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[quote=Anonymous]Here's the thing about SWS, and why I think that the school inspires so much ire from folks around the Hill.

SWS has long been touted as a "wonderful" school, perhaps THE MOST wonderful school on the Hill, that everyone, regardless of their IB, would be lucky to lottery into, but particularly if you are IB for some of the less highly regarded elementary schools.

But truth is, SWS is probably wonderful only for a specific type of child or family, given everything that is described above.

Their focus is not on academic achievement.  It just isn't.  Asking about these things brands you as a tiger mom who doesn't care about their kid's happiness, at best, or a racist at worst.  To the extent that there is a discussion about test scores it is about closing the gap, but part of closing the gap is to ensure that no one gets 5s on PARCC, because that would just widen the gap from the top.  That is a real issue at SWS.  Parents are told that 3s and 4s are good, and 5 is an unreasonable aspiration.  I was told that to my face.  Odd that Ward 3 schools have a significant percentage of kids getting 5s every year (and we know may of these families and their kids seem perfectly happy and well-adjusted, and enjoy school).  But engaging in that discussion will go nowhere, for many reasons including that the principal is completely incapable of critical thought (which is somewhat ironic given the school's philosophy).

There is a big focus on "joy" and "social justice," however.

So, if your number one priority for a school setting is joy and social justice, over academics, then SWS is a great place for you.  If your priorities are different, then a different school is a different fit.  But SWS will not tell you that directly.  So parents play the lottery for SWS thinking it is a great overall school, which for many kids it is not.  These parents feel angry and duped once they figure it out.

People's reasons for prioritizing "joy" and social justice vary.  Some are true social justice believers.  Some kids just aren't wired to be academic achievers (or their parents don't support it at home), so a place where there is less of an emphasis on grades and test scores is going to be a happier place for them.  For some families, the IB school is so much worse and they can't afford to move or go private, that they grin and bear it.

There are lots of reasons to like SWS, and many are valid. But parents playing the lottery should be aware of what the school values, and the types of "happy" parents you will be surrounded by.

And to the question of whether the kids are well prepared for middle school, the answer is absolutely not.  Yes, many current alums are doing fine, or even great, in MS or HS.  But ask parents about the transition to MS.  You will hear about a lot of tears (which you will not hear about from parents in APS, MCPS, Ward 3...).  And the kids who are doing well now, years later, often got there through intense tutoring and other support, at the expense of MS extra-curriculars, which is really not joyful.

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