All private elementary schools in our area have small classes, which can lead to social issues. I think the real question is how effective the school is in addressing that (should it happen) and whether there's a little bit of wiggle room (e.g., two classes vs. one per grade).

Anonymous wrote:
I’m wondering the same….

I enjoyed the tour and my daughter really liked her K visit. Awaiting the parent night to compare to other acceptances.

If you mean size (two classes per grade) leading to potential mean girl problems, yes, it can happen and it did to us. It's something to consider. Sheridan at one class has even a great potential for that. we had to leave the school over it, but first few years were great

Anonymous wrote:
I’m wondering the same….

I enjoyed the tour and my daughter really liked her K visit. Awaiting the parent night to compare to other acceptances.

We have had a great experience in early childhood and elementary both socially and academically, and we expect that will continue into middle school. Hoping you have an equally positive experience at the parent night!

I’m wondering the same….

I enjoyed the tour and my daughter really liked her K visit. Awaiting the parent night to compare to other acceptances.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think the PP mentioning the successful teams wasn't to imply that WES is a athletic powerhouse, but to make the case that they are competitive among their peers.

We really like the school and find it to be solid academically and easygoing socially.

+1 There have been some good teams because some cohorts are stronger than others, but the school's teams are inclusive (and we love that). Our DS plays on competitive club teams outside of WES, but it's been an awesome experience for him also to be able to play with a group of friends from school. Great balance.

In general I'd say the school has a nice mix across the board. Wealth--some incredibly wealthy, some on aid, many somewhere in between. Politically--full range of politics. Lots of international families. Strong academics, but a good deal of supports for those who need it. Episcopal, but the religious aspect is not at all heavy handed and focused on basic tenets of morality and service versus religious dogma.

We did not have experience with early childhood, but upper elementary and MS has been great. We've heard nothing but good things about outplacement for HS. My only gripe if you can call it that is I wish it were a smidge bigger because there are a few grades that are smaller and that opens up the possibility of the social dynamics getting a little off (e.g. more boys than girls or big personalities impacting the whole class)--something I think is pretty common in small schools.

This. If your grade has a mean girls problem it is difficult to escape

Anonymous wrote:I think the PP mentioning the successful teams wasn't to imply that WES is a athletic powerhouse, but to make the case that they are competitive among their peers.

We really like the school and find it to be solid academically and easygoing socially.

+1 There have been some good teams because some cohorts are stronger than others, but the school's teams are inclusive (and we love that). Our DS plays on competitive club teams outside of WES, but it's been an awesome experience for him also to be able to play with a group of friends from school. Great balance.

In general I'd say the school has a nice mix across the board. Wealth--some incredibly wealthy, some on aid, many somewhere in between. Politically--full range of politics. Lots of international families. Strong academics, but a good deal of supports for those who need it. Episcopal, but the religious aspect is not at all heavy handed and focused on basic tenets of morality and service versus religious dogma.

We did not have experience with early childhood, but upper elementary and MS has been great. We've heard nothing but good things about outplacement for HS. My only gripe if you can call it that is I wish it were a smidge bigger because there are a few grades that are smaller and that opens up the possibility of the social dynamics getting a little off (e.g. more boys than girls or big personalities impacting the whole class)--something I think is pretty common in small schools.

I think the PP mentioning the successful teams wasn't to imply that WES is a athletic powerhouse, but to make the case that they are competitive among their peers.

We really like the school and find it to be solid academically and easygoing socially.

Everyone good at sports plays on outside teams during middle school at little schools like WES, NPS, Norwood etc.

PP is correct middle school sports suck at all the schools. They are an afterthought really just a PE class. The focus has to be the varsity teams then jv at high schools. Most coaches doing all levels middle is an hour then the coaches are onto the real teams.

Middle schools everywhere are pretty underwhelming. For boys, really only Landon and Mater Dei have consistently a crop of kids that can play. Most of the K-12s - Sidwell, Maret, Potomac, GDS, etc. have pretty terrible teams in middle school. The kids that will power the basketball teams, etc. all come in at ninth. So before high school it would be pretty dump to choose a school based on sports. But if you do and it’s boys Landon and Mater Dei have the best teams in most sports. St. Albans is usually at least decent and Bullis sometimes is decent (but way less good than you’d expect until the ninth grade recruits come in). For girls, definitely Stone Ridge is the most consistent and everyone else is very hit and miss until high school.

Anonymous wrote:WES is super. We have had experience at other private schools, and feel so grateful to be part of this community because it is surprisingly down to earth. People think all privates are ultra wealthy and either skew super liberal or conservative, and WES somehow feels like this happy middle that's avoids a lot of the DC social scene nonsense. It's such a joyful place. Our teachers have been fantastic, the kids have a real sense of ownership about the school itself, which fosters both pride and independence. Girls 5/6 soccer was unfeathered this year, Boys 6 basketball undrafted last year, girls cross country took first place at the Bullis Invitational, and that's just what 8 know from not closely following all of the teams. What I really appreciate about WES is that they offer multiple sports (not just soccer and lacrosse) that compete against other schools starting in fifth.

The auction is legitimately fun-- and it feels so incredibly accessible since it is held in the school's gym. Mentioning that only because it was last night, so fresh on my mind.

I hope it never changes. Great place.

WES is not a sports school. Delusional. Three kids went there. They are not trying to be good at sports though. They run an inclusive program. If your kid is really an athlete you will be playing on outside teams to get great competition. Beating NPS and the Lowell school 😂 PP come on.

Anonymous wrote:WES is super. We have had experience at other private schools, and feel so grateful to be part of this community because it is surprisingly down to earth. People think all privates are ultra wealthy and either skew super liberal or conservative, and WES somehow feels like this happy middle that's avoids a lot of the DC social scene nonsense. It's such a joyful place. Our teachers have been fantastic, the kids have a real sense of ownership about the school itself, which fosters both pride and independence. Girls 5/6 soccer was unfeathered this year, Boys 6 basketball undrafted last year, girls cross country took first place at the Bullis Invitational, and that's just what 8 know from not closely following all of the teams. What I really appreciate about WES is that they offer multiple sports (not just soccer and lacrosse) that compete against other schools starting in fifth.

The auction is legitimately fun-- and it feels so incredibly accessible since it is held in the school's gym. Mentioning that only because it was last night, so fresh on my mind.

I hope it never changes. Great place.

Ack. Clearly my autocorrect got away from me. Unfeathered and undrafted were both meant to be undefeated.

WES is super. We have had experience at other private schools, and feel so grateful to be part of this community because it is surprisingly down to earth. People think all privates are ultra wealthy and either skew super liberal or conservative, and WES somehow feels like this happy middle that's avoids a lot of the DC social scene nonsense. It's such a joyful place. Our teachers have been fantastic, the kids have a real sense of ownership about the school itself, which fosters both pride and independence. Girls 5/6 soccer was unfeathered this year, Boys 6 basketball undrafted last year, girls cross country took first place at the Bullis Invitational, and that's just what 8 know from not closely following all of the teams. What I really appreciate about WES is that they offer multiple sports (not just soccer and lacrosse) that compete against other schools starting in fifth.

The auction is legitimately fun-- and it feels so incredibly accessible since it is held in the school's gym. Mentioning that only because it was last night, so fresh on my mind.

I hope it never changes. Great place.

Anonymous wrote:NP here. what is the culture like? Wary of an environment that is ultra-wealthy, Republican, or religious.

Not at WES but at a school that sends many children to WES. The culture is very nice. The school is values-oriented and inclusive. Several families have chosen it over a Big 3. One is on financial aid. All have loved the experience. It’s a gem, and I wished my child were interested it. However, my child is very sports oriented.