Is DCI a good school?

[Anonymous]

We are a feeder school for DCI (Spanish track). Is it considered a good solid school that provides a good education to prepare kids for college, or should we be looking at other options for next year in 5th grade?

[Anonymous]

Hahahahahahaha.

This has to be a troll. Right?

[Anonymous]

Oh boy, here we go.

[Anonymous]

It can be for some kids, it really depends. If your kid can get into higher-level Spanish classes, they'll be in a cohort of other academically on-level kids. There is a seventh-grade math in six grade option (test-in). They will also be taking at least one elective in Spanish.

[Anonymous]

So many threads on DCI and how it measures up to other charter options like Latin and BASIS. Just do a search on here.

But here’s my best attempt at answering your question.

DCI is better than most DCPS middle and high school options EOTP. If you prioritize foreign language above all else and Spanish in particular don’t go to Latin I (they don’t offer Spanish at all) or BASIS (no Spanish until 8th grade and then it’s at the beginner level). Latin Cooper is offering Spanish but your student can’t start it right away in 5th grade either. DCI offers a great physical space and a nice sized student body but apart from math and foreign language there is no tracking which is not ideal for students above grade level or eventually aiming high in college admissions. There seems to be little academic rigor in middle school and those who do well in the high school and score high on the IB diploma seem to be supplementing. Folks consider the IB scores and college matriculations impressive considering the school is not a test-in/selective magnet and because it’s fairly new. The IB program is seemingly better at DCI than at Banneker and Eastern. How you view DCI will depend on what other options you have and what your educational priorities are.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the helpful feedback. It seems that this year they have students going to Yale, Harvard, U of Chicago, Dartmouth etc. I don’t expect everyone to go to these types of schools and not expecting that for my kids. But I’m confused about the negative sarcastic comments above and mixed reviews of DCI given that they’re seemingly sending kids to excellent schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So many threads on DCI and how it measures up to other charter options like Latin and BASIS. Just do a search on here.

But here’s my best attempt at answering your question.

DCI is better than most DCPS middle and high school options EOTP. If you prioritize foreign language above all else and Spanish in particular don’t go to Latin I (they don’t offer Spanish at all) or BASIS (no Spanish until 8th grade and then it’s at the beginner level). Latin Cooper is offering Spanish but your student can’t start it right away in 5th grade either. DCI offers a great physical space and a nice sized student body but apart from math and foreign language there is no tracking which is not ideal for students above grade level or eventually aiming high in college admissions. There seems to be little academic rigor in middle school and those who do well in the high school and score high on the IB diploma seem to be supplementing. Folks consider the IB scores and college matriculations impressive considering the school is not a test-in/selective magnet and because it’s fairly new. The IB program is seemingly better at DCI than at Banneker and Eastern. How you view DCI will depend on what other options you have and what your educational priorities are.

Good summary, PP. I'd add that Spanish instruction at DCI (for two-thirds of the students) is far more serious than the Chinese and French, particularly where speaking is concerned. From where I sit, DCI's average IBD scores aren't impressive for a couple reasons you don't mention. The program touts "IBD for all" and doesn't permit academic tracking outside math and language in middle school. These are policy decisions on the part of DCI's board, and the DCPCSB, which are disconnected from the fact that DCI's IBD program is "fairly new."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thanks for the helpful feedback. It seems that this year they have students going to Yale, Harvard, U of Chicago, Dartmouth etc. I don’t expect everyone to go to these types of schools and not expecting that for my kids. But I’m confused about the negative sarcastic comments above and mixed reviews of DCI given that they’re seemingly sending kids to excellent schools.

I’m the PP you responded to. A common response to your comment is that DCI is more effective at getting first gen and URMs into selective colleges than other students. I am not passing judgment on this in pointing out to you that this is why DCI can sometimes be criticized on the college matriculation issue. The college acceptances are posted on Instagram and people make observations based on that. Of course many students might not choose to post to Instagram so it doesn’t tell the full story (for any school).

And the reason people get snarky on DCI topics (IMHO) is largely because they are bracing for a repeat of similar discussions which have gone off the rails. In DC, middle and high school options in general are a touchy subject largely because of the lack of academic tracking that many people believe a school should have by middle school and how folks view a school’s ability to get around that. There is also a high degree of FOMO and people feel a need to defend their own choices or tear down other people’s choices. The reason DCI, Latin and BASIS are compared is because families EOTP are often deciding between these charter options where DCPS schools have abysmal test scores. These three schools are quite different from each other and offer very different experiences; when people believe one is better or worse they should be thinking of only what’s better or worse for their own child. Take tours of the various schools you are comparing DCI to and talk to current families. This will allow you to make an informed decision if you ever have a decision to make.

[Anonymous]

The kids at DCI who get into the top universities would be getting into those schools regardless of their high school. I would attribute it more to the student and their personality/determination/academic excellence than DCI’s instruction.

DCI is a mediocre school, but for DC purposes, it is unfortunately one of the better public options.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The kids at DCI who get into the top universities would be getting into those schools regardless of their high school. I would attribute it more to the student and their personality/determination/academic excellence than DCI’s instruction.

DCI is a mediocre school, but for DC purposes, it is unfortunately one of the better public options.

This can be said for Latin, Basis or J-R.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thanks for the helpful feedback. It seems that this year they have students going to Yale, Harvard, U of Chicago, Dartmouth etc. I don’t expect everyone to go to these types of schools and not expecting that for my kids. But I’m confused about the negative sarcastic comments above and mixed reviews of DCI given that they’re seemingly sending kids to excellent schools.

Yes, and Eastern High School seniors have been admitted to Columbia and U Penn this year. Why don't you enroll your teens at Eastern if you're looking for kick ass admissions and, er, a top IB Diploma Program? The commute would be much shorter unless you live way up in NE.

[Anonymous]

Thanks, I appreciate this solid feedback. Our other option is Deal but interestingly Deal/Jackson Reed feedback is somewhat similar - no tracking, average school etc. So it has been difficult to figure out what the best option is.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thanks, I appreciate this solid feedback. Our other option is Deal but interestingly Deal/Jackson Reed feedback is somewhat similar - no tracking, average school etc. So it has been difficult to figure out what the best option is.

I just wanted to know if DCI is a good school as it is currently an option for us. Thanks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Thanks for the helpful feedback. It seems that this year they have students going to Yale, Harvard, U of Chicago, Dartmouth etc. I don’t expect everyone to go to these types of schools and not expecting that for my kids. But I’m confused about the negative sarcastic comments above and mixed reviews of DCI given that they’re seemingly sending kids to excellent schools.

Yes, and Eastern High School seniors have been admitted to Columbia and U Penn this year. Why don't you enroll your teens at Eastern if you're looking for kick ass admissions and, er, a top IB Diploma Program? The commute would be much shorter unless you live way up in NE.

Thanks. I’m just focused on knowing whether DCI is considered a good school since that’s an option for us.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The kids at DCI who get into the top universities would be getting into those schools regardless of their high school. I would attribute it more to the student and their personality/determination/academic excellence than DCI’s instruction.

DCI is a mediocre school, but for DC purposes, it is unfortunately one of the better public options.

This can be said for Latin, Basis or J-R.

This is exactly what I’m trying to figure out. Is there a real standout school among these or these 4 are about the same and you pick what’s best for you based on the distinct offerings at each.