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Opinion & Style
Walls Students Report Best DC Winter Activities
Winter has quite a few negatives: seasonal depression, tons of schoolwork, and bad weather just to name a few. However, there are many positives to this cold season, like the many holiday themed, seasonal activities across the DMV. One classic holiday activity that many SWW students enjoy is looking at Christmas lights, and there are many places to do that, both inside DC and just outside the city. Lucy Mayer (‘27) recommends ZooLights, an annual light show at the National Z
Mila Appelbaum
Jan 18
Wicked: For Good—Top or Flop?
Released on November 21st, Wicked: For Good is the long-awaited conclusion to the two-part film adaptation of the hit Broadway musical Wicked. With a combined length of about 5 hours, the movie adaptations run far longer than the original musical, which lasts about 2 hours and 45 minutes. While this extra time allows the movies to have new scenes, more dialogue, and more character development, it does not distract from what many consider to be the most important part of the m
Nicole Winkle and Anna Morelli
Jan 18
A Review of Walls Newest AP: AP Precalculus
For the first time at Walls, students had the opportunity to choose between taking regular Precalculus or AP Precalculus. While some students believe that AP Precalculus will prepare them better for AP Calculus next year, others think that taking an AP math class in sophomore or freshman year will not necessarily benefit them as much. For some, the GPA boost is not enough to justify the added rigor of the class.
Emma Lawrence
Jan 18
Why DC Needs A Mayor Like Zohran Mamdani
Washington D.C. is a city that prides itself on resilience. Yet today, it feels stalled.
After years of economic uncertainty and fraying public trust, D.C. is caught in a slow-moving shutdown of both its institutions and its spirit. Thousands of workers face unpredictable futures. Small businesses struggle to stay open. And ordinary residents - people who love this city and keep it running - are left wondering what, exactly, they’re supposed to look forward to.
Masha Pavlova
Jan 18


Taco Cat New at Western Market
Photo credit: Kaitlyn Lemanek (‘27) Walls students all have their staple restaurants for off-campus lunch. Whether it’s Chipotle, the GW Deli, or one of the various small spots in Western Market, there’s no shortage of options. However, there had always been one thing missing: A taco place. Sure, there’s Chipotle, with their bowls, burritos, salads, and quesadillas—or Arepa Zone, which makes killer arepas and has amazing sides. But where were the tacos? On Jul. 14, Taco C
Kaitlyn Lemanek
Nov 3, 2025
Chick-Fil-A Opening
It started out simple. A taste test. Some friends, some chicken, a few fries, and a mission to figure out whether the spot was worth our lunch money. We weren’t expecting it to get philosophical. But then the sauce hit the fan. One question kept resurfacing: can you enjoy Chick-fil-A without thinking about the controversy behind it? The recent opening of a Chick-fil-A on the GW campus brought that question a little closer to home. For a lot of students, it was a win. It’s
Emma Elton-Melzi
Nov 3, 2025
Fear is Ravaging Latino Communities. Solidarity Can Help Us Fight Back.
In Washington, D.C., neighborhoods that once pulsed with music, food vendors, and the chatter of families now feel hollow. Streets in Columbia Heights, normally lined with fruit stands and crowded with delivery drivers, are strikingly empty. Community members, including students from School Without Walls, say the reason is simple: fear. Over the past few months, the increased presence of national guard troops, local police, and immigration enforcement agents has created a cl
Eva Peres de Camara and Britney Pereira Gamez on behalf of the Latino Student Union
Nov 3, 2025


Walls Freshmen Reflect on Summer Bridge
Photo credit: Kira Kraniak ('29) Transitioning from middle to high school can be daunting, especially into a selective, rigorous-magnet school such as Walls. It is for this reason that a program called Summer Bridge exists. Where rising 9th graders, along with any students new to Walls, are able to spend a week of their summer getting acclimated to the school. They meet peers and teachers, explore their campus, get acclimated to the high school environment, build a school co
Kira Krainak
Nov 2, 2025
The Trump Administration is Cutting Education Funding. That’s a Huge Mistake.
Budget cuts across all departments of the federal government have recently made headlines. But one that directly affects us as Walls students the most may be the cuts to the Department of Education which was effectively axed by the Trump administration before a court order mandated the rehiring of Dept. employees.
Ronan Shah
Jun 18, 2025


How Did Walls Dress for Mamma Mia Themed Spring Fling?
In a sea of leis and inflatable palm trees, School Without Walls hosted its annual Spring Fling dance at the Martin Luther King Jr....
Peyton Chada
Jun 18, 2025
Students Underwhelmed with Senior Project
For many students at Walls, public speaking is not uncommon. From the infamous sophomore speech to the culminating challenge:the senior...
Fe Menna Barreto
Jun 18, 2025
What Do Walls Teachers Have Lined Up for Summer Break?
With summer break fast approaching, SWW faculty members are looking forward to their own fun in the sun. Whether it's going on an...
Annabel Holt
Jun 18, 2025
The Expert Case For–And Against–The SAT
Before they graduate, almost every student at The School Without Walls will take the SAT.
Rebecca Frost
Jun 18, 2025


As America Enters Era of Uncertainty, Seniors Opt to Study Abroad
Several students and faculty members have noticed an odd trend in this year’s college admissions cycle: an uptick in the number of seniors planning on leaving the country to continue their education next year.
Ellie Olesh
Jun 18, 2025


AP Art History Poses Students With Unique Challenges and Rewards
If you have ever stood in front of a painting and asked yourself, “What am I even looking at right now?”AP Art History might just have...
Venya Gulati
Jun 18, 2025


“Enjoy your high school years”: Graduating Seniors Offer Advice to Walls Student
As the final days of the school year approaches, the class of 2025 is finalizing their college commitments and nearing the end of their...
Wongel Lemlem
Jun 18, 2025
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