Feedback on Barrett?

[Anonymous]

I have a rising Kindergartener and we live two blocks from Barrett - curious what others' experiences (pre pandemic and currently) have been and/or whether we should try and get her into the "choice" school? She's our oldest so this is all new to us and all I see are GS ratings which we know to be somewhat useless. We will probably leave APS by the time she's in 2nd grade, but want the best experience possible for her before then.

More info - both of us work outside the home and will need after care for her. We don't have TONS of time to be a part of her schooling but could potentially try and get additional help if necessary.

[Anonymous]

You should only go to a choice school if you are interested in the choice that school offers. There will be information sessions coming up usually in February and March where you can learn more about those schools (and neighborhood schools too.) I don’t have kids at Barrett but I’ve heard generally good things but it is diverse and many in DCUMland run from that.

[Anonymous]

I worked there and it was very poorly run. That principal left under some strange circumstances so it could be different this year.The kids are very nice and wonderful to be around. Test scores are a lot lower than other schools so your child would in classes with very low students. About 70 percent of my students came in below grade level.

[Anonymous]

Barrett has been wonderful for our K - although there are some K teachers noticeably better. With that, love the assistant principal, she is a true gem! We love the diversity as well. This is from a parent place that the best way to have an honest dialogue with our kids about race, ethnicity, and class is for exposure to those differences. I am sure this will offend many a liberati on here, but I love that my child describes friends as having black hair when they are african american, not that they have dark skin. There was a picture sent where my child was with three friends and not one was the same race/ethnicity. DC also seems to be learning a lot. The school does have a positive discipline program, panda paws and seems to really be a good tool for the teachers. In short, really positive experience.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Barrett has been wonderful for our K - although there are some K teachers noticeably better. With that, love the assistant principal, she is a true gem! We love the diversity as well. This is from a parent place that the best way to have an honest dialogue with our kids about race, ethnicity, and class is for exposure to those differences. I am sure this will offend many a liberati on here, but I love that my child describes friends as having black hair when they are african american, not that they have dark skin. There was a picture sent where my child was with three friends and not one was the same race/ethnicity. DC also seems to be learning a lot. The school does have a positive discipline program, panda paws and seems to really be a good tool for the teachers. In short, really positive experience.

I think you’re referencing Charles Barrett with ACPS (Alexandria) and this person seems to be asking about Kate Barrett with APS (Arlington).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:. I am sure this will offend many a liberati on here, but I love that my child describes friends as having black hair when they are african american, not that they have dark skin.

How is it your child observes hair color but not skin color? Stop perpetuating this. The myth of being “colorblind” only causes more damage.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:. I am sure this will offend many a liberati on here, but I love that my child describes friends as having black hair when they are african american, not that they have dark skin.

How is it your child observes hair color but not skin color? Stop perpetuating this. The myth of being “colorblind” only causes more damage.

+1 what a ridiculous comment. our white kids attend an overwhelming black elementary school and almost of of their friends are black and they know it. they're not being taught to be color blind, for pete's sake. just stop it.

[Anonymous]

Op here. Yes in Arlington on George Mason.

If a student speaks English as their first language and has social and family supports, would the fact that there are other "low" performing students impact them? I've been confused with how to perceive diversity and it's impact on a school (which always seems to be described as negatively)

[Anonymous]

P.s. how am I supposed to know what to care about in a choice school for a 6 year old?

[Anonymous]

If you don’t think you’re staying I’d definitely do neighborhood school. It’s so much easier to make new friends, do play dates and attend events. We switched to an option school and I underestimated the drain of the added daily commute and school functions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:. I am sure this will offend many a liberati on here, but I love that my child describes friends as having black hair when they are african american, not that they have dark skin.

How is it your child observes hair color but not skin color? Stop perpetuating this. The myth of being “colorblind” only causes more damage.

+1 what a ridiculous comment. our white kids attend an overwhelming black elementary school and almost of of their friends are black and they know it. they're not being taught to be color blind, for pete's sake. just stop it.

Not teaching color blindness at all. But definitely not teaching a kindergartner shame about skin color. Color blindness is naive. But shame is not necessary.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You should only go to a choice school if you are interested in the choice that school offers. There will be information sessions coming up usually in February and March where you can learn more about those schools (and neighborhood schools too.) I don’t have kids at Barrett but I’ve heard generally good things but it is diverse and many in DCUMland run from that.

And you should also only accept a seat in a choice school if you intend to stay. Don't take it away from someone who may want or need it more and plans to be here, please.
Your child's K-2 experience will be very good at Barrett. It's kindergarten...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Op here. Yes in Arlington on George Mason.

If a student speaks English as their first language and has social and family supports, would the fact that there are other "low" performing students impact them? I've been confused with how to perceive diversity and it's impact on a school (which always seems to be described as negatively)

My two kids attended Barcroft - similar to Barrett but higher ELL and FRL, I believe. Your child will be absolutely fine. I agree with other poster about growing up in the midst of the diversity, too, versus learning about diversity through heritage nights.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:P.s. how am I supposed to know what to care about in a choice school for a 6 year old?

You aren't. Choice programs are to appease parental desires.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You should only go to a choice school if you are interested in the choice that school offers. There will be information sessions coming up usually in February and March where you can learn more about those schools (and neighborhood schools too.) I don’t have kids at Barrett but I’ve heard generally good things but it is diverse and many in DCUMland run from that.

And you should also only accept a seat in a choice school if you intend to stay. Don't take it away from someone who may want or need it more and plans to be here, please.
Your child's K-2 experience will be very good at Barrett. It's kindergarten...

I'm legit confused. If all APS elementary schools are good...why would one "need" a choice school more than another? I want to set my child up for success and give her the best too. Early education is often the most important time.