WSG Success: Impact Report 2014-15

The Washington School for Girls is proud to provide this comprehensive report on the 2014-15 school year. Throughout the year we built upon the success of previous years in all program areas, while also preparing for the expansion of our school into the 3rd grade. Students accelerated their learning thanks to our small class sizes and dedicated teachers, tried new activities in the Extended Day program, and explored spirituality in an open and supportive environment. Our graduates continued to excel and earn diplomas, win competitive scholarships, and pursue careers that fit their passions and talents.

Click here to read the full report.

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Summer Reading Lists

Summer is finally here! Now you have plenty of time to read for fun and to satisfy the WSG Summer Reading Requirements.

Please make sure you know what is expected of you this summer. If you have any questions about Summer Reading, please contact Ms. Furey.

The reading list for rising 4th and 5th grade students can be found here:

4th and 5th Grade List

The reading list for rising 6th, 7th and 8th grade students can be found here:

6th, 7th and 8th Grade List

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A Message from the Head of School: WSG Announces 3rd Grade for 2015-16

It is with great pleasure that I share with you that beginning in the summer of 2015, WSG will offer a full academic program for 3rd grade students. The 3rd grade will join the 4th and 5th grades at The VIEW Campus. I am excited that we will be meeting students at a crucial point in their educations: when they transition from learning to read to reading to learn.

I am also thrilled that the new 3rd grade class will serve as a pilot for an innovative year-round academic program. Research shows the majority of students from communities like ours perform better when they have consistent interaction with teachers and support staff throughout the year. The summer months are also more dangerous for students and the increased activity in their neighborhoods limits the calm and quiet time that they need for reading at home or other learning-based activities.

Our staff, administration, and Board of Trustees have thoroughly researched and evaluated both of these initiatives. We believe that by implementing these programs we will be able to improve the level of academic success of our students not only while they attend WSG, but also through high school and throughout their lives.

The need to develop a 3rd grade program is clear: recent studies have shown that reading proficiency in the 3rd grade is the clearest predictor of high school graduation and career success. Students living in low-income communities fall between 2.5 and 3 years behind by the 5th grade, ground that is difficult to make up in middle and high school.

Furthermore, students living in communities like ours lose an average of 2 months of grade level gains in math and reading skills during the summer break, meaning that teachers must spend up to 8 weeks each fall reviewing material. Current research indicates that students from communities like ours that participate in year-round programs are increasingly out-performing students in 10-month programs. By extending our curriculum through the summer, we believe our students will have similar success.

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