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GreatSchools Rating

School Without Walls High School

Public | 9-12 | 555 students

We are best known for college preparatory curriculum.
 
 
Last modified
Community Rating

4 stars

Community Rating by Year
2013:
Based on 2 ratings
2012:
No new ratings
2011:
Based on 2 ratings
2010:
Based on 1 rating

Teacher quality

Principal leadership

Parent involvement

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14 reviews of this school


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Posted February 6, 2013

With two daughters one a sophmore and the other a junior currently enrolled, I know there is no better choice, public or private for their education and development as young leaders. Dedicated leadership and opportunities galore for those that want to learn and achieve ... the sky is the limit! Now expanding to a full k-12 program every parent of a motivated learner needs to get their child there!
—Submitted by a parent


Posted January 15, 2013

Four years of being a "Walls" parent has been outstanding! My daughter has transformed into the young lady I knew she would be. I love the location, I love the diversity, I love what they stand for, I love the challenge. What I've loved most for the past 4 years is the principal's motto. " If you need help with something, ask your teacher(s).....You have a right to demand your education". I think that should be every principal's motto. The students are definately prepared for the next level of college. I would highly recommend SWW to any student who is up for a challenge.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted December 23, 2011

Have your kid apply to Walls-forget Private School. I sent my daughter to three of them before realizing that their main interest was in raising money and keeping affluent families in their communities even if their children were awful brats. Walls isn't perfect but the students seem to understand that they can't treat people badly and get away with it and there are only a smattering of students with snobby attitudes. In addition, their expectations of students are higher and the students, by and large, live up to them without the private school spoonfeeding.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted March 16, 2011

This school is an excellent school with a diverse student body. The curriculm is challenging and definitely college preparatory. This is an excellent school if your child wants an excellent education and does want to attend college. The school also is very communicative and does use a lot of technology for students to submit some of their work, parents to see grades and weekly progress, this school also offers a wonderful partnership with GWU. This school is not for slackers but for students that is committed to getting a good education.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted October 5, 2009

School Without Walls is an Awesome school for kids to attend who want a good education. From the principal to all of the teachers, counselor and aides, everyones main goal is for all of the kids to attend college.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted September 2, 2009

One of DC's best public high school, attracting top middle school students. Unfortunately, the administration and teachers at the school do not seem to appreciate the intellectual calibre of the student body and so the instructions and extra-carricular activities available are mediocre at best.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted May 5, 2009

Schools Without Walls-translation: School Without Boundaries! I love it! SWW is the best school in the Metropolitan area. SWW allows students to become educated without being limited to resources, knowledge, and growth. The structure of SWW is the strongest I've seen in a school in a very long time and the teaching style is phenomenal! My nephew will be graduating from SWW next year and he already knows where he's going, what he will become, and why he chose to fly without boundaries; literally, as he has just returned from a trip to France with SWW. SWW has left an ever-lasting impression not only on my nephew, but with me as well. I highly recommend SWW to any child who is approaching high School. Bridgette, aunt of a student


Posted August 12, 2008

SWW is the best and will remain the best public high school in Washington,DC. The teacher-student ratio is great. The work is challenging, yet, rewarding . This school gives you freedom. It teaches you make your own decisions furtherwise teaching you be responsible for your actions. There is never any violence, which is a major thing in comparison to other district school. I am currently a senior at the school and my years here thus far have been great. My favorite thing about the school is the diversity and freedom, which prepares you for your future life. I highly recommend this school for any high school scholar!
—Submitted by a student


Posted March 17, 2008

SWW is a great school and deserves its place at the top of DCPS. It is much better then Wilson SHS, also in D.C. Walls has benefited a lot from the new principal, Richard Trogisch, whom a majority of the students love. The classes are challenging, and usually small, therefore rivaling private schools, at no cost except taxes. However, the education depends on the teachers you get. I have definitely been the victim of vindictive teachers, but I have many more teachers that I love.
—Submitted by a student


Posted January 24, 2008

I really love this school. The work is hard but it teachers you to really think and take responsibility for you actions. I am a freshman and i've already learned a lot. Three more years of fun and hard work are on the way!
—Submitted by a student


Posted December 23, 2005

SWW was a great experience. I graduated in 2001 and I was more than equipped to handle college both academically and socially. I graduated from the University of Maryland in 05, and I am currently a fifth grade teacher, so I can appriciate the value of a good education. Teachers like Mr. Ishmeal, Mrs. Stenstrom, and Mrs. Issacs left lasting impressions on me and I hope to do the same for my students.
—Submitted by a former student


Posted October 21, 2004

School W/Out Walls is an exceptional high school. It has demonstrated to be not only one of the high ranking schools here in Washington,DC but also nationwide. The environment of the school is wonderful. As far as the condition of the school goes,its not all that great.Although, the fact that the school does not have many stable constructions, it has partnerships with George Washington, UDC, etc. My son is a sophomore this year and will be graduating with his class in '2007'. The involvement of the scool in its community is FANTASTIC!!! I am estatic for having my son to be there. School W/Out Walls and its students is a justifiable reason why it is the 'core jewel' of DCPS high scools.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted September 4, 2003

Going to this school was one of the best experiences in my life. The curriculum fosters responsibility and the small size allows for a familial feeling among students and teachers. By the time I graduated I had few of the anxieties that my friends from other schools had about going to college because I'd already been attending college classes for a year along with my high school classes.
—Submitted by a former student


Posted August 19, 2003

I liked how the class schedules were set up like colleges. They used the city as a class room, for example, Zoology class was conducted at the zoo. Internships with lawyers,senators and other professionals were possible.It was also a great advantage to have the school located on G.W. campus were students could take college courses and get a head start on credits.
—Submitted by a former student


Community ratings and reviews do not represent the views of GreatSchools nor does GreatSchools check their accuracy or verify the reviewers' identities. Use your discretion when evaluating these reviews.

About these ratings

The Community Rating is the school’s average rating from its community members (e.g., parents, students, and school staff). The highest possible rating is five stars; the lowest is one star.

The test results by subgroup show how the designated group of students is performing in comparison to the general population.

Grade level

Math

The state average for Math was 44% in 2012.

113 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
98%

2011

 
 
98%

2010

 
 
95%

2009

 
 
94%
Reading

The state average for Reading was 44% in 2012.

113 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
98%

2011

 
 
99%

2010

 
 
96%

2009

 
 
97%
Scale: % proficient or advanced

About the tests


In 2011-2012 Washington, D.C. used the District of Columbia Comprehensive Assessment System (DC-CAS) to test students in reading and math in grades 3 through 8 and 10, and science in grades 5, 8, and High School. The DC-CAS is a standards-based testing program, which means it measures specific skills defined for each grade by the District of Columbia. The goal is for all students to score at or above the proficient level.

See Washington DC's state standards

Source: Office of the State Superintendent of Education

GreatSchools Rating

What makes up this rating?

Academic rating
9 / 10
Climate rating
Coming 2013

This GreatSchools Rating is based on academics, including students' test scores, academic growth and college readiness. Soon, the rating will also measure school climate, which includes safety, cleanliness, parent involvement and more.

Learn more about our methodology

What is the new GreatSchools Rating?

Rating legend
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average
Average
Above
average

Our rating (from 1 to 10) reflects a school's overall performance. The higher the rating, the more likely the school will prepare your child for the future, so choose an above-average school (8-10) if possible. For average schools (4-7), do careful research and look for evidence that the school has high-quality programs. For below-average schools (1-3), take caution; a low-performing school may not provide the instruction or environment your child needs to learn, and you may need to supplement classroom lessons at home.

Academic rating

The academic rating is made up of equally-weighted parts: students' test scores, their academic growth and their readiness for college (for high schools). If a school is designated low performing (Tier 3) by the DC Public Charter School Board, the school receives a "Below average" GreatSchools Rating. The graphs below compare this school's results to other schools in the city.
Overall academic rating

9

Above average

Test score rating 2012*
This school
City
1
2
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8
9
10
Learn more about this school's test scores »

Student growth rating 2012**
This school
City
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10

College readiness rating 2012***
This school
City
1
2
3
4
5
6
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8
9
10
This school
Percent of 12th graders taking SAT or ACT: 93%
Percent of test takers who are "college ready": 65%

*Test scores are based on 2012 DC-CAS results from the District of Columbia.

**The academic growth rating measures how schools affect student test score improvement over time in reading and math. The data is for the 2012 school year and is provided by the Office of the State Superintendent of Education.

***This rating is based on the percent of 12th graders in 2012 that took the SAT or ACT, and the percent of those test-takers that reached a "college ready" benchmark as determined by SAT or ACT. Data is provided by the Office of the State Superintendent of Education.

Climate ratings

Starting in fall 2013, we plan to release a climate rating as part of this school's overall GreatSchools Rating. The climate rating will be based on survey data about various aspects of this school's climate, such as safety, cleanliness, expectations for students, parent involvement, and more.

Student ethnicity

Ethnicity This school State average
Black 59% 80%
White 27% 7%
Hispanic 8% 12%
Asian/Pacific Islander 5% 2%
American Indian/Alaskan Native 0% 0%
Source: NCES, 2009-2010

Student subgroups

  This school District averageState average
Students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch program 125%N/A70%
Special education 21%N/A13%
English learners 20%N/A7%
Source: 1 NCES, 2009-2010
Source: 2 Office of the State Superintendent of Education, 2011-2012

Attendance

  This school District averageState average
All Students 99%N/AN/A
Asian/Pacific Islander 100%N/AN/A
Black, not Hispanic 99%N/AN/A
Hispanic 99%N/AN/A
White, not Hispanic 99%N/AN/A
Economically disadvantaged 99%N/AN/A
Students with disabilities 100%N/AN/A
Source: DCPS, 2009-2010

Graduation rate

  This school District averageState average
Female 89%N/A77%
Male 92%N/A71%
Asian/Pacific Islander 67%N/A79%
Black, not Hispanic 90%N/A77%
Hispanic 92%N/A62%
White, not Hispanic 90%N/A73%
Economically disadvantaged 100%N/A96%
Not economically disadvantaged 88%N/A58%
Students with disabilities 100%N/A94%
General-Education students 90%N/A73%
Source: DCPS, 2009-2010

College readiness and student pathways

Students typically attend these schools prior to attending this school Alice Deal Middle School
Hardy Middle School
Stuart-Hobson Middle School
Percentage of students going to 2-year college 20% (2013)
Percentage of students going to 4-year college 80% (2013)
Percentage of students going to the military 0% (2013)
Percentage of students going to vocational programs 0% (2013)
Percentage of students going directly into the workforce 0% (2013)
Colleges most students attend after graduation Temple University
Maryland University
North Carolina A&T
Read more about resources at this school
Source: Manually entered by a school official.

Student-teacher ratio

  This school District averageState average
Students per FTE teacher 11N/A14
Source: NCES, 2008-2009

Teacher resources

Special staff resources available to students Assistant principal(s)
Art teacher(s)
College counselor(s)
Computer specialist(s)
Cooking/Nutrition teacher(s)
Dance teacher(s)
Gifted specialist(s)
Librarian/media specialist(s)
Math specialist(s)
Music teacher(s)
PE instructor(s)
Nurse(s)
Poetry/Creative writing teacher(s)
Reading specialist(s)
Robotics/Technology specialist(s)
Security personnel
School social worker/counselors(s)
Special education coordinator
Tutor(s)
Foreign languages spoken by school staff Arabic languages
Chinese (Cantonese)
Chinese (Mandarin)
French
German
Italian
Russian
Spanish
Portugese, Swahili, Urdu, Wolof, Arabic
Read more about programs at this school
Source: Manually entered by a school official.

Awards

Academic awards received in the past 3 years
  • Reached AYPseven years in a row (2010)
  • Nationally ranked by Newsweek Magazine (#97) (2011)
  • Blue Ribbon School Award (2010)

Special education / special needs

Level of special education programming offered
  • Basic - the school offers or partners to provide services based on the needs of individual students
Staff resources available to students
  • Special education coordinator

Science, Technology, Engineering, & Math (STEM)

Staff resources available to students
  • Computer specialist(s)
  • Math specialist(s)
  • Robotics/Technology specialist(s)
School facilities
  • Computer lab
  • Science lab
Clubs
  • Math club
  • Recycling club
  • Robotics club
  • Science club

Arts & music

Staff resources available to students
  • Art teacher(s)
  • Dance teacher(s)
  • Music teacher(s)
  • Poetry/Creative writing teacher(s)
School facilities
  • Art room
  • Music room
Visual arts
  • Design
  • Drawing / sketching
  • Painting
  • Photography
  • Printmaking
Music
  • Band
  • Choir / Chorus
  • Jazz band
  • Orchestra
  • Rock band
Performing and written arts
  • Creative writing
  • Dance
  • Drama
  • Improv
  • Poetry
Media arts
  • Technical design and production
  • Video / Film production
Clubs
  • Anime club
  • Art club
  • Dance club
  • Drama club
  • Literary magazine
  • Student newspaper
  • Yearbook

Language learning

Foreign languages taught
  • Chinese (Mandarin)
  • French
  • Latin
  • Spanish
Level of ESL/ELL programming offered
  • Basic - the school offers or partners to provide services based on the needs of individual students
Foreign languages spoken by staff
  • Arabic languages
  • Chinese (Cantonese)
  • Chinese (Mandarin)
  • French
  • German
  • Italian
  • Portugese, Swahili, Urdu, Wolof, Arabic
  • Russian
  • Spanish
Clubs
  • Foreign language and culture club

Health & athletics

Staff resources available to students
  • Cooking/Nutrition teacher(s)
  • Dance teacher(s)
  • Nurse(s)
  • PE instructor(s)
School facilities
  • Gym
  • Multi-purpose room ("cafegymatorium")

Gifted & talented

Instructional and/or curriculum models used
  • Accelerated credit learning
  • Advanced placement courses
  • Gifted / high performing
  • Honors track
Staff resources available to students
  • Gifted specialist(s)
College preparation / awareness resources offered
  • College prep programs/courses during the year
  • College presentations or information sessions
  • SAT/ACT prep classes
  • School-sponsored trips to college campuses
  • Summer college prep programs
  • Visiting teachers or lecturers from colleges
Clubs
  • Debate
  • It's Academic
  • National Honor Society
School leaders can update this information here.

School basics

School start time
  • 8:45am
School end time
  • 3:15pm
School Leader's name
  • Richard Trogisch
Gender
  • Coed
Special schedule
  • Block scheduling
Is there an application process?
  • Yes
Fax number
  • (202) 724-8536

Programs

Instructional and/or curriculum models used

Don't understand these terms?
  • Accelerated credit learning
  • Advanced placement courses
  • Direct instruction
  • Gifted / high performing
  • Honors track
  • Independent Study
  • Internships
  • Project-based
Bi-lingual or language immersion programs offered

Don't understand these terms?
  • No
Level of special education programming offered
  • Basic - the school offers or partners to provide services based on the needs of individual students
Foreign languages taught
  • Chinese (Mandarin)
  • French
  • Latin
  • Spanish
Level of ESL/ELL programming offered
  • Basic - the school offers or partners to provide services based on the needs of individual students
Vocational or skills-based training offered
  • Internships

Resources

Staff resources available to students
  • Art teacher(s)
  • Assistant principal(s)
  • College counselor(s)
  • Computer specialist(s)
  • Cooking/Nutrition teacher(s)
  • Dance teacher(s)
  • Gifted specialist(s)
  • Librarian/media specialist(s)
  • Math specialist(s)
  • Music teacher(s)
  • Nurse(s)
  • PE instructor(s)
  • Poetry/Creative writing teacher(s)
  • Reading specialist(s)
  • Robotics/Technology specialist(s)
  • School social worker/counselors(s)
  • Security personnel
  • Special education coordinator
  • Tutor(s)
Foreign languages spoken by staff
  • Arabic languages
  • Chinese (Cantonese)
  • Chinese (Mandarin)
  • French
  • German
  • Italian
  • Portugese, Swahili, Urdu, Wolof, Arabic
  • Russian
  • Spanish
Extra learning resources offered
  • Career/college counseling
  • Remediation
College preparation / awareness resources offered
  • College prep programs/courses during the year
  • College presentations or information sessions
  • SAT/ACT prep classes
  • School-sponsored trips to college campuses
  • Summer college prep programs
  • Visiting teachers or lecturers from colleges
Transportation provided for students by the school / district
  • 31 (Wisconsin Avenue Line), 32, 36 (Pennsylvania Avenue Line), 37 (Wisconsin Avenue Limited Line), 39 (Pennsylvania Avenue Limited Line), 80 (North Capitol Street Line), H1 (Brookland-Potomac Park Line), L1 (Connecticut Ave Line), N3 (Massachusetts Ave Line)
School facilities
  • Art room
  • Audiovisual aids
  • Cafeteria
  • College/career center
  • Computer lab
  • Gym
  • Internet access
  • Library
  • Multi-purpose room ("cafegymatorium")
  • Music room
  • Science lab
Partnerships with local resources and organizations
  • Kennedy Center
  • GW Univerisity
  • Fried, Frank, Jacobson Shcrieber Law Firm
  • Office of Civil Rights
  • Deloitte
School leaders can update this information here.

Sports

Boys sports
  • Baseball
  • Basketball
  • Cross country
  • Golf
  • Lacrosse
  • Men of Strength Club
  • Soccer
  • Swimming
  • Tennis
  • Track
  • Ultimate Frisbee
  • skiing
Girls sports
  • Basketball
  • Cheerleading
  • Cross country
  • Field hockey
  • Golf
  • Lacrosse
  • Soccer
  • Softball
  • Swimming
  • Tennis
  • Track
  • Ultimate Frisbee
  • Volleyball
  • skiing

Arts & music

Visual arts
  • Design
  • Drawing / sketching
  • Painting
  • Photography
  • Printmaking
Music
  • Band
  • Choir / Chorus
  • Jazz band
  • Orchestra
  • Rock band
Performing arts
  • Creative writing
  • Dance
  • Drama
  • Improv
  • Poetry
Media arts
  • Technical design and production
  • Video / Film production

Student clubs

Clubs (distinct from courses)
  • Anime club
  • Art club
  • Book/reading club
  • Chess club
  • Dance club
  • Debate
  • Drama club
  • Foreign language and culture club
  • Global Issues Network
  • Homework help/study buddy club
  • It's Academic
  • Kappa League
  • Lesbian, gay, transgender club
  • Literary magazine
  • Math club
  • Mock trial competition club
  • Model UN
  • National Honor Society
  • Recycling club
  • Robotics club
  • Science club
  • Sister Action Sister Strength
  • Student council/government
  • Student newspaper
  • Yearbook
School leaders can update this information here.

Photos

School culture

Dress Code
  • Dress code
Bullying policy
  • This school has a bullying and/or cyber bullying policy in place.
Parent involvement
  • Attend parent nights
  • Chaperone school trips
  • Coach sports teams or extracurricular activities
  • Join PTO/PTA
  • Organize cultural events
  • Organize fundraising events (school auction, bake sales, etc.)
  • Present special topics during curricular units
  • Serve on school improvement team or governance council
  • Volunteer During School Hours
School colors
  • Black & White
School mascot
  • Penguin
More from this school
  • School Without Walls prepares students to become global citizens, able to work and get along in any environment. School Without Walls is a high-performing college preparatory environment. The school has a global focus and hosts numerous foreign exchange students each year. Additionally, the school encourages international experiences for students.
School leaders can update this information here.

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What are your chances?


2 out of 10students were accepted for the 2012-2013 school year.


Students accepted for the 2012-2013 school year
180
Applications received for the 2012-2013 school year
1200
Students typically come from these schools
Alice Deal Middle School
Hardy Middle School
Stuart-Hobson Middle School

Planning ahead

Students typically attend these schools after graduating
Temple University
Maryland University
North Carolina A&T
College preparation / awareness offered
College prep programs/courses during the year
College presentations or information sessions
SAT/ACT prep classes
Summer college prep programs
School-sponsored trips to college campuses
Visiting teachers or lecturers from colleges
Students' post-graduation plans in 2013
2 year college - 20%
4 year college - 80%
Military - 0%
Vocational - 0%
Workforce - 0%
Notice an inaccuracy? Let us know!

2130 G St. NW
Washington, DC 20037
Website: Click here
Phone: (202) 645-9690

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