Episcopal High School?
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Anonymous
Did the daughter go back to Sidwell too? |
Anonymous
I don’t know where she ended up at the end. But my daughter struggled socially at Episcopal and really connected with during her college counseling sessions. She was so supportive and empathetic. I know she moved her daughter from EHS to Bishop Ireton (local Catholic school) after Freshman year, but no idea if she ended up back at Sidwell. |
Anonymous
| A lot of people work at Episcopal to give their kids a free education. It is nice because you get a free house, all your kids go to Episcopal for free and kids live at home in their parent’s house, not in the dorms. EHS is 100% boarding, so living at home is a faculty kid perk. |
Anonymous
| Just stumbled across this thread...as an alum and DC native, I honestly believe that Episcopal is one of the best options for private schools in the DMV. Obviously, schools such as SFS and STA are viewed as better academically, especially by colleges. But Episcopal is still regarded highly and the extracurricular opportunities (mock trials at Supreme Court, Congressional "externships," countless available leadership positions, etc.) are unparalleled at other schools in the area, which makes up for the "second tier" academics, which are still pretty good. In addition, Episcopal really helps students find the passions they wish to pursue for the rest of their lives, and advisors really act as "parent figures" and deeply bond with their students. This makes the sense of community feel very strong as friendships not only spark between students, but faculty as well. I attended a top college out of EHS, due to the solid academics and amazing extracurriculars, while also building a support system that I still have today. That being said, people do drink/vape often, but not any more than other privates in the area. And hard drugs are practically obsolete and looked down upon, with the exception of a few students. It's not really an issue. I would say the only standout issues with EHS are the competitive/mean social environment and misogyny. If you're a guy, EHS is pretty standard socially, but the girls can get very catty and social climbing is very prevalent. The guys aren't that way with each other, but they do objectify/sexualize the girls in a way I've never seen before. That being said, EHS is a very good school, and I would highly recommend. As a female, as long as you find a solid friend group and really engage with extracurriculars, you will excel at EHS and after. |
Anonymous
I'm an alumnus as well. I wholeheartedly agree about extracurriculars. The Washington Program ensures that students have standout activities + helping alumni get good jobs even after college graduation. Episcopal High School's connections are truly phenomenal + they really care about helping out graduates, from Capital Hill to Wall Street. + they provide enough club/school leadership positions for most, ranging from head editor of the newspaper to head monitor (essentially student body president.) I would agree about partying. More than gds but less than Landon. EHS has just gotten some bad press recently bc it's a boarding school so the administration is liable + has to contact police about drug situations. + the politics scandal was pretty bad but that was just a standard failure from administration during crazy times such as these. I disagree about the misogyny. I think it's the same as most schools just due to how society is. But yeah I'd say the girls can be catty LOL. It's hard to make friends at EHS but if you try you can. And admin will always have your back, with the exception of a few outstandingly bad individuals....but thats high schools, right!? I personally still am in contact with some GREAT faculty, which is not true at other DC schools, but the bad faculty are seriously horrible. |
Anonymous
whitman is great for a public but not comparable to ehs in any way  sports, campus, academics, prestige for college, NETWORKING, on a whole different playing field. being a current student, i'll give you that the kids are nicer at whitman though
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Anonymous
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I know this thread is old, but if others stumble on this thread, here is my two cents. As the parent of a soon-to-be-graduating student, I really regret letting DC go to EHS.
Incredibly toxic student culture especially among the girls. Conspicuous consumption, tremendous pressure to wear insanenly expensive brands, lots of over-privileged right wing southern brats; the int'l students (mostly Asian) and the Black students hang out in their own groups (can't blame them, and also b/c the bratty white kids think the non-white kids are "weird.") DC has stories of astonishingly racist and classist things said by classmates. DC found some fabulous teachers, made a few good friends and will go on to a great college, but it has not been a good experience overall. Administration is rigid and heavy handed, and the covid period was a nightmare (kids literally confined to their dorm floors for months-- not even allowed to go take walks around the school unsupervised). That period is over, thank goodness, but the rigid and unforgiving approach was typical of the school, and really rough on kids' mental health. For a wealthy, white, southern Republican, this school is probably fun. For others, not so much. We are so glad DC is getting the hell out of there. |
Anonymous
+1000 I could have written this post. DC graduated 2 years ago. Worst parenting decision I ever made was agreeing to send my DC to EHS. |
Anonymous
| Wow the drama here could compete with Sidwell. |
Anonymous
Another regretful parent here. Socially toxic atmosphere and it was like sending my child back to a southern culture that I hope we are moving past. |
Anonymous
Parent of a recent grad here. Student culture is toxic but I don't think that's a fair reason not to attend. DC looked at schools in and out of DMV and each had its social flaws, many so worse than Episcopal. Despite an odd animosity between different friend groups, DC made many friends and loved a few teachers, which she says provided her with "a warm sense of community." And believe me, DC is far from southern and doesn't fit the Episcopal stereotype. In my day, almost everyone was "wealthy, white, and southern" at the school, but now that label only meets a certain clique. Episcopal does have more conservative students than any other school visited, but they are outnumbered by democrats and, as a parent, I'm happy DC was exposed to a spectrum of opinions before college. For other parents, Episcopal is a great school, academically/network-wise, and each year is becoming more diverse and friendly. After DC's first year they started cracking down on the (toxic) traditional social trends such as "blacklisting" (which is gone) and classism (which is rapidly declining). For the school or any lurking teachers, break up cliques that form in the dining hall and dorms. You've made the student body incredibly diverse, from race to style to personality, but fail to create meaningful interaction between those different groups. If there was less division in the student body, half of these DCUM posts wouldn't be here. |
Anonymous
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Anonymous
Wow…I’m a current student and this is not my EHS..we literally live together 24/7, so bond regardless of skin color, political affiliation, or $ for clothes. Thrifting on Depop and posting clothes sales on insta is even common across campus. If we thought “non-whites” were “weird,” we wouldn’t of just elected all black students to the 3 main leadership positions….and not a single “white southern Republican….” I don’t fit that profile, some friends do, some don’t, but we all have fun unless the admin stops us…that’s my only complaint, strict/incompetent admin. Discipline Committee is a joke, forces the student in question to get publically shamed and reveal highly private info in front of both students and teachers. But never felt left out bc I’m not a preppy southerner…friends who are don’t act “bratty,” their culture is literally based on “yes sir,” “please, thank you,” and holding open doors 
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Anonymous
This |
Anonymous
| I've spent the last thirty years affiliated with Episcopal, both as a student and parent. Don't put much thought into recent articles -- the High School truly is a magical place. The first time I stepped foot on campus, in the Fall of '91, I was welcomed with a cup of sweet tea and timeless southern charm. Every student and teacher offered a "Good Afternoon" while walking past our tour, though not in the disingenuous, high-pitched voice I'd become accustomed to at my DC K-12. People were polite, sincere, and truly cherished the Episcopal community: I knew I'd found my home. My sons loved the High School just as much and we even shared the same language teacher. Episcopal really is one big family. Sure, like any other school community, we face our challenges, but ultimately what sets Episcopal apart is our ability to support and help each other grow in the face of such adversity. Give Episcopal a chance and you'll be pleasantly surprised. Great college placement too, if that's more your concern. |