I’ve been a WMS parent for two years, have an 8th grader in intensified classes there, and cannot see the issue with the principal. The 8th grade counselor - maybe. But the principal is really not ever been a problem. My 8th grader is heading to Yorktown and we aren’t worried.

Those suggesting to find another house in a different middle school - inventory is low. I doubt there are many options. So I would just bite the bullet. You might have to supplement at Discovery if you are hoping for something like pre-algebra in 6th. Without knowing more about OPs situation, it’s hard to say how happy they would be.

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Kid suspended for very minor altercation (pushing). First offense. No mercy from admin.

Good!!! There should be “no mercy” for assault. Teach your kid better. He’s probably an a hole.

You are a charmer. Judging an 11 year old with no facts. Parents like you are what makes Arlington great. Williamsburg is a fine school. Middle school is short and teachers are lovely. But we are happy to be out of Arlington. Lots of nasty parents.

I"m sure lots of kids saw it. What happened to the kid who punched the kid at lunch a few weeks ago and gave him a concussion? All of 7th grade saw it. Suspended? Did he have a side to tell too? I would have filed a police report if it was my kid, but I'm sure the principal would discourage that. My kid is doing just fine there, but they do tell me they won't use the bathroom since there are kids vaping in there. The education is fine if you are planning to go to public school. I don't think my kid is learning too much and they get all As with almost zero effort. The teachers do all seem pretty good, with a few exceptions.

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Anonymous wrote:Do you have a kid who will be at Williamsburg soon? Things can change a lot in a couple years

Current 8th grade class is supposedly full of mean girls.

Yes. Last year I was told by the administration that they had never encountered a group of girls like that, and they were dreading what their eighth grade year would be like. Hoping the lot of them go to Visi.

Why do you think they’re going to Visi?

I think PP is making a comment on their perception of the students at Visi...

They’re probably going to Yorktown High School like the vast majority. All these side comments probably aren’t helping the OP. She doesn’t care about high school at all. Just the middle school.

Well the majority of the problem boys at WMS last year went to Gonzaga.... so?

Not true. Only 17.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Kid suspended for very minor altercation (pushing). First offense. No mercy from admin.

Good!!! There should be “no mercy” for assault. Teach your kid better. He’s probably an a hole.

You are a charmer. Judging an 11 year old with no facts. Parents like you are what makes Arlington great. Williamsburg is a fine school. Middle school is short and teachers are lovely. But we are happy to be out of Arlington. Lots of nasty parents.

I’ve been pleased with WMS academically. It’s a big step up from elementary school. My kids are learning how to write and proof read, study and take tests, and being challenged in their math classes. The intensive level classes are nice to have as an option. Overall my kids like their teachers.

We have not engaged with administration so can’t speak to that. But I have heard of kids getting suspended or getting detention for behavior problems and I would rather that administration address the behaviors than ignore them.

Discovery is the weakest of the 22207 elementary schools. Williamsburg is a fine middle school - 95% of kids and families have no interactions with the principal and the staff, so I wouldn't choose a school based on that. I looked at the staff list and Hamm did get some good WMS teachers. I don't think I'd prioritize the choice of middle school when buying a house though. It's usually just 3 years that everyone - both kids and parents - would soon forget.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do you have a kid who will be at Williamsburg soon? Things can change a lot in a couple years

Current 8th grade class is supposedly full of mean girls.

Yes. Last year I was told by the administration that they had never encountered a group of girls like that, and they were dreading what their eighth grade year would be like. Hoping the lot of them go to Visi.

Why do you think they’re going to Visi?

I think PP is making a comment on their perception of the students at Visi...

They’re probably going to Yorktown High School like the vast majority. All these side comments probably aren’t helping the OP. She doesn’t care about high school at all. Just the middle school.

Well the majority of the problem boys at WMS last year went to Gonzaga.... so?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do you have a kid who will be at Williamsburg soon? Things can change a lot in a couple years

Current 8th grade class is supposedly full of mean girls.

Yes. Last year I was told by the administration that they had never encountered a group of girls like that, and they were dreading what their eighth grade year would be like. Hoping the lot of them go to Visi.

Why do you think they’re going to Visi?

Because of who their families are!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do you have a kid who will be at Williamsburg soon? Things can change a lot in a couple years

Current 8th grade class is supposedly full of mean girls.

Yes. Last year I was told by the administration that they had never encountered a group of girls like that, and they were dreading what their eighth grade year would be like. Hoping the lot of them go to Visi.

Why do you think they’re going to Visi?

I think PP is making a comment on their perception of the students at Visi...

They’re probably going to Yorktown High School like the vast majority. All these side comments probably aren’t helping the OP. She doesn’t care about high school at all. Just the middle school.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do you have a kid who will be at Williamsburg soon? Things can change a lot in a couple years

Current 8th grade class is supposedly full of mean girls.

Yes. Last year I was told by the administration that they had never encountered a group of girls like that, and they were dreading what their eighth grade year would be like. Hoping the lot of them go to Visi.

Why do you think they’re going to Visi?

I think PP is making a comment on their perception of the students at Visi...

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do you have a kid who will be at Williamsburg soon? Things can change a lot in a couple years

Current 8th grade class is supposedly full of mean girls.

Yes. Last year I was told by the administration that they had never encountered a group of girls like that, and they were dreading what their eighth grade year would be like. Hoping the lot of them go to Visi.

Why do you think they’re going to Visi?

The principal is terrible. I have found the assistant principals to be okay. But when the principal is as bad as he is, it is hard for everyone. It isn't a secret how bad he is either. APS knows and just doesn't care.

Anonymous wrote:Wow, this thread is one of the least helpful I’ve ever read here. My family has had a much more positive experience at WMS than Discovery but neither are what would drive me to transfer. I would suggest joining the Facebook Williamsburg parents group to ask your questions there.

If you have specific questions, that might be an easier way to get helpful information rather than “the administration is terrible”.

The admin *is* terrible. I doubt people will say that publicly in the parents group.

But it's widely known.

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Anonymous wrote:Personally, kids at Hamm seem much happier. If you do buy in the WMS district, I would seriously consider doing a transfer to Hamm.

This is not a thing. I don’t know why someone keeps suggesting transferring out of Williamsburg.

Maybe one person is. But the OP stated that she does not like the admin at WMS and wants a transfer.

Both middle schools are probably fine overall. Hamm is newer (in terms modernized facilities) and has a popular principal. Hopefully WMS gets a renovation or rebuild in the next CIP.

OP’s kids will be HS by the time (IF) it ever happens.

Oh, and this is PP from 8:09 - my kid had a good experience there for middle school, to answer OP. It is possible for sure. It’s also middle school, so it’s super fast. Decent music, decent theater, decent sports, decent academics.