave us pause. While I'm sure these experiences are wonderful for the kids and a selling point for many families, our anxious kid doesn't even like to sleep over at his grandparent's house. Who knows - maybe he would rise to the challenge and embrace the adventure. But the more likely outcome is that he would worry for months leading up to each trip, we would do our best to prepare him, and he still might not be able to go. Can anyone with direct experience comment on how their kids - including non-adventurous ones - feel about the trips?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We toured WES and absolutely loved it. However, the emphasis on multi-day class trips in the middle school years (to far away places like Utah, Italy, France) gave us pause. While I'm sure these experiences are wonderful for the kids and a selling point for many families, our anxious kid doesn't even like to sleep over at his grandparent's house. Who knows - maybe he would rise to the challenge and embrace the adventure. But the more likely outcome is that he would worry for months leading up to each trip, we would do our best to prepare him, and he still might not be able to go. Can anyone with direct experience comment on how their kids - including non-adventurous ones - feel about the trips?

Our DC was (still is) a homebody who never wanted to do sleepaway camp and doesn't really like to sleep over at friends' houses, but they managed just fine on the trips and really loved the experiences. They were not ready to do the trips when we were looking at the school, but by the time the trips rolled around, they were a bit older and had established friendships. I think most families will tell you that the trips were excellent opportunities for kids to stretch themselves and grow. I know the trips played a big role in building the confidence and independence that prepared DC for high school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We toured WES and absolutely loved it. However, the emphasis on multi-day class trips in the middle school years (to far away places like Utah, Italy, France) gave us pause. While I'm sure these experiences are wonderful for the kids and a selling point for many families, our anxious kid doesn't even like to sleep over at his grandparent's house. Who knows - maybe he would rise to the challenge and embrace the adventure. But the more likely outcome is that he would worry for months leading up to each trip, we would do our best to prepare him, and he still might not be able to go. Can anyone with direct experience comment on how their kids - including non-adventurous ones - feel about the trips?

I think you are probably overthinking the trips. The kids really like the trips and they are a good bonding experience, but I won’t choose WES either way based on them. Unless you have a child that is very unusually anxious (not just a run of the mill shy kid or homebody) it will likely be fine. Every kid in both of my kids grades enjoyed them to my knowledge. It’s a smallish group in each grades of kids that know each well and they go with teachers that they know so it isn’t as daunting as it might sound in the abstract. If you like the school otherwise, I’m sure the trips will turn out fine and your kid will enjoy them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We toured WES and absolutely loved it. However, the emphasis on multi-day class trips in the middle school years (to far away places like Utah, Italy, France) gave us pause. While I'm sure these experiences are wonderful for the kids and a selling point for many families, our anxious kid doesn't even like to sleep over at his grandparent's house. Who knows - maybe he would rise to the challenge and embrace the adventure. But the more likely outcome is that he would worry for months leading up to each trip, we would do our best to prepare him, and he still might not be able to go. Can anyone with direct experience comment on how their kids - including non-adventurous ones - feel about the trips?

How old is your child now? Are these trips still several years away? If your child is currently fourth or below, I would feel confident that they have the necessary time to grow confidence and form trusting bonds with their friends and teachers that will allow them to feel comfortable enough to go. WES excels at providing a confidence boosting and reassuring environment. I’m happy to hear that you loved it, and I would not let the trips stop you from making the choice to attend. If it would help, I suggest asking to speak with Mr, El-Kassem. He is a longtime teacher and former WES parent who has run the Utah trip (first big middle school trip) for many years. The admissions department will likely help facilitate a call for you. He is incredibly insightful and encouraging, and would be able to provide some feedback on kids that struggled with anxiety around the trips.

I agree that in my kid’s grade everyone was very excited to go, and I do think it helps foster excitement when as a group everyone is doing it together.

[Anonymous]

This is the PP who asked for feedback about trips. Thank you for all of the thoughtful responses. DS is still a few years away from middle school so he would have some "runway". It's great to hear the positive experiences and feedback from other families here. I agree, I am probably overthinking this.

[Anonymous]

Is WES a good choice for a neurotypical child who is bright, bilingual, and STEM-oriented? He would start there in kindergarten.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is WES a good choice for a neurotypical child who is bright, bilingual, and STEM-oriented? He would start there in kindergarten.

Yes! We have really loved WES for our kids. It also happens to be an incredibly international community, so there are lots of bilingual kids with many languages and cultures represented. The science teachers and facilities are great, but I feel that the community is its best selling point. It’s charmingly and refreshingly normal.

[Anonymous]

Just chiming in here. Our son graduated WES last year. He loved the school, and so did we. Eighth graders get to be "seniors", and Middle Schoolers get to be High Schoolers. It made us realize that the "Middle School is the worst" attitude doesn't have to be the case. RE: the trips, they are the gems of the school and make it what it is. Because everyone goes, it is truly a part of the education. The Kind / Confident / Prepared mantra was well chosen and is truly manifested by leadership, faculty, and, by extension, the student body.

[Anonymous]

What schools are feeders from WES?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What schools are feeders from WES?

WES graduates go all over—mix of public and private. And of the privates it’s a wide range.