Willow Springs?

[Anonymous]

We are looking at a house that feeds into Willow Springs and then Fairfax High. We were drawn to the diversity of Fairfax/Lainer. Does anyone know anything about this elementary school? I know it's an AAP center, but I am hoping it still does a good job for all of its kids and has a decent school community.

[Anonymous]

We are at WSES and generally like it. Our DD has had wonderful teachers and is doing quite well. WSES tends to suffer from the the same things a lot of them do, in terms of curriculum structure: overly focused on testing, not very creative (though there are some teachers that are) in teaching methods. I also feel like it's a bit of a fun sponge sometimes, too. Very structured. No birthday parties. Silent dismissal. Kids being herded around. But, that's my own view. And, I doubt it's the only one but rather indicative of what our schools have become.

The school is pretty diverse and has a VERY involved parent population. Lots of very competitive, hovering parents. You also mentioned AAP v. non-AAP and, unfortunately, that is a very big downfall of WSES. There is a huge divide between AAP and "Gen ed." And it trickles down to the kids, unfortunately. I think that's regrettable.

The school offers lots of extracurriculars for an elementary: garden club, 2 jump rope clubs, flag football, math clubs, chess clubs, lego club, etc.

In short, we've had a good experience there.

[Anonymous]

Sigh. This was sort of my concern. Yes, it's a "10" on great schools, but the reviews I've read have described the place as...dreary. And the opposite of warm.

And I wish the AAP/non-AAP divide wasn't a huge thing there. I don't know where my kids will fall, but I really dislike knowing that if they fall into general ed, then there might be some drama there. I know they'll have issues in school, I just don't want to choose for them to have an issue when it's otherwise wouldn't be there.

I actually like the Fairfax High pyramid. We want a diverse school, we aren't crazy intense parents and we want the kids to just have the kind of neighborhood play outside type childhood. That's why we are moving out this way.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Sigh. This was sort of my concern. Yes, it's a "10" on great schools, but the reviews I've read have described the place as...dreary. And the opposite of warm.

And I wish the AAP/non-AAP divide wasn't a huge thing there. I don't know where my kids will fall, but I really dislike knowing that if they fall into general ed, then there might be some drama there. I know they'll have issues in school, I just don't want to choose for them to have an issue when it's otherwise wouldn't be there.

I actually like the Fairfax High pyramid. We want a diverse school, we aren't crazy intense parents and we want the kids to just have the kind of neighborhood play outside type childhood. That's why we are moving out this way.

The individual teach can counter the fun suck of the school. We've had some wonderfully fun teachers (their 3d grade team overall is phenomenal in my view) and some not so much. I think some of it will depend on your kid, too. Mine is fairly easy-going and finds her own fun (and of course, we do lots of fun things when not in school). And there are some fun things they do: spirit night, colonial/ancient cultures/medieval day, and other events.

RE: the AAP divide, my DC is not AAP (but made the "pool" for it). She has def had kids tell her she can't play with them b/c she's "not AAP." But, it generally doesn't bug her. She just thinks their rude. And, we consistently reinforce that AAP kids are not smarter (they are not, as a whole, and many parents push their kids to be there when they shouldn't be-that is from AAP teacher friends.) Further, you can't go through life making such comparisons. There were a few instances where parents and teachers pushed back on AAP (they used to not be on the same playground or in specials with non-AAP kids; that's no longer the case). But, the divide is there. There's no getting around that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Sigh. This was sort of my concern. Yes, it's a "10" on great schools, but the reviews I've read have described the place as...dreary. And the opposite of warm.

And I wish the AAP/non-AAP divide wasn't a huge thing there. I don't know where my kids will fall, but I really dislike knowing that if they fall into general ed, then there might be some drama there. I know they'll have issues in school, I just don't want to choose for them to have an issue when it's otherwise wouldn't be there.

I actually like the Fairfax High pyramid. We want a diverse school, we aren't crazy intense parents and we want the kids to just have the kind of neighborhood play outside type childhood. That's why we are moving out this way.

And to your last point, there are lots of great family neighborhoods out this way. But, you do have to sort of "opt out" of the crazy or it will consume you. THere are some VERY intense parents at that school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sigh. This was sort of my concern. Yes, it's a "10" on great schools, but the reviews I've read have described the place as...dreary. And the opposite of warm.

And I wish the AAP/non-AAP divide wasn't a huge thing there. I don't know where my kids will fall, but I really dislike knowing that if they fall into general ed, then there might be some drama there. I know they'll have issues in school, I just don't want to choose for them to have an issue when it's otherwise wouldn't be there.

I actually like the Fairfax High pyramid. We want a diverse school, we aren't crazy intense parents and we want the kids to just have the kind of neighborhood play outside type childhood. That's why we are moving out this way.

And to your last point, there are lots of great family neighborhoods out this way. But, you do have to sort of "opt out" of the crazy or it will consume you. THere are some VERY intense parents at that school.

That is my push pull! We found a house we loved and the neighborhood seems nice, but I just don't buy into the race to the top nonsense.

[Anonymous]

If you like the FxHigh pyramid - why not consider one of the FxCity elementary schools? My kids go to Providence and it is a very warm and welcoming school. I have friends with kids at Daniels Run and they speak highly of it as well. They are both true neighborhood schools - esp. DR.

[Anonymous]

There has been a change in administration since a lot of those reviews were written.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There has been a change in administration since a lot of those reviews were written.

The new administration has been great!

Our kid has been at WS for 3 years so we did catch the tail end of the old administration.
Prior to coming to WS, I did hear that the environment is a bit sterile and I'd say it does feel that way coming in.

I have been impressed with our kid's teachers. The 4th grade AAP team was amazing. Their cohesiveness was like nothing I've ever seen before.
The school activities have been great as a PP mentioned.

As far as the AAP/Gen Ed divide, my AAP kid has told me that the Gen Ed kids bully the AAP kids on the playground.
I don't think it's anything that will scar my kid for life. He just understands that everyone has different strengths.

[Anonymous]

Of the more "controversial" AAP center schools that get mentioned at DCUM: Haycock is rated a 10 on great schools and Greenbriar West is a 9.

Willow Springs is rarely mentioned here and it's a 10.
I've personally found the environment to be pretty drama-free and very focused on getting work done.
The parents I've met at Willow Springs are very reliable when they volunteer and do an awesome job of supporting the school and the teachers.. and again, since Willow Springs is rarely mentioned at DCUM, those parents aren't posting about much drama in here!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There has been a change in administration since a lot of those reviews were written.

The new administration has been great!

Our kid has been at WS for 3 years so we did catch the tail end of the old administration.
Prior to coming to WS, I did hear that the environment is a bit sterile and I'd say it does feel that way coming in.

I have been impressed with our kid's teachers. The 4th grade AAP team was amazing. Their cohesiveness was like nothing I've ever seen before.
The school activities have been great as a PP mentioned.

As far as the AAP/Gen Ed divide, my AAP kid has told me that the Gen Ed kids bully the AAP kids on the playground.
I don't think it's anything that will scar my kid for life. He just understands that everyone has different strengths.

Well my "gen ed" kid has received some pretty nasty treatment from AAP kids at Willow. So, it goes both ways.

And, yes, there has been a change in administration. But the former principal was there for a very long time. So some change is expected. But, I can't say that it has been for the worse. It's just different.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There has been a change in administration since a lot of those reviews were written.

The new administration has been great!

Our kid has been at WS for 3 years so we did catch the tail end of the old administration.
Prior to coming to WS, I did hear that the environment is a bit sterile and I'd say it does feel that way coming in.

I have been impressed with our kid's teachers. The 4th grade AAP team was amazing. Their cohesiveness was like nothing I've ever seen before.
The school activities have been great as a PP mentioned.

As far as the AAP/Gen Ed divide, my AAP kid has told me that the Gen Ed kids bully the AAP kids on the playground.
I don't think it's anything that will scar my kid for life. He just understands that everyone has different strengths.

Well my "gen ed" kid has received some pretty nasty treatment from AAP kids at Willow. So, it goes both ways.

And, yes, there has been a change in administration. But the former principal was there for a very long time. So some change is expected. But, I can't say that it has been for the worse. It's just different.

Yes, it does go both ways. That was my point exactly.
I was really surprised to hear it from my resilient, and easy-going kid.

[Anonymous]

OP here. I appreciate the insights. It sounds like the school is "good" in the sense that it has good test scores, parental support, and activities. And that the school has community issues in terms of how the AAP and non-AAP populations coexist.

Was the old principal the main driver of the comments about the school being a dreary, depressing place? How do you all like the new administration? Is it more nurturing now?

[Anonymous]

It's a strange feeder. It seems to be the only "10" that feeds into Fairfax High and Lainier middle. For parents who raised kids there, was it a big contrast when they left willow springs and moved to middle and high school?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's a strange feeder. It seems to be the only "10" that feeds into Fairfax High and Lainier middle. For parents who raised kids there, was it a big contrast when they left willow springs and moved to middle and high school?

We are not there yet but, from talking to people who have made the transition, the general feedback that I have gotten is that it's a bit of a big shock to the system, going from WSES to Lanier. But, not so much going to the HS.

WSES, while I don't view as particularly "warm", is a very sheltered school and the kids are a mostly sheltered demographic. Lots of affluent parents (across a diverse population), very involved parents, not a lot of big problems there. The kids are treated like, well, little kids. Because they are. And, moreso under the previously principal, vocal parents got what they asked for. But, the view I've had shared is that 6th grade at WSES doesn't prepare the kids well for the transition to a very different school environment in Lanier. I've heard that from a LOT of people. I realize that all kids are different. Just sharing what I've heard.