Jackson-Reed High School

Posted: February 16, 2026

No support for teachers. Asks to teach courses that require specialized training without providing training. Administration uses the unfair evaluation system to separate teachers they don't like even though those teachers performed above and beyond to produce impressive test scores. There is no parking available for teachers. 30 students in a classroom that can accommodate 20 max. No instructional support for special education students.

Posted: February 16, 2026

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Posted: February 15, 2026

The administration treats teachers so badly. Teachers are the most important asset to a school.

Posted: February 15, 2026

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Posted: March 26, 2025

I think the school is very diverse and the students are doing well both academically and in sports. This rating has to be increased.

Posted: March 26, 2025

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Posted: May 24, 2023

I was impressed the way the teach are there time.good job

Posted: May 24, 2023

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Posted: August 22, 2022

As a teacher at Jackson-Reed High School (formerly Wilson), I can assure you that the pedagogical practices of the teachers are top notch and solid. With over 150 teachers and almost 2400 students in the building, there will always be a student who has an occasional difficulty with a teacher or has difficulties assimilating to the school's culture. But there is strength in diversity and the school has many opportunities for different types of students to find success.

Posted: August 22, 2022

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Posted: June 14, 2022

We sent our oldest son here when we first moved to DC based on the Great Schools rating. Our son, who is typically very socially adaptable and academically engaged, quickly lost interest in school and began showing signs of depression and anxiety. When we finally got him to talk about what was happening at school, he said he was being bullied because he was “white” (he’s mixed). He also relayed that the teachers have a difficult time maintaining order in the classroom and classroom time is essentially just social time. Allegedly, the school is also known among DC high school students as the “fight school” for the amount of student fights they have.

Posted: June 14, 2022

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Posted: March 2, 2021

Going to 12th grade next year so far I found this school to be pretty good ever since I moved to D.C. from MD a lot better than the school I was supposed to attend in MD. I had a lot of great experiences and I can't wait for more to come my last year, it really went by like a blur. Also just wanted to say that if you want to become an athlete this is a good school to do so, most of the people in sports are in Crew/ Rowing. Make sure to treat other teachers with respect because most of them here will appreciate you for respecting them back and overall makes the classes a lot easier to go through especially AP classes, always study after school for them. Can't say I had some if any bad experiences at the school, although I think it is handling Covid-19 poorly and D.C. overall needs to do a better job. Lastly, for any possible student that wants to go into engineering take Engineering Design first it's a lot more easier than Principles of Engineering it also prepares you for Physics if you want to take AP Physics in 11th or 12th maybe even 10th if your counselor allows it, and always plan ahead.

Posted: March 2, 2021

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Posted: October 23, 2015

This is our first year at Wilson High School and we could not be happier. There are so many interesting classes to choose from and dozens of clubs to join, not to mention the numerous sports teams students can join. If your children are interested in taking several AP classes, they can do so starting in 10th grade. My student loves every class and every teacher. There is a daily step hour during lunch period for students who do not finish work or needs the teacher's help. Coming from a HRCS where things were quite ambiguous and double standard,, Wilson is like a breath of fresh air. All grades are posted on Jupiter and are accessible at all times to parents and students. Challenges are met very professionally without any put downs or belittling of the student.
If you are in boundary for Wilson, there is absolutely no need to think of enrolling your children elsewhere.

Posted: October 23, 2015

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Posted: April 3, 2015

I am a parent of two girls attending Wilson High and the experience has been a positive one for our family. The school offers a large selection of challenging honors and advanced placement classes and these tend to be taught by excellent teachers. The standard classes don't have the same reputation, however, as some of them have issues with noisy kids. Overall the staff is supportive and responsive, and the environment is safe.

Posted: December 13, 2013

I am not a Washingtonian and was terrified of my 1st daughter attending a DC Public high school. A smart student, she did well and graduated from Wilson in 2010. The school was old and outdated, her teachers were great. Now my son, 12th grade & daughter 9th grade attend the new improved Wilson school. Administrators, Principal Cahall, Alex Wilson, Ms. Bean, Ms. Arrington and others are totally involved and engaged in the school and its diverse culture(s). Ms. Williams (Choir Director and performing artist/mom) exposes the students to a variety of performances from the Mayor s office, the White House, the Kennedy Ctr, etc. Teaches like Dr. Smith (Math), David Heckler (History/swim coach); Joseph Herbert (Math), Ms. Grant (English), Mr. Downing (Spanish), Ms. Lambert (Ceramics) and I could go have been observed going above and beyond to make Wilson a model Urban high school. There are some disruptive students but that is something Wilson is working on. Wilson has come a long way and is continuing to make major improvements. A great school, with diversity to fit any type of student (academically, athletically, artistically, socially, etc) Kudos to the Wilson High School Staff!

Posted: January 9, 2013

It's my first year in wilson,as a freshman student and i would not recommend it to any 8th graders or other students.Coming from a small school,and always going to a small school wilson has been a very big change for me.The teachers never have time to help the students one-on-one,they constantly forget to change your grade since every teacher in the school has about 100 students and they can't take control of the noisy students that never let the teacher teach anything.I really regret not applying to more school's last year,it's a good school and has great students but horrible control,behavior and learning system.In my old school teachers would always come up to students and help them,in wilson there are to many students for the teachers to do anything.I would not recommend this to any applying student.