choice between DCPS and Charter

[Anonymous]

DH and I were having a discussion yesterday about which we would prefer for DD for pre-K through elementary: a good charter or a good DCPS. We realize we probably won't have a choice and will be lucky to get one or the other. Do you prefer a somewhat unproven but seemingly successful 6 or 7-year-old charter like E.L. Haynes or LAMB? Or the smaller but good DCPS like Eaton or Hyde? Why?

[Anonymous]

we are inbounds for a JKLM school and are sending our child to a charter.

Why?
We liked the sense of community that we felt at the charter.
We are hopeful (?) that being in an environment that has more social economic diversity will help re-inforce some our our own values.
We think that the charter uses a teaching approach that will foster a love for learning in our child.
I did not feel that the charter has a drill and kill mentaility re testing
When I observed our local elementary I was not impressed with the classroom approach that I observed for the Prek, K classes.
We felt more comfortable with the aftercare offered through the charter

[Anonymous]

Eaton is a much better school than the charters you mention. Not sure about Hyde.

[Anonymous]

OP. I'm not really talking about those schools in particular. More in theory, I guess. PP, why do you say that about Eaton? What about it makes it "better" than one of the charters that most of us would consider?

[Anonymous]

Look at individual schools, regardless of charter or DCPS status, based on your family priorities. Think of the term "charter" like "private". There is a broad range of offerings and few operating standards like class size, application deadlines, location, teacher credentials, security etc. For example, LAMB versus EL Haynes is like Washington International versus Georgetown Day. Same types of schools, charter and private, but completely different offerings within the types.

Good luck!

[Anonymous]

There are a number of charters that are truly bilingual (LAMB, Stokes, DCBilingual, YuYing). Normal DCPS do not offer that, except at Oyster. I think that is one of the big pluses of the Charters -- i.e. why I choose charter over a well regarded public school.

But, you are right, the good charters are so hard to get into that you probably won't have much choice. You'll probably get into one Charter and will have to compare it to your OOB lottery or IB school.

[Anonymous]

Few people have first hand experience of preK in both systems. FWIW, many of the "popular" (on DCUM at least) schools in NW are comparable in quality, whether charter Mag 7 or JKLMNOPQ (or whatever the list is these days). There is also a lot of speculation and hearsay. Go for whatever school, versus system, sounds good to you. (Oyster is not the only "real" bilingual school in DCPS. Tyler and Bancroft have Spanish-only preschool which Oyster does not. Cleveland has better scores in some areas than Oyster with nearly all FARM and AA or Hispanic population in Shaw. Just saying it takes a little homework to sort through choices.)

[Anonymous]

I think at pre-k through 1st/2nd what you want (unless you do a language immersion program) is a school where your child is happy and learns to love learning. If your child has no learning issues they will learn to do math and read, especially if they have good support at home, no matter where they are. At about third grade I think other issues come into play, such as prepping for th DC-CAS. The intense prep for the DC-CAS is one of the reasons we left DCPS for charters, but frankly there are good DCPS and good charters out there and even some that are considered inferior on this list but where children thrive in the lower grades.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There are a number of charters that are truly bilingual (LAMB, Stokes, DCBilingual, YuYing). Normal DCPS do not offer that, except at Oyster. I think that is one of the big pluses of the Charters -- i.e. why I choose charter over a well regarded public school.

But, you are right, the good charters are so hard to get into that you probably won't have much choice. You'll probably get into one Charter and will have to compare it to your OOB lottery or IB school.

Your information is incorrect, there are at least 3 DCPS that I know of that are "truly bilingual" dual language-full immerison and 50/50 immersion.

[Anonymous]

Cleveland Elementary offers a dual language program.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There are a number of charters that are truly bilingual (LAMB, Stokes, DCBilingual, YuYing). Normal DCPS do not offer that, except at Oyster. I think that is one of the big pluses of the Charters -- i.e. why I choose charter over a well regarded public school.

But, you are right, the good charters are so hard to get into that you probably won't have much choice. You'll probably get into one Charter and will have to compare it to your OOB lottery or IB school.

Your information is incorrect, there are at least 3 DCPS that I know of that are "truly bilingual" dual language-full immerison and 50/50 immersion.

I stand corrected. I have seen little evidence of how those other bilingual programs are doing, but I should have noted that they existed. I don't really think of Bancroft as an option, however, the bilingual teaching there just seems so poor.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I stand corrected. I have seen little evidence of how those other bilingual programs are doing, but I should have noted that they existed. I don't really think of Bancroft as an option, however, the bilingual teaching there just seems so poor.

OP, as you can see from the exchanges here, very few people have direct, first-hand experience or comprehensive knowledge of the many choices available in DC. Plus, the procedures, policies and staffing changes all the time.

If you're looking for bilingual, that is a very complicated area. There are no standards of what constitutes successful bilingual education in either DCPS or charters.

So the good news is there are different types of options. You already know the lottery part, so keep an open mind and take your time looking around. Something will work out.

[Anonymous]

Take your pick.

With DCPS you get heavy-handed top-down management from HQ, mediocre curriculum, especially at the elementary level, and relentless standardized testing.

At charters you get a revolving door faculty and lack of experience dealing with important issues such as discipline.

[Anonymous]

To PP above, you can also get quality public and quality charters (we are very please with ours). I would say to the OP--don't feel 'guilty' about choosing a charter. It IS a public school. Choose it and advocate for it. At the same time, get involved with your neighborhood DCPS school. There is nothing wrong with getting involved and working to strengthen it. Though I don't have a child in our local elementary, I plan to attend a PA meeting next year and contribute to the PA. Why not? A strong local public school is great for our neighborhood and our kids. I wish that people with kids in DCPS would have the same attitude towards charters... that it broadens choice and provides some impetus to DCPS to examine its own program.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Take your pick.
With DCPS you get heavy-handed top-down management from HQ, mediocre curriculum, especially at the elementary level, and relentless standardized testing.

At charters you get a revolving door faculty and lack of experience dealing with important issues such as discipline.

And the magic alternative is what exactly? Pay $30K+ and have your kid not be able to read come 2nd grade? Or go in debt for a school that harbors sex offenders for years? Or have a scholarship yanked out from under you mid-year? Or move to the 'burbs? (Assuming someone would buy your underwater condo in DC.)

It's easy to criticize. It's harder to take action.

Thank you PP 8:15 for deciding to get involved with local PA. You sound like a great neighbor and parent.