Guide to Reed

Published 9/15/2026, by Lana Finley

Welcome to Walter Reed Middle School, Home of the Wolves! This article will explain how to survive Reed and tips for success in school.

With construction at the school, the front gate is closed, and other gates are crowded. Using the side gate on Sarah can help you feel more in control and confident in getting to school smoothly. 

Ruby Jorge, an 8th grader in the Humanities Academy, says, “It scares me because people form a big crowd to get to their parents. This makes me feel claustrophobic since I want to get home and drink some matcha.”

Also, almost all the bathrooms are closed, except for the ones in the Bungalows, due to the construction. This can be quite a trip if you’re coming from the B-Building. Leaving class quickly after the 2nd and 4th period can help you beat the line and save time. Many students prefer to use the restroom during lunch and nutrition which can cause long wait times. While construction is a hassle, it will improve our school and make it more accessible for new students with disabilities. 

Lola Pavilack, Individualized Honors Program (IHP) 8th grader, recommends doing most, if not all, of your homework in Homeroom, especially if you play a sport or have extracurricular activities. This will give you more stress-free time at home without the ominous shadow of homework looming over your shoulder. Submitting your homework early can help you avoid last-minute stress and ensure you meet deadlines. It's a bit confusing. Some teachers deduct points from the assignment's grade if you turn it in late. If you consistently submit assignments after their due dates, the subtracted points will add up at the end of the semester. You might think to yourself that you will make up the work later, but once your grade drops, it is difficult to bring it back up last minute.

If you feel like a problem isn’t being seen at WRMS, you can tell The Howl about it in their news column, “Reed Matters”. There is a form on our website under the School Events Desk section for you to fill out about your concern. Your response amplifies student voices and helps resolve issues all students face. 

Lastly, if you get cafeteria food, please bring your student I.D. or the slip with the QR code on it. This will save you time in line and let you breeze by students who didn’t bring their I.D. Make sure to also leave any food or fruits you don’t want in the cart when you exit the food serving area. This saves so much food from being wasted.

I hope this has given you a tip or two for this school year! Good luck!