How bad is Miner Elementary?

[Anonymous]

Saw one good review on GreatSchools...

It's our IB if we get screwed in the lottery.

[Anonymous]

I'm sure you've seen this already, but just in case...

http://profiles.dcps.dc.gov/miner+Elementary+School

Not very diverse
Scores aren't the worst I've seen

[Anonymous]

It looks not great, but could be worse. You should tour it, OP.

[Anonymous]

It's less diverse than the whitest of schools in North Arlington and McLean, so for people who prioritize diversity, this isn't a very good choice.

[Anonymous]

Most of the reviews are more than 5 years old and the good review is from last year. Tour the school and talk to current parents. And when you do, try to at least phrase your questions from a neutral standpoint, not "how bad is it"

[Anonymous]

Check with Moth. There were a few families who were raving about Miner when Bunch (?) was principal, but that seems to have faded when she left and the gung-ho PTA president pulled his kids for Stokes.

[Anonymous]

according to http://www.dc-aya.org/sites/default/files/content/Homeless%20Student%20Enrollment%20in%20DCPS.pdf 82 of the 474 kids at Miner were homeless 2 years ago. That's over 17%; in a 20 person class, figure 3 kids are homeless. I imagine having that many kids going through that rough a time could make for a lot of issues for the school to address.

School enrollment actually dropped quite a bit since hat chart was posted because the profile linked to above shows 426 students in the 2013-4 school year. A loss of over 10% of the students in a single year is interesting, and I wonder what enrollment will look like this year when DCPS finally posts the counts.

None of these are reasons to rule a school in or out, but they may give you some questions to ask.

[Anonymous]

^ ^ the years you refer to are a leadership change. The new principal is professional and smart. She will increase enrollment to previous levels. Just wait.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:^ ^ the years you refer to are a leadership change. The new principal is professional and smart. She will increase enrollment to previous levels. Just wait.

Wil she get more diversity in the school? It looks like the most homogeneous school ever.

[Anonymous]

Miner's PreK3 and Prek4 are fine, K is the issue. The great majority of the high SES families on the East Hill won't touch it, meaning no momentum for change.

[Anonymous]

Good thing you formulated your question the way you did because, man, will you be pleasantly surprised! By all means, go for it!

You know, just as with Maury, Brent, and some other highly sought after schools, I bet you will find yourself shaking your head at the deep seated angst of the unknown some joining after you exhibit. And I challenge you to consider that - as as is the case on fairgrounds - a line wrapping around the building isn't a key criteria of a quality school.

[Anonymous]

I'd try for Maury.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'd try for Maury.

And you'll never get in.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:^ ^ the years you refer to are a leadership change. The new principal is professional and smart. She will increase enrollment to previous levels. Just wait.

I always wondered about this phenomenon. Why do you think that is? Is the perception of the teachers really bad? It seems odd that parents are comfortable with their kids learning with certain students in Preschool/ Preschool and not move up with the same students from the class for kindergarten.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:^ ^ the years you refer to are a leadership change. The new principal is professional and smart. She will increase enrollment to previous levels. Just wait.

I always wondered about this phenomenon. Why do you think that is? Is the perception of the teachers really bad? It seems odd that parents are comfortable with their kids learning with certain students in Preschool/ Preschool and not move up with the same students from the class for kindergarten.

Sorry meant for post about kindergarten concerns