I am confused between Stuart Hobson Middle School vs. Deal Middle School

[Anonymous]

My DS got off a waitlist last year as an out-of boundary elementary school that’s feeds into the Deal/Wilson path. After one year of constant back and forth commuting from one of the undesirable wards I am tired but it’s not about me it’s about my DS and now I find myself confused. Stuart Hobson I chose for commute and academically they seem to be equal. I am confused and I don’t need any negative feedback although I know it’s coming. Can I get any enlightenment as from parents that may have experience from both school or from one or the other from your perspective.

[Anonymous]

Please no. So many threads absolutely trashing Hobson on here

[Anonymous]

The advantage of sticking with Deal is that it also gives you access to JR HS.
I have no personal experience with SH but my coworker has a grandson there and she mentioned he is very unhappy and trying to get out. Too many fights and chaos, etc. I don’t know too many details.

[Anonymous]

Very confused about your question, OP. So your child has been attending an elementary that feeds to Deal/Wilson, which is a tough commute from where you live... do you live near Stuart Hobson? For the record, I don't think any ward is "undesirable."

I live in Ward 5 and would not want to commute to NW just so my kid could attend Deal. We consider Stuart Hobson to be a good option for us, as it's a very reasonable commute for us (especially once our kid is MS age) and offers way more in terms of academics and extra-curriculars. We know parents with kids there and they offer good reviews. We also know parents who are IB for S-H and choose to send their kids elsewhere. My sense is that the reason for this vary. We know people who did immersion charters all the way through and their kids go to DCI and they really like it. We know people with kids at Latin and BASIS who like it, and who I think don't feel the academics at S-H are as good. We know people with kids at ITS middle who like the small school vibe and the art and social justice focus. And I also think there are families in all of those groups (except ITS) who are mostly at a different MS because it offers them a better feed to a high school other than Eastern. And that's our main consideration with S-H as well. We like S-H but don't feel comfortable with Eastern as an option right now.

That about covers what I know. Like you, my kids are not MS age yet so I can't answer with more specifics on experience at either Deal or S-H. Would be interested to hear from others on that, even though we are not considering Deal because we are not willing to commit to that commute.

[Anonymous]

If you plan to stay in DCPS/Charter through HS you need to stay at Deal; it has a HS path (JR, fka Wilson). If you don't plan to stay for HS that's something else entirely.

[Anonymous]

I am OP here, I’m sorry if I didn’t make it clear my DS is heading to Deal Middle School because he attended an elementary school that feeds to the Deal/Wilson pathway but he just received an offer from Stuart Hobson now I’m confused.

[Anonymous]

I would stick with Deal for the high school feed. Your child can take public transportation to Deal/Former Wilson. Stuart Hobson is ok for middle school but Eastern high is not great

[Anonymous]

SH is well like by two of my friends who have kids there. They were academic superstars themselves so I doubt they'll compromise if they weren't satisfied. From what I've heard they are watching Eastern and inclined towards International Baccalaureate but they have means to go private if needed. From my own experience, not with these schools but with commuting for schools, its not worth it. It makes life difficult for students and parents in many ways.

[Anonymous]

Eastern has IB 9-12. I wouldn't think twice about enrolling my kids in an IB program, even if it isn't top notch. IB system has requirements which must be met from schools, teachers and students. Go take advice from parents whose kids graduated from there with an IB diploma, not random internet posters.

[Anonymous]

New poster and I just have to chime in here in defense of SH. My child is appropriately challenged. Yes there’s some chaos but I feel like that’s everywhere right now. We’ve had a couple of minor issues in the school has responded very well to them. He’s heading back next year without any hesitation. That said I’m not that excited about Eastern and probably would not pass up a Wilson feeder pattern.

[Anonymous]

This is crazy. NO you do not give up a Deal/Wilson feed for Stuart Hobson!!! Eastern is a terrible high school no matter how much lipstick boosters try to put on it.

Stop giving this woman bad advice, folks.

[Anonymous]

If you also need a HS path, Deal hands down.

If you do not, it is a closer call. Do you have an advanced student? If so, Deal offers advanced math, and at a higher level than SH (if your student qualifies). SH offers advanced math and advanced ELA. But the “grade level” classes at deal are going to have more kids who actually perform at or above grade level than the grade level classes at SH. Both places will have plenty of chaos and distractions. A below grade level kid might have a better time at Deal because the grade level snd above kids won’t be separated gor both math and ELA like they are at SH. ECs at Deal are better across the board. Stronger teams snd more non-sports options. Makes sense bc there are a lot more kids. My sense is that admin at Sh is more accessible, which also makes sense bc it is a much smaller school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is crazy. NO you do not give up a Deal/Wilson feed for Stuart Hobson!!! Eastern is a terrible high school no matter how much lipstick boosters try to put on it.

Stop giving this woman bad advice, folks.

This and everyone knows Deal is by far the better performing school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you also need a HS path, Deal hands down.

If you do not, it is a closer call. Do you have an advanced student? If so, Deal offers advanced math, and at a higher level than SH (if your student qualifies). SH offers advanced math and advanced ELA. But the “grade level” classes at deal are going to have more kids who actually perform at or above grade level than the grade level classes at SH. Both places will have plenty of chaos and distractions. A below grade level kid might have a better time at Deal because the grade level snd above kids won’t be separated gor both math and ELA like they are at SH. ECs at Deal are better across the board. Stronger teams snd more non-sports options. Makes sense bc there are a lot more kids. My sense is that admin at Sh is more accessible, which also makes sense bc it is a much smaller school.

Advance courses at SH are really just at grade level. It’s not really advanced.

[Anonymous]

The SHMS hate is so real on DCUM and according to DCUM if you aren't taking your kid to deal or Wilson where they are one of at least 1000 kids, you are braindead. There's more to life than feeding to JRHS which is ridiculously overcrowded. If you really want to know about SH, talk to people with actual experience with the school.