British School of Washington

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[Post New]05/31/2008 15:24
Anonymous
To the poster who is a WIS grad, could you tell me what years you were there and elaborate a little more about your experiences? For example, was the Euro-coolness experienced among the high school students?

I'm a current WIS parent of a primary school child and I don't feel that Eurocentricity at all (maybe a little bit in the curriculum). Currently, there are a lot of Latino families as well as Asian Indians, although I do feel there is a severe shortage of African, African-American, and east Asian students. There are also tons of families who are a mixture of every combination one could think of! I think WIS would be less Eurocentric than the British School.

Any opinions on that?? Thanks for your insight!

[Post New]05/31/2008 21:18
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:To the poster who is a WIS grad, could you tell me what years you were there and elaborate a little more about your experiences? For example, was the Euro-coolness experienced among the high school students?

I'm a current WIS parent of a primary school child and I don't feel that Eurocentricity at all (maybe a little bit in the curriculum). Currently, there are a lot of Latino families as well as Asian Indians, although I do feel there is a severe shortage of African, African-American, and east Asian students. There are also tons of families who are a mixture of every combination one could think of! I think WIS would be less Eurocentric than the British School.

Any opinions on that?? Thanks for your insight!


I am another current WIS parent and I fully agree with the PP on the lack of a Eurocentric ideology and on the rich mixture of cultures and ethnicities.
[Post New]06/05/2008 11:48
Anonymous
To the PPs whose kids are currently at WIS, I'm the WIS grad. I graduated long ago - late 80s. And, yes, the Eurocentricity was in high school. So, my experiences may not at all reflect the current reality at WIS. I hope they don't. I'm thrilled to hear about the high percentage of Latino and E. Indian students. While my graduating class had a fair number of students from non-European countries (specifically, from the Middle East and Africa), European culture ruled. I, and most of my graduating class, were World Bank kids, and, for whatever reason, summering in Europe, living in Europe post-graduation, applying to European colleges and universities, listening to European music, wearing European clothes, was the preoccupation of most of the students. Even the kids who were products of Euro-nonEuro marriages strived to represent themselves as European. Though I was well-traveled (in Europe, Asia, Africa and S. America), I found myself wishing I was European just to fit in. I wouldn't want to subject my kid to similar feelings, and, who knows, he might not fall prey to such feelings, but I'd like to do my part by finding the right school where he can thrive just as he is. . . .
[Post New]12/04/2008 21:56
Anonymous
What about the preschool in particular? can anyone share his/her recent experience there? thank-you
[Post New]12/06/2008 14:43
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:What about the preschool in particular? can anyone share his/her recent experience there? thank-you

Our child is in Kindergarten and entered WIS in pre-K. We are extremely happy with the school. We haven't perceived any particular Eurocentric attitude. European cultures are as represented as most other areas of the world, both in terms of curriculum material and in terms of students' background.
[Post New]12/06/2008 19:47
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:What about the preschool in particular? can anyone share his/her recent experience there? thank-you


I assumed this question was about British School, subject of the thread, not WIS, which a number of posters started discussing. But maybe I'm wrong.
[Post New]01/07/2009 18:17
jennrgolden
Member Offline
I'm very disheartened to hear all the negative things I'm hearing about the British School of Washington. I really liked their curriculum and approach and was hoping to find a school I put my son in when he turns 3 and keep there until high school graduation...hoping to get a great education for him and the opportunity for him to make lasting friendships. After reading these posts, however, I may go back to researching other schools.
[Post New]01/07/2009 18:33
Anonymous
jennrgolden wrote:I'm very disheartened to hear all the negative things I'm hearing about the British School of Washington. I really liked their curriculum and approach and was hoping to find a school I put my son in when he turns 3 and keep there until high school graduation...hoping to get a great education for him and the opportunity for him to make lasting friendships. After reading these posts, however, I may go back to researching other schools.


We have been there for a year and DC is thriving. We feel very comfortable with our choice and would highly recommend the school.
[Post New]01/07/2009 21:04
Anonymous
jennrgolden wrote:I'm very disheartened to hear all the negative things I'm hearing about the British School of Washington. I really liked their curriculum and approach and was hoping to find a school I put my son in when he turns 3 and keep there until high school graduation...hoping to get a great education for him and the opportunity for him to make lasting friendships. After reading these posts, however, I may go back to researching other schools.


You're going to have 'nay-sayers' about every single school. So, don't let a few posts on a forum make the decision for you. You decide what's best for you & your family. I toured British School myself, & I fully intend to apply.
[Post New]01/08/2009 11:01
Anonymous
We have been at this school since the move to Georgetown and have been incredibly impressed. Math, reading, and other subjects are tailored specifically to each child. If a child is doing multiplication in kindergarten, they are given a chance to do that work. Lots of individual attention. I can't speak to the previous problems with the administration, but the new head is extremely proactive and concerned with communicating with parents. We are extremely pleased.
[Post New]01/10/2009 13:21
Anonymous
The school looked great to me on my tour. I hope we get in. I felt encouraged. It didn't sound as competitive a process to get in as all the other schools I've looked at.
[Post New]01/18/2009 21:51
Anonymous
Ruthless and insensitive treatment of children in the name of "good manners" - which suggests a classist approach to education. Feelings are repressed, "education" is forced upon the students. Consideration of emotional well being? Forget it. It is absolutely BRITISH. If you have sensitive kids and if you want them not only to learn but to love learning, keep them miles away from the British school.
[Post New]01/24/2009 11:15
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:Ruthless and insensitive treatment of children in the name of "good manners" - which suggests a classist approach to education. Feelings are repressed, "education" is forced upon the students. Consideration of emotional well being? Forget it. It is absolutely BRITISH. If you have sensitive kids and if you want them not only to learn but to love learning, keep them miles away from the British school.


i find this post a bit disturbing--can you please explain? is it about your experience with the british educational system in general or about BSW in particular?
[Post New]01/29/2009 10:34
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:, "education" is forced upon the students.


Oh no!
[Post New]01/31/2009 14:46
Anonymous
I couldn't believe how they spoke to the children. They support a very strict, authoritarian attitude that IMO borders on intimidation. We went by on a non-tour and listened to how the teachers were speaking with children outside. Overly stern glares and looks along with raised voices to kids from teachers don't build respect for rules and others just fear.
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