Two Rivers

[Anonymous]

So we were admitted to Two Rivers in the PreK lottery against long odds! I've looked through past threads and have the same concerns as others faced with this decision. Immediate ugh's: tiny playground right off polluted Florida Ave, industrial-ish location(though the neighborhood overall--a little further away-- is improving with the Harris Teeter etc).

Things that seem great: expeditionary learning program, diverse student body. Highest charter reading scores in the city. Arts and Spanish emphasis. One of the older charters that has (presumably) worked out the kinks by now.

So what have those of you faced with this decision in the past done? Is the industrial location and lack of outdoor space no big deal? Was the educational experience worth it? How many years have you been there -- are people still leaving after 4th? Or is that changing? Or did you decide against it from the beginning?

Many thanks.

[Anonymous]

I think the small playground bothers parents a whole lot more than it bothers kids. (it bothered me at first,I admit.) The kids really don't seem to mind that it's small. Also, PE classes often go out to use Gallaudet fields so there is more running around then. The location just a couple blocks from the Metro facilitates field studies.

We've had a good experience there overall. Over the years we've had some really great teachers who have really gone above and beyond for our kids. They have truly differentiated instruction for our kids when they needed extra help with something and pushed them ahead in areas of strength. As for expeditions, some are better than others. The 4th grade expedition about Jamestown, for example, is great and culminates in an overnight trip to Williamsburg/Jamestown.

The sense of community, fostered through weekly school wide community meetings among other things, is terrific. Because it is relatively small with only two classrooms of each grade, the children seem to know each other across the grades. There is an emphasis on public speaking and presentations to demonstrate what kids have learned.

It is true that many children leave after 4th. I have a sense that more kids are staying on, but I just don't know for sure. I think the complaint is that there is a lack of academic rigor at the middle school. The administration emphasizes that the expeditionary learning model emphasizes critical thinking skills over learning rote facts. I think this is generally a positive thing, but in the upper grades, I think more emphasis is needed on rigorous academic work.

[Anonymous]

Thank you so much for your response! Very useful. What grade is your child in? Or your oldest child if you have more than one? Is it currently your plan to stay?

I just popped into the Cap City thread and see there is also chatter there about problems with upper elementary and middle school. So I know this is a common problem -- kids everywhere exiting for Latin, Deal, private, and the 'burbs, I guess?

I welcome responses from other Two Rivers parents - or those who have left/decided not to enroll!

[Anonymous]

My child is at Two Rivers (preK). I've been very happy. Overall, I really do feel like I won the lottery getting a space at two rivers. I had been thinking we might leave for the suburbs or upper northwest if we couldn't get a spot at a good school-now I feel like I can comfortably stay where we are until at least 5th grade-maybe through middle school. The small playground does not seem to be a problem for my child-although I was nervous about it too. They also go to the middle school gym for additional exercise space. While the block the school is on is industrial, the rest of the surrounding neighborhood is well maintained residential or commercial (near the metro). I would encourage you to take a walk around the neighborhood if you are hesitant-I think you will find it is nicer than you think. I love the weekly community meetings-they help foster a very strong sense of community across age groups. I find myself wishing I could have attended a school like two rivers when I was a child. The kids seem very happy and engaged. My daughter always comes home excited about what they are learning-I think all of the field trips really help keep up the enthusiasm. Right now, her class is learning about nutrition and they are going on trips to the supermarket, a restaurant, and a working farm. I get the sense that more and more kids are staying through middle school each year, but many do still leave in the upper grades.

[Anonymous]

If you have a chance to have Ms. Estela you must take it. She is an amazing educator who works wonders in the classroom.

Your child will love the playground, don't let your own perceptions of what a playground should be affect your child. Just go to one Community Meeting during the week and you will be so happy your number was drawn.

[Anonymous]

I'm 20:20. I have a 4th grader and a child in a younger grade. We are still considering options for our 4th grader. In the past few years, i think most students who leave have gone to Latin. For next year, I know of several children going to Latin (or hoping to go to Latin) and several who are going to BASIS. I also know several high achieving kids who are staying at TR.

[Anonymous]

I have a 6th and a 4th grader at 2R and have been happy. Many kids stayed for middle school this year. That being said BASIS is luring a lot of people but since your child is so young you have plenty of time.

[Anonymous]

To be honest this post pisses me off. You've essentially WON THE LOTTERY and you're complaining about the location?! I live in the neighborhood and would LOVE to get my child in to Two Rivers. Given that our wait list number is in the 200s this is not going to happen this year. Count yourself lucky.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:To be honest this post pisses me off. You've essentially WON THE LOTTERY and you're complaining about the location?! I live in the neighborhood and would LOVE to get my child in to Two Rivers. Given that our wait list number is in the 200s this is not going to happen this year. Count yourself lucky.

I have heard many wonderful things about 2R over the years, but I have also heard many horrible stories. No school is perfect. I know plenty of people who have pulled their kids out due to bad teachers, inability to meet their children's academic levels (high or low), etc. We got into 2R a few years ago and determined it wasn't a good fit for DC. It does happen. It would be ridiculous to take a spot at a school without doing some further research.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:To be honest this post pisses me off. You've essentially WON THE LOTTERY and you're complaining about the location?! I live in the neighborhood and would LOVE to get my child in to Two Rivers. Given that our wait list number is in the 200s this is not going to happen this year. Count yourself lucky.

I have heard many wonderful things about 2R over the years, but I have also heard many horrible stories. No school is perfect. I know plenty of people who have pulled their kids out due to bad teachers, inability to meet their children's academic levels (high or low), etc. We got into 2R a few years ago and determined it wasn't a good fit for DC. It does happen. It would be ridiculous to take a spot at a school without doing some further research.

Oh, PP, go lick your wounds somewhere else. There is absolutely NOTHING wrong with asking questions about a school. Our child got admitted into 2R last year for preschool, but we withdrew him the day we got the call from the DCPS we really wanted letting us know there was an opening. 2R was great for the 3 weeks we were there, but the tiny playground/6 lane Florida Ave issue was HUGE for us. And there were other things that bugged us....I know it's minor and PC and all but the no celebrating holidays bugged us. So while, yes, we felt immensely lucky to be offered the spot (the only one we got after applying to 14 DCPS and charter schools), it was not what we wanted and I feel no need to apologize for that or for jumping ship when we had the chance.

[Anonymous]

We have a kindergartener at Two Rivers. We've been very impressed with the teachers and administrators. We've never found the playground to be an issue and they do take the kids across the street to the Gallaudet University grounds to run around as well. The neighborhood is improving and we've never felt unsafe walking around there.

I like Two Rivers' problem-solving approach to learning. I like that Two Rivers has excellent reading scores. Math could be better, but is trending upward. I like that every time we've approached the principal with any questions or concerns, she has been exceptionally responsive. I like that she and the other school administrators know every single child by name and greet them at the front door each morning when they arrive. I'm also impressed with the Spanish and Art teachers. Our kid has picked up a lot of Spanish even though they only have class twice a week. One other thing I really like is all of the evening events they do to promote reading and math skills. Every teacher we've encountered at TR seems genuinely engaged and interested in the kids.

I do think the no-holidays thing is wacky, but if that's the only beef I can think of, I'd say TR is doing pretty well. Our child is really happy there. TR is solid on academics and the staff has done a lot to foster a feeling of community and belonging. I feel like we were really lucky to get our child in at Two Rivers.