New Jackson-Reed HS (Wilson HS) School Principal - Sah Brown from Eastern High School

[Anonymous]

May 25, 2022

Dear Parents and Families of Jackson-Reed High School,

As we close out another remarkable school year at DC Public Schools and turn our focus toward School Year 2022-2023, I am excited to announce that Sah Brown will be the next principal of Jackson-Reed High School! I want to thank our parents, families, and community members who participated in this process and provided compelling feedback in the selection of our new school leader.

Sah Brown has served school communities in Washington, D.C. for over 15 years with a passion for ensuring access to a rigorous, intellectually stimulating, and well-rounded education for all students.

Since 2016, Mr. Brown has served as principal of Eastern High School in Northeast DC. During his tenure at Eastern, Mr. Brown was instrumental in establishing the first NAF Academy of Health Sciences, expanding International Baccalaureate offerings, and increasing feeder school engagement.

In addition to his role as principal, Mr. Brown’s experience includes serving as a teacher, special education coordinator, and assistant principal. Throughout his career, Mr. Brown’s service to students and families has earned him a reputation as an accomplished leader committed to helping students grow in their academic and professional pursuits.

Mr. Brown’s overall focus remains set on preparing students for college and careers by providing access to rigorous learning opportunities. He brings with him a strong record of raising student achievement and delivering steadfast leadership during transitional seasons. Mr. Brown has also cultivated a distinct culture of trust, innovation, and collaboration within schools and looks forward to bringing that to Jackson-Reed.

Mr. Brown holds a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Lehigh University, a Master of Arts in Teaching, and a Master of Science in Administration from Trinity University. He is currently completing his Doctorate in Leadership in PK-12 Schools and School Districts at Gwynedd Mercy University.

I am confident that under Principal Brown’s leadership, Jackson-Reed will continue the development, excellence, and success of our scholars. I look forward to supporting him and the entire Jackson-Reed Community in preparation for next school year.

Sincerely,
Kimberly Martin
Instructional Superintendent, Cluster VIII

[Anonymous]

That principal?!

We live on Capitol Hill. My spouse and I met with Brown when when we were looking into the IB Diploma program at Eastern for our oldest in early 2020, before the pandemic began.

Brown seemed clueless about what it would take to attract high SES in-boundary families like ours to Eastern, without any real interest in doing so. He claimed that the program offered "real rigor and challenge to all" repeatedly, and wouldn't answer our questions about Eastern's average IBD points totals. He also wouldn't talk about how many of the "full Diploma" students at Eastern actually earn the Diploma.

Later on, we learned that Eastern's average points total has been mired in the mid 20s, on a 24-45 points pass scale, since the program's inception a decade ago. We also learned that most of the Eastern students who try to earn the Diploma have failed since the get go. We left the meeting unimpressed with Brown and Eastern's IBD program and didn't enroll our child.

[Anonymous]

Imagine a world where a principal was focused on improving the lives of the students they served, rather than “attracting high SES in-boundary families like you”. Get the hell out of here.

Anonymous wrote:That principal?!

We live on Capitol Hill. My spouse and I met with Brown when when we were looking into the IB Diploma program at Eastern for our oldest in early 2020, before the pandemic began.

Brown seemed clueless about what it would take to attract high SES in-boundary families like ours to Eastern, without any real interest in doing so. He claimed that the program offered "real rigor and challenge to all" repeatedly, and wouldn't answer our questions about Eastern's average IBD points totals. He also wouldn't talk about how many of the "full Diploma" students at Eastern actually earn the Diploma.

Later on, we learned that Eastern's average points total has been mired in the mid 20s, on a 24-45 points pass scale, since the program's inception a decade ago. We also learned that most of the Eastern students who try to earn the Diploma have failed since the get go. We left the meeting unimpressed with Brown and Eastern's IBD program and didn't enroll our child.

[Anonymous]

+1000

Anonymous wrote:Imagine a world where a principal was focused on improving the lives of the students they served, rather than “attracting high SES in-boundary families like you”. Get the hell out of here.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:That principal?!

We live on Capitol Hill. My spouse and I met with Brown when when we were looking into the IB Diploma program at Eastern for our oldest in early 2020, before the pandemic began.

Brown seemed clueless about what it would take to attract high SES in-boundary families like ours to Eastern, without any real interest in doing so. He claimed that the program offered "real rigor and challenge to all" repeatedly, and wouldn't answer our questions about Eastern's average IBD points totals. He also wouldn't talk about how many of the "full Diploma" students at Eastern actually earn the Diploma.

Later on, we learned that Eastern's average points total has been mired in the mid 20s, on a 24-45 points pass scale, since the program's inception a decade ago. We also learned that most of the Eastern students who try to earn the Diploma have failed since the get go. We left the meeting unimpressed with Brown and Eastern's IBD program and didn't enroll our child.

Stopped reading at this sentence. Told me all I needed to know about this poster.

Can’t wait to work again with Mr. Brown. He was at Hardy when our son was there.

-Wilson parent

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Imagine a world where a principal was focused on improving the lives of the students they served, rather than “attracting high SES in-boundary families like you”. Get the hell out of here.

Anonymous wrote:That principal?!

We live on Capitol Hill. My spouse and I met with Brown when when we were looking into the IB Diploma program at Eastern for our oldest in early 2020, before the pandemic began.

Brown seemed clueless about what it would take to attract high SES in-boundary families like ours to Eastern, without any real interest in doing so. He claimed that the program offered "real rigor and challenge to all" repeatedly, and wouldn't answer our questions about Eastern's average IBD points totals. He also wouldn't talk about how many of the "full Diploma" students at Eastern actually earn the Diploma.

Later on, we learned that Eastern's average points total has been mired in the mid 20s, on a 24-45 points pass scale, since the program's inception a decade ago. We also learned that most of the Eastern students who try to earn the Diploma have failed since the get go. We left the meeting unimpressed with Brown and Eastern's IBD program and didn't enroll our child.

In-boundary families are the core of the student population that the principal “serves.”

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:That principal?!

We live on Capitol Hill. My spouse and I met with Brown when when we were looking into the IB Diploma program at Eastern for our oldest in early 2020, before the pandemic began.

Brown seemed clueless about what it would take to attract high SES in-boundary families like ours to Eastern, without any real interest in doing so. He claimed that the program offered "real rigor and challenge to all" repeatedly, and wouldn't answer our questions about Eastern's average IBD points totals. He also wouldn't talk about how many of the "full Diploma" students at Eastern actually earn the Diploma.

Later on, we learned that Eastern's average points total has been mired in the mid 20s, on a 24-45 points pass scale, since the program's inception a decade ago. We also learned that most of the Eastern students who try to earn the Diploma have failed since the get go. We left the meeting unimpressed with Brown and Eastern's IBD program and didn't enroll our child.

basically you were trying to publicly make him admit his school was bad?

[Anonymous]

Teacher turnover will be sky high. No one likes him. The high SES parent commentary is spot on. And if someone really was all that good at their work why would they be getting a doctorate from the school he's getting it from. ? Hmm...#3 for fastest online doctoral programs.

Johns Hopkins is in the area... Vanderbilt, UPenn UVA, GW and more all offer edD programs for working professionals. Shoot even American can lend someone the aura of credibility. Gwynedd Mercy? This dude is nothing but a paycheck collector.

[Anonymous]

This is classic!
This board trashes Eastern and Cap Hill families bail and now
The principal bails for all places JR!
So he was no good for Eastern but good enough for JR!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:+1000

Anonymous wrote:Imagine a world where a principal was focused on improving the lives of the students they served, rather than “attracting high SES in-boundary families like you”. Get the hell out of here.

Right! OMFG. I can't believe someone actually just complained that the Principal of a school was more interested in serving his school demo than kissing her ass.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is classic!
This board trashes Eastern and Cap Hill families bail and now
The principal bails for all places JR!
So he was no good for Eastern but good enough for JR!

So your position is that the reason Eastern and other DC HS that are poor schools is due largely (or completely) to the principals? That makes total sense. Tell me more!!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:That principal?!

We live on Capitol Hill. My spouse and I met with Brown when when we were looking into the IB Diploma program at Eastern for our oldest in early 2020, before the pandemic began.

Brown seemed clueless about what it would take to attract high SES in-boundary families like ours to Eastern, without any real interest in doing so. He claimed that the program offered "real rigor and challenge to all" repeatedly, and wouldn't answer our questions about Eastern's average IBD points totals. He also wouldn't talk about how many of the "full Diploma" students at Eastern actually earn the Diploma.

Later on, we learned that Eastern's average points total has been mired in the mid 20s, on a 24-45 points pass scale, since the program's inception a decade ago. We also learned that most of the Eastern students who try to earn the Diploma have failed since the get go. We left the meeting unimpressed with Brown and Eastern's IBD program and didn't enroll our child.

basically you were trying to publicly make him admit his school was bad?

dp: Shouldn’t these facts be available to families? Or is the principal’s vanity more important?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:That principal?!

We live on Capitol Hill. My spouse and I met with Brown when when we were looking into the IB Diploma program at Eastern for our oldest in early 2020, before the pandemic began.

Brown seemed clueless about what it would take to attract high SES in-boundary families like ours to Eastern, without any real interest in doing so. He claimed that the program offered "real rigor and challenge to all" repeatedly, and wouldn't answer our questions about Eastern's average IBD points totals. He also wouldn't talk about how many of the "full Diploma" students at Eastern actually earn the Diploma.

Later on, we learned that Eastern's average points total has been mired in the mid 20s, on a 24-45 points pass scale, since the program's inception a decade ago. We also learned that most of the Eastern students who try to earn the Diploma have failed since the get go. We left the meeting unimpressed with Brown and Eastern's IBD program and didn't enroll our child.

Oh please you were never going to go there. People say all the time that NOBODY in the neighborhood would go there - why did you waste his time.

[Anonymous]

I’m a JR parent, and I’d really love to hear more specific experiences with/feedback on Mr. Brown. Anyone have anything else to share?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:That principal?!

We live on Capitol Hill. My spouse and I met with Brown when when we were looking into the IB Diploma program at Eastern for our oldest in early 2020, before the pandemic began.

Brown seemed clueless about what it would take to attract high SES in-boundary families like ours to Eastern, without any real interest in doing so. He claimed that the program offered "real rigor and challenge to all" repeatedly, and wouldn't answer our questions about Eastern's average IBD points totals. He also wouldn't talk about how many of the "full Diploma" students at Eastern actually earn the Diploma.

Later on, we learned that Eastern's average points total has been mired in the mid 20s, on a 24-45 points pass scale, since the program's inception a decade ago. We also learned that most of the Eastern students who try to earn the Diploma have failed since the get go. We left the meeting unimpressed with Brown and Eastern's IBD program and didn't enroll our child.

So, let me get this right. You walked into this man’s office with your white hood on, took it off, handed it to him and asked him to put it on. He rebuffed your offer and you decided you didn’t like him. Eastern HS kids test poorly due to various reasons (poverty, trauma, inequality, etc). He does not have to explain any of that to you. Your child could have obtained a good education there, but your classism and racism prevented you from entertaining the thought of your child in that school.