Woodrow Wilson High School

The 2014 SAT scores are out and Woodrow’s are the top in Dallas for comprehensive high schools. The number of college ready students increased by 137%.
According to the prinicipal, STAAR/​EOC ratings are also the top in the district and increased in every category.
This year marked the final four-​year rollout of the academy system and the first official International Baccalaureate class. About 30 students completed the IB Diploma Programme and/​or IBCC. Only about 30 schools nationwide offer IBCC (Career Certificate). Also this year, Woodrow’s only feeder, J. L. Long Middle School, completed its three-​year accreditation as an International Baccalaureate world school. It is one of only three public schools in North Texas offering IB MYP.
Due to the popularity of IB with transfers and those already in the attendance zone, the number of slots will now be limited in the next freshman class. Unofficially it is 75, with half from the attendance zone and half from transfers. Applications are accepted early in the year and usually close out by the first of March.
Speaking of academies, Woodrow’s STEM Academy was just certified by Project Lead the Way as the premier academy in Dallas. PTLW curriculum is also used in prestigious STEM schools such as Brooklyn Tech.
About 60 scholarships only available to Woodrow students were awarded this year. These come from alumni and various organizations. You will not find these at other schools and these alone cover about 20% of the senior class. The last figure I heard was $ 4 million.
Only major issue is overcrowding, even with the new $ 14 million Science and Arts wing. The school has grown by about 300 students since its redesign into four college prep academies. Rezoning Roberts Elementary to Madison High should relieve some of this and the principal seems confident that the school will get another addition similar to the new wing in the near future.
In athletics, teams won 13 of the 18 possible district championships for 2013 – 14. Many advanced in the playoffs, five to regionals.

As a Woodrow parent, all I can say is that YES… WWHS has and does give those that want to participate in education and extra curricular ativities the chance and opportunity. Although I do see Deno F’s points in that the school has an extreme amount of diversity from ethnic backgrounds to finances, I feel Mr. Kyle Richardson and the WWHS staff are all aware of what the end result needs to be for the students of the school… and that is to be at school, learn, have fun, and eventually graduate to give back to the school and community. I am giving WWHS three stars, simply to say it’s not perfect, but would love to invite Deno F to visit the campus and check out the changes that have occurred.

Wow… those last two reviews read like someone is on the take! Seriously people – a little bit of reality won’t hurt you. Yes, Woodrow is a good school. My daughter goes there. Her father graduated from Woodrow.
But if your child didn’t feed from Lakewood, Stonewall or a private school – it will be an uphill battle. The school is very slanted towards the haves and often leaves the have-​nots sitting on the bench. If you can’t get your own transportation, you cannot participate in most of the schools after school activities.
I’m a working mother and I have litereally had to move mountains for my daughter to be able to participate in the activities – even in summer.
The teachers are good. The new principal is pulling things together. But the progams are administed haphazardly at best. My daughter was in a Spanish class with a substitute-​turned-​permanent for the first six weeks. There were over 40 children in the class and not enough desks. Children had to sit in the floor for the first six weeks. A second teacher was eventually hired but they are all very behind now.
My daughter is in the IB program. For the most part, the teachers are AMAZING. But often we find their time taken up with all the meetings they have to attend, leaving little time for tutoring. And if you are in IB, eventually you will need tutoring.
Woodrow, compared to other DISD schools is 4 stars. I will stand by it, but it needs to improve. And while I’m glad y’all are out there pumping sunshine, it comes off very candy coated. Unilocalers are smart enough to hear the truth and smart enough to recognize propaganda.