Former TR parents: Which school did you switch to, and how is it going?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We switched to Ludlow for our two kids. Our kids are so much happier. Academically, I wish we’d switched over a year earlier as it’s clear my older kid could have benefited from the much more focused writing instruction at Ludlow.

Everyone raves about the Ludlow after school options on this forum (and it’s one of the things that convinced me to choose Ludlow — we had two good options), but they really live up to their bulking. They have pretty much a middle school level of choices and all the extra time with teachers has really helped my kids feel at home fast.

Same experience for our kid who switched for 3rd.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thanks everyone! Middle school is close enough that we're really only interested in schools that feed to a good one. Our IB middle school is not appealing (don't wanna out myself by naming it), but Stuart-Hobson could be. Honestly, one of the reasons we want to switch schools is behavior, and that's something that gives me pause about DCPS middle schools as well.

Inspired Teaching is our #1 pick right now, we tried last year for both kids but didn't get in.

As for staying at TR, I dunno... it's hard to predict what the experience will be like with so many people lotterying in and out. I'm most eager to get my older DC on track for a middle school we're more happy with, even if my younger DC doesn't switch this year.

Both my kids were SIGNIFICANTLY behind in math after years at Two Rivers. But are improving year by year out of TR.

It is sad really.

[Anonymous]

What’s sad is how parents don’t realize how behind their kids are “for years.” They’ll still behind their serious peers if they aren’t doing Russia Math, AoPS/Beast Academy, or the like. No one seriously relies on school math instruction anymore.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We switched to Ludlow for our two kids. Our kids are so much happier. Academically, I wish we’d switched over a year earlier as it’s clear my older kid could have benefited from the much more focused writing instruction at Ludlow.

Everyone raves about the Ludlow after school options on this forum (and it’s one of the things that convinced me to choose Ludlow — we had two good options), but they really live up to their bulking. They have pretty much a middle school level of choices and all the extra time with teachers has really helped my kids feel at home fast.

Same experience for our kid who switched for 3rd.

If your kid started in 3rd this year at L-T from TRY, my kid loves yours! She seems like an amazing kid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Thanks everyone! Middle school is close enough that we're really only interested in schools that feed to a good one. Our IB middle school is not appealing (don't wanna out myself by naming it), but Stuart-Hobson could be. Honestly, one of the reasons we want to switch schools is behavior, and that's something that gives me pause about DCPS middle schools as well.

Inspired Teaching is our #1 pick right now, we tried last year for both kids but didn't get in.

As for staying at TR, I dunno... it's hard to predict what the experience will be like with so many people lotterying in and out. I'm most eager to get my older DC on track for a middle school we're more happy with, even if my younger DC doesn't switch this year.

Get your kids out of TR. The problem with TR (and many other DC charters) is that academics are secondary to social justice and equity instruction. We thought my son was behind in math and writing after pulling him out after 4th grade; he was significantly behind. Thankfully he had an IEP was in place when he started his new school so he was able to receive appropriate support. 5th grade was spent getting caught up.
Not to mention the complete inability for TR staff to address behavioral issues, particularly bullying.
The behavior issues only get more severe as the kids get older.

When did you leave TR?

In the middle of 4th grade.

Mid-year? Must have been a bad year, especially if you left before lottery results for Latin and BASIS.

Did you go to you IB or private? I know most charters do not pull from the wait-list mid-year.

Yes, mid year. We went to L-T (our IB) and then we’re planning on private, but lotteried into Latin.
I’m not sure it was “a bad year”. I honestly think the behavior issues and inferior teaching were pretty standard for TR at the time, based on the attitude of the teachers and staff.
This was years ago, pre-Covid. Maybe things have improved.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What’s sad is how parents don’t realize how behind their kids are “for years.” They’ll still behind their serious peers if they aren’t doing Russia Math, AoPS/Beast Academy, or the like. No one seriously relies on school math instruction anymore.

NP here, also TR alum. If you are talking about TR parents, I found many to be in complete denial about how the schools are weak on so many levels. Constant excuses made for teachers and staff.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Agree you should look at Stuart-Hobson feeders, Brent, Maury, and SWS. Also, if the commute works for you, I'd look at SWW at Francis Stevens and the other elementary schools that feed into it. Seaton and Garrison too, if you're ok with the feeder or lotterying again for middle school.

Brent feeds into Jefferson.

Yes, that's why I used a comma after "Stuart-Hobson feeders" rather than a colon. Brent, Maury, and SWS are not Stuart-Hobson feeders.
With that said, I think there are some good things going on at Jefferson.

I have a 7th grader at Jefferson and happy to answer any questions.

Thank you! If you're a TR alum, how did your kids do with the transition from one style of school to another? And is Jefferson your IB or did you lottery in?

I'm the JA parent who offered to answer questions. JA is our IB MS. Our ES had a strong approach to the 'whole child' which we also found and Jefferson. We were at our IB and then moved to JA with many of our IB friends.