Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What did you hear?

Also, does anyone know if Walls has any plans to reinstate the test? My DC is a rising 8th grader and without the test I don't see any point of having him apply...if the requirements are absurd inflated DCPS grades and interviews, the advantage of Walls over Wilson (academically stronger peer group) will no longer be strong enough to make up for the disadvantages.

Walls will still be filled with straight A kids, this is the advantage over Wilson, all other considerations being equal (like proximity form your house).

Right...but straight A isn't what it used to be given grade inflation. Something like 40 percent of Deal gets straight As (and I've hear that it's higher at some other schools). So, yes, there is some advantage but it is mainly one of behavior/discipline...and, while that may be a big advantage--especially if your kid is really bothered by disruption/hallway tussles--don't kid yourself that your DC will be surrounded by "high achievers" at Walls. The question is whether that advantage outweighs the disadvantages of Walls (e.g., if your option is Wilson, far fewer clubs/extracurriculars, APs, overall teacher quality). Having a kid at each right now, it's kind of a wash.

Any sense of grade inflation continuing at Walls or Wilson? Grading at most schools is uneven. AP course work and scores is the better indicator than GPA but most HS students don't take significant AP load until 2nd half of HS

Grade inflation is here to stay but it’s due to DCPS policy, not the individual schools. You cannot receive lower than a 63 on any assignment, test, quiz, etc. that you turn in. So kids can fail every test they take and still get a B+ in a class.

How can a student fail every test/assignment/quiz (63%) and still earn a B+? That math doesn’t make sense.

maybe DCPS needs this policy due to the lack of teaching that is happening? Walls has had a bunch of vacancies filled with "coverage" or subs. Last year my child had the equivalent of a teacher out for 1 1/4 years (3 teachers out on parental leave). This year 1 teacher on leave and I am not certain what happened to another one - just went missing after the 2nd week of the term. [and of course nothing from school administration on what the plan is.... ]

What does your response have to do with the PP’s assertion that DCPS/Walls students can fail every assignment/test/quiz (with a 63%) and still earn a B+ at the end of the term? Clearly, some of the people posting here are habitual liars.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What did you hear?

Also, does anyone know if Walls has any plans to reinstate the test? My DC is a rising 8th grader and without the test I don't see any point of having him apply...if the requirements are absurd inflated DCPS grades and interviews, the advantage of Walls over Wilson (academically stronger peer group) will no longer be strong enough to make up for the disadvantages.

Walls will still be filled with straight A kids, this is the advantage over Wilson, all other considerations being equal (like proximity form your house).

Right...but straight A isn't what it used to be given grade inflation. Something like 40 percent of Deal gets straight As (and I've hear that it's higher at some other schools). So, yes, there is some advantage but it is mainly one of behavior/discipline...and, while that may be a big advantage--especially if your kid is really bothered by disruption/hallway tussles--don't kid yourself that your DC will be surrounded by "high achievers" at Walls. The question is whether that advantage outweighs the disadvantages of Walls (e.g., if your option is Wilson, far fewer clubs/extracurriculars, APs, overall teacher quality). Having a kid at each right now, it's kind of a wash.

+1
This is our experience too...we have had two go through Walls (one graduated a couple of years ago) and one at Wilson. Walls has deteriorated pretty substantially since our first went through...

Are you aware of any matriculation data to suggest that this "deterioration" has actually occurred outside of your own mind? Serious question because if one assumes an excellent high school's primary goal is to get kids into the colleges they desire then that it the test.

Walls parents know that the quality of admissions went down when they scrapped the admissions test.

I'm curious, how do they know that--test scores, college admissions, etc.? Last year was the first year so are they physic?

No, when they spoke to their kids.

I guess you don’t speak to yours.

Yelp...as expected more BS without any substance....

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Anyone file a FOIA request yet?

Surprised that the Washington Post hasn’t jumped on this?

😉

The FOIA request will take 3 weeks, minimum, once submitted...and DCPS will stretch in out another 3-4 most likely.

Can someone confirm that he/she submitted it?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What did you hear?

Also, does anyone know if Walls has any plans to reinstate the test? My DC is a rising 8th grader and without the test I don't see any point of having him apply...if the requirements are absurd inflated DCPS grades and interviews, the advantage of Walls over Wilson (academically stronger peer group) will no longer be strong enough to make up for the disadvantages.

Walls will still be filled with straight A kids, this is the advantage over Wilson, all other considerations being equal (like proximity form your house).

Right...but straight A isn't what it used to be given grade inflation. Something like 40 percent of Deal gets straight As (and I've hear that it's higher at some other schools). So, yes, there is some advantage but it is mainly one of behavior/discipline...and, while that may be a big advantage--especially if your kid is really bothered by disruption/hallway tussles--don't kid yourself that your DC will be surrounded by "high achievers" at Walls. The question is whether that advantage outweighs the disadvantages of Walls (e.g., if your option is Wilson, far fewer clubs/extracurriculars, APs, overall teacher quality). Having a kid at each right now, it's kind of a wash.

+1
This is our experience too...we have had two go through Walls (one graduated a couple of years ago) and one at Wilson. Walls has deteriorated pretty substantially since our first went through...

Are you aware of any matriculation data to suggest that this "deterioration" has actually occurred outside of your own mind? Serious question because if one assumes an excellent high school's primary goal is to get kids into the colleges they desire then that it the test.

Walls parents know that the quality of admissions went down when they scrapped the admissions test.

I'm curious, how do they know that--test scores, college admissions, etc.? Last year was the first year so are they physic?

No, when they spoke to their kids.

I guess you don’t speak to yours.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Anyone file a FOIA request yet?

Surprised that the Washington Post hasn’t jumped on this?

😉

The FOIA request will take 3 weeks, minimum, once submitted...and DCPS will stretch in out another 3-4 most likely.

PP here- this is based on previous experience with FOIA requests.

Anonymous wrote:Anyone file a FOIA request yet?

Surprised that the Washington Post hasn’t jumped on this?

😉

The FOIA request will take 3 weeks, minimum, once submitted...and DCPS will stretch in out another 3-4 most likely.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What did you hear?

Also, does anyone know if Walls has any plans to reinstate the test? My DC is a rising 8th grader and without the test I don't see any point of having him apply...if the requirements are absurd inflated DCPS grades and interviews, the advantage of Walls over Wilson (academically stronger peer group) will no longer be strong enough to make up for the disadvantages.

Walls will still be filled with straight A kids, this is the advantage over Wilson, all other considerations being equal (like proximity form your house).

Right...but straight A isn't what it used to be given grade inflation. Something like 40 percent of Deal gets straight As (and I've hear that it's higher at some other schools). So, yes, there is some advantage but it is mainly one of behavior/discipline...and, while that may be a big advantage--especially if your kid is really bothered by disruption/hallway tussles--don't kid yourself that your DC will be surrounded by "high achievers" at Walls. The question is whether that advantage outweighs the disadvantages of Walls (e.g., if your option is Wilson, far fewer clubs/extracurriculars, APs, overall teacher quality). Having a kid at each right now, it's kind of a wash.

Any sense of grade inflation continuing at Walls or Wilson? Grading at most schools is uneven. AP course work and scores is the better indicator than GPA but most HS students don't take significant AP load until 2nd half of HS

Grade inflation is here to stay but it’s due to DCPS policy, not the individual schools. You cannot receive lower than a 63 on any assignment, test, quiz, etc. that you turn in. So kids can fail every test they take and still get a B+ in a class.

How can a student fail every test/assignment/quiz (63%) and still earn a B+? That math doesn’t make sense.

maybe DCPS needs this policy due to the lack of teaching that is happening? Walls has had a bunch of vacancies filled with "coverage" or subs. Last year my child had the equivalent of a teacher out for 1 1/4 years (3 teachers out on parental leave). This year 1 teacher on leave and I am not certain what happened to another one - just went missing after the 2nd week of the term. [and of course nothing from school administration on what the plan is.... ]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What did you hear?

Also, does anyone know if Walls has any plans to reinstate the test? My DC is a rising 8th grader and without the test I don't see any point of having him apply...if the requirements are absurd inflated DCPS grades and interviews, the advantage of Walls over Wilson (academically stronger peer group) will no longer be strong enough to make up for the disadvantages.

Walls will still be filled with straight A kids, this is the advantage over Wilson, all other considerations being equal (like proximity form your house).

Right...but straight A isn't what it used to be given grade inflation. Something like 40 percent of Deal gets straight As (and I've hear that it's higher at some other schools). So, yes, there is some advantage but it is mainly one of behavior/discipline...and, while that may be a big advantage--especially if your kid is really bothered by disruption/hallway tussles--don't kid yourself that your DC will be surrounded by "high achievers" at Walls. The question is whether that advantage outweighs the disadvantages of Walls (e.g., if your option is Wilson, far fewer clubs/extracurriculars, APs, overall teacher quality). Having a kid at each right now, it's kind of a wash.

+1
This is our experience too...we have had two go through Walls (one graduated a couple of years ago) and one at Wilson. Walls has deteriorated pretty substantially since our first went through...

Are you aware of any matriculation data to suggest that this "deterioration" has actually occurred outside of your own mind? Serious question because if one assumes an excellent high school's primary goal is to get kids into the colleges they desire then that it the test.

Not sure what type of matriculation data you are talking about (matriculation to Walls? college matriculation data?)...either way, not clear what hypothesis you are testing or how matriculation data would help (matriculation data is data on who goes to a school they are accepted to, not what schools they are accepted to). In any event, college acceptances over the past couple of years have been turned upside down across the board due to COVID/test optional so there's really no way to discern any patterns...

And, as for your comment about whether the "deterioration" has occurred anywhere other than my mind, it's an obnoxious question/comment...like so many on DCUM...but for any serious people that might be on here looking for information that might actually help them make decisions about their kids education, I fully admit it is anecdotal. But it is sometimes helpful to hear from parents who: 1) have some longitudinal experience at a school; and 2) have some comparative experience with peer schools. I have both. Based on the experience we have had, Walls has deteriorated. It is likely the best option that some have (for those that get in) and a better choice for some than Wilson (for those who have that choice)...but for many it may be a worse choice than Wilson. In our experience, the teachers are (on average) worse (though there are some good ones). They seem to think that more work means better teaching. There are fewer options for APs and rigorous academic clubs. The administration is unresponsive. These issues were true for my older one that went through Walls but have gotten worse.

Is there demographic information available showing the 9th grade class at Walls? And if so do we know how it compares to prior years?