HB Woodlawn Secondary Program

Posted: June 25, 2024

This school has been the best thing that has ever happened to me. I've been here since the 6th grade and I'm now a senior. The opportunities this school has provided me are endless. Due to the schools smaller size there are more opportunities to be a student leader. There is no school government so anybody who wants to change something about the school can, whether it's the schedule, class offerings, or anything else, students have an opportunity to present the issue at Town Meeting where each student and teacher has 1 vote. This is a really empowering experience knowing that you can make a difference in your schools community. In addition, many of the traditions and activities that are unique to the hb experience such as feb fest, which allows students to teach their peers for 2 days about any topic they are passionate about, are organized and run by students like myself. Having the opportunity to plan these events has taught me and my peers invaluable skills that I've applied in many other aspects of my life and have prepared me for the future. As for academics I think a lot of people shy away from HB as they want more stem classes because HB is seen as more of an arts school. While not as much as schools like TJ, there are still plenty of opportunities for stem students to thrive. I took ap chem and while it was the most challenging class I have ever taken, I learned so much. As for the arts yet again a very student led space where there are upwards of 15 student directed shows each year. Everything from the producing, costuming, and stage management is run by students. Overall, HB, like most places, is what you make of it. I have been a student leader and planned several school wide events, acted in 4 student directed shows, taken one of the most challenging stem courses at the school, painted murals, been on hiring committees, and run one of the most active clubs in the school. So I've taken full advantage of what HB has to offer. Some people might be concerned that the late end time inhibites sports and job opportunities which is not true. I played a sport at Yorktown for 2 years and then managed the team for another year and also had a job straight afterschool in the fall. There are people who don't do anything besides their school work at HB. But I think they still feel like they have a voice and are supported by their teachers, who actually care about their students and want them to succeed. HB is an amazing place if you take advantage of it!

Posted: June 25, 2024

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Posted: December 16, 2023

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Posted: December 16, 2023

Posted: December 16, 2023

Going to HB is the best thing that could have happened to me. There are other reviews here that are saying how the school is bad but it’s just because the program isn’t meant for them. The program is great for those who are responsible and can learn how to use the great amount of free time they have wisely. The school gives each student lots of attention so they can do their best to succeed in school but not in a pressury way. The teachers aren’t perfect but at no school will you find that. The thing that makes HB so great is that you actually feel like u matter and have a voice. You choose your own schedule, what to do with the amount of free time you have, vote for the official class schedule for next year (ex: period 1 will be 50 min, lunch will be 45 min), you even can vote for who your teachers are if you are on the hiring committee. It’s honestly such a great school.

Posted: June 5, 2023

HB is whole vibe. Great people, opportunities, skilled workers, no complaints!

Posted: June 5, 2023

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Posted: April 21, 2022

HB Woodlawn is really portrayed as all that, when really, it's quite the opposite in my case. While, the campus is in a very convenient location and is very urban and the academics there are like any other schools (except for the different program, of course.) A lot of the people here and teachers are just despicable. I started HB in 6th and I'm now in 8th. I was okay with the people in 6th because it was 6th grade. 7th grade was just chaotic and now in 8th, I'm really seeing how the people in this school are. Lets start with the teachers, First off, there's obvious favoritism and mis-treatment of the students that aren't the favorite. Also, All the english teachers share their life stories in class. I'm not joking. Now, onto the students. There's no diversity, in general. There's about 5 black students in my grade. Most of the kids there are white, which gives it a very uncomfortable feeling, especially since there has been incidents in my grade of students say the N slur. Also, it's extremely difficult to make friends in this school in my experience. Most of the "popular" kids are the people that would play sports and are very social and out going. I'm friends with the people I'm friends with because we all have common interests that basically most of the people in HB don't have (we are all also leaving HB). The community is so small that its really difficult to find people who have the same interests as you. If we are going in that direction, because the community is so small, it feels like everyone is in your business. If you think you need that kind of special attention in school to focus, HB is your place, but personally, that just makes me uncomfortable. I like having space to myself and not always being in the focus of my teachers. HB is honestly overrated and I would just recommend going to your homeschool.

Posted: April 21, 2022

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Posted: January 27, 2022

H-B sucks. I hate this school. Everyday I go to school miserable because of everything in general, except my friends of course. the teachers, the classes, the students. its a very unwelcoming environment.

Posted: January 27, 2022

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Posted: November 10, 2021

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Posted: November 10, 2021

Excellent school. Provides continuity through grades 6 to 12. Many of the teachers chose to spend their careers at this school. The teachers' love for the school and its culture is shared by the students. Students, teachers, administrators, and parents are very collaborative. The small student body provides the opportunity for more individual attention than might be had at a larger school.

Posted: June 3, 2021

This school is honestly amazing. The dynamic between the teachers and students is very comfortable so that the students don't feel like the teachers are just authority over them and instead feel that they care about them and are helping them. There's practically no bullying, but the usual gossip or drama. Everyone is super accepting and nice towards each other. The teachers make sure to support kids who are having trouble or falling behind but also puts a good emphasis on independence. The culture itself is just great and I love this school. The school has also done very well going virtual during the pandemic and also transitioning to hybrid. I definitely recommend this school!!

Posted: June 3, 2021

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Posted: June 30, 2019

HB is exactly the right school for my daughter. Small class sizes of self-motivated and creative students with a wonderful group of teachers and administrators. I would not have her attend anywhere else!

Posted: June 30, 2019

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Posted: May 18, 2019

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Posted: May 18, 2019

HB Woodlawn administrators, teachers and students are excellent!

Posted: May 14, 2018

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Posted: May 14, 2018

Posted: May 14, 2018

My son is receiving a top-notch education. The teachers are wonderful.

Posted: November 22, 2014

As a teacher previously, I believe that teachers make the difference between a good school and a great school. HB is a really good school already, with a wonderful set of principals and a philosophy that makes going to school fun and exciting and prepares 6th-12th graders for the responsibilities they will have as college students and in life in general. I couldn't ask for a better place for my child to learn and grow up.

Posted: March 12, 2014

La verdad que es una escuela fenomenal. Los profesores son entusiamados y detallosos. He visto un cambio bien grande en mi hijo. El ahora es propetario de su trabajo escolar. El se motiva por las actividades y proyectos que tiene que hacer. Los ninos celebran su progreso atravez de portofolios-muestras de su trabajo de lo cual se sienten orgullosos.Es posible que su hijo pueda tomar espanol enfocado para ninos que hablen espanol. Si tu hijo esta en quinto o ocatvo grado-vale la pena aplicar por esta escuela. Es una escuela de Middle y High School (grados 6-12). Este processo toma varios pasos....no dejes que esto te moleste. VALE EL ESFUERZO. Cuando visiten la escuela van a ver que es relajada pero es por que los ninos son o aprenden ser auto motivados Los profesores tratan los ninos con respeto por que los ninos son serios de su aprendisaje y disfrutan de el.. Muchos alumnos siguien a estudiar en la universidad por que han aprendido ser independiente en HB Woodlawn en preparacion para la vida real.

Posted: September 23, 2013

If your kid is focused, a self-starter and responsible without your nagging and reminding, then H-B is a great school (that is, if your kid gets in - the lottery is highly competitive). The emphasis is on self-motivation and self-responsibility: H-B gives kids the level of freedom other schools do not AND it expects a lot in return. Given that test scores are the highest in Arlington County, apparently this model works. The annual Washington Post high schools rankings (despite of what you may think of any rankings in general) places H-B at the top or one of the top two public schools in this area year after year (not including TJ in Alexandria). The small class side -- around 75 students in middle school, 85 in high school - certainly gives H-B the sense of a small, private school. I cannot think of a school that by its design better prepares kids for college - it really is set up as a mini-college. Given its high scores, small class size, overall student satisfaction, the intimate feel of a close-knit school, the ability to audition classes in higher grades, and incredible teacher involvement, I would say consider yourself lucky if your kid makes the lottery.