Would you choose School Without Walls over the private HS in which your DC is accepted?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:On the other hand, there are a range of free opportunities (global travel, scholarships) that are offered to DCPS students only. The money you see will cover any other opportunity. SWW plus significant travel plus money for lessons and other enrichment can add up to a really well-rounded successful, highly recruited kid.

Yes, but the education 8-3 is not close to the same level. While most people seriously considering very top independent schools already do significant travel, lessons and other enrichment— in addition to the superior education.

I would never screw my teenager out of that better product if I could afford it. If you can’t really afford it then that’s a different question. But the OP didn’t ask that question.

I get why people like to make this assumption, but it's just not true. The teachers in DCPS are generally more qualified, better paid, and have more training in teaching itself. What holds public school back is not the teachers, but students below grade level, which does not apply to Walls.

There are other negatives in being in DCPS, but for Walls, education level is not one of them.

The top things that hold Walls back, compared to top private schools, are:

1. The facilities;
2. Funding (not subject to DCPS’ budgetary constraints) that ensures teachers are available in a range of subjects and academic levels (eg, language, science, art, music, etc);
3. Fully funded extracurriculars (including sports, theater, school clubs, etc); and
4. Students who have a lower academic floor because they come from a wider range of socioeconomic backgrounds and they don’t have the resources to “catch up” to more affluent classmates (tutors, travel, academic enrichment, etc).

PP here, and I agree with most of that. Things in Walls favor are...
- True, not faux, diversity and the dynamism that results from that
- Related to above, less social and economic competition
- No overlay of religion or social ideology; it's just school!
-

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:SWW decisions will come out Friday 3/29. Question for families already accepted and enrolled at privates: assuming you are accepted at SWW, do you see yourself choosing SWW over the private high school in which you are already enrolled? How would you compare SWW with the area's top private high schools? (You don't need to remind me that SWW is free, I know that.)

No, I wouldn’t choose Walls over Sidwell, GDS, or Maret. My answer isn’t as automatic for other private schools (case-by-case).

[Anonymous]

I would probably save the money on private school and pick Walls. If your kid gets straight A's at walls (which is easier to do than elite private school) then he will be set up well for college admissions.

Walls also has the partner program with GWU, which allows your kid to take college courses if they truly want.

[Anonymous]

I think this is a tricky time to pick Walls with the DC budget shortfall and the administration looking to exert control over DC. Walls has lost and had to fight back for teachers in recent years and that may be worse over the next four years.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I just read this thread, as we are facing the same choice. College admissions stats don't matter to me. That said, an academically motivated and highly capable cohort is something DC wants, for the intellectual challenge. But having a nice all-around experience is also very important.

The school setting, community feel, more holistic approach, and teacher enthusiasm and engagement we saw on our visits were much more appealing at the private. However the longer travel distance and earlier start time at the private would mean getting up 1.5 hours earlier, and DC is not a morning person. That's probably the biggest concern, though it's possible the difference could be cancelled out if SWW is more of a grind and saps more energy (I read on Niche that stress level is high at SWW). The cost is not the ultimate deciding factor, but saving that tuition would be nice, all else being equal.

Another consideration is that going to the private would mean being eligible for in-state admissions and tuition at a Virginia university (I've checked the rules), if DC decides to go that route, and the savings in college tuition could end up far exceeding the private school tuition outlay. But how choices after high school might play out is an unknown right now.

WWYD in this situation?

Please provide a link to the rules that say a student at a VA private school who lives in another state is eligible for in-state tuition at VA public universities.

"Tuition Equity Provision For High School Completers

Virginia’s newest in-state tuition provision is reserved for high school completers and is often referred to as the Tuition Equity provision. Please note that under this provision, the legal status of the parent is immaterial. The basic provisions require that:

The Student not have a current valid student (F), trainee (H3), exchange visitor (J) or vocational (M) visa;
The Student attend at least two years of high school in Virginia;”

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I just read this thread, as we are facing the same choice. College admissions stats don't matter to me. That said, an academically motivated and highly capable cohort is something DC wants, for the intellectual challenge. But having a nice all-around experience is also very important.

The school setting, community feel, more holistic approach, and teacher enthusiasm and engagement we saw on our visits were much more appealing at the private. However the longer travel distance and earlier start time at the private would mean getting up 1.5 hours earlier, and DC is not a morning person. That's probably the biggest concern, though it's possible the difference could be cancelled out if SWW is more of a grind and saps more energy (I read on Niche that stress level is high at SWW). The cost is not the ultimate deciding factor, but saving that tuition would be nice, all else being equal.

Another consideration is that going to the private would mean being eligible for in-state admissions and tuition at a Virginia university (I've checked the rules), if DC decides to go that route, and the savings in college tuition could end up far exceeding the private school tuition outlay. But how choices after high school might play out is an unknown right now.

WWYD in this situation?

Please provide a link to the rules that say a student at a VA private school who lives in another state is eligible for in-state tuition at VA public universities.

"Tuition Equity Provision For High School Completers

Virginia’s newest in-state tuition provision is reserved for high school completers and is often referred to as the Tuition Equity provision. Please note that under this provision, the legal status of the parent is immaterial. The basic provisions require that:

The Student not have a current valid student (F), trainee (H3), exchange visitor (J) or vocational (M) visa;
The Student attend at least two years of high school in Virginia;”

Please provide the website’s LINK.
This language sounds like it pertains to undocumented students and their families, not DC residents who send their children to private school in VA.

[Anonymous]

I would choose Walls in a heartbeat. We actually tried this year, but my kid didn’t get an interview.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I just read this thread, as we are facing the same choice. College admissions stats don't matter to me. That said, an academically motivated and highly capable cohort is something DC wants, for the intellectual challenge. But having a nice all-around experience is also very important.

The school setting, community feel, more holistic approach, and teacher enthusiasm and engagement we saw on our visits were much more appealing at the private. However the longer travel distance and earlier start time at the private would mean getting up 1.5 hours earlier, and DC is not a morning person. That's probably the biggest concern, though it's possible the difference could be cancelled out if SWW is more of a grind and saps more energy (I read on Niche that stress level is high at SWW). The cost is not the ultimate deciding factor, but saving that tuition would be nice, all else being equal.

Another consideration is that going to the private would mean being eligible for in-state admissions and tuition at a Virginia university (I've checked the rules), if DC decides to go that route, and the savings in college tuition could end up far exceeding the private school tuition outlay. But how choices after high school might play out is an unknown right now.

WWYD in this situation?

Please provide a link to the rules that say a student at a VA private school who lives in another state is eligible for in-state tuition at VA public universities.

"Tuition Equity Provision For High School Completers

Virginia’s newest in-state tuition provision is reserved for high school completers and is often referred to as the Tuition Equity provision. Please note that under this provision, the legal status of the parent is immaterial. The basic provisions require that:

The Student not have a current valid student (F), trainee (H3), exchange visitor (J) or vocational (M) visa;
The Student attend at least two years of high school in Virginia;”

Yeah that won’t work if you (parents) are legal US residents/citizens and live somewhere other than Virginia.

https://www.levelupvirginia.org/finance/in-state-residency

“The State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV) strives to ensure that all residents of Virginia have access to affordable education. Virginia law ensures students are not denied in-state tuition because of their parents’/guardians’ legal status. Institutions are required by law to presume that dependent applicants and students have the domicile of their supporting parent. Therefore, the in-state tuition review for those individuals always begins with the parent’s domicile and requires inquiry as to the basis for residing in the country (legal status), however, if a parent is not a citizen, is not a permanent resident, or otherwise does not have a visa permitting domicile, then an applicant or student may still be eligible for in-state tuition through his or her own domicile. Please reach out to the domicile office at your chosen college or university to discuss your options.”
“Some students might not be able to prove Virginia as their domicile (home state) but can still qualify for in-state tuition based on certain exceptions in Virginia law. One notable exception is the Tuition Equity Provision for high school completers.”

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I just read this thread, as we are facing the same choice. College admissions stats don't matter to me. That said, an academically motivated and highly capable cohort is something DC wants, for the intellectual challenge. But having a nice all-around experience is also very important.

The school setting, community feel, more holistic approach, and teacher enthusiasm and engagement we saw on our visits were much more appealing at the private. However the longer travel distance and earlier start time at the private would mean getting up 1.5 hours earlier, and DC is not a morning person. That's probably the biggest concern, though it's possible the difference could be cancelled out if SWW is more of a grind and saps more energy (I read on Niche that stress level is high at SWW). The cost is not the ultimate deciding factor, but saving that tuition would be nice, all else being equal.

Another consideration is that going to the private would mean being eligible for in-state admissions and tuition at a Virginia university (I've checked the rules), if DC decides to go that route, and the savings in college tuition could end up far exceeding the private school tuition outlay. But how choices after high school might play out is an unknown right now.

WWYD in this situation?

Please provide a link to the rules that say a student at a VA private school who lives in another state is eligible for in-state tuition at VA public universities.

"Tuition Equity Provision For High School Completers

Virginia’s newest in-state tuition provision is reserved for high school completers and is often referred to as the Tuition Equity provision. Please note that under this provision, the legal status of the parent is immaterial. The basic provisions require that:

The Student not have a current valid student (F), trainee (H3), exchange visitor (J) or vocational (M) visa;
The Student attend at least two years of high school in Virginia;”

Yeah that won’t work if you (parents) are legal US residents/citizens and live somewhere other than Virginia.

https://www.levelupvirginia.org/finance/in-state-residency

“The State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV) strives to ensure that all residents of Virginia have access to affordable education. Virginia law ensures students are not denied in-state tuition because of their parents’/guardians’ legal status. Institutions are required by law to presume that dependent applicants and students have the domicile of their supporting parent. Therefore, the in-state tuition review for those individuals always begins with the parent’s domicile and requires inquiry as to the basis for residing in the country (legal status), however, if a parent is not a citizen, is not a permanent resident, or otherwise does not have a visa permitting domicile, then an applicant or student may still be eligible for in-state tuition through his or her own domicile. Please reach out to the domicile office at your chosen college or university to discuss your options.”
“Some students might not be able to prove Virginia as their domicile (home state) but can still qualify for in-state tuition based on certain exceptions in Virginia law. One notable exception is the Tuition Equity Provision for high school completers.”

Thank you! I knew the person who said they (as a DC resident) could get in-state VA tuition for their child didn’t know what they were talking about.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I just read this thread, as we are facing the same choice. College admissions stats don't matter to me. That said, an academically motivated and highly capable cohort is something DC wants, for the intellectual challenge. But having a nice all-around experience is also very important.

The school setting, community feel, more holistic approach, and teacher enthusiasm and engagement we saw on our visits were much more appealing at the private. However the longer travel distance and earlier start time at the private would mean getting up 1.5 hours earlier, and DC is not a morning person. That's probably the biggest concern, though it's possible the difference could be cancelled out if SWW is more of a grind and saps more energy (I read on Niche that stress level is high at SWW). The cost is not the ultimate deciding factor, but saving that tuition would be nice, all else being equal.

Another consideration is that going to the private would mean being eligible for in-state admissions and tuition at a Virginia university (I've checked the rules), if DC decides to go that route, and the savings in college tuition could end up far exceeding the private school tuition outlay. But how choices after high school might play out is an unknown right now.

WWYD in this situation?

Please provide a link to the rules that say a student at a VA private school who lives in another state is eligible for in-state tuition at VA public universities.

"Tuition Equity Provision For High School Completers

Virginia’s newest in-state tuition provision is reserved for high school completers and is often referred to as the Tuition Equity provision. Please note that under this provision, the legal status of the parent is immaterial. The basic provisions require that:

The Student not have a current valid student (F), trainee (H3), exchange visitor (J) or vocational (M) visa;
The Student attend at least two years of high school in Virginia;”

Yeah that won’t work if you (parents) are legal US residents/citizens and live somewhere other than Virginia.

https://www.levelupvirginia.org/finance/in-state-residency

“The State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV) strives to ensure that all residents of Virginia have access to affordable education. Virginia law ensures students are not denied in-state tuition because of their parents’/guardians’ legal status. Institutions are required by law to presume that dependent applicants and students have the domicile of their supporting parent. Therefore, the in-state tuition review for those individuals always begins with the parent’s domicile and requires inquiry as to the basis for residing in the country (legal status), however, if a parent is not a citizen, is not a permanent resident, or otherwise does not have a visa permitting domicile, then an applicant or student may still be eligible for in-state tuition through his or her own domicile. Please reach out to the domicile office at your chosen college or university to discuss your options.”
“Some students might not be able to prove Virginia as their domicile (home state) but can still qualify for in-state tuition based on certain exceptions in Virginia law. One notable exception is the Tuition Equity Provision for high school completers.”

Thank you! I knew the person who said they (as a DC resident) could get in-state VA tuition for their child didn’t know what they were talking about.

No, unless the family doesn’t have legal status and a legal residence, they can’t get in-state VA tuition. They could look into DCTAG, though.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I just read this thread, as we are facing the same choice. College admissions stats don't matter to me. That said, an academically motivated and highly capable cohort is something DC wants, for the intellectual challenge. But having a nice all-around experience is also very important.

The school setting, community feel, more holistic approach, and teacher enthusiasm and engagement we saw on our visits were much more appealing at the private. However the longer travel distance and earlier start time at the private would mean getting up 1.5 hours earlier, and DC is not a morning person. That's probably the biggest concern, though it's possible the difference could be cancelled out if SWW is more of a grind and saps more energy (I read on Niche that stress level is high at SWW). The cost is not the ultimate deciding factor, but saving that tuition would be nice, all else being equal.

Another consideration is that going to the private would mean being eligible for in-state admissions and tuition at a Virginia university (I've checked the rules), if DC decides to go that route, and the savings in college tuition could end up far exceeding the private school tuition outlay. But how choices after high school might play out is an unknown right now.

WWYD in this situation?

Please provide a link to the rules that say a student at a VA private school who lives in another state is eligible for in-state tuition at VA public universities.

"Tuition Equity Provision For High School Completers

Virginia’s newest in-state tuition provision is reserved for high school completers and is often referred to as the Tuition Equity provision. Please note that under this provision, the legal status of the parent is immaterial. The basic provisions require that:

The Student not have a current valid student (F), trainee (H3), exchange visitor (J) or vocational (M) visa;
The Student attend at least two years of high school in Virginia;”

Yeah that won’t work if you (parents) are legal US residents/citizens and live somewhere other than Virginia.

https://www.levelupvirginia.org/finance/in-state-residency

“The State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV) strives to ensure that all residents of Virginia have access to affordable education. Virginia law ensures students are not denied in-state tuition because of their parents’/guardians’ legal status. Institutions are required by law to presume that dependent applicants and students have the domicile of their supporting parent. Therefore, the in-state tuition review for those individuals always begins with the parent’s domicile and requires inquiry as to the basis for residing in the country (legal status), however, if a parent is not a citizen, is not a permanent resident, or otherwise does not have a visa permitting domicile, then an applicant or student may still be eligible for in-state tuition through his or her own domicile. Please reach out to the domicile office at your chosen college or university to discuss your options.”
“Some students might not be able to prove Virginia as their domicile (home state) but can still qualify for in-state tuition based on certain exceptions in Virginia law. One notable exception is the Tuition Equity Provision for high school completers.”

Thank you! I knew the person who said they (as a DC resident) could get in-state VA tuition for their child didn’t know what they were talking about.

They would get in-state if the child officially resides with one parent in DC, but the other parent lives in VA, and the child graduated from a Virginia high school that they attended for at least two years prior. That's on the UVA website.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I just read this thread, as we are facing the same choice. College admissions stats don't matter to me. That said, an academically motivated and highly capable cohort is something DC wants, for the intellectual challenge. But having a nice all-around experience is also very important.

The school setting, community feel, more holistic approach, and teacher enthusiasm and engagement we saw on our visits were much more appealing at the private. However the longer travel distance and earlier start time at the private would mean getting up 1.5 hours earlier, and DC is not a morning person. That's probably the biggest concern, though it's possible the difference could be cancelled out if SWW is more of a grind and saps more energy (I read on Niche that stress level is high at SWW). The cost is not the ultimate deciding factor, but saving that tuition would be nice, all else being equal.

Another consideration is that going to the private would mean being eligible for in-state admissions and tuition at a Virginia university (I've checked the rules), if DC decides to go that route, and the savings in college tuition could end up far exceeding the private school tuition outlay. But how choices after high school might play out is an unknown right now.

WWYD in this situation?

Please provide a link to the rules that say a student at a VA private school who lives in another state is eligible for in-state tuition at VA public universities.

"Tuition Equity Provision For High School Completers

Virginia’s newest in-state tuition provision is reserved for high school completers and is often referred to as the Tuition Equity provision. Please note that under this provision, the legal status of the parent is immaterial. The basic provisions require that:

The Student not have a current valid student (F), trainee (H3), exchange visitor (J) or vocational (M) visa;
The Student attend at least two years of high school in Virginia;”

Yeah that won’t work if you (parents) are legal US residents/citizens and live somewhere other than Virginia.

https://www.levelupvirginia.org/finance/in-state-residency

“The State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV) strives to ensure that all residents of Virginia have access to affordable education. Virginia law ensures students are not denied in-state tuition because of their parents’/guardians’ legal status. Institutions are required by law to presume that dependent applicants and students have the domicile of their supporting parent. Therefore, the in-state tuition review for those individuals always begins with the parent’s domicile and requires inquiry as to the basis for residing in the country (legal status), however, if a parent is not a citizen, is not a permanent resident, or otherwise does not have a visa permitting domicile, then an applicant or student may still be eligible for in-state tuition through his or her own domicile. Please reach out to the domicile office at your chosen college or university to discuss your options.”
“Some students might not be able to prove Virginia as their domicile (home state) but can still qualify for in-state tuition based on certain exceptions in Virginia law. One notable exception is the Tuition Equity Provision for high school completers.”

Thank you! I knew the person who said they (as a DC resident) could get in-state VA tuition for their child didn’t know what they were talking about.

They would get in-state if the child officially resides with one parent in DC, but the other parent lives in VA, and the child graduated from a Virginia high school that they attended for at least two years prior. That's on the UVA website.

Good to know, but that might be UVA-specific (vs all VA publics) and doesn’t seem to be PP’s situation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I just read this thread, as we are facing the same choice. College admissions stats don't matter to me. That said, an academically motivated and highly capable cohort is something DC wants, for the intellectual challenge. But having a nice all-around experience is also very important.

The school setting, community feel, more holistic approach, and teacher enthusiasm and engagement we saw on our visits were much more appealing at the private. However the longer travel distance and earlier start time at the private would mean getting up 1.5 hours earlier, and DC is not a morning person. That's probably the biggest concern, though it's possible the difference could be cancelled out if SWW is more of a grind and saps more energy (I read on Niche that stress level is high at SWW). The cost is not the ultimate deciding factor, but saving that tuition would be nice, all else being equal.

Another consideration is that going to the private would mean being eligible for in-state admissions and tuition at a Virginia university (I've checked the rules), if DC decides to go that route, and the savings in college tuition could end up far exceeding the private school tuition outlay. But how choices after high school might play out is an unknown right now.

WWYD in this situation?

Please provide a link to the rules that say a student at a VA private school who lives in another state is eligible for in-state tuition at VA public universities.

"Tuition Equity Provision For High School Completers

Virginia’s newest in-state tuition provision is reserved for high school completers and is often referred to as the Tuition Equity provision. Please note that under this provision, the legal status of the parent is immaterial. The basic provisions require that:

The Student not have a current valid student (F), trainee (H3), exchange visitor (J) or vocational (M) visa;
The Student attend at least two years of high school in Virginia;”

Yeah that won’t work if you (parents) are legal US residents/citizens and live somewhere other than Virginia.

https://www.levelupvirginia.org/finance/in-state-residency

“The State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV) strives to ensure that all residents of Virginia have access to affordable education. Virginia law ensures students are not denied in-state tuition because of their parents’/guardians’ legal status. Institutions are required by law to presume that dependent applicants and students have the domicile of their supporting parent. Therefore, the in-state tuition review for those individuals always begins with the parent’s domicile and requires inquiry as to the basis for residing in the country (legal status), however, if a parent is not a citizen, is not a permanent resident, or otherwise does not have a visa permitting domicile, then an applicant or student may still be eligible for in-state tuition through his or her own domicile. Please reach out to the domicile office at your chosen college or university to discuss your options.”
“Some students might not be able to prove Virginia as their domicile (home state) but can still qualify for in-state tuition based on certain exceptions in Virginia law. One notable exception is the Tuition Equity Provision for high school completers.”

Thank you! I knew the person who said they (as a DC resident) could get in-state VA tuition for their child didn’t know what they were talking about.

They would get in-state if the child officially resides with one parent in DC, but the other parent lives in VA, and the child graduated from a Virginia high school that they attended for at least two years prior. That's on the UVA website.

Drop the link that supports this new assertion.
The last one was proven false, unless you/ your children are undocumented Virginia residents.

[Anonymous]

I would choose Walls. You think college outcomes don't matter but they do and Walls will likely be less rigorous with better GPA and Ap load (on paper anyway but thats what matters).

[Anonymous]

No. The sports offerings are very much lacking and are terrible.