What is the acceptance rate for School Without Walls?

[Anonymous]

Wondering if it's an unrealistic plan to count on a spot when the time comes.

[Anonymous]

I don't know the acceptance rate but I can tell you that when dd applied a couple of years ago, she was waitlisted based on her scores on the standardized test but was later interviewed late in the spring and accepted.

However, that was during the time when Walls was in swing space because their building was being renewed. I don't know if it would be more competitive now with the new building (I'm assuming it's finished, right?)

FYI, we found the whole process of applying for magnet schools very stressful because we were in-boundaries for a pretty bad h.s, so acceptance into a magnet program was essential. I had no idea whether it would be difficult to get in. Dd, while being a bright kid, did not have the highest grades in the world. And essentially the process took so long at some schools (and was particularly disorganized at her first choice) that I feared she would not get in anywhere. But in the end she got in 3 out of the 4 schools she applied to. (Walls, Ellington, and the Humanities program at Wilson; rejected at Banneker).

Anyway, this all is to say that it turned out to be easier than I had thought it would be -- but I can't say that it will always be that way and the best thing is to have a connection within the school. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

It's best to look at SWW admission based on the number of students who take the test and are admitted v. the number who apply and are admitted. The reason for this is that in order to take the test, you have to meet the minimum DCCAS and GPA requirements - no exceptions. Every year hundreds of students apply without the requisite scores, and can't take the test. That fact tends to make it seem much harder to get into. That said, I only have the figures for the 2009 / 2010 SY, and 2010 / 2011 SY.

2009 / 2010 SY approximately 250 took the test for 170 spots (they admit slightly more than total available slots)
2010 / 2011 SY approximately 450 are taking the test for 170 spots (they admit slightly more than total available slots).

Tough year to apply.

[Anonymous]

This was easy to see coming ... Wilson's going to be under construction plus Walls has a newly renovated facility and a new(ish) associate degree program for qualified juniors/seniors.

[Anonymous]

Good points pp. Plus, with tuitions going up at the privates -- a lot of private school kids are looking at SWW too. That will make the competition stiffer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This was easy to see coming ... Wilson's going to be under construction plus Walls has a newly renovated facility and a new(ish) associate degree program for qualified juniors/seniors.

I see the new building everyday (it's near my work), and it is beautiful. The children seem to be a happy, diverse crowd.

[Anonymous]

I'm 13:01, 11:03. We in private and missed the damn deadline. Sigh.

[Anonymous]

Are all 450 taking the test the same day?

[Anonymous]

Isn't the test this Saturday? I think you have to have your invite for the test by now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Are all 450 taking the test the same day?

That's my understanding. The building will be full with the test takers.

It's too late to apply to SWW at this point, but there's still time to apply to the Wilson academies (Jan 29 deadline). Wilson will be in swing space at UDC next year, but with a little luck will be back in a renovated building starting in Fall 2011. There's an open house at Wilson Friday, Jan 8 at 9a. Go to www.wilsonhs.org for additional details.