Parents' reviews of Washington School

BAM vs Washington- which would you pick?

We've gotten into both Berkeley Arts Magnet and Washington school. Which would you pick and why? We're in the Northwest Zone. thanks, Kim

Re: Good Elem School(s) for Sensitive Boy?
This is exactly the question I asked last year! And I got the response that I'm giving you, which is that my sensitive kid has had a great K experience at Washington. I'd initially hoped he'd go to Oxford, because it was smaller, and that may have worked out equally well, but my son is really enjoying the kids in his class and the culture of the school he attends. There's plenty of attention to the social needs as well as the academic needs of the kids, and the teachers and staff are very warm. My son has ventured into lots of new friendships, and is not at all overwhelmed with the size of the school. P.E. has also been a great experience for him. Please feel free to get my email from the moderator if you'd like to chat more. mom of a sensitive kid

I was pleasantly surprised by the ease of the transition from preschool. Although he was nervous about starting kindergarten and didn't want to go, he loved it from the first day. He did the balanced beginnings, coming home each day hoping to be assigned that teacher.

His teacher built a lovely classroom community, helping the children grow relationships and form friendships. I am very impressed by the social growth my son has made at Washington. My quiet boy is very engaged in classroom discussions, participates eagerly, and sings out in classroom songs.

There are a wide variety of kids in the class, and he chooses to spend time with the gentler crowd. Last year most of his friends were girls, which he loved. This year, he has found a few boys that he enjoys playing games with at recess.

Now it is difficult for me to remember how worried I was before Kindergarten. I hope this gives you some reassurance that a sensitive boy can thrive in BUSD. Please email if you have any questions. -Laura

Re: Washington/Malcolm X Reviews
My son is a kindergartner at Washington, and we've been very happy with the school. My son was shy as a preschooler and is a little young, but he's blossomed because of the wonderful teachers (not only the classroom teacher, but a terrific p.e. coach, librarian, garden, and music teacher.) For me it's been important that the principal is very effective and also accessible - she has an approachable demeanor and has office hours, and is hands-on about her job. She knows all the kids by name. The parents are hand-on, too - some volunteer to come in at lunchtime and recess so there are more adults on deck, others help in the classroom, etc. But it's understood that families are stretched right now and if you can't come in, no one criticizes. In short, kindergarten is going really well, and we love the general atmosphere as well as the specific learning experiences that our son is having. good luck with your decision

Looking for recent feedback regarding the kindergarten classes at Washington Elementary in Berkeley.

We have just completed the incoming elementary school tours at Washington and Cragmont. I am hoping to get some feedback (good and bad) from parents with children at either schools.

We had a very extensive tour at Washington and I was very impressed by the teachers and principle there. I feel like I got a lot of information about their teaching strategies, programs and actually got to speak with each teacher a little bit and see how they direct their classes which was great. I left with a good understanding I think of how things work there. I couldn't find any recent reviews on Washington so any feedback you can give would be great. trying to prepare for kindergarten

There's a tremendous sense of community and school spirit at Washington, and this year more than ever I am glad of our location in the center of Berkeley, as our kids have had tutors, mentors, and science students volunteering in their classrooms and after school. Now that we have Coach Don Burl every day, our kids benefit from having a fantastic PE teacher twice a week, plus after school. And whether or not this is relevant, our test scores have improved phenomenally, such that we are no longer considered Program Improvement.

Those school tours are pretty revealing, in my experience. We'll be sad to leave

Our son enjoys the special programs at the school - PE, library, music, art, gardening, and cooking. They will also have a session of swimming at the YMCA during the Spring.

We also appreciate the sense of a school-wide community. You can get a feel for it at the weekly Monday morning assemblies (which you are welcome to visit). Teachers present awards, sing silly songs, review the school rules, lead class performances and generally have a good time together.

I have also enjoyed getting to know the other parents. There is a strong group of intelligent, caring, down to earth people working to support the school.

Although we have not been at Washington for very long, we are very happy there and look forward to the years to come. Kindergarten Parent

Re: Berkeley central zone school for shy boy
I was in the same position last year, and I am happy to tell you that our transition to Kindergarten has been wonderfully smooth and fun. I was concerned that it would be difficult for our son who is generally slow to adjust to new situations, and he was very nervous before the first day. When I picked him up at the end of the day, he was all smiles and couldn't wait for the next day. He had no problem with the balanced beginnings (they trade teachers for the first week before creating the classes for the year). In fact, he loved getting to see all the teachers and still feels attached to each of them (which is nice because they trade off yard duty).

We also live in the central zone, and I really think all 4 schools are excellent options. We chose Washington for a number of reasons - the yard, the PE teacher (knows all the kids, does PE classes, sets up games for recesses, is wonderful), the principal, the garden, the library, and the sense of community. Ultimately, I think the sense of community is what makes our son so happy there (and his amazing teacher!). Through silly songs and performances at the weekly assembly, he has gotten to know all of the teachers and periodically draws pictures of the entire staff while playing at home. A positive behavior program and rules are implemented consistently across the school, so students know what is expected and are encouraged in many different ways in their efforts to become heros and scholars. It is a wonderful community. You can email me if you have any questions about Washington or the process of figuring it all out for a shy boy.
Happy at Washington laura

I am moving to Berkeley with my 7 year old son this summer, and we have just established residency in the ''central zone.'' According to the folks at BUSD, there is space available at BAM and at Washington. (Cragmont and Oxford have waiting lists.) I checked the archives, but I can only find pretty dated information about Washington. Does anyone have a child at Washington? Any information would be greatly appreciated! Stella

To expand on the assignment question, my plea is that parents take a second, harder look at the school to which they have been assigned and are unhappy with. If the only concern is truly access to a neighborhood school and the ability to walk to school, then one needs to move to a city where that is the paradigm -- Piedmont, Albany, etc. Berkeley has other commitments and priorities. But I would believe that more than proximity is the issue. I have found that in many cases, including my own, my perception was colored by a desire to attend the one or two schools in a zone with ''the reputation'' or ''the numbers.'' We, too went through frustration with the process. My son is entering 2nd grade. We went through the assignment process for K and were assigned to Washington. We took a cursory look and ''knew'' it wasn't for us -- it wasn't Cragmont or Oxford. So we spent a year and a half in private school, which turned out not to work (perfection is not found in private school either.) So, we switched and were assigned, once again, to Washington. We looked harder at the school and found a devoted community of parents, outstanding teachers, and a vibrant environment in which it feels like something important is happening.

Yes, there are annoying things about the assignment process. We live about as far as it's possible to live from most any school and, certainly, Washington is the farthest. Even so, it's only a 12-minute drive. My son takes the bus home and loves having it as part of his day. Also, I believe the diversity considerations that factor in are not just ethnic, but socio-economic. In the case of schools, Berkeley chooses to see not just neighborhood communities, but a community at large. I think this is a nice metaphor for how I'd like my child to approach life.

My strong suspicion is that you will not find better teachers or administrators at the schools with ''the reputation'' or even the numbers--or at private schools. Numbers (test scores) reflect the numerous outside influences and resources available--or not-- to members of the school community, not the quality of teaching, and don't have bearing on how your individual child will perform. But by participating and diversifying our schools (i.e. by opting in when you are a family with the chance to opt out), we all have a chance to make a difference.

I don't mean to sound too self-righteous -- I'm newly converted to all of this and went through my own process of ''why meeee?'' and disdain and ultimately rejection of what BUSD chose to offer my family...only to come full circle. Take another look at the school you feel you can't attend. You may be surprised. Valerie

I'm beginning to look at public elementary schools in Berkeley and wonder if anyone has recent information/recommendations to share? I am in the ''Central'' zone and interested in a rich program with as much arts programming and faculty and student diversity as possible. Thanks, researching early

Re: Public elementary schools in Berkeley Central Zone
We chose Washington School over the other schools in the Central Zone. We felt that the school had the most orderly classrooms, the most consistent discipline, and the most dynamic, keep-you- on-your toes teaching staff of the all schools we looked at. This is not an accident. The principal, Rita Kimball, focuses on collaboration between teachers in every grade. Since she became principal seven or eight years ago she has hired many young and energetic teachers and has emphasized a team-teaching approach. One thing Washington does very well is to create a balance in the kindergarten classes. At the beginning of the school year, staff does not decide who is in which kindergarten classroom until each of the teachers have had a chance to teach all the children for one day. After that, they sit down and divide up the kids, trying to create balance across the board. This minimizes discipline problems and spreads out high-achieving kids as well.

A recent positive is that this year Washington has met all its NCLB goals and is pulling itself out of its Needs Improvement status. This is because of the hard work by the principal and the staff to implement a teaching method that teaches to all the students, bringing up reading comprehension and writing skills. This is not done through testing drills. One more year of improving scores (they have actually improved for five years in a row), and the school will no longer have the stigma of the Needs Improvement classification.

As for its physical setting, Washington has very lovely and large outdoor playgrounds that include a wooded area, grass field, teaching garden and blacktop. Last summer over $200K was spent to improve the grounds even further. It is also conveniently located in downtown Berkeley: last year my kindergartener went on field trips to the fire station, police station, and Berkeley Little Theater, to mention just a few, all on foot.

As far as choosing schools goes, I would strongly urge you to take the time and visit all the schools in the zone. Go to classrooms at every grade level and decide for yourself if you would feel comfortable with your child there. Lastly, judge by your own observations. I can't believe the number of unfounded rumors, misinformation and out-of-date stories I heard from other parents. Washington Parent

Can anyone recommend 2nd grade teachers at Washington or Thousand Oaks who are good with bright students? Our first- grader son is way beyond grade-level in reading and math. He currently goes to Washington, but we are also considering trying to transfer to Thousand Oaks which is closer to our house. Leo

As with many schools, there are a few teachers we would avoid at Washington. I've worked on school committees and find that a good way to know the teachers and to make sure the staff knows my child. I think Washington deserves a much better reputation than it has. sandra

Down side? The sad truth that as in most Berkeley public schools there are definitely kids that have academic, family, or behavior issues (or unfortunately all 3). The school's continual struggle is finding strategies and adequate resources to help these kids succeed(if the school doesn't NO ONE will) while providing a challenging, enriching environment for the other kids. I think most of the teachers manage their diverse classes and do differentially teaching quite well. So, I agree that Washington is generally quite underrated and is worthy of any family's attention(and the Kindergarten is considered BEST in the District). Karen

Washington is our neighborhood school, and its very diverse, it's got kids from all over the world and a big African-American community. It's harder than being in a school with all ''people like us'', but it was worth it: our kid has a great perspective on race and culture that you can't get in any other way.

If you're in the right zone, please take an hour to see what the school is really like! Avi

As a Washington School parent let me invite you to visit us when you get to Berkeley. Washington School is the only elementary in the center of Berkeley, and for that reason has the most relaxed multi-cultural environment available, plus strong teachers and dedicated staff and parents, a good principal, a new building, and an excellent location with respect to Berkeley amenities and the University. Many Washington Parents think it ironic that a Cragmont parent would recommend Oxford and Whittier (aka Arts Magnet) without considering Washington -- Berkeley's best kept secret. HMJ

Afterschool programs at Washington School

We are enrolled in Washington School for the fall and I am a little confused about the after school offerings. We are looking at Kids Club, Berkeley Learns/EDC, and the sports one directly but would appreciate input from anyone with direct experience in these programs. My child will be entering the fourth grade. Thanks. sharon