08:19, It can be hard for all preK children who are coming from tiny preschools to adjust to life in a bigger school. What is the issue? I have had 3 kids go through the primary school and they have all loved recess, whether on the playground or the soccer field. I have also been on the playground many times at dropoff, pickup from aftercare, and the occasional lunchtime recess if I am there to help with something or for a meeting. I have never seen anything other than standard little kid playtime.

Wish I had known how chaotic the playground time was going to be for a prek student.

Anonymous wrote:I am the PP who said it was the worst. DD left after a horrible middle school experience. Sure, language program is phenomenal, but the math program leaves much to be desired, had some pretty awful teachers, and the IB program was too rigid for DD--very much a "our way or the highway" approach. It's a great school for the right kid, and we did enjoy the primary years, but it ultimately came down to the fact that school was not accommodating whatsoever to DD's mild learning disabilities and the curriculum/teachers refused to cater to her needs. She ended up having a great HS experience, despite having to catch up quite a bit in some areas, specifically math. Hope this helps, and good luck!

Could it be that the aforementioned "mild learning disabilities", contributed to problems in math? I ask only because our DC's experience with math instruction was very positive. DC (a WIS lifer since preK for 3-yr. olds) scored in the 96th percentile on the math portion of the SAT they took as a middle school student. I attributed their ability to do so to the math instruction they received at WIS. Perhaps the real story lies somewhere between your DC and my DC.

Middle School can be a horrifying experience no matter where someone goes to school. My MS kids have had some phenomenal teachers, particularly in math, humanities, 2nd language (of course), science. Sorry for your DD having a bad experience and happy for her she's thriving elsewhere.

Where did she go for HS?

I am the PP who said it was the worst. DD left after a horrible middle school experience. Sure, language program is phenomenal, but the math program leaves much to be desired, had some pretty awful teachers, and the IB program was too rigid for DD--very much a "our way or the highway" approach. It's a great school for the right kid, and we did enjoy the primary years, but it ultimately came down to the fact that school was not accommodating whatsoever to DD's mild learning disabilities and the curriculum/teachers refused to cater to her needs. She ended up having a great HS experience, despite having to catch up quite a bit in some areas, specifically math. Hope this helps, and good luck!

My kids have been at WIS for many years and we've been very happy. My daughter is now in the IB Diploma Program and I won't lie it's very tough - but will be well worth it. College placement is excellent - not sure what the previous poster was referring to - plenty of Ivies and top tier schools every year (both who have been accepted and enrolled). Is it a perfect place? Of course not, but anyone telling you their school is perfect is not really paying attention...there is always room for improvement. The Primary School has made great strides in the past few years with its program. Keep in mind, however, that an immersion program and very tough academic program is not for every child. Kids in the primary school are learning to read, write and speak in 2 languages at the same time, not to mention math and science - not an easy thing. Once they get to the middle school and upper school the expectation is on application of knowledge - not simple regurgitation of information. No multiple choice stuff - A LOT of writing and analysis.
The person above is also correct about the community - a nice, respectable and interesting group of families. Makes for a great atmosphere! However, most important is making the choice the is right for your child - good luck!

No private school is going to prove their mettle to a parents' satisfaction in pre-k thru 4, go public first. WIS is one of the best private DC area schools but if you have nothing to compare it to (or your child is not fit for an immersion program) you will question it. Have an MS and HS student, they are challenged, multi-lingual and have friends from around the world in a very literal sense. The IB program in upper grades is a rigorous, deep buy-in that ALL students (who can survive!) happily dig into. It's truly a world community in a family-style down to earth environment.

Why didn't you leave?

Why is it the worst?

Simply the worst school that my child ever attended, wish we left after primary.

Relax. Yes, that's the tip. You'll see. Good luck.

Wish I had paid more attention to college placement.

Simply the best school that my children ever attended.

I saw the previous post and liked it. I am considering WIS for K next year. Assuming my child gets in, any tips if we get accepted?