Anonymous wrote:OP here: thanks for the comments. I agree that Wilson offers lots of intangibles, and my child is enjoying them (teams, etc.). I just don't think that it offers strong academics--at least so far in 9th grade. It's disconcerting that no one disputes that, and that several parents report on slightly better academics in 10th-12th. That's nice, but I feel like we might have a lost year on our hands. How can that be?

Sorry for the earlier error: Wilson does indeed offer honors 9th grade biology, and my son is taking it. It doesn't seems to offer any lab time, and appears to be among his weakest classes. Glad to hear that a PP's child nonetheless managed to become a sci major in college.

I guess I'm just wondering why we are all settling for this situation in what is supposed to be the strongest general high school in the city. There are some really smart kids at Wilson, and some smart and dedicated teachers. Why is the curriculum so shallow and uninspiring?

NP here. It seems like your only complaint is homework and the biology class. You're now upset that people aren't upset as you. Your son doesn't complain about school but he isn't happy with the lack of labs. What else do you want besides more homework, that is new material and more challenging? Is your son complaining about anything else? How do you know the academics aren't up to snuff? Does your son tell you what they do/discuss in class?

With your last statement you are just trying to rile everyone up. It seems like you need to talk to the principal, accept it, and/or move on.

Anonymous wrote:OP here: thanks for the comments. I agree that Wilson offers lots of intangibles, and my child is enjoying them (teams, etc.). I just don't think that it offers strong academics--at least so far in 9th grade. It's disconcerting that no one disputes that, and that several parents report on slightly better academics in 10th-12th. That's nice, but I feel like we might have a lost year on our hands. How can that be?

Sorry for the earlier error: Wilson does indeed offer honors 9th grade biology, and my son is taking it. It doesn't seems to offer any lab time, and appears to be among his weakest classes. Glad to hear that a PP's child nonetheless managed to become a sci major in college.

I guess I'm just wondering why we are all settling for this situation in what is supposed to be the strongest general high school in the city. There are some really smart kids at Wilson, and some smart and dedicated teachers. Why is the curriculum so shallow and uninspiring?

No offense - but are you sure that your child is fully engaged in his freshman year experience? We have a very bright child at Wilson, and know many more. They were challenged and learned plenty in their Honors Biology, Honors English, and Honors Math courses. They took language at the appropriate level based on their previous middle-school language experiences. They participated in tons of extracuriculars, some in sports, many in things like newspaper, debate, music, etc.

One thing is definitely true about Wilson: kids are responsible for finding and taking advantage of their educational opportunities. There is not a lot of hand-holding, and some kids can get lost.

Perhaps your child is not taking full advantage of his or her academic opportunities?

Anonymous wrote:OP here: thanks for the comments. I agree that Wilson offers lots of intangibles, and my child is enjoying them (teams, etc.). I just don't think that it offers strong academics--at least so far in 9th grade. It's disconcerting that no one disputes that, and that several parents report on slightly better academics in 10th-12th. That's nice, but I feel like we might have a lost year on our hands. How can that be?

Sorry for the earlier error: Wilson does indeed offer honors 9th grade biology, and my son is taking it. It doesn't seems to offer any lab time, and appears to be among his weakest classes. Glad to hear that a PP's child nonetheless managed to become a sci major in college.

I guess I'm just wondering why we are all settling for this situation in what is supposed to be the strongest general high school in the city. There are some really smart kids at Wilson, and some smart and dedicated teachers. Why is the curriculum so shallow and uninspiring?

Lack of demand? DCPS parents who want strongest academics opt for SWW, Banneker and McKinley? Plethora of private school options?

OP here: thanks for the comments. I agree that Wilson offers lots of intangibles, and my child is enjoying them (teams, etc.). I just don't think that it offers strong academics--at least so far in 9th grade. It's disconcerting that no one disputes that, and that several parents report on slightly better academics in 10th-12th. That's nice, but I feel like we might have a lost year on our hands. How can that be?

Sorry for the earlier error: Wilson does indeed offer honors 9th grade biology, and my son is taking it. It doesn't seems to offer any lab time, and appears to be among his weakest classes. Glad to hear that a PP's child nonetheless managed to become a sci major in college.

I guess I'm just wondering why we are all settling for this situation in what is supposed to be the strongest general high school in the city. There are some really smart kids at Wilson, and some smart and dedicated teachers. Why is the curriculum so shallow and uninspiring?

Parent of recent Wilson grad here. There are plenty of AP and other challenging classes to take in grades 10-12.In my view it's not a race to the finish.

AP classes can sometimes be larger, but I didn't hear any complaints from my DC about them being chaotic or having to self-teach the materials. Science labs are weak, but it didn't stop my DC and many others from becoming science majors in college. Also agree on all the intangibles that are gained by going to Wilson. Not for everyone, but worked well for my DC who felt prepared for college but also had time for a sport, music and other etracurriculars (and still took too many APs in my opinion).

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why can't they take APs in 9th at Wilson?

I thought that AP classes were open enrollment and kind of chaotic as opposed to the honors classes. Am I wrong?

AP classes are more accessible than in many private high schools, but not completely open. If you have a C in Precal, you'll have a hard time getting into Cal BC as I recall

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My DC took Honors Algebra 2/Level 4 language/Honors English/Honors Biology/and a few other classes in 9th, it was a busy enough year. I know kids in Montgomery and Firfax county will start APs in 9th grade though...

OP here. Yes, my son is in those classes, which I suppose puts him on track for several AP classes in 10th grade. I think that's the top level you can get at Wilson for 9th. There aren't honors classes in science or history in 9th, and apparently AP classes can't start until 10th grade at Wilson. Would be curious to know if there are any exceptions.

Despite the honors/advanced classes, we are seeing very little homework, and so far most of that is busywork, as I posted above. The amount and types of work are not at all comparable to what he was used to in 8th at private school. Wish it wasn't true, but it is. He is especially disappointed so far in the biology class, which doesn't even seem to have any labs. (He took bio already with many labs in middle school. Was hoping that a 9th grade honors class would be a step up from that.)

Yes, there are many extra-curricular activities and sports, and it's easy to make friends. These are definite pros for Wilson, but they don't/shouldn't outweigh the importance of the academics, where it seems to me (so far) that Wilson is coming up short.

DC was in the Honors Bio in 9th grade, and this was very recent. Perhaps your son's schedule didn't 'mesh' with honors classes, but they exist in 9th grade

Anonymous wrote:Why can't they take APs in 9th at Wilson?

I thought that AP classes were open enrollment and kind of chaotic as opposed to the honors classes. Am I wrong?

Anonymous wrote:

I know kids in Montgomery and Firfax county will start APs in 9th grade though...

I am coming from a place where several of my friends left high school after two years and went to college. And I still have to ask, why on earth would you want your kid taking AP classes in 9th grade?

+1 and can these really be the equivalent of college level courses if a 9th grader can handle them?

I'm with PP -- Wilson is an escape back to an actual classic high school experience; being young teenagers engaging with a community more diverse than they will likely find ever again in their regular lives, even college. There is so much merit in that part of the "education", it never bothered me. My DCPS sons are on track to be admitted to a number of excellent colleges, and with their eyes wide open. The work and stress and challenge will surely come soon enough. If he is flying through grade 9, talk to his counselor about pushing him upward. If your child really misses the private, maybe consider going back, at least you don't have a contract to back out of. BIG PICTURE.

I know kids in Montgomery and Firfax county will start APs in 9th grade though...

I am coming from a place where several of my friends left high school after two years and went to college. And I still have to ask, why on earth would you want your kid taking AP classes in 9th grade?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My DC took Honors Algebra 2/Level 4 language/Honors English/Honors Biology/and a few other classes in 9th, it was a busy enough year. I know kids in Montgomery and Firfax county will start APs in 9th grade though...

Yes, some kids at Wilson will be in higher classes too, but not likely a kid transferring from a private middle school.

Odd comment. --OP

Anonymous wrote:My DC took Honors Algebra 2/Level 4 language/Honors English/Honors Biology/and a few other classes in 9th, it was a busy enough year. I know kids in Montgomery and Firfax county will start APs in 9th grade though...

OP here. Yes, my son is in those classes, which I suppose puts him on track for several AP classes in 10th grade. I think that's the top level you can get at Wilson for 9th. There aren't honors classes in science or history in 9th, and apparently AP classes can't start until 10th grade at Wilson. Would be curious to know if there are any exceptions.

Despite the honors/advanced classes, we are seeing very little homework, and so far most of that is busywork, as I posted above. The amount and types of work are not at all comparable to what he was used to in 8th at private school. Wish it wasn't true, but it is. He is especially disappointed so far in the biology class, which doesn't even seem to have any labs. (He took bio already with many labs in middle school. Was hoping that a 9th grade honors class would be a step up from that.)

Yes, there are many extra-curricular activities and sports, and it's easy to make friends. These are definite pros for Wilson, but they don't/shouldn't outweigh the importance of the academics, where it seems to me (so far) that Wilson is coming up short.

Why can't they take APs in 9th at Wilson?

Anonymous wrote:My DC took Honors Algebra 2/Level 4 language/Honors English/Honors Biology/and a few other classes in 9th, it was a busy enough year. I know kids in Montgomery and Firfax county will start APs in 9th grade though...

Yes, some kids at Wilson will be in higher classes too, but not likely a kid transferring from a private middle school.