Which W school is better?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Churchill is pretty chill for such an affluent school. We have found the kids to be welcoming and kind (my kid was new). There is a large autism progam, which I think helps to facilitate an air of kindness throughout the school. Never hear of fights or threats. There are lots of different groups and though there are high flying hard chargers, my kid says the kids are actually a lot more normal than you might think. Most of his friends are busy with activities. There are groups that go to homecoming and prom and parties, but they actually have trouble selling dance tickets (it's not a rah-rah kind of school like QO or High School High). Affluence is a thing but like others said there are lots of regular families, too.

I actually think a rah rah school like QO would feel a bit more like a large Texas public HS. The parents I've met there are more chillax than their Bethesda and Potomac counterparts.

OP, none of these schools will feel anything like Texas, there will be some culture shock. Hope you aren't maga.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm a big fan of Churchill. Good environment, plenty of opportunities for challenge, great principal and teachers, safe school. I can't compare it to others, but it has worked well for my children.

Same for Churchill. Some very affluent students, but lots of down to earth kids too.

Whitman is also very affluent. I find the kids are the most badly behaved of the Ws at sporting events (can be mean-spirited in a crowd and I don't like it).

WJ is good, large, has the APEX program which is for smarter kids. Kids can leave for lunch in all grades, I think.

Wootton is similar to Churchill with higher SES families but less outrageous affluence.

My preference would be Churchill or Wootton, Whitman, WJ.

Definitely, especially because she's coming from Texas. She will appreciate the country atmosphere at Churchill compared to the other W and it will remind her more of Texas. Churchill is still a highly affluent school, but more down to earth.

Churchill HS will remind her of Texas? GTFO!

+1 QOHS would be more like a TX HS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm a big fan of Churchill. Good environment, plenty of opportunities for challenge, great principal and teachers, safe school. I can't compare it to others, but it has worked well for my children.

Same for Churchill. Some very affluent students, but lots of down to earth kids too.

Whitman is also very affluent. I find the kids are the most badly behaved of the Ws at sporting events (can be mean-spirited in a crowd and I don't like it).

WJ is good, large, has the APEX program which is for smarter kids. Kids can leave for lunch in all grades, I think.

Wootton is similar to Churchill with higher SES families but less outrageous affluence.

My preference would be Churchill or Wootton, Whitman, WJ.

Definitely, especially because she's coming from Texas. She will appreciate the country atmosphere at Churchill compared to the other W and it will remind her more of Texas. Churchill is still a highly affluent school, but more down to earth.

Please expand on the "country" atmosphere at Churchill.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Look at the college commitment websites, will be clear which Ws are "better."

https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/405/1244745.page#29341241

Then weigh outcomes with the question of more of a pressure cooker environment.

Please keep in mind that many of the more elite colleges give preference to legacy applicants. So while you might see some great colleges, your child if not, a legacy may not get in. Ask me how I know.

Take it to the College Board, legacies ain't getting in either, these days.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm a big fan of Churchill. Good environment, plenty of opportunities for challenge, great principal and teachers, safe school. I can't compare it to others, but it has worked well for my children.

Same for Churchill. Some very affluent students, but lots of down to earth kids too.

Whitman is also very affluent. I find the kids are the most badly behaved of the Ws at sporting events (can be mean-spirited in a crowd and I don't like it).

WJ is good, large, has the APEX program which is for smarter kids. Kids can leave for lunch in all grades, I think.

Wootton is similar to Churchill with higher SES families but less outrageous affluence.

My preference would be Churchill or Wootton, Whitman, WJ.

Definitely, especially because she's coming from Texas. She will appreciate the country atmosphere at Churchill compared to the other W and it will remind her more of Texas. Churchill is still a highly affluent school, but more down to earth.

Please expand on the "country" atmosphere at Churchill.

Just go to Churchill during dismissal time and see for yourself that roughly 1/8 to 1/4 of the kids are wearing camo, and many of them like bass pro shop. Lots of outdoorsy people at Churchill.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would not recommend WJ if you’re looking for a calm environment.

I’d suggest: Churchill, Whitman, Wootton, Poolesville or most of the private schools.

WJ is an amazing school, but it is extra crowded right now. The fix is starting in 2027-2028. It is easier to find rentals in WJ cluster, which is part of what adds to its awesome diversity. If you're looking for less expensive rentals, look at private rentals in the Promenade or Grosvenor Park towers (vs. Ravel and Royale, Astrid). Someone mentioned Parkwood earlier in the thread, they're garden style.

Parkside

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Churchill seemed to have a nice mix of very wealthy and rural/country families, which gives it more a down to earth vibe than the other schools.

What in the world are you talking about? Both my kids graduated from Churchill in the past few years and there was no rural/country feel-at all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Churchill seemed to have a nice mix of very wealthy and rural/country families, which gives it more a down to earth vibe than the other schools.

What in the world are you talking about? Both my kids graduated from Churchill in the past few years and there was no rural/country feel-at all.

Correct, its a rich mans world instead…

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm a big fan of Churchill. Good environment, plenty of opportunities for challenge, great principal and teachers, safe school. I can't compare it to others, but it has worked well for my children.

Same for Churchill. Some very affluent students, but lots of down to earth kids too.

Whitman is also very affluent. I find the kids are the most badly behaved of the Ws at sporting events (can be mean-spirited in a crowd and I don't like it).

WJ is good, large, has the APEX program which is for smarter kids. Kids can leave for lunch in all grades, I think.

Wootton is similar to Churchill with higher SES families but less outrageous affluence.

My preference would be Churchill or Wootton, Whitman, WJ.

Definitely, especially because she's coming from Texas. She will appreciate the country atmosphere at Churchill compared to the other W and it will remind her more of Texas. Churchill is still a highly affluent school, but more down to earth.

Please expand on the "country" atmosphere at Churchill.

Just go to Churchill during dismissal time and see for yourself that roughly 1/8 to 1/4 of the kids are wearing camo, and many of them like bass pro shop. Lots of outdoorsy people at Churchill.

This is not true.

[Anonymous]

Probably more rentals in WJ cluster that you might like (and aren’t terribly expensive). If you stay walking distance to WJ, as others have said, may not be affected with boundary changes. (The school board has said that in the past at least.)

As WJ parent, can confirm that it is a wonderful place. Something for everyone and inclusive.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm a big fan of Churchill. Good environment, plenty of opportunities for challenge, great principal and teachers, safe school. I can't compare it to others, but it has worked well for my children.

Same for Churchill. Some very affluent students, but lots of down to earth kids too.

Whitman is also very affluent. I find the kids are the most badly behaved of the Ws at sporting events (can be mean-spirited in a crowd and I don't like it).

WJ is good, large, has the APEX program which is for smarter kids. Kids can leave for lunch in all grades, I think.

Wootton is similar to Churchill with higher SES families but less outrageous affluence.

My preference would be Churchill or Wootton, Whitman, WJ.

Definitely, especially because she's coming from Texas. She will appreciate the country atmosphere at Churchill compared to the other W and it will remind her more of Texas. Churchill is still a highly affluent school, but more down to earth.

Please expand on the "country" atmosphere at Churchill.

Just go to Churchill during dismissal time and see for yourself that roughly 1/8 to 1/4 of the kids are wearing camo, and many of them like bass pro shop. Lots of outdoorsy people at Churchill.

This is not true.

+1 what a bizarre post. Just regular affluent suburban folks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m new to the area with a 14-year-old. I’m relocating from Texas. I’m going to be renting, and prices seem consistent between the clusters, so I want to know which one is better. I’m a novice, so please leave no stone unturned. Thanks in advance.

They're about the same regarding education and impact, so it would matter more where you want to live. If you prefer more urban and closer to the city, BCC, but if you want more suburban, then Wootton or Churchill. They have slightly different cultures, but the educational difference is mostly hairsplitting. Also, if your child wants to pursue IB that may also be worth considering.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Be aware that there is a huge boundary study going on that will affect all the “W’s.”

Your best tactic is to rent a place within a very short walking distance of the school, meaning there is no school bus service in that neighborhood.

My friend lives within a 10 min walking distance of Wooton. Their kid gets bussed to another school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm a big fan of Churchill. Good environment, plenty of opportunities for challenge, great principal and teachers, safe school. I can't compare it to others, but it has worked well for my children.

Same for Churchill. Some very affluent students, but lots of down to earth kids too.

Whitman is also very affluent. I find the kids are the most badly behaved of the Ws at sporting events (can be mean-spirited in a crowd and I don't like it).

WJ is good, large, has the APEX program which is for smarter kids. Kids can leave for lunch in all grades, I think.

Wootton is similar to Churchill with higher SES families but less outrageous affluence.

My preference would be Churchill or Wootton, Whitman, WJ.

Definitely, especially because she's coming from Texas. She will appreciate the country atmosphere at Churchill compared to the other W and it will remind her more of Texas. Churchill is still a highly affluent school, but more down to earth.

Please expand on the "country" atmosphere at Churchill.

Just go to Churchill during dismissal time and see for yourself that roughly 1/8 to 1/4 of the kids are wearing camo, and many of them like bass pro shop. Lots of outdoorsy people at Churchill.

+1. Lot of tobacco chewing, NASCAR loving, camo wearing rednecks at Churchill.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm a big fan of Churchill. Good environment, plenty of opportunities for challenge, great principal and teachers, safe school. I can't compare it to others, but it has worked well for my children.

Same for Churchill. Some very affluent students, but lots of down to earth kids too.

Whitman is also very affluent. I find the kids are the most badly behaved of the Ws at sporting events (can be mean-spirited in a crowd and I don't like it).

WJ is good, large, has the APEX program which is for smarter kids. Kids can leave for lunch in all grades, I think.

Wootton is similar to Churchill with higher SES families but less outrageous affluence.

My preference would be Churchill or Wootton, Whitman, WJ.

They used to say this in the early 80s about Travillah ...
Definitely, especially because she's coming from Texas. She will appreciate the country atmosphere at Churchill compared to the other W and it will remind her more of Texas. Churchill is still a highly affluent school, but more down to earth.

Please expand on the "country" atmosphere at Churchill.

Just go to Churchill during dismissal time and see for yourself that roughly 1/8 to 1/4 of the kids are wearing camo, and many of them like bass pro shop. Lots of outdoorsy people at Churchill.

+1. Lot of tobacco chewing, NASCAR loving, camo wearing rednecks at Churchill.