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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]OP here. This thread is going a little off the rails.

1) we don’t worry about diversity; we are POC so anywhere we go, we bring our own diversity. Our kids will manage.

2) I work in Capitol South, driving commute 4 days a week — so Arlington is a preference because of that need. Spouse commutes to Bethesda 1 day a week.

3) we don’t care so much about college acceptance as much as college readiness. I don’t want my kid getting all A, bored half the time in meandering classes, and then be flat footed in college and somewhat life.

4) for all you concerned, we would be delighted if they go to W&M or UVA, an Ivy, a SLAC, but not disappointed at all  if JMU or VT is their path, as long as their abilities are challenged along the way.[/quote]

Then come join us at Wakefield and in South Arlington!  We'd love to have you! and you won't need to bring your own diversity.....it's already here in our friendly neighborhoods and quality schools.[/quote]

My kid goes to W-L, and we've been happy with that.  But I've heard so many great things about Wakefield from Wakefield parents over the years, so I think that would be a great option too.  I'm told that there is a little less stress at Wakefield, but don't know whether that is true.[/quote]

In our experience, it is true.

Maybe some parents will take that to mean Wakefield doesn't have the same level of expectations or goals for its students; but I disagree. I think there are definitely differences as Wakefield's student body is far more immigrant, minority and lower income than WL, which means more focus and efforts are made to prepare and support and encourage those students to set and strive for higher academic goals (ie college) than the previous generations of their families.  But a huge difference is in HOW the counselors et al push all of the students in a way that doesn't create excessive pressure and stress.  Like, NOT doing things like the elementary and middle schools do with SOLs, for example - where they make such a big deal about them and send letters to the parents to ask them to make sure their kid gets to bed early and has a good breakfast on SOL days, and hold pep-rallies to cheer on the students taking SOLs, and other such nonsense.  Wakefield staff work one-on-one with students, encourage them, guide them, gently push them out of their comfort zones, help them show themselves that they can do it, make things accessible, etc.  And they often circle back to individual students afterward.  It may be a slower process, maybe too slow for some, but one that doesn't create a lot of unnecessary anxiety and stress.

There is a noticeable difference in the anxiety and stress levels of Wakefield and WL students, from my interactions.  You can "feel" it in the air of each building during the school day.  I believe a lot of that pressure comes from the anxiety and pressure WL parents knowingly or unwittingly put on their kids who feel they have to meet very high expectations of their parents.  Then because the kids seem to be handling it and having fun with their teammates etc., the parents assume the kids aren't overly stressed and doing just fine.  And the administrators and counselors probably feel pressured to produce and offer what the parents are demanding. Parents at WHS want their kids to be highly successful and social, too; but it's a noticeably more relaxed group and environment.[/quote]

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