Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks PP. It sounds like you left at least 3-4 years ago. IF we fed into Deal MS (which is now fantastic), we would definitely stay in DC but alas we don't. Any feedback on Swanson vs Williamsburg MS and W-L vs Yorktown? I am leaning towards homes in the Swanson/ W-L pyramids but haven't visited all the schools yet. Very impressed w/ W-L after recent IB open house. Granted, that's assuming my kids get into the IB program but regardless seems like a wonderful school. Does Swanson have regular school tours like the other schools? Sorry to bombard you with questions. Making our school tours this month and next.

IB at W-L is open admission. No special application is required. They will tell you the same things about IB that you'll hear at other IB schools. It's a marketing pitch developed by the IBO, and largely geared towards parents, but not that many kids at W-L actually want to do the full IB diploma.

The IB diploma track at W-L is not open admission, and there are strict grades and course requirements. Most in-bounds kids take AP classes with one or two IB electives. Transfer students must take a minimum of 3 IB classes a year. The AP program is very strong, as is the IB program. The two early admission Harvard bound seniors are not IB diploma candidates. There were about 50 IB diploma students last year, and the diploma pass rate is 95% at W-L.

13:20 again--I just yesterday heard about the W-L students admitted early to Harvard--terrific news!

For them, sure. But you seem to take pleasure in it too for some reason?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The beauty of the W-L district for people moving from DC (as compared to some wonderfully diverse high schools in FCPS) is the ease of commuting to DC. Even driving during rush hour, I can be at 18th and K in under 25 minutes.

Still just gets a 5 on GreatSchools, which isn't very impressive. That's particularly a concern if your kid ends up not taking all IB or AP courses.

http://www.greatschools.org/virginia/arlington/133-Washington-Lee-High-School/

+1, I guess it's an improvement from DC. But it's all relative and would be a downgrade from most FCPS or MCPS.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. We too are trying to avoid Hardy and Wilson b/c these schools aren't a good fit for our kids. We aren't interested in the middle school charters b/c it's a temporary fix and doesn't resolve HS.

Define "good fit," please. There are kids at Hardy and Wilson who are every bit the intellectual equal of kids in Arlington schools.

Not the poster you quoted--but left same pyramid in DC for same pyramid in Arlington.

Some of the kids may be of similar intellectual level (though after being in inner city DC schools (not of JLKM variety) for 5 years they are no longer). The resources, teacher quality/intelligence, support system in those DC schools is abysmal especially in direct comparison to Swanson and W-L. Hardy also has so many discipline problems that distract from classroom teaching. The Arlington poor performance schools (very few) are not due to the school system or teaching--they are due to kids with no English skills and disadvantaged home---yet most are able to turnaround after being in the Arlington system. This is in direct contrast to some of the worst DC schools in which the environment, teachers, and system are very poor.

Anonymous wrote:OP here. We too are trying to avoid Hardy and Wilson b/c these schools aren't a good fit for our kids. We aren't interested in the middle school charters b/c it's a temporary fix and doesn't resolve HS.

Define "good fit," please. There are kids at Hardy and Wilson who are every bit the intellectual equal of kids in Arlington schools.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We left after our eldest DC finished elementary at a NW school and before starting middle school. Eldest DC went to Swanson Middle and is now at W-L High, younger DC is at a N. Arl. elementary school. I came with a great deal of trepidation (I loved living in DC), but we were very unhappy with the middle school options in DC. No regrets AT ALL. NONE. NADA. ZILCH.

This is us too! We left Georgetown to avoid Hardy Middle and Wilson. Also--Swanson, W-L. We are very happy with the decision. We rent out the DC house.

I wonder if we knew each other, LOL.

OP here. We too are trying to avoid Hardy and Wilson b/c these schools aren't a good fit for our kids. We aren't interested in the middle school charters b/c it's a temporary fix and doesn't resolve HS.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The beauty of the W-L district for people moving from DC (as compared to some wonderfully diverse high schools in FCPS) is the ease of commuting to DC. Even driving during rush hour, I can be at 18th and K in under 25 minutes.

Still just gets a 5 on GreatSchools, which isn't very impressive. That's particularly a concern if your kid ends up not taking all IB or AP courses.

http://www.greatschools.org/virginia/arlington/133-Washington-Lee-High-School/

YOU again. Go to hell. Not everyone gives a shit about Yorktown.

Anonymous wrote:We left after our eldest DC finished elementary at a NW school and before starting middle school. Eldest DC went to Swanson Middle and is now at W-L High, younger DC is at a N. Arl. elementary school. I came with a great deal of trepidation (I loved living in DC), but we were very unhappy with the middle school options in DC. No regrets AT ALL. NONE. NADA. ZILCH.

This is us too! We left Georgetown to avoid Hardy Middle and Wilson. Also--Swanson, W-L. We are very happy with the decision. We rent out the DC house.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The beauty of the W-L district for people moving from DC (as compared to some wonderfully diverse high schools in FCPS) is the ease of commuting to DC. Even driving during rush hour, I can be at 18th and K in under 25 minutes.

Still just gets a 5 on GreatSchools, which isn't very impressive. That's particularly a concern if your kid ends up not taking all IB or AP courses.

http://www.greatschools.org/virginia/arlington/133-Washington-Lee-High-School/

My child takes classes that aren't AP or IB at W-L. I have no concerns at all about the quality of education he is receiving.

Anonymous wrote:The beauty of the W-L district for people moving from DC (as compared to some wonderfully diverse high schools in FCPS) is the ease of commuting to DC. Even driving during rush hour, I can be at 18th and K in under 25 minutes.

Still just gets a 5 on GreatSchools, which isn't very impressive. That's particularly a concern if your kid ends up not taking all IB or AP courses.

http://www.greatschools.org/virginia/arlington/133-Washington-Lee-High-School/

Yes, we did this several years ago and have had NO regrets. One of our children is at Swanson and loves it. I've been very impressed when I've gone to Back to School Night and various school events. We're slated for WL and think it will be a great fit for our kids.

OP here. Yes, 13:20. There was a student led panel discussion. I was sold after listening and watching the students speak and field Q&A. If your DC1 was on the panel on 12/4, kudos to you! Very impressed with each and every one the students, their thoughtful presentations and especially the answers to on the spot unrehearsed questions from parents. I could see my kids being challenged and happy there. Cross your fingers for us

Anonymous wrote:Got it- thanks PP. I was looking at the scenario of being IB for Yorktown and applying for the program. I love the feel of the W-L community after the tour and diversity is a huge plus for us (especially coming from DC with a large highly educated international community) so really leaning towards homes in the W-L.

This is 13:20 again, hee hee, did your tour include a discussion with some students? If so, you probably saw my DC1, he is one of the students who participates in these.

The beauty of the W-L district for people moving from DC (as compared to some wonderfully diverse high schools in FCPS) is the ease of commuting to DC. Even driving during rush hour, I can be at 18th and K in under 25 minutes.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Got it- thanks PP. I was looking at the scenario of being IB for Yorktown and applying for the program. I love the feel of the W-L community after the tour and diversity is a huge plus for us (especially coming from DC with a large highly educated international community) so really leaning towards homes in the W-L.

W-L is a better option for you. I'm in the Yorktown boundary but would rather be in W-L for the same reasons you do, but that would require us finding a home we love as much as this one in W-L district. We are trying to figure out different options.

May I ask which DCPS school you are leaving, OP?

We are in the same boat, wondering where to move to, and which school would work for my kids. Are you considering FCPS as well?
Thanks!