Anonymous
03/01/2023 10:22
Subject: Re:Washington International School Decisions
I would ask the school about their diversity stats in K or look at the photos of in the classroom—some of the comments here seem outdated or just wrong. Like many local schools WIS gets more diverse each year and the commitment is there. My child is in early elementary and their small class has several children who identify as Black (including but not only Francophone) as well as Asian, Indian and Middle Eastern.
Two other areas of diversity to point out. There are multiple same-sex parent families in our grade, which is anecdotally the highest I’ve seen and possibly influenced by the school’s secularism. Even more noticeable is the genuine abundance of dual-earning families who don’t come from wealth and have their tuition subsidized by their employers. This makes for *much* less barbell effect than other privates. And this to the very low country club numbers, a low-key board, lack of flashy fundraising and few legacies and you have one of the least elitist independent schools around.
WIS is not perfect and definitely in its own lane, but its multifaceted diversity is a breath of fresh air for many familiar with the local scene.
On a related note, I was very impressed with the Black History Month programming this year. The Primary school kids participated in a Black-led storytelling experience, attended a Caribbean steel drum concert and demo, sampled related foods plus lots of learning about Civil Rights leaders. It was very well thought-out. Ask Admissions for a copy of the latest IDI newsletter to know more.
Two other areas of diversity to point out. There are multiple same-sex parent families in our grade, which is anecdotally the highest I’ve seen and possibly influenced by the school’s secularism. Even more noticeable is the genuine abundance of dual-earning families who don’t come from wealth and have their tuition subsidized by their employers. This makes for *much* less barbell effect than other privates. And this to the very low country club numbers, a low-key board, lack of flashy fundraising and few legacies and you have one of the least elitist independent schools around.
WIS is not perfect and definitely in its own lane, but its multifaceted diversity is a breath of fresh air for many familiar with the local scene.
On a related note, I was very impressed with the Black History Month programming this year. The Primary school kids participated in a Black-led storytelling experience, attended a Caribbean steel drum concert and demo, sampled related foods plus lots of learning about Civil Rights leaders. It was very well thought-out. Ask Admissions for a copy of the latest IDI newsletter to know more.
Anonymous
02/28/2023 23:55
Subject: Washington International School Decisions
Anonymous wrote:I will simply point out that WIS is not unique in seeing race as only one factor contributing to diversity. I am not aware of any school at the K-12 or post-secondary level that does not consider their international students to contribute to their diversity. If WIS is saying they have 5% black or Af-Am then I take them at their word and the fact is that this is lower than many other privates. That may not matter to international families or DC area white families, but it may very much matter to black families looking for a private school.
Thank you for saying this. It might also matter to non-black families who are interested in schools that are more diverse in terms of race.
Anonymous
02/28/2023 23:39
Subject: Washington International School Decisions
I will simply point out that WIS is not unique in seeing race as only one factor contributing to diversity. I am not aware of any school at the K-12 or post-secondary level that does not consider their international students to contribute to their diversity. If WIS is saying they have 5% black or Af-Am then I take them at their word and the fact is that this is lower than many other privates. That may not matter to international families or DC area white families, but it may very much matter to black families looking for a private school.
Anonymous
02/28/2023 12:48
Subject: Re:Washington International School Decisions
I am a current WIS parent, our child having been there for five years. We are an American family.We particularly liked the themes, rigor, and WIS’ track record of high IB scores on the international front.. They also are a Project Zero site, teaching teachers in the area, so the pedagogy of the teaching is strong and well-respected in education circles.
We looked and passed on several schools — including the Big 3 — because we felt WIS was a better fit for our child and our family’s values. We felt the school was professional, direct, and would eventually help our child how to learn to be an independent, critical thinker. We also felt that it was not a cookie-cutter school; kids were allowed to be individuals so long as they were respectful and socially appropriate; and that the biggest donors or the most affluent families were not given specialized treatment, all of which have been confirmed in the time that we have been there. While there are certainly a few social climbers at the school — as you will find to varying degrees at most any independent school in the region — most of the WIS parents we have met are grounded and not particularly concerned with status.
We don’t speak a second language at home so we have had to utilize the summer resources online and/or available at libraries as well as have had our child practice language skills with other families at WIS and utilized high school student babysitters from the upper campus in our child’s language track on occasion.
Previous posters are correct in that WIS sees diversity as an international school through a slightly different lens than Americans do, with race being but one of many factors that they consider necessary to be an internationally diverse school (different family structures, countries of origin, religions, and nationalities are some additional factors.) Several children in our section speak Arabic, Amharic, Berber, Russian, Polish, and other languages as well.
Our experience is that most families have been welcoming and are focused on supporting the children. Parents pitch in when and where they can and are civil with one another and parties are inclusive of the entire class or section (french or spanish) throughout much of the Primary school.
For those who receive an acceptance email on Friday, congratulations! Should you have any questions, current WIS parents are available to answer any last-minute questions you may have before making a decision.
For those who are not interested or did not feel WIS was a good fit, I hope you find a school that is a good fit for you and yours. We have friends at many independent schools in the area, all of whom are generally happy with their choices. While the process of choosing an independent school can be stressful, it is a privilege and a choice.
Best of luck and enjoy your day!
We looked and passed on several schools — including the Big 3 — because we felt WIS was a better fit for our child and our family’s values. We felt the school was professional, direct, and would eventually help our child how to learn to be an independent, critical thinker. We also felt that it was not a cookie-cutter school; kids were allowed to be individuals so long as they were respectful and socially appropriate; and that the biggest donors or the most affluent families were not given specialized treatment, all of which have been confirmed in the time that we have been there. While there are certainly a few social climbers at the school — as you will find to varying degrees at most any independent school in the region — most of the WIS parents we have met are grounded and not particularly concerned with status.
We don’t speak a second language at home so we have had to utilize the summer resources online and/or available at libraries as well as have had our child practice language skills with other families at WIS and utilized high school student babysitters from the upper campus in our child’s language track on occasion.
Previous posters are correct in that WIS sees diversity as an international school through a slightly different lens than Americans do, with race being but one of many factors that they consider necessary to be an internationally diverse school (different family structures, countries of origin, religions, and nationalities are some additional factors.) Several children in our section speak Arabic, Amharic, Berber, Russian, Polish, and other languages as well.
Our experience is that most families have been welcoming and are focused on supporting the children. Parents pitch in when and where they can and are civil with one another and parties are inclusive of the entire class or section (french or spanish) throughout much of the Primary school.
For those who receive an acceptance email on Friday, congratulations! Should you have any questions, current WIS parents are available to answer any last-minute questions you may have before making a decision.
For those who are not interested or did not feel WIS was a good fit, I hope you find a school that is a good fit for you and yours. We have friends at many independent schools in the area, all of whom are generally happy with their choices. While the process of choosing an independent school can be stressful, it is a privilege and a choice.
Best of luck and enjoy your day!
Anonymous
02/28/2023 11:26
Subject: Washington International School Decisions
This is simply not correct.
Our kids are at WIS, and the classes have good mix of kids of African, South American, East Asian and South Asian, as well as families from mixed nationalities that would be classified as “Caucasian” when ticking a box in a form, but not necessarily White American of European descent sense of the expression.
There is a significant amount of diversity in backgrounds and cultures as well.
Plus families of varied Middle Eastern descent.
Anonymous
02/28/2023 11:23
Subject: Washington International School Decisions
Anonymous wrote:We looked at WIS. And while they have international diversity, they definitely lacked in having students who present as black or brown. That is just a fact. As an earlier poster said, the 5% black or af-am includes international folks who would identify as black. We were pretty shocked by the “whiteness” of WIS - it is not like there are not wealthy black/brown people from other countries - or even (gasp) from right here in DC. It seems WIS is not attracting them, or maybe is not attractive to them…
This is simply not correct.
Our kids are at WIS, and the classes have good mix of kids of African, South American, East Asian and South Asian, as well as families from mixed nationalities that would be classified as “Caucasian” when ticking a box in a form, but not necessarily White American of European descent sense of the expression.
There is a significant amount of diversity in backgrounds and cultures as well.
Anonymous
02/28/2023 10:24
Subject: Washington International School Decisions
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:We looked at WIS. And while they have international diversity, they definitely lacked in having students who present as black or brown. That is just a fact. As an earlier poster said, the 5% black or af-am includes international folks who would identify as black. We were pretty shocked by the “whiteness” of WIS - it is not like there are not wealthy black/brown people from other countries - or even (gasp) from right here in DC. It seems WIS is not attracting them, or maybe is not attractive to them…
Wow. I appreciate this information. We definitely won't be applying there.
That can’t be right. My child went to a WIS birthday party where not a single child was fully white. Keep in mind black French or Francophone people often identify as French. They are uncomfortable identifying themselves by the color of their skin. Not sure if that shifts the numbers given that half the school is French speaking. It does, however, mean that race discussions are very different at WIS than at a typical DC school
*often identify as French or by their nationality rather than the color of skin
Anonymous
02/28/2023 10:23
Subject: Washington International School Decisions
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:We looked at WIS. And while they have international diversity, they definitely lacked in having students who present as black or brown. That is just a fact. As an earlier poster said, the 5% black or af-am includes international folks who would identify as black. We were pretty shocked by the “whiteness” of WIS - it is not like there are not wealthy black/brown people from other countries - or even (gasp) from right here in DC. It seems WIS is not attracting them, or maybe is not attractive to them…
Wow. I appreciate this information. We definitely won't be applying there.
That can’t be right. My child went to a WIS birthday party where not a single child was fully white. Keep in mind black French or Francophone people often identify as French. They are uncomfortable identifying themselves by the color of their skin. Not sure if that shifts the numbers given that half the school is French speaking. It does, however, mean that race discussions are very different at WIS than at a typical DC school
Anonymous
02/28/2023 00:28
Subject: Washington International School Decisions
Anonymous wrote:We looked at WIS. And while they have international diversity, they definitely lacked in having students who present as black or brown. That is just a fact. As an earlier poster said, the 5% black or af-am includes international folks who would identify as black. We were pretty shocked by the “whiteness” of WIS - it is not like there are not wealthy black/brown people from other countries - or even (gasp) from right here in DC. It seems WIS is not attracting them, or maybe is not attractive to them…
Wow. I appreciate this information. We definitely won't be applying there.
Anonymous
02/27/2023 23:54
Subject: Washington International School Decisions
We looked at WIS. And while they have international diversity, they definitely lacked in having students who present as black or brown. That is just a fact. As an earlier poster said, the 5% black or af-am includes international folks who would identify as black. We were pretty shocked by the “whiteness” of WIS - it is not like there are not wealthy black/brown people from other countries - or even (gasp) from right here in DC. It seems WIS is not attracting them, or maybe is not attractive to them…
Anonymous
02/27/2023 23:05
Subject: Washington International School Decisions
From another dcum thread:
DCUM parents on these threads seem to sort into two groups:
1. Kids are raw dough to be shaped, pounded, and cooked into the right shape under high heat. The best kids thrive. The others fall back. Too bad. It's a competitive world.
2. Where can my kids have the best life experience and still do well enough academically to succeed in life later on?
The two camps DO NOT share any common ground, apparently. I pity the kids in Group 1. Some will succeed in life because they were driven, but many more will just be anxious wrecks now and as adults.
I think WIS gets little love because the bilingual IB is beyond a stressful grind, so people who want a low-stress environment don’t like it, but it’s not got the prestige that the competitive parents look for. Kids get into good colleges though.
DCUM parents on these threads seem to sort into two groups:
1. Kids are raw dough to be shaped, pounded, and cooked into the right shape under high heat. The best kids thrive. The others fall back. Too bad. It's a competitive world.
2. Where can my kids have the best life experience and still do well enough academically to succeed in life later on?
The two camps DO NOT share any common ground, apparently. I pity the kids in Group 1. Some will succeed in life because they were driven, but many more will just be anxious wrecks now and as adults.
I think WIS gets little love because the bilingual IB is beyond a stressful grind, so people who want a low-stress environment don’t like it, but it’s not got the prestige that the competitive parents look for. Kids get into good colleges though.
Anonymous
02/27/2023 22:43
Subject: Re:Washington International School Decisions
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:We applied for K and are also waiting. WIS doesn't get a lot of love on this site - curious why? We were really impressed with tour and engagement with the school so far, and have friends with multiple kids there who speak very positively.
Despite being an "International School", this school does not seem to be very diverse. They don't report their diversity stats to Niche, and according to US News & World Report, Black or African American enrollment is only 5%
It's true there aren't a lot of African Americans but there are a lot of African and Caribbean families plus many families of color from around the world. As an international school they look at diversity from a global vs. US-centric lens.
That makes sense, but Black or African American would include Africans and Black Carribeans.
This is how they break it down… We applied and my multiracial family did not any lack of diversity.
https://www.wis.edu/about/mission/enriched-by-differences
Anonymous
02/27/2023 21:53
Subject: Re:Washington International School Decisions
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:We applied for K and are also waiting. WIS doesn't get a lot of love on this site - curious why? We were really impressed with tour and engagement with the school so far, and have friends with multiple kids there who speak very positively.
Despite being an "International School", this school does not seem to be very diverse. They don't report their diversity stats to Niche, and according to US News & World Report, Black or African American enrollment is only 5%
It's true there aren't a lot of African Americans but there are a lot of African and Caribbean families plus many families of color from around the world. As an international school they look at diversity from a global vs. US-centric lens.
That makes sense, but Black or African American would include Africans and Black Carribeans.
Anonymous
02/27/2023 21:44
Subject: Re:Washington International School Decisions
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:We applied for K and are also waiting. WIS doesn't get a lot of love on this site - curious why? We were really impressed with tour and engagement with the school so far, and have friends with multiple kids there who speak very positively.
Despite being an "International School", this school does not seem to be very diverse. They don't report their diversity stats to Niche, and according to US News & World Report, Black or African American enrollment is only 5%
Thankfully we all have you to monitor the data and give your valuable opinion on what’s important.
You're welcome. I think this data is important for prospective applicants to know.
Anonymous
02/27/2023 21:42
Subject: Re:Washington International School Decisions
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:We applied for K and are also waiting. WIS doesn't get a lot of love on this site - curious why? We were really impressed with tour and engagement with the school so far, and have friends with multiple kids there who speak very positively.
Despite being an "International School", this school does not seem to be very diverse. They don't report their diversity stats to Niche, and according to US News & World Report, Black or African American enrollment is only 5%
Only black students count as diverse? Nobody else?
No. Do you think so?