Woodson High School

Woodson is an excellent school. The facilities since the renovation are very good - although the school os now very big and it takes a while to figure out where everything is. The teachers are consistantly top-notch, though they seem to need more guidance counselors, as the current ones are overloaded. Sports are great and varied - they have active art and theater departments - and options for after school help and activities. I only wish they had after-school busses daily instead of only once a week, it would help out working parents whose kids want to participate in after-school activities. I appreciate the change in the grading system last year to make it mor ein line with the rest of the country. I do find the atmosphere to be academically very competitive and pressured, typical of a good high school in Northern Virginia but sometimes very stress-producing for the kids.
--Submitted by a parent

I am a current teacher at Woodson and the previous comment was an overgeneralization. The only teachers who have ever been out of school for over a week have been teachers who have had SERIOUS medical issues, one of whom passed away last year. Unfortunately, teaching a high school class isn't done effectively through correspondence, just like learning isn't, which is why student attendance is so important. Teaching is what I've always wanted to do, but it's really hard especially when parents email every other day. It's easy to send a quick gradesheet, but pedagogical questions are not welcome. It doesn't seem right to have to defend why you've assigned something or how you've graded an assignment. Did your parents do that when you went to school? Having been a military child, I know what other schools are like, and Woodson is as good as it gets.
--Submitted by a teacher

Truly the worst school in regard to teachers and administration that my children have ever attended. The counselors leave much to be desired, do not rely on them to assist you in an academic plan. Some teachers had excessive absences, weeks long,this led to subs in and out which is not conducive to learning especially at an AP level. Teachers and staff do not respond to emails or phone calls. They do not care about the individual students, especially new or transient students. Sports- do not go to Woodson if you are an athletic male. If you are not a 'returning' student, you will sit the bench no matter what your skill level. Important if you are trying for a sports scholarship for college. Try Robinson or West Springfield.
--Submitted by a parent

It's definitely not the best school, the students are pretty discriminatory. I do make a few friends, but the amount of cliques there are is insane. Also there's something wrong with style, not many people care about it or they just go with the trend, people only stick out within their cliques. Also, the are really rowdy, I mean not that they get into fights but more that they take everything as a joke. Career planning is left up to the student to figure out and counselors are in limited quantity. the educational environment really isn't appreciated. Many schools like oakton and robinson seem to do better in having influential friends that support you (not to mention their diverse personalities!) overall it's a so-so school. I've heard about schools where kids fight every day so this can't be too bad.
--Submitted by a student

I graduated last year from Woodson High School and can truly say I had a great 4 years. The school is mid-construction so things were a little crazy at times. Woodson is a very competitive school, but i believe it pays off in the end. I have just completed my first semester of college and found it fairly easy compared to other that came from different schools. Woodson does a great job preparing you. As far as cliques go, there are definitely many different groups, but from my experience none were ever mean to another. I personally thought the groups cohabiatated very well. My best advice to anyone that is going to go there or goes there is to get involved in anything! It makes you feel so much more a part of the school that you go to and will make your experience ten times better.
--Submitted by a student

I am a current student at WTW and it seems alright but this school is extremely overcautious. The teachers expect you to understand a new topic instantly and even though you are confuesed the hectic pace of school doesn't allow the teacher to fully help a student.
--Submitted by a student

Academically strong school. Administration leadership is lacking in a big way. I found when there are issues they are covered up and followed by using threats and intimidation to hush those that challenge their ways. A real disappointment, shame, and example of the misuse of authority.
--Submitted by a parent

I had two children graduate from Woodson. The education they have received through this school has been top-notch. The teachers and administrative staff are excellent. Both of my children had no problem in being accepted at their college of choice, and coming from Woodson certainly helped in that effort.
--Submitted by a parent

I've had 3 children graduate from WTW and all had a basically good experience. There is an excellent variety of classes to choose from, and most of the teachers my children had were quite good. Although my children were mostly involved in sports, they tried other activities, too, and I don't think they found Woodson overwhelmingly 'clique-y'. My only complaints are that: 1) the classes are often made 'challenging' by an overload of what I -- and my kids -- considered busywork, but not enough reading/analysis of challenging books (even AP classes); and 2) kids who are bright but have special needs are VERY often not challenged/passed off as 'lazy'/ignored, as the school really revolves around those students going after all those AP classes.
--Submitted by a parent

I attended Woodson for two years. When I first moved to the area I found the school very difficult and discouraging. To be honest it kind of scared me at first. I found it a bit hard to make friends because the people there are pretty closely knit. Moving there is hard, but once you adapt to the environment its the best school ever. The teachers are genuinely interested in your education and they go far out of their way to make sure every student understands. They even have late buses so students can stay after with their teachers. The competitiveness is high and the curriculum difficult but what I learned from there was priceless. There is a lot of diversity so everyone finds their own niche in the school. Great academics, mostly good athletics (football hasn't been to good o us lately), and a lot of great opportunities.
--Submitted by J. Smith, a former student