Whittle School

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you want more information, they have an open house this Sunday, May 20th, on the second floor of Mazza Gallerie from 1-4 pm.

Did anyone go to this? Could you provide further insight or any impressions?

Didn’t go to Mazza but went to one of the information sessions. Similar to one of the earlier posters, found it lacking in substance especially around educational philosophy. Almost seemed they were more focused on the architect they’ve hired for the renovations than what they’re going to teach.... Lot of sizzle no steak

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you want more information, they have an open house this Sunday, May 20th, on the second floor of Mazza Gallerie from 1-4 pm.

Did anyone go to this? Could you provide further insight or any impressions?

I did. The presentation was "sleek but weak", in that the space was beautiful, they had great food, sweets, and drinks, everyone was polite, polished and well-dressed, etc., but I thought the presentations could have been more specific. It was well-attended (40-50 people?) and they had a lot of people available to discuss specifics, but we didn't take advantage of that. The information center at Mazza is open, so if you're interested certainly stop by or call ahead. They plan to open in 15 months (Fall 2019) with beautiful facilities, so they are certainly looking for students.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Burke parent here. I have zero worries about it impacting the enrollment of the "fringe" (hilarious!!) independent schools in DC. But I am curious as to how a for-profit school model will work. If the they aren't accredited by NAIS, or have an endowment or board, and their assumed primary mission is profit, where does that leave their educational pedagogy?

I haven't heard much about how or what they are going to teach, just that it will be a Chinese immersion school in the States, and a English immersion school in China. And if they are going to scale up to 2500, with 400 boarders, those students are going to have to come from all over the country. I can't imagine that many DC families shelling out 45K for a for-profit school when there are so many great private and public options already. I don't know of any families who are attracted to for-profit colleges, so why would they want their kids attend a pricey for-profit HS? It just seems sketchy.

In a nutshell you summarized what my husband and I were discussing. There is a lot of flash but unclear substance

a

Aren’t the borders coming from China?

[Anonymous]

BASIS McLean and the sister campuses in Brooklyn and Silicon Valley are also accepting international students, and they’ve prepared a flier in Chinese. They do homestays instead of boarding. Price point is lower. I think there is a market for F 1 students but not nearly as many as these companies think there are. People who are sending their kids halfway around the world are going to do their research.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Burke parent here. I have zero worries about it impacting the enrollment of the "fringe" (hilarious!!) independent schools in DC. But I am curious as to how a for-profit school model will work. If the they aren't accredited by NAIS, or have an endowment or board, and their assumed primary mission is profit, where does that leave their educational pedagogy?

I haven't heard much about how or what they are going to teach, just that it will be a Chinese immersion school in the States, and a English immersion school in China. And if they are going to scale up to 2500, with 400 boarders, those students are going to have to come from all over the country. I can't imagine that many DC families shelling out 45K for a for-profit school when there are so many great private and public options already. I don't know of any families who are attracted to for-profit colleges, so why would they want their kids attend a pricey for-profit HS? It just seems sketchy.

In a nutshell you summarized what my husband and I were discussing. There is a lot of flash but unclear substance

a

Aren’t the borders coming from China?

Why would Chinese students want to enroll in a Chinese immersion school in the US? The Chinese HS students I know in DC attend privates (full freight) and live with US/English speaking families.

[Anonymous]

I agree. In my experience, the Chinese coming to the US are looking for English immersion - not bilingual immersion. And certainly not Chinese immersion. And many of these kids, if they don’t opt for home stays, move to the US with one or both parents so not clear that boarding will be of appeal to this demographic...

[Anonymous]

I went to an info session last week and they said that they will be announcing admission decisions in late June (next week!) for Fall 2019 enrollment.
Anyone apply? Know anyone who applied?

The people were all very enthusiastic and seemed knowledgeable. Some actual career educators have been hired in high level positions.

[Anonymous]

Bump...Anyone apply?

They talked about an after school "studio" component that kids not attending can be part of. Sounded promising.
Anyone?

[Anonymous]

They need to fill 2500 seats. They’re over $185 million in the red before they even open their doors.

They’ll accept everyone who applies!

[Anonymous]

Can’t see them being anybody’s top choice or even top 5 choice given the landscape. And even if they accept everyone who applies, doubt that everyone accepted will enroll

[Anonymous]

I have lived and studied in Asia. I'll have my youngest apply next year knowing he could apply to his older sibs' school later if it doesn't work out.

More concerned it will morph into a dorm school program for rich Int'l kids. ANd not like the Swiss boarding school types.

[Anonymous]

Does anyone have any info on the Whittle School's Summer Program this week? Apparently, there is a summer adventure program for admitted students.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have lived and studied in Asia. I'll have my youngest apply next year knowing he could apply to his older sibs' school later if it doesn't work out.

More concerned it will morph into a dorm school program for rich Int'l kids. ANd not like the Swiss boarding school types.

From the earlier PP who said they are already in the red, I can't see them turning down your child or anyone who wants to throw good money after bad.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A friend applied for a position there and in the online application they asked about pre existing medical conditions (and stated that being less than honest in answering those questions on the application may cause denial of medical benefits if hired).

Sounds like a scary place to work.

Can they legally ask that question? Health information is private.

Nope. Not legal. They will be in litigation before they even open.

I've applied and worked in international schools and they are allowed to ask questions that would be considered illegal here in the U.S. They ask about your family and dependents, etc. Perhaps the school is operating as an international school and can get away with asking such questions.

[Anonymous]

I think it is a great model. I hope it is successful because I agree with the Whittle's school's assertion that education needs to be transformed.