We also have a good PK waitlist number for SWS and I'm wondering if someone can clarify the comments about overachievers and the kind of opportunities offered to advanced learners. I don't want my children to be drilled and killed, nor do I necessarily care about their scores on standardized tests so long as they "pass" and I know they are challenged, engaged, and learning what they need to be ready for middle school. So that leads to my question:

After elementary we would plan to send our kids to a middle school that is on par with a Latin or a Deal. I am assuming there are "advanced" classes in these middle schools. Does the SWS education prepare a student to qualify for and succeed in these "advanced" classes once he/she enters middle school?

And before anyone snarks, I am not assuming at this point that my PK student is going to be an advanced learner. I can't predict this any more than anyone else can for their child. But if he is, I want him to be in an elementary school that will set him up to thrive in the advanced classes in middle and high school. Is this mindset similar to the mindset of the typical SWS parent, or would we be in for culture shock?

Thanks!

So good to know, thank you!!

They haven't asked us yet to let them know. If I remember right, they ask us to let them know in May.

OP here. Realized the question I really need to ask current SWS parents is, has the school asked you whether you plan to return? Trying to figure out whether ishokd bother hoping a spot will open up.

Also, since I've now read the recent thread about residency fraud and have a slightly better understanding of the tensions at work, I should clarify that we are moving our family to the dc area from another part of the country but my spouse is already working there. We were waiting on the lottery results to decide where to live.

Anonymous wrote:^ yeah I meant the overachieving parents.

there's a range of those too. I don't begrudge someone being ambitious/motivated on their own terms if they appreciate the school culture and don't expect it to bend to them.

^ yeah I meant the overachieving parents.

Anonymous wrote:^ NP - and another SWS parent here. I could not care less what the test results say, and am fully expecting them not to be the best in the city or even in the ward. I sleep well at night knowing my kid isn't being drilled mindlessly, and if the test results show that, so be it. Keep our little piece of shangri-la off the radar screens of the over-achievers. Fine by me!

SWS already has overachievers with parents who couldn't agree more with you

^ NP - and another SWS parent here. I could not care less what the test results say, and am fully expecting them not to be the best in the city or even in the ward. I sleep well at night knowing my kid isn't being drilled mindlessly, and if the test results show that, so be it. Keep our little piece of shangri-la off the radar screens of the over-achievers. Fine by me!

I think that the testing is the worse thing about SWS - the actual administration of the test and the practice tests and the various dcps unit test take away learning time. But that is the nature of new public schools these days. It is incredible that SWS does not teach to the test and the parent community seems unconcerned by it. I am not worried about test prep and drilling. SWS works to foster deep thinking for all kids and it believes that the learning process is almost as important as the actual answer.

There are levels for reading and peers work in groups on math projects, sometimes they are grouped by ability and sometimes not.

I had heard this board was super critical and you guys do not disappoint. I do get it, I always roll my eyes when I see parent list emails about whether a school is giving their advanced child enough attention. I hope I am not one of *those* parents, but I do think differentiation for all levels is a pressing concern in our current school environment. It is encouraging to hear that the SWS teachers don't want to teach to the tests, even if SWS is going to start testing now. I appreciate the insights. And I welcome the snark.

Anonymous wrote:OP here. My oldest is WL'd #1 at SWS for 2nd grade. My PK3 got in. I'm not worried about my PK3 being challenged at this point. obviously. Or even my to-be second grader, so much. It's looking ahead that concerns me. Not saying my special snowflakes are gifted prodigies in need of specialized attention, I just want them to learn they have to work hard and can't just skate by on whatever natural abilities they may have. Anyway. Yes, I am probably looking a gift horse in the mouth, to the extent we actually got the gift. I haven't called the school yet to see what the chances of a spot in second grade actually opening up are. My alternative is to try to find a place to live near a neighborhood school, or look outside DC. We are planning a move to DC.

not to nitpick, but "skating by" would seem to reflect more on a given student's engagment level than the school and possibly the family's. If your kid is an egaged learner and actively curious SWS is a place that promotes wonderment and investigation.

You're not looking at mountains of homework or high pressure evaluation at this age even if the citywide preliminary testing begins in 2nd as it does for all DC public schools. The teachers don't teach to it and many dislike the time taken away from other more valuable learning activities. The learning is foundational and as one PP mentioned promoting critical thinking skills. Building empathy is another key concept. There is ample challenge across ability levels.

Your chances at #1 are very high, coupled with a sib preference if you take the PK3 spot you should get in

OK, OP, we forgive you. I think that you will be satisfied with the rigor in 2nd grade. There is differentiation in that the kids are grouped according to their abilities and play math games, for example, that are appropriate for their level. They do have nightly homework. And for better or for worse, the teachers are mindful of the fact that these kids are going to have to take the same standardized tests as the rest of DCPS.

There are a lot of really bright kids with parents who value education at SWS. In the end, that (and the gifted, motivated teachers) is what will probably matter most to your kids' educations.

I don't know of anyone moving away, but a #1 waitlist position sounds pretty promising. Good luck!

Huh. Wonder if she out it first?

Anonymous wrote:Where do you live now OP? Did you play the lottery thinking you'd register with an address later?

Not the OP, but you don't need to prove residency until you actually enroll. You can play the lottery without living in DC. I know someone who did this last year (they were planning a move back to DC after the lottery...they got into a great city-wide school).

Where do you live now OP? Did you play the lottery thinking you'd register with an address later?