18:57 I totally disagree. We live in a country where a rapidly growing segment of the population is Hispanic, therefore, if your DC chooses to go into politics, the language can only help; if he seeks a job with international links, real fluency in a foreign language will give an edge and expand opportunities.

There is no comparison between the level of language learning through a full immersion program (up to 35 his per week of foreign language) compared to non-immersion programs (a total 1 to 5 hours per week.)

Your child is not committed to staying in one school for 13 years, you can always move him later, after he has the language fluency. But there its truly a small window to start to acquire true fluency. Even at WIS, students starting in later elementary grades are not placed in full immersion classes.

Not bashing, just pointing out certain hidden issues at WIS.
Adm. has tried to fire some teachers, because of the Union, they have not been able to. Sorry for the bluntness...
As for native speakers I love them, just love a little more a teacher with PhD than without one(specially if it costs almost 40,000)!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How much does Maret raise at their annual auction?

What a very odd comment on this thread. Why? Need it to be rich enough for your taste?

OK, I have lived in DC for 20 or so years so I'll bite on this one.

OP, Maret used to be the "reject school" among DC Privates back in 1970's 1980's . Think Field.

And they embraced their role of being a " supportive school" for kids who either could not get into STA, Sidwell or GDS , got kicked out, or knuckled under . An "alternative school" for rich kids if you will ( there was little to no FA in the 60's /70's) Embracing theirr role meant hiring engaging , supportive , think outside box kid of teachers ( nothing wrong with that )

Then, a King& Queen decided that their children would do better there than at X school , partially because said Queen had attended X school. And a few Kennedy family members followed. Then in typical DC fashion, a new "IT" school was perceived and, as it got more and more , applicants it became harder to get into , harder to get into + more perceived exclusivity.

Basically, its still a good school filled with lots of very dedicated, creative think outside the box teachers , but the rest is, well , the rest.

PP above: I believe that the purpose of the Auction is to raise funds for FA. Maret has a big comittment to provide an opportunity for talented and low/ middle class income DCPS kids. That is great, but they lack the kind of endowment to do so, so they fund raise, They also sold some of their land off. So... you heard the one about glass houses, right.

What's the agenda behind the WIS-bashing? Is it because you oppose collective bargaining for teachers? The hiring of native speakers of the foreign languages being taught?

Will your children live in the US or Argentina?
Competition in US is fierce...WIS does not have that advantage compared to other privates in Elementary level. However, if you can survive elementary school, WIS can be a good school.

Check credentials of teachers at Elementary level. US teachers have higher educations but some at LS are trained in their native countries which could mean they went 3 years to college after high school to get a teacher's degree. Also teachers stay there for over 10 years since they form part of a Teachers Union. They are strong and administration has to really fight for new implementations/ideas/ongoing professional education...etc

Anonymous wrote:How much does Maret raise at their annual auction?

What a very odd comment on this thread. Why? Need it to be rich enough for your taste?

How much does Maret raise at their annual auction?

Not OP here. Spanish and the IB program were the determining factors in our choice of primary school, where children learn to read and write. Once DD has a solid bilingual foundation, I can see her possibly going to an English-only high school, but right now, WIS is the only private school we are considering.

Anonymous wrote:OP, Maret and WIS are both excellent schools. If your only hesitation about WIS is that you perceive the academics to be not as strong, then please put your doubt aside. My children who attended WIS are stellar students, good people, very strong testers, independent thinkers, great writers, with high ability in math, sciences, and languages. The oldest attends an excellent college.

However, if you prefer Maret for reasons apart from your doubt about WIS, then by all means you should follow your heart because Maret will be wonderful for your child also. You really cannot make a wrong choice here, so go ahead and make the one that feels right to you, your spouse, and your child.

I posted the above, but I think from OP's relative silence on the thread, that she has made a decision. You will be happy with either one, congratulations.

I personally can't imagine making foreign language determinative of your choice of schools. I would think that all other criteria favor Maret, and that you could compensate the language issue with out-of-school supplementation. But if Spanish education is so important that it really dwarfs everything else then it could be a closer call.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you want the language, go with WIS.
But Maret is the better school, overall,
WIS has a transient population & still has a
World Bank & IMF population, predominantly...
Maret has a more sophisticated Int'l population.

Ok Maret booster: By your own admission, WIS has a large World Bank and IMF population. Where do Maret parents work that make their international population "more sophisticated"? What a silly statement--it doesn't even make sense.

" I'll trade you two Ambassadors for one Queen "

Maret. WIS doesn't have the stringent academics
In primary, and the lower school has weak leadership & uneven teaching.
Maret has a solid fundraising population-crucial
To a private school's existence. And excellent
Leaders & teachers. And welcoming to parents.
But you need to 'shadow' both schools. Request to
Be a fly on the wall during lunch, recess, etc.

OP, Maret and WIS are both excellent schools. If your only hesitation about WIS is that you perceive the academics to be not as strong, then please put your doubt aside. My children who attended WIS are stellar students, good people, very strong testers, independent thinkers, great writers, with high ability in math, sciences, and languages. The oldest attends an excellent college.

However, if you prefer Maret for reasons apart from your doubt about WIS, then by all means you should follow your heart because Maret will be wonderful for your child also. You really cannot make a wrong choice here, so go ahead and make the one that feels right to you, your spouse, and your child.

Anonymous wrote:Check teachers' credentisls at both, it will show you where to go.

I'm stumped - which one?