Oglethorpe St NE
Washington, DC

My son is in pre-K at Whittier, and he loves going to school! His teachers are kind and caring, and reassuring and helpful when behavioral issues arise. The kids get a lot of outdoor play time. My son has blossomed there, made great friends, and feels valued. It's a diverse school with a happy and energetic culture (the teachers can be found singing karaoke in the mornings at dropoff). The community is strong. The club offerings are amazing. There's a chess club that's taught by an international chess master and a wonderful school garden. We are very happy at Whittier.

Primary concern: SAFETY!!!!… Teachers don’t come to work and the students are pretty much left to do whatever they want on most school days. When a parent calls to complain, the staff argues with the parents in an attempt to dispute and invalidate the complaint. School-wide discipline polices are found to be inconsistent since they are not enforced.

The dedication of the admin staff and teachers is reflected in the students excitement for learning and attending school. My child went from hating school to loving it. Her confidence has skyrocketed. Her motivation to do well in her classes has improved significantly. She talks about college and her future more. She's a part of the junior honors society and volunteers with her teachers and with higher achievement. I know the environment at this school has played a significant role in her turnaround. Parent engagement is also very high here.