Anonymous wrote:

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.

W-L parent here of a current full-IB senior. I am likely guilty of this. On the one hand, you don't want your kid to be stressed out. On the other hand, you want them to do as well as they can. In my kid's case, he's shown himself capable of getting excellent grades while taking a challenging course load, and spending 20-25 hours a week on an extra-curricular activity (sport) that he loves. I know he needs more downtime (and more sleep!), so I try to encourage that when he can make that work, but its hard. Not sure what the right answer is here.

It is hard. Just keep making sure your kid knows you're fine if he wants or needs to scale back.
It would be great if a lot more parents recognized this for themselves as you do. People are so dumbstruck by how many teens are suffering from anxiety and they don't seem to understand why or how they may be contributing to it.

Not sure where you are moving from but all of NOVA can be a lot more intense academically than other areas of the country. DC has had friends who transferred thinking they were advanced only to now have peers taking math a year or two beyond what is them.

All of the schools prepare kids for college. All three already have multiple kids going to Ivys next year. They will all have tons of UVA, JMU and VT. They all work to send the kids to college - some may feel too much so!! The difference in Arlington is about culture and feel.

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.

W-L parent here of a current full-IB senior. I am likely guilty of this. On the one hand, you don't want your kid to be stressed out. On the other hand, you want them to do as well as they can. In my kid's case, he's shown himself capable of getting excellent grades while taking a challenging course load, and spending 20-25 hours a week on an extra-curricular activity (sport) that he loves. I know he needs more downtime (and more sleep!), so I try to encourage that when he can make that work, but its hard. Not sure what the right answer is here.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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.

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.

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.

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.

Anonymous wrote:I saw the new, current Wakefield HS building was only designed for 1600 students. How did APS possibly not know it needed to be larger?

They shrunk ALL the high schools with new designs in early 2000s based on shrinking enrollment.

I saw the new, current Wakefield HS building was only designed for 1600 students. How did APS possibly not know it needed to be larger?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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.

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.

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.

Anonymous wrote: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.

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.

That makes sense. Agree it is a class better suited for block schedule. Maybe that's the only way they could offer enough classes for the students who wanted to take it? Bigger school = more class section necessary.....

Its funny, my now-senior had AP World History 3rd period and loved it (probably because he loved the teacher).

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.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:All APS schools have successful outcomes because of very engaged (as told by this thread) parents. Yorktown is…Yorktown…More wealthy parents who can afford more tutors so get better outcomes. W/L has IB, which is great, but valued more in a place like Arlington, that has many State Dept families who move a lot. Wakefield has the AP Capstone program, which is newer, but valued similar by colleges to IB.

The highest math in all is DifQ. The big secret in APS is that it all has the same basic curriculum. All schools have the same underlying structure!!! There is more racial and economic diversity engagement as you look south, but if thats not your priority, then go north.

All have: good schools, crazy parents, over stressed kids.

Buckle up!

So, what you're saying is, all the schools are academically comparable and good but you should only go to the south schools if diversity is a priority because the northernmost school gets "better" outcomes? No point in the south schools if diversity is not your priority?

DP but you obviously have an underlying motive. You are twisting this poster's words to fit your agenda. I think 'buckle up's' advice is sound.

Anonymous wrote:All APS schools have successful outcomes because of very engaged (as told by this thread) parents. Yorktown is…Yorktown…More wealthy parents who can afford more tutors so get better outcomes. W/L has IB, which is great, but valued more in a place like Arlington, that has many State Dept families who move a lot. Wakefield has the AP Capstone program, which is newer, but valued similar by colleges to IB.

The highest math in all is DifQ. The big secret in APS is that it all has the same basic curriculum. All schools have the same underlying structure!!! There is more racial and economic diversity engagement as you look south, but if thats not your priority, then go north.

All have: good schools, crazy parents, over stressed kids.

Buckle up!

So, what you're saying is, all the schools are academically comparable and good but you should only go to the south schools if diversity is a priority because the northernmost school gets "better" outcomes? No point in the south schools if diversity is not your priority?

All APS schools have successful outcomes because of very engaged (as told by this thread) parents. Yorktown is…Yorktown…More wealthy parents who can afford more tutors so get better outcomes. W/L has IB, which is great, but valued more in a place like Arlington, that has many State Dept families who move a lot. Wakefield has the AP Capstone program, which is newer, but valued similar by colleges to IB.

The highest math in all is DifQ. The big secret in APS is that it all has the same basic curriculum. All schools have the same underlying structure!!! There is more racial and economic diversity engagement as you look south, but if thats not your priority, then go north.

All have: good schools, crazy parents, over stressed kids.

Buckle up!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My 8th grader says AP World history is an option next year at W&L, or so they have been told.

We told our 9th grade WL Student last year (as an 8th grader) not to take AP World History (only AP class offered).

DC is taking everything intensified as it is, let DC enjoy their Freshman year.

AP World History on top of 2 other intensified classes and marching band has not made our child's freshman year miserable. Based on our two children's experiences so far, intensified history wasn't particularly work-heavy at all; and even with intensified English and intensified Biology, child #2 hasn't had much homework, except for AP World History - but even that isn't every night. Maybe the Eng/Bio workload will change 3rd quarter? It seems that the students are being given a lot of time in class to get work done.

I said above that my DD regretted AP World History. I think what made it particularly challenging was that she ended up with it in her every-day class period. So she did have work every night and never felt like she had a break. Friends who had it in the every-other-day blocks seemed to have a much better experience. I don't know why they even schedule it in that 3rd period.

That makes sense. Agree it is a class better suited for block schedule. Maybe that's the only way they could offer enough classes for the students who wanted to take it? Bigger school = more class section necessary.....

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My 8th grader says AP World history is an option next year at W&L, or so they have been told.

We told our 9th grade WL Student last year (as an 8th grader) not to take AP World History (only AP class offered).

DC is taking everything intensified as it is, let DC enjoy their Freshman year.

AP World History on top of 2 other intensified classes and marching band has not made our child's freshman year miserable. Based on our two children's experiences so far, intensified history wasn't particularly work-heavy at all; and even with intensified English and intensified Biology, child #2 hasn't had much homework, except for AP World History - but even that isn't every night. Maybe the Eng/Bio workload will change 3rd quarter? It seems that the students are being given a lot of time in class to get work done.

I said above that my DD regretted AP World History. I think what made it particularly challenging was that she ended up with it in her every-day class period. So she did have work every night and never felt like she had a break. Friends who had it in the every-other-day blocks seemed to have a much better experience. I don't know why they even schedule it in that 3rd period.