Inquiries about Washington Episcopal School ?

[Anonymous]

There have been several instances of bullying over the past few years, in multiple grades. Unfortunately ,most schools probably have some degree of bullying and some is more visible than others.

Without going into inappropriate details in a public forum, I think most parents or were aware of the cases did not think the old head of the school the cases appropriately or timely.

Fortunately, the old head is now gone. And there were active members of the community - both teachers and parents - who did the right thing

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do they have after school enrichment classes for Pre-K and K?

No, the only school-organized activities after school are in the Extende Day program. All the clubs and other enrichment opportunities start in 1st grade. But, parents themselves organize sports teams -- soccer, karate, etc -- from Pre-K (known at WES as "transition") onward.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There have been several instances of bullying over the past few years, in multiple grades. Unfortunately ,most schools probably have some degree of bullying and some is more visible than others.

Without going into inappropriate details in a public forum, I think most parents or were aware of the cases did not think the old head of the school the cases appropriately or timely.

Fortunately, the old head is now gone. And there were active members of the community - both teachers and parents - who did the right thing

How recent? Because you hear so much about bullying in the media these days, I ask my kids pretty often if they ever see anything like that going on at WES. They're genuinely baffled by the question, though they've been taught to recognize bullying. If there's bullying going on at WES, it's nowhere near my kids or any of the friends in their grades. I really think they'd tell me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would love to hear some feedback about the music program and sports/ PE at WES. Do children get a good exposure to music and sports early on, let's say from K up?
I read on the website that every child participates in the band. Any experience/ comments on that?
Thanks!

Students take music and movement twice a week starting from Transition (PK). I think that DD started learning to read music in 1st or 2nd grade. One day I realized that she just knew how to do it, because she dug some sheet music out of the piano bench and starting playing a simple song. Yes, they all have to learn an instrument.

They're iintroduced to all the major ball sports in PE, which was a good way for DS to figure out that he wasn't in to lacrosse but did like soccer without signing up for an entire season. In the early grades, it seemed like there was a sound curriculum (promoting hand-eye coordination, confidence, etc), but all that my kids knew was that they were playing fun, silly games.

All the kids make good use of the Crescent Trail which is just out the door. You'll see the little kids out on morning nature walks with their teachers, and in the afternoons I see the cross-country team on their daily runs. The school has 3 gyms and one existing playing field. Apparently, those outbuildings on campus that were auxiliary rental income for the school are slated to be torn down next summer, and replaced with another athletic field. That means access for more teams for after-school practices. That'll be a very welcome change.

Not sure if I answered your questions fully?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would love to hear some feedback about the music program and sports/ PE at WES. Do children get a good exposure to music and sports early on, let's say from K up?
I read on the website that every child participates in the band. Any experience/ comments on that?
Thanks!

Students take music and movement twice a week starting from Transition (PK). I think that DD started learning to read music in 1st or 2nd grade. One day I realized that she just knew how to do it, because she dug some sheet music out of the piano bench and starting playing a simple song. Yes, they all have to learn an instrument.

They're iintroduced to all the major ball sports in PE, which was a good way for DS to figure out that he wasn't in to lacrosse but did like soccer without signing up for an entire season. In the early grades, it seemed like there was a sound curriculum (promoting hand-eye coordination, confidence, etc), but all that my kids knew was that they were playing fun, silly games.

All the kids make good use of the Crescent Trail which is just out the door. You'll see the little kids out on morning nature walks with their teachers, and in the afternoons I see the cross-country team on their daily runs. The school has 3 gyms and one existing playing field. Apparently, those outbuildings on campus that were auxiliary rental income for the school are slated to be torn down next summer, and replaced with another athletic field. That means access for more teams for after-school practices. That'll be a very welcome change.

Not sure if I answered your questions fully?

Yes, thanks for the detailed response. Much appreciated.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There have been several instances of bullying over the past few years, in multiple grades. Unfortunately ,most schools probably have some degree of bullying and some is more visible than others.

Without going into inappropriate details in a public forum, I think most parents or were aware of the cases did not think the old head of the school the cases appropriately or timely.

Fortunately, the old head is now gone. And there were active members of the community - both teachers and parents - who did the right thing

PP, this is so true! WES has had instances of bullying in the past, and unless your family is directly impacted, no one in the community seems to know about it. However, I will say that of the one case I personally know about this year, the administration stepped in very quickly to stop it.

I would also like to respond to the idea that WES is a nurturing environment. It is a very traditional and strict school. The teachers are constantly on the children to behave properly, be respectful, etc. And yes, it does seem that boys take the brunt of the scolding from the teachers, but the girls are equally scolded when they misbehave. Furthermore, even though the school's motto is "Be Kind", people should not assume that this means that the community is not competitive. In fact, WES parents are very competitive - they are just very quiet about it.

Having said that, WES works for my DD and she absolutely thrives in the environment, which frankly shocks me a regular basis. She's very quiet and sensitive, but the traditional approach seems to make her feel safe. The "quiet competitive" environment seems to motivate her, rather than discourage her. But, when I enrolled at WES, I thought it was supposed to be this incredibly warm and nurturing environment. It all worked out for us in the end, but it doesn't for everybody, which is one of the reasons I think so many families leave so unhappy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There have been several instances of bullying over the past few years, in multiple grades. Unfortunately ,most schools probably have some degree of bullying and some is more visible than others.

Without going into inappropriate details in a public forum, I think most parents or were aware of the cases did not think the old head of the school the cases appropriately or timely.

Fortunately, the old head is now gone. And there were active members of the community - both teachers and parents - who did the right thing

PP, this is so true! WES has had instances of bullying in the past, and unless your family is directly impacted, no one in the community seems to know about it. However, I will say that of the one case I personally know about this year, the administration stepped in very quickly to stop it.

I would also like to respond to the idea that WES is a nurturing environment. It is a very traditional and strict school. The teachers are constantly on the children to behave properly, be respectful, etc. And yes, it does seem that boys take the brunt of the scolding from the teachers, but the girls are equally scolded when they misbehave. Furthermore, even though the school's motto is "Be Kind", people should not assume that this means that the community is not competitive. In fact, WES parents are very competitive - they are just very quiet about it.

Having said that, WES works for my DD and she absolutely thrives in the environment, which frankly shocks me a regular basis. She's very quiet and sensitive, but the traditional approach seems to make her feel safe. The "quiet competitive" environment seems to motivate her, rather than discourage her. But, when I enrolled at WES, I thought it was supposed to be this incredibly warm and nurturing environment. It all worked out for us in the end, but it doesn't for everybody, which is one of the reasons I think so many families leave so unhappy.

I think this is very accurate. At the first parent social, I felt sick to my stomach, as in "What have we done by enrolling in this school?" They talk about being warm and nurturing, but there is a fierce competitive undercurrent.

[Anonymous]

We left. It had nothing to do with the parents, but it had everything to do with the administration and the curriculum.
It just was not a good fit. WES is not an especially competitive school; it is a cloistered atmosphere that works well for some. In both DC's cases, class size went downward as more students left. We found public school to be a far better opportunity, then both DC's went to Big 3 schools. Again, if you like the WES atmosphere, it's a great school.

[Anonymous]

How is the school cloistered in atmosphere? And what type of behavior is considered unacceptable and scolded - and do we mean real scolding, or are kids given an example of what they should do, and then get support as they try, if at first it is difficult?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How is the school cloistered in atmosphere? And what type of behavior is considered unacceptable and scolded - and do we mean real scolding, or are kids given an example of what they should do, and then get support as they try, if at first it is difficult?

I'm not the poster who used the word "cloistered," but I'm trying to understand what s/he meant. Maybe sheltered? That's probably true.

As for scolding, DC used to get in trouble from time to time in the early grades. I thought that the teachers were reasonable. They explained why what he did was wrong, and either put him in the "balcony seats," write a note of apology, and just once got sent to the division director. They didn't humiliate him in any way, but he hated being disciplined so he got his act together quickly.

He's a well-behaved and respectful kid -- never gets in trouble now and loves gonig to school. I'm glad that the teachers made the effort to correct his behavior without shaming him, or driving the spirit and spark out of him.

[Anonymous]

I also had a child (who is generally very well behaved) in the early grades who was placed in the "balcony seats" and it was awful for DC. Two years later we left the school and DC still spoke of it. Public humiliation is not a good method of discipline.

[Anonymous]

please explain "balcony seats"

[Anonymous]

One teacher sent 3 boys to have their hearing checked by the school nurse. Very true story.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:please explain "balcony seats"

Traditional schools use balcony seats or timeouts to punish bad behavior during group activities (for example: interrupting the teacher during story time, etc.); progressive school use a very different approach. In a "balcony seat", kids are allowed to observed but not participate in group activities (so they do not miss out on the classroom activity and can readity participate in the next activity).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:One teacher sent 3 boys to have their hearing checked by the school nurse. Very true story.

Yup - this school is not what I would call nurturing.