Feedback from current Washington Latin families ?

[Anonymous]

We are considering it for out DC (if we are lucky to get in). We were very impressed when we visited but would love to hear from people whose kids are currently attending. Thanks.

[Anonymous]

My son is in the fifth grade at Latin. He was not feeling challenged in 4th grade, but loves Latin. It is a very structured learning environment and the kids move around to six classes a day. The teachers are very enthusiastic and dedicated. My son feels a lot of respect and affection for them. I feel that the homework is less busy work than his at his previous school, and I get very few complaints about having to do it -- even for the weekend homework.

If there are any downsides, for us, Latin is on the other side of town. So, I feel a bit more disconnected from the school than I did at his previous school. The facilities are not ideal. The classrooms are smaller than his previous school. He also wishes that he could participate on a school sports team like he would have been able to do had he stayed in his local school.

For my son, Latin was a great choice. I feel that he is learning a lot and feels challenged.

[Anonymous]

Dear new Latin parent--welcome! As a longstanding parent, so glad to have you join and to hear the appreciation for the great program. Please don't feel disconnected. There are many ways to get involved--from celebrating the children's talent at the upcoming Arts Night (Feb 4), to chipping in to the PA fund or school fund (OK, that is purely monetary but you would be surprised how many people seem to 'forget' to do this when unfortunately the reality is that charters operate on less funding and need parent involvement as much, or more, than public) to Casino Night coming up! Also, please give input and ideas to the EC about how to retain families into High School. Latin is only beginning its journey into High School with a rising tenth grade this year, but would like to matriculate families entering in 5th into great colleges in 12th. Perhaps there are ways you can help to support the school with ideas, enthusiasm or volunteerism to build a strong HS for your child in a few short years. Vale!

[Anonymous]

My child is also in 5th grade at Latin, and we are very happy with the school so far. What surprises me the most is how much fun the kids have with their teachers. And when I went to to parent-teacher conference I felt like all of the teachers genuinely understand how my child learns. I would, however, say that Latin is not for everyone. There is a demerit system, and the work can be challenging. But for us it means that our daughter is not being bullied, and she and her classmates are able to focus on learning. We also have a commute to school, but the school bus allows us to mingle with other parents at the bus stop.

[Anonymous]

Correction--Arts Night ( a wonderful showcase of the kids' talent from singing/guitar to hip-hop dance) is not confirmed for the 4th. TBA... but most likely beginning of February. See you there!

[Anonymous]

Thanks to the Latin parents for their feedback (I do not appreciate a Latin administrator or whoever highjacking the thread, by the way). To the 13:56 poster--what is exactly a demerit system? Also, we heard over and over again during Open house that the curriculum is more challenging than that of DCPS but no one could actually tell us what the differences were-- could you clarify?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thanks to the Latin parents for their feedback (I do not appreciate a Latin administrator or whoever highjacking the thread, by the way). To the 13:56 poster--what is exactly a demerit system? Also, we heard over and over again during Open house that the curriculum is more challenging than that of DCPS but no one could actually tell us what the differences were-- could you clarify?

New poster here. The previous poster said she is a longstanding parent, not an administrator, so what are you even talking about in the comment above in bold? Don't you actually read the posts that you are so quick to criticize?

[Anonymous]

I'm the PP; and yes, a long-standing parent. Not sure either why that would be confused with administrator, or for that matter--why an administrator's voice would be unwelcome on a thread seeking info. about a school? I think the definition of an administrator, however, is they don't have time to hang out on list-serves however. At least at WL I'm pretty sure they don't! .
Regarding the curriculum, since OP was seeking info. I think...
WL is pretty unique. I am not out to trash DCPS as WL is an alternative and should stand on its own merits. The starkest difference I would identify is with the reading - there is no Houghton Mifflin or other textbook package followed through the grades. The children read novels, annotate them and keep their copy, and complete writing process pieces. There is a focus on vocabulary and speech. The math curriculum is excellent, with excellent teachers. I believe it is still Saxon Math in 5/6 and Algebra 1/2 in 7/8. Our kid qualified for the Johns Hopkins Science/Math program last year based off the testing offered in partnership with the school. In all fairness I would say that Science is still being built out, but there are standards in place (learning objectives) and a focus area of each grade. The school is also mounting its first Science Fair this year. Latin is taught as a serious second language beginning in grade 5--not heroes and holidays. However, it is taught age-appropriately, and the children are not pushed beyond their ability to comprehend. Our child is in the third year and is probably at the level I was in the beginning of second year HS Latin. The pay-offs of 2nd language learning in metacognitive thinking are well documented, and with Latin the pay-off in transfer to English vocab/grammar is pretty unparalleled. French and Chinese are introduced as electives . A HS Latin class is headed to Rome this year, and there is a partnership with Dubai and a trip planned. That's just the start to all the good things going on at WL, and this is a school with so much room to grow.
On that note though, what gives me most comfort is that the Head and Academic Dean are committed to growing in a way that creates an enduring, high-quality institution committed to the classics (rather than be all things to all people). They need support of WL families, as I mentioned above, but with such support they have the capacity to 'get there'. I have seen lots of schools and not-for-profits fail for overreaching, and this thoughtful growth is desirable. People looking at the school need to remember that it is only 4 years old; it has a lot of goodness in place, and parents should of course be discerning--but be prepared to help capacity build in a positive way, rather than get all demandy and focus just on what isn't. The school has a vision and capable administrators; it needs emotional (time, participation) and financial support, a larger permanent facility at some point, and a commitment from families to stay through HS as so many stayed through Middle when the school was founded. Please don't accuse me of being an administrator again just b/cause I love the school's administrators; lots of Latin parents feel similarly.
Anyway, curriculum is always an interesting question. WL has created its benchmarks, picked its texts and books, searched for good teachers, and has revised and reflected each year to grow better. This is something DCPS does not always have the flexibility to do with its curriculum which is implemented de facto/system-wide and takes years to change once the gears are set in motion.
Finally, if you ask the kids, most would say they are challenged. Even when struggling in a class my child likes it; once kids have their intellects challenged, they find the idea of 'dumbed down' kind of insulting. We love WL because our kid does. Teachers form close bonds, kind and enthusiastic friends (I really, really like our child's friends and feel confident that they are keeping each other safe to be the unique little people they are as they come into adolescence), and pushed academically--and as a family we are challenged to be hands-on and contribute. It's good for all of us.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for all the details. Any update on WL's search for a permanent location?

From a Yu Ying parent who wonders where her kid's current school will end up, disgusted with DC politics and the lack of support for charters seeking permanent homes. . . . .

[Anonymous]

Yu Ying Parent--WL is such a similar school it sounds like, in such a similar position--and tossed around too by disgusting anti-education DC politics. Any chance of joining forces and clout?
WL has a rising tenth grade class this year. The current location for both Middle and Upper are lovely, but will eventually be too small. Who can afford a facility though? What charter can without a benefactor? Why don't the Bill Gates of the world get behind us, since they are so interested in education. Yes, I am whining--but schools like WL and Yu Ying are everything they say they seek in education.

[Anonymous]

Will WL have a 9th, 10th, and 11th grade next year (2010-2011)? And a full HS by 2011-2012?

[Anonymous]

Yes, that's right, the school will start an 11th grade next year. They're adding a grade each year, as the current grades advance a year.

By the way, french and chinese are not electives. You need to start one of the two in 8th grade, and you're required to do a few years of it.

[Anonymous]

I have kids at both Yu Ying and WL. I think the two schools are different. My kid who thrives under a very structured environment loves WL. I am not sure if WL will be a good fit for my DC who is at Yu Ying. I worry that if he goes to WL for HS he will lose his Chinese (even though WL offers it, he will be much more advanced) and will be very behind in Latin. I love both schools. I just don't necessarily see them as complimentary.

[Anonymous]

10:11 here.

What I meant by disconnected is that WL is not in my neighborhood and I am not able to hang around in the playground at drop off, like I used to at his elementary school. Maybe that is due to this being a middle school to a certain degree.

To the best of my ability, I am involved. As I said before, I am impressed with the curriculum, the teachers, and the administration. It has been a great choice for my child and I feel lucky that he is able to attend the school. I truly wish there were more schools like Latin in DC. All children should benefit from such a great education.

[Anonymous]

I mean they are alike in offering unique , specialized languge programs. Their names come up in similar ways. They should join forces politically. To the disconnected parent - of course what you describe is normal in middle school with geographic distance. But it is great that stay involved through the normal apparati: thank you. Would encourage all parents to do so- it helps a LOT.