Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
NP - Principal Martin's decision to eliminate AP World History as an option for 10th grade was the last "Honors for All" straw for our family. Last year we sent our straight A Deal student to Walls instead. We did not choose Walls; we effectively were driven from Wilson. At Wilson academically strong students are slow rolled for two years (9th & 10th) in "Honors for All" and then placed into large AP classes with 30+ students their last two years (11th & 12th) so that the on-level classes for juniors and seniors can be limited to no more than 20 students. The school's policies are no longer designed to meet the needs of academically strong students (which I believe is unethical) and as such it does not surprise me that Wilson's placements into top schools have begun to slip.

Thanks for the info. This is precisely the type of information one potential parent/student needs. If there are no opportunities for academically-driven students to take, then it is more than natural that one may choose another school. Maybe that's the endgame of DCPS, who knows? However, the idea that parents are insensitive to the quality of the curriculum and of the placements is naïve at best. If the school underperforms then some students won't come.

PP, it sounds like you are looking for an excuse to not send your kid to Wilson, and are willing to seek that excuse from an anonymous group of randos rather than talking to actual parents. That's fine - you don't have to send your kid to Wilson, and you can justify it however you want - you don't need anybody's permission to send your kid to Walls or move to MD or do whatever you think is best.

DP: The real problem is finding a reason to be excited about Wilson. HS options in DC are scant, and this is the biggest of the ‘good’ options. And yet it is so unimpressive.

Again, it's up to you PP. During my time as a DCPS parent, I've met lots of parents like you - you have a savior complex, and want people to put on a show and beg you to send your kid to a DCPS school. I've been there, done that, at my kids elementary and middle schools, and it's not necessary at Wilson. There are plenty of fantastic kids from deeply involved families at Wilson, and they get a fine education and then move on to success at excellent colleges. We'd love to have you and your family be part of that. But if not, that's OK, it's your choice.

LOL. I’m not looking to join a sorority. I just wish that DCPS provided a solid and challenging public education to all students, as is its civic and moral responsibility. But DCPS, and Wilson in particular, seems happy just letting top students have to go elsewhere, as though they weren’t citizens and taxpayers too.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
NP - Principal Martin's decision to eliminate AP World History as an option for 10th grade was the last "Honors for All" straw for our family. Last year we sent our straight A Deal student to Walls instead. We did not choose Walls; we effectively were driven from Wilson. At Wilson academically strong students are slow rolled for two years (9th & 10th) in "Honors for All" and then placed into large AP classes with 30+ students their last two years (11th & 12th) so that the on-level classes for juniors and seniors can be limited to no more than 20 students. The school's policies are no longer designed to meet the needs of academically strong students (which I believe is unethical) and as such it does not surprise me that Wilson's placements into top schools have begun to slip.

Thanks for the info. This is precisely the type of information one potential parent/student needs. If there are no opportunities for academically-driven students to take, then it is more than natural that one may choose another school. Maybe that's the endgame of DCPS, who knows? However, the idea that parents are insensitive to the quality of the curriculum and of the placements is naïve at best. If the school underperforms then some students won't come.

PP, it sounds like you are looking for an excuse to not send your kid to Wilson, and are willing to seek that excuse from an anonymous group of randos rather than talking to actual parents. That's fine - you don't have to send your kid to Wilson, and you can justify it however you want - you don't need anybody's permission to send your kid to Walls or move to MD or do whatever you think is best.

DP: The real problem is finding a reason to be excited about Wilson. HS options in DC are scant, and this is the biggest of the ‘good’ options. And yet it is so unimpressive.

If you’ve been searching for a reason to get excited about Wilson and haven’t found one…don’t attend. There have been plenty of parents responding here about positive experiences there. If that’s not enough, look elsewhere. Our kids have been/are at Wilson and it’s been a good experience for all. Most of our kids were/are high academic achievers and have gone to good colleges too. By the way, we started out at a private high school and then switched. Both the curriculum and the social experience were much better.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
NP - Principal Martin's decision to eliminate AP World History as an option for 10th grade was the last "Honors for All" straw for our family. Last year we sent our straight A Deal student to Walls instead. We did not choose Walls; we effectively were driven from Wilson. At Wilson academically strong students are slow rolled for two years (9th & 10th) in "Honors for All" and then placed into large AP classes with 30+ students their last two years (11th & 12th) so that the on-level classes for juniors and seniors can be limited to no more than 20 students. The school's policies are no longer designed to meet the needs of academically strong students (which I believe is unethical) and as such it does not surprise me that Wilson's placements into top schools have begun to slip.

Thanks for the info. This is precisely the type of information one potential parent/student needs. If there are no opportunities for academically-driven students to take, then it is more than natural that one may choose another school. Maybe that's the endgame of DCPS, who knows? However, the idea that parents are insensitive to the quality of the curriculum and of the placements is naïve at best. If the school underperforms then some students won't come.

PP, it sounds like you are looking for an excuse to not send your kid to Wilson, and are willing to seek that excuse from an anonymous group of randos rather than talking to actual parents. That's fine - you don't have to send your kid to Wilson, and you can justify it however you want - you don't need anybody's permission to send your kid to Walls or move to MD or do whatever you think is best.

DP: The real problem is finding a reason to be excited about Wilson. HS options in DC are scant, and this is the biggest of the ‘good’ options. And yet it is so unimpressive.

Again, it's up to you PP. During my time as a DCPS parent, I've met lots of parents like you - you have a savior complex, and want people to put on a show and beg you to send your kid to a DCPS school. I've been there, done that, at my kids elementary and middle schools, and it's not necessary at Wilson. There are plenty of fantastic kids from deeply involved families at Wilson, and they get a fine education and then move on to success at excellent colleges. We'd love to have you and your family be part of that. But if not, that's OK, it's your choice.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
NP - Principal Martin's decision to eliminate AP World History as an option for 10th grade was the last "Honors for All" straw for our family. Last year we sent our straight A Deal student to Walls instead. We did not choose Walls; we effectively were driven from Wilson. At Wilson academically strong students are slow rolled for two years (9th & 10th) in "Honors for All" and then placed into large AP classes with 30+ students their last two years (11th & 12th) so that the on-level classes for juniors and seniors can be limited to no more than 20 students. The school's policies are no longer designed to meet the needs of academically strong students (which I believe is unethical) and as such it does not surprise me that Wilson's placements into top schools have begun to slip.

Thanks for the info. This is precisely the type of information one potential parent/student needs. If there are no opportunities for academically-driven students to take, then it is more than natural that one may choose another school. Maybe that's the endgame of DCPS, who knows? However, the idea that parents are insensitive to the quality of the curriculum and of the placements is naïve at best. If the school underperforms then some students won't come.

DP. Our Wilson grad did the Walls test and interview and was offered a spot but chose Wilson. He enjoyed his time there and really values the experience, but we'd likely make a different choice today.

Also -- I get that people are worried about their own kids, but I do find it sad that people on this forum don't seem curious at all about the impact of honors for all and forced AP registration on lower achieving kids. From what I hear, that's been pretty negative. I know of two kids who left Wilson because they needed and wanted on level classes, and they found their needs much better met at other DCPS high schools. Both are in college now, and parents say they probably wouldn't be if they had stayed at Wilson.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is this entire thread based on one year's worth of data? What's the 5 year data look like? Who cares if they have one fluke year if it's not part of a bigger trend?

I predict it’s going to be part of a bigger trend. With honors for all, the top kids won’t be challenge to reach their full potential. The curriculum is dumb downed. This potentially translates to lower SAT scores, lower AP scores, etc…

Also, because if honors for all, families with these top performing kids who would have chosen Wilson in the past are now looking at other options for HS. If you don’t believe this, you have not been paying attention.

Yes PP, #1, that is correct - all this nonsense on one year of flawed data!

PP #2, you are foolishly speculating with no basis whatsoever. The curriculum is not "dumb downed," families of high-performing kids are not fleeing Wilson, and honors-for-all is not making much of a difference for high-performing kids. Not sure why their are so many bedwetters on this forum.

I don’t know who you are talking to but some families have said straight up that 9th grade was a wasted year. That was the beginning. Then honors for all was extended to 10th, etc..

Of course it’s dumb down when you have kids 3-4 grade levels apart in a class. The course will be slowed, teaching will be geared to the lowest common denominator, and the top kids just cruise with no effort whatsoever.

Ask me how I know.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
NP - Principal Martin's decision to eliminate AP World History as an option for 10th grade was the last "Honors for All" straw for our family. Last year we sent our straight A Deal student to Walls instead. We did not choose Walls; we effectively were driven from Wilson. At Wilson academically strong students are slow rolled for two years (9th & 10th) in "Honors for All" and then placed into large AP classes with 30+ students their last two years (11th & 12th) so that the on-level classes for juniors and seniors can be limited to no more than 20 students. The school's policies are no longer designed to meet the needs of academically strong students (which I believe is unethical) and as such it does not surprise me that Wilson's placements into top schools have begun to slip.

Thanks for the info. This is precisely the type of information one potential parent/student needs. If there are no opportunities for academically-driven students to take, then it is more than natural that one may choose another school. Maybe that's the endgame of DCPS, who knows? However, the idea that parents are insensitive to the quality of the curriculum and of the placements is naïve at best. If the school underperforms then some students won't come.

PP, it sounds like you are looking for an excuse to not send your kid to Wilson, and are willing to seek that excuse from an anonymous group of randos rather than talking to actual parents. That's fine - you don't have to send your kid to Wilson, and you can justify it however you want - you don't need anybody's permission to send your kid to Walls or move to MD or do whatever you think is best.

I agree. It’s very strange. This thread started as a critique of Wilson’s college exmissions. I think it might make sense for someone concerned about this to make a list of secondary schools within commuting distance, procure exmissions lists, compare by some suitable metric, and on that basis, apply to private schools, or consider moving. I’m a Wilson parent, and I couldn’t begin to chance my student’s Ivy/elite college chances. I have relatives with children at elite NYC schools, and the college results were surprising. You have to do what’s best for your child, and after 13 years, it’s up to you and your child to define what’s best. Wilson may *not* be the best choice for you, and that’s really okay.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
NP - Principal Martin's decision to eliminate AP World History as an option for 10th grade was the last "Honors for All" straw for our family. Last year we sent our straight A Deal student to Walls instead. We did not choose Walls; we effectively were driven from Wilson. At Wilson academically strong students are slow rolled for two years (9th & 10th) in "Honors for All" and then placed into large AP classes with 30+ students their last two years (11th & 12th) so that the on-level classes for juniors and seniors can be limited to no more than 20 students. The school's policies are no longer designed to meet the needs of academically strong students (which I believe is unethical) and as such it does not surprise me that Wilson's placements into top schools have begun to slip.

Thanks for the info. This is precisely the type of information one potential parent/student needs. If there are no opportunities for academically-driven students to take, then it is more than natural that one may choose another school. Maybe that's the endgame of DCPS, who knows? However, the idea that parents are insensitive to the quality of the curriculum and of the placements is naïve at best. If the school underperforms then some students won't come.

PP, it sounds like you are looking for an excuse to not send your kid to Wilson, and are willing to seek that excuse from an anonymous group of randos rather than talking to actual parents. That's fine - you don't have to send your kid to Wilson, and you can justify it however you want - you don't need anybody's permission to send your kid to Walls or move to MD or do whatever you think is best.

DP: The real problem is finding a reason to be excited about Wilson. HS options in DC are scant, and this is the biggest of the ‘good’ options. And yet it is so unimpressive.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
NP - Principal Martin's decision to eliminate AP World History as an option for 10th grade was the last "Honors for All" straw for our family. Last year we sent our straight A Deal student to Walls instead. We did not choose Walls; we effectively were driven from Wilson. At Wilson academically strong students are slow rolled for two years (9th & 10th) in "Honors for All" and then placed into large AP classes with 30+ students their last two years (11th & 12th) so that the on-level classes for juniors and seniors can be limited to no more than 20 students. The school's policies are no longer designed to meet the needs of academically strong students (which I believe is unethical) and as such it does not surprise me that Wilson's placements into top schools have begun to slip.

Thanks for the info. This is precisely the type of information one potential parent/student needs. If there are no opportunities for academically-driven students to take, then it is more than natural that one may choose another school. Maybe that's the endgame of DCPS, who knows? However, the idea that parents are insensitive to the quality of the curriculum and of the placements is naïve at best. If the school underperforms then some students won't come.

PP, it sounds like you are looking for an excuse to not send your kid to Wilson, and are willing to seek that excuse from an anonymous group of randos rather than talking to actual parents. That's fine - you don't have to send your kid to Wilson, and you can justify it however you want - you don't need anybody's permission to send your kid to Walls or move to MD or do whatever you think is best.

Anonymous wrote:
NP - Principal Martin's decision to eliminate AP World History as an option for 10th grade was the last "Honors for All" straw for our family. Last year we sent our straight A Deal student to Walls instead. We did not choose Walls; we effectively were driven from Wilson. At Wilson academically strong students are slow rolled for two years (9th & 10th) in "Honors for All" and then placed into large AP classes with 30+ students their last two years (11th & 12th) so that the on-level classes for juniors and seniors can be limited to no more than 20 students. The school's policies are no longer designed to meet the needs of academically strong students (which I believe is unethical) and as such it does not surprise me that Wilson's placements into top schools have begun to slip.

Thanks for the info. This is precisely the type of information one potential parent/student needs. If there are no opportunities for academically-driven students to take, then it is more than natural that one may choose another school. Maybe that's the endgame of DCPS, who knows? However, the idea that parents are insensitive to the quality of the curriculum and of the placements is naïve at best. If the school underperforms then some students won't come.

PP,

Maybe you could talk to the counselor at your student’s middle school, and ask for names of parents of Wilson students (presumably alums of your Wilson feeder).

That way, you would have a point of comparison. “ELA is —— compared to Hardy”, for example.

My student is at Wilson, but I have no idea what you mean by “rigorous”. Maybe lots of homework? Advanced math? That’s based on placement coming out of middle school. Not sure. But I think that if you were able to meet up with someone in real life, they’d know what you mean, or they’d come to understand.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What information do you want?

I'd like to know how the 4x4 schedule works and if parents think it's effective or a problem. It sounds awful to me based on the little I know, but I'd like to hear from parents with kids doing it. I want to hear about ELA and math and how rigorous it is. Do most high performing kids gets tutors? What's Honors for All and how do they differentiate between students who are actually advanced vs others not at the same level. What about the culture, social aspects, etc.? How much of a problem is drugs and alcohol? Does Wilson retain top students or do most top in boundary students move or peel off for Walls or independent and parochial schools?

These are some initial questions, but I'd really like to have conversations with actual Wilson parents. I don't know what I don't know. The pandemic has thrown a wrench into social opportunities where I might meet Wilson parents. All of DC's friends either don't have older siblings or the older siblings don't go to Wilson.

PP, quit complaining and go have those conversations. You are not going to be able to have those meaningful conversations on this website full of random anonymous strangers. Stop whining and take some initiative. Which reminds me, one of the things that kids learn at Wilson is how to be effective advocates for themselves and their education - a skill that PP obviously did not learn.

Anonymous wrote:What information do you want?

I'd like to know how the 4x4 schedule works and if parents think it's effective or a problem. It sounds awful to me based on the little I know, but I'd like to hear from parents with kids doing it. I want to hear about ELA and math and how rigorous it is. Do most high performing kids gets tutors? What's Honors for All and how do they differentiate between students who are actually advanced vs others not at the same level. What about the culture, social aspects, etc.? How much of a problem is drugs and alcohol? Does Wilson retain top students or do most top in boundary students move or peel off for Walls or independent and parochial schools?

These are some initial questions, but I'd really like to have conversations with actual Wilson parents. I don't know what I don't know. The pandemic has thrown a wrench into social opportunities where I might meet Wilson parents. All of DC's friends either don't have older siblings or the older siblings don't go to Wilson.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Truth is most higher SES families in DC never stay for middle school let alone high school. It’s gotten better but the exodus is still prolific in the Elementary schools. Wilson is running on a fraction of quality kids that start here. Some are staying which is why the demographics are changing but it is still a fraction.

The income demographics for Deal and Wilson would disagree with that sentiment.

You think all the million dollar homes in DC that can only partially high 1 high school show something different? Are you going to argue UDC is quality too?

Anonymous wrote:Truth is most higher SES families in DC never stay for middle school let alone high school. It’s gotten better but the exodus is still prolific in the Elementary schools. Wilson is running on a fraction of quality kids that start here. Some are staying which is why the demographics are changing but it is still a fraction.

The income demographics for Deal and Wilson would disagree with that sentiment.

Anonymous wrote:Truth is most higher SES families in DC never stay for middle school let alone high school. It’s gotten better but the exodus is still prolific in the Elementary schools. Wilson is running on a fraction of quality kids that start here. Some are staying which is why the demographics are changing but it is still a fraction.

What is wrong with you? Higher SES=quality kids? What are they? Handbags? JFC