Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:There is one person on this thread with a bone to pick. This is why I hate DCUM. I am an actual parent of a fourth grader. Here is what we have found:
1. The leadership, particularly Danny (HOS) and Zoe (elementary) are fantastic. They are approachable, conscientious, and just strong leaders. They care deeply about pedagogy and are a big reason we love WES.
2. The academics are top-notch. Our son loves to learn and we are confident that he will be well prepared for a too high school. This is not our first private school experience (daughter has gone the all-girls route) and WES’s academics are very good.
3. The kids, with *very* few exceptions, are kind. “Kind” is in the school’s mantra and it’s actually true. This is not to say that it’s a hippie love fest—it’s not—but it is a humane environment.
4. They’ve done a very good job with DL during Covid. I get that not all parents are happy, but this has been a very tough year to make decisions. The reality is that the school has had a lot of in-person time—4th is now back 4 days and is going to 5 in April—and the DL has been excellent.
5. One of the things that makes WES special is the travel / STEM labs / experiential aspect. Its been hard to lose this, but it will be back.
6. Sports are excellent albeit limited. Not “excellent like your kid will play D-1 ball” but excellent inasmuch as all kids participate, they are well-coaches, and sporty kids (and non-sporty) can all fit in.
In summary, WES is a really great option for smart, kind kids who for whatever reason aren’t going the same-sex route or for whom public (particularly MCPS) has failed. We are very happy there and honestly I don’t understand the crazy negativity.
Middle school has not been great during DL. Why aren't they back for more days? Why is everything about the elementary school students? Other schools have all of their students back.
Anonymous wrote:There is one person on this thread with a bone to pick. This is why I hate DCUM. I am an actual parent of a fourth grader. Here is what we have found:
1. The leadership, particularly Danny (HOS) and Zoe (elementary) are fantastic. They are approachable, conscientious, and just strong leaders. They care deeply about pedagogy and are a big reason we love WES.
2. The academics are top-notch. Our son loves to learn and we are confident that he will be well prepared for a too high school. This is not our first private school experience (daughter has gone the all-girls route) and WES’s academics are very good.
3. The kids, with *very* few exceptions, are kind. “Kind” is in the school’s mantra and it’s actually true. This is not to say that it’s a hippie love fest—it’s not—but it is a humane environment.
4. They’ve done a very good job with DL during Covid. I get that not all parents are happy, but this has been a very tough year to make decisions. The reality is that the school has had a lot of in-person time—4th is now back 4 days and is going to 5 in April—and the DL has been excellent.
5. One of the things that makes WES special is the travel / STEM labs / experiential aspect. Its been hard to lose this, but it will be back.
6. Sports are excellent albeit limited. Not “excellent like your kid will play D-1 ball” but excellent inasmuch as all kids participate, they are well-coaches, and sporty kids (and non-sporty) can all fit in.
In summary, WES is a really great option for smart, kind kids who for whatever reason aren’t going the same-sex route or for whom public (particularly MCPS) has failed. We are very happy there and honestly I don’t understand the crazy negativity.
Anonymous wrote:This thread is a doozy. It can't all be untrue.
Pro tip: ask about attrition - same issues even in 2021.
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Those who can leave WES do. That's just how it goes.
Or Perhaps those who can stay at WES do. Just look at the schools the graduating class is enrolled this year.
Anonymous wrote:Those who can leave WES do. That's just how it goes.