I would add that what WIS develops is not just a proficiency in a language, but more to its original mission, a perspective on the world that is developed over years of a child having to learn to think and communicate in two languages with equal respect to both. Its one thing to "speak French" its another to learn human anatomy in French or African history in taught in French, or to learn to write poetry in French as you are studying poetry in lit class. In this way, WIS teaches is not the correct word, they develop a deep understanding in a child of the reality that there are other cultures, other peoples, other perspectives, not just "other languages".

The kids attending also come from all over the world and so building those friendships affects a child's world view. Those friendships last a life time.

Added to that is the PYP curriculuum which is very inquiry based.

It is work though.

We have a DC at WIS and can say with certainty French has been very nurturing at least the last two years, PK and K. Really. Oh, and DC speaks it quite well now despite no otherFrench speakers in our home. We support a bit with videos, recorded books and that seems more than enough at this point. DC assures us DC is not at a language school, rather, they happen to talk in French about the things they are learning.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Lots of threads on Beauvoir. WiS and Beauvoir were two of our choices and we chose B. The emphasis on early learning was purposeful and unparalleled. We wanted WIS for global approach, French and as for DH, the more structured "European" curriculum. I wanted more nurturing at the K level which few can dispute that the WIS K program does not have. After our DC is 8 (graduating from B) we will then see what is best for him/her in terms of learning approach and school culture.

WIS parent here- I'm happy to dispute the claim that WIS is not nurturing in K. I find it incredibly nurturing. The teachers are attentive, warm and my DC is clearly bonded to them. It's a special place.

Best Wishes to you and your family, OP. Congratulations on your acceptances.

Hi! I am very happy to be disproved regarding warmth at WIS K - French side I had heard and from a few visits felt was not nurturing but had heard that WIS K Spanish was. If I am incorrect please let me know!

Go with your gut feeling from the visits. Was it not nurturing because of the teachers/style of teaching? (not asking for an answer here, just tossing questions out) If you've visited many schools and had good feelings in some, not so positive in others, trust that gut--it is mostly right, especially if you've gotten the same impression more than once.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Lots of threads on Beauvoir. WiS and Beauvoir were two of our choices and we chose B. The emphasis on early learning was purposeful and unparalleled. We wanted WIS for global approach, French and as for DH, the more structured "European" curriculum. I wanted more nurturing at the K level which few can dispute that the WIS K program does not have. After our DC is 8 (graduating from B) we will then see what is best for him/her in terms of learning approach and school culture.

WIS parent here- I'm happy to dispute the claim that WIS is not nurturing in K. I find it incredibly nurturing. The teachers are attentive, warm and my DC is clearly bonded to them. It's a special place.

Best Wishes to you and your family, OP. Congratulations on your acceptances.

Hi! I am very happy to be disproved regarding warmth at WIS K - French side I had heard and from a few visits felt was not nurturing but had heard that WIS K Spanish was. If I am incorrect please let me know!

WIS is hands down the best option in preparing your daughter for the global world she will grow up in. When she pursues her career, no doubt having proficiency in another language will give her an edge; not to mention the solid advanatge she will have having eanred an IB degree. And all of this without the hassle of changing schools and having to go through the application process all over again. Do your research on the IB cirriculum - its tremendous.

OP, I have personal familiarity with two of these three schools. And I agree with the PPs who said that you have a terrific choice/ opportunity on your hands here! They are all good schools.

If I were making the decision, I would take WIS out of the mix and consider it separately. Beauvoir and NPS are much more alike in ways that WIS is not, including (coincidentally) geographically. Decide first if WIS is right for your family and child, based on all of the obvious factors. While it is true that WIS has so much more going for it besides the language component, there is no escaping the fact tha this is a key point. How would that work for your family? Does your child have the foreign language support at home to back it up?

If it's the right choice for you, then great. Your DC will receive a wonderful education there with the language component that cannot be achieved at these other schools.

If it's not right, move on to the Beauvoir/ NPS debate. Go to the receptions at the schools for accepted parents. Talk to both admissions directors again, and any current parents they make available to you. Consider that B only goes through 3rd grade and that NPS is through 6th. You really can't go wrong with either, so at that point, just go with your gut feeling.

Anonymous wrote:I would only go to WIS in early years if your top priority is language proficiency..

WIS is about SO MUCH MORE than language. DC has been there for 8 years and the well-rounded education has been tremendous. They seriously teach kids how to THINK. In the IB curriculum, critical thinking skills are emphasized in everything they do. Also, literacy skills are incredible - in both languages. My DC reads long novels in Spanish (we don't speak at home - and even if you do, if you don't work with them every day on literacy skills, they will not be reading and writing at this level in your home language). Writing is heavily emphasized as well. DC can write extremely well in 5th grade in two languages. The English teachers in the lower school are amazing as well. Math is differentiated and they move groups frequently as skills change and develop.

I just can't say enough good about WIS - we love it, DC loves it, and the IB program/curriculum is top notch.

I would spend some time on the upper campus during the school day and talk with parents of older children - at least 4th-5th grade, then high school. I feel that each year has been better than the last.

And, of course, DC has an incredibly high level of proficiency in Spanish with a native accent. When we travel to Spanish-speaking countries, people are always amazed that we are not a native-speaking family when they hear DC speaking Spanish with them!

Good luck with your choice - you have three great programs from which to choose - a great problem to have!

I would only go to WIS in early years if your top priority is language proficiency..

What a great problem to have! As for WIS, are you already speaking Spanish or French at home, will you be reinforcing the second language at home? When are a bilingual household and were looking for immersion but were surprised that in the hallways, on the playground and in the classroom the students spoke English to each other. so if you aren't reinforcing the second language at home, I would hesitate with WIS.

Anonymous wrote:Lots of threads on Beauvoir. WiS and Beauvoir were two of our choices and we chose B. The emphasis on early learning was purposeful and unparalleled. We wanted WIS for global approach, French and as for DH, the more structured "European" curriculum. I wanted more nurturing at the K level which few can dispute that the WIS K program does not have. After our DC is 8 (graduating from B) we will then see what is best for him/her in terms of learning approach and school culture.

WIS parent here- I'm happy to dispute the claim that WIS is not nurturing in K. I find it incredibly nurturing. The teachers are attentive, warm and my DC is clearly bonded to them. It's a special place.

Best Wishes to you and your family, OP. Congratulations on your acceptances.

Many Beauvoir grads go on to NCS , but those who don't wish to see excellent outplacement at : Maret,Sidwell, Holton, GDS and Potomac, hardly being thrown to the wolves...

Lots of threads on Beauvoir. WiS and Beauvoir were two of our choices and we chose B. The emphasis on early learning was purposeful and unparalleled. We wanted WIS for global approach, French and as for DH, the more structured "European" curriculum. I wanted more nurturing at the K level which few can dispute that the WIS K program does not have. After our DC is 8 (graduating from B) we will then see what is best for him/her in terms of learning approach and school culture.

You should definitely go to all of the receptions for accepted parents. For me, it would be between Beauvoir and NPS. Both are excellent in academics and very nurturing. Most Beauvoir girls matriculate to NCS at 4th, which is a top school but very cut-throat. NPS also sends many girls to NCS but to an array of other schools too. Beauvoir has better facilities but NPS has more laid back parents and a tighter community.

Ultimately, you just have to go with your gut as to what's the right fit for your family.

If you want language immersion, WIS. Best option for having your DC become truly fluent in another language at an early age.
If you don't, Beauvoir. Best facilities, curriculum, lots of resource teachers and small group work, after school choices, warm and fuzzy.

My DD was accepted to Beauvoir, WIS and NPS, we are trying to make an informed decision about what would be the best choice for her. We attended all of the open houses and meetings at each school and at this point it's all running together in my mind. We were wondering if some one might be able to distinguish the real strengths of the schools beyond what's in the literature. We are not from this area.