|
Have you noticed that these days, the very word "excellence" makes some folks nervous? As The Washington Post's Jonathan Yardley wryly noted, "We assume that the only way to make schools genuinely democratic is to make them genuinely inferior."
Some of us aren't nervous at all. Like Athenians of old, we believe that the pursuit of excellence is the true path to happiness—and open to all.
Washington Latin is all about excellence. In the classroom, on the field of athletic competition, in the concert hall, at the lectern, and on the stage, Latin's young scholars experience the singular satisfaction that comes from hard work, fair play and real achievement. On the day the new Washington Latin School opens its doors, it will be academically competitive with the nation’s finest private academies. In fact, its General Graduation Requirements (GGR) are significantly higher than any school in or around the District of Columbia—public or private.
Latin has been created for young people who love to study, think, discuss and debate. It is designed for students who want to be stretched to discover their limits and challenged to excel in academics, sports and the arts. For enthusiastic scholars who welcome high standards of personal conduct and long to be part of a community where everyone is treated with dignity and respect, Latin is the place to be.
Unlike exclusive academies for the so-called "gifted and talented" that rely on high-stakes testing to build their student body, Latin is being established in the belief that all students are gifted and talented. Through our Merit Based Admissions process, we are seeking out students from various cultural backgrounds and with wide ranging personal interests who want to explore life's enduring questions through exposure to great books, great teachers and great ideas. Our commitment to excellence is matched by our commitment to provide the support that makes that excellence possible for every student who is “eager to learn and willing to work.”
At Washington Latin, we are looking for intellectually curious, highly motivated students who are on a quest to discover and fulfill their life's purpose. We are looking for adventurous spirits who are willing to work hard for success. If there is such a student in your house, these pages are a personal invitation to become part of a very different school—a school where everything we do is defined by excellence.
|
