I have a child at WES and, I have to say, I find it an incredibly warm and nurturing environment. Because it is a smaller school, the kids are very well connected and there is a great supportive nature among them. The teachers have also been terrific. It is particularly strong in science and the arts. I also like the fact that all kids play in the band, the school starts team sports in 5th grade (earlier than many schools) - and that kind of thing enhances the inclusive spirit of the school. The new head of school is a dynamic individual who sets a great tone for the school. Regarding the parents, I find they exhibit a lot less of the anxiousness about their social status - and the social status of their kids - than elsewhere. That's one of the things I really like about the school.

Our child transferred to WES from a top school in another city. I don't know about warm and fuzzy. DC seemed to fit in quickly and well. We really like all the teachers, with the exception of one who is just so-so. As for curriculum, I sincerely doubt that there's a school with a stronger one in the DC area. It particularly shines in the sciences. DC experienced a surge of interest and performance after transferring -- and again, that's after having been at a school that is much sought after -- but that we found just didn't live up to the hype. Worth a closer look, OP.

Anonymous wrote:We left WES after a few years. There were some very good aspects of WES, but unfortunately some problematic aspects that created a not so great environment - many of them created by the old head of school. We have heard positive things on the new head and hope he can help move the school back on track.

Would you elaborate on that, please. A vague explanation of dissatisfaction isn't helpful to prospective parents or even fair to the school. No need to give identifying details but what was problematic and how was it not a great environment?

WES has mediocre faculty/curriculum. The parent population really shouldn't matter unless one of your goals is parental socializing. WES families and kids are ok--just many of them leave the school.

We left WES after a few years. There were some very good aspects of WES, but unfortunately some problematic aspects that created a not so great environment - many of them created by the old head of school. We have heard positive things on the new head and hope he can help move the school back on track.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I can't imagine why having lawyer and lobbyist parents would turn an applicant family off from a school.

Seems your imagination has narrow limits. It is what gave the nod against WES for us. With a school you also pick a parent crowd for 8-10 long years, which in turn has a strong influence on the environment and atmosphere in which your kid grows up, and ultimately on their value system. This parent crowd seemed neither particularly interesting nor pleasant, at least compared to other schools we applied to.

Is there any private school in town whose parent population isn't made up of a a large percent of lawyers and lobbyists?

Anonymous wrote:I can't imagine why having lawyer and lobbyist parents would turn an applicant family off from a school.

Seems your imagination has narrow limits. It is what gave the nod against WES for us. With a school you also pick a parent crowd for 8-10 long years, which in turn has a strong influence on the environment and atmosphere in which your kid grows up, and ultimately on their value system. This parent crowd seemed neither particularly interesting nor pleasant, at least compared to other schools we applied to.

I can't imagine why having lawyer and lobbyist parents would turn an applicant family off from a school. This is the norm for DC independent schools (financiers are less common here than in NYC), and WES parents tend to be less uptight than those at comparable schools. SAHM volunteers are also the norm in most schools, and contribute a lot to school life. I work, and have never been made to feel that I wasn't doing my share by the SAH moms.

If you're worried about finding a nurturing environment for your young child, then consider WES very seriously. What extraordinary faculty in the transition to 1st grade years. They will see and appreciate what's unique about your child, and will cultivate those traits and talents without putting a lot of pressure on him/her. And the children are so very kind. DC loves going to school each day, finds joy in learning, and takes real pride in his school.

. Each school will have its fair share of gossipy SAHMs, overly demanding parents, tacky wealth, etc.


Do you think the "parent crowd" at WES and other DC schools also have "gossipy" moms who work outside their homes?

No. Everyone knows that women who work outside the home are incapable of gossip. This is especially true with respect to their coworkers -- working women never engage in office gossip. Those females you see talking office politics over their lunch hour at Chop't or at the gym? They are NOT gossiping. Only SAHMs in DC gossip.

This "not warm and fuzzy" claim is the first time I've ever heard such a complaint about WES. It has a reputation as being a very tight-knit community.

To be honest, my husband and I have formed only a few close friendships with fellow WES parents (we already had a very close circle for many years before joining WES), but DC regards fellow students and faculty as family. The teachers in her first years were particularly nurturing, and DC is still very close to all of them. We considered transferring to a school that would take her through 12th grade, but she kicked up such a fuss that we decided to go all the way through 8th.

As for the facility, it's actually pretty wonderful on the inside. But the building is the last thing we considered. We actually liked the low-key vibe. The campus is slated for an overhaul, and families that prioritize that will start applying in greater numbers when it's completed. We'll be glad to have aged out by then.