Former TR parents: Which school did you switch to, and how is it going?

[Anonymous]

We're gearing up to lottery this year for our two kids currently in middle/upper elementary at Two Rivers. Can anyone recommend schools that are a good fit for a family that loves the best things about Two Rivers, but isn't finding it to be a fit for my kids as it actually exists? I'm basically looking for a school with a moderately progressive approach, welcoming to my kids' special needs (reading-related), solid academic instruction, and some creative and performing arts classes and after-school activities.

On our list already:
Inspired Teaching
Starting the older kid at a DCI feeder to get access to DCI-- that seems like it would be a bumpy ride but maybe worth it?
Staying put at TR and hoping for Latin? We don't think BASIS will be a fit for our kids.
Lee Montessori and then Sojourner Truth?
Any other ideas?

I would love input from anyone who's willing to be kind but especially from people who can talk about how their kids' transition from Two Rivers to another school has gone. Thanks, everyone!

[Anonymous]

I think IT meets your needs best out of your options. For a child with reading related SN, I would absolutely advise against starting immersion later in elementary. Kids do it, but what's a bumpy ride for them may be disastrous for a child that already needs additional ELA support. Not worth the risk IMO. I know SN families at Lee that absolutely love it, but I would really dig deeply about reading supports before switching to Montessori at those ages.

If you're considering staying put at TR, know that IT and Truth are pretty much open in sixth grade, so those are options if you can hold out until middle school. Not sure where you're located, but consider DCPS elementary schools as well. Many don't have great middle school feeders, but are great through fifth and may offer more reading support services than some charters.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think IT meets your needs best out of your options. For a child with reading related SN, I would absolutely advise against starting immersion later in elementary. Kids do it, but what's a bumpy ride for them may be disastrous for a child that already needs additional ELA support. Not worth the risk IMO. I know SN families at Lee that absolutely love it, but I would really dig deeply about reading supports before switching to Montessori at those ages.

If you're considering staying put at TR, know that IT and Truth are pretty much open in sixth grade, so those are options if you can hold out until middle school. Not sure where you're located, but consider DCPS elementary schools as well. Many don't have great middle school feeders, but are great through fifth and may offer more reading support services than some charters.

Another question - are you just looking for a fit for upper elementary, or for middle school too? I agree with the prior poster, DCPS schools may be worth looking into especially if she has an IEP or needs extra support. After working at charter schools then having my kids at DCPS schools, I have found that often the supports and staffing is more robust in the public school system, but I do realize it can vary from school to school. Are you in bounds for a school that you would be interested in attending, or do you live near a school that takes kids in at older grades? Many Cap Hill schools have spaces in 4th and 5th grade - not sure what age your kids are.
Not sure what progressive style you are looking for, if it is a curriculum choice or a training style that the teachers use. Both SH and EH have lots of after school clubs, teams, drama programs, etc.

[Anonymous]

We switched to Ludlow for our two kids. Our kids are so much happier. Academically, I wish we’d switched over a year earlier as it’s clear my older kid could have benefited from the much more focused writing instruction at Ludlow.

Everyone raves about the Ludlow after school options on this forum (and it’s one of the things that convinced me to choose Ludlow — we had two good options), but they really live up to their bulking. They have pretty much a middle school level of choices and all the extra time with teachers has really helped my kids feel at home fast.

[Anonymous]

Agree you should look at Stuart-Hobson feeders, Brent, Maury, and SWS. Also, if the commute works for you, I'd look at SWW at Francis Stevens and the other elementary schools that feed into it. Seaton and Garrison too, if you're ok with the feeder or lotterying again for middle school.

[Anonymous]

Thanks everyone! Middle school is close enough that we're really only interested in schools that feed to a good one. Our IB middle school is not appealing (don't wanna out myself by naming it), but Stuart-Hobson could be. Honestly, one of the reasons we want to switch schools is behavior, and that's something that gives me pause about DCPS middle schools as well.

Inspired Teaching is our #1 pick right now, we tried last year for both kids but didn't get in.

As for staying at TR, I dunno... it's hard to predict what the experience will be like with so many people lotterying in and out. I'm most eager to get my older DC on track for a middle school we're more happy with, even if my younger DC doesn't switch this year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Agree you should look at Stuart-Hobson feeders, Brent, Maury, and SWS. Also, if the commute works for you, I'd look at SWW at Francis Stevens and the other elementary schools that feed into it. Seaton and Garrison too, if you're ok with the feeder or lotterying again for middle school.

Brent feeds into Jefferson.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thanks everyone! Middle school is close enough that we're really only interested in schools that feed to a good one. Our IB middle school is not appealing (don't wanna out myself by naming it), but Stuart-Hobson could be. Honestly, one of the reasons we want to switch schools is behavior, and that's something that gives me pause about DCPS middle schools as well.

Inspired Teaching is our #1 pick right now, we tried last year for both kids but didn't get in.

As for staying at TR, I dunno... it's hard to predict what the experience will be like with so many people lotterying in and out. I'm most eager to get my older DC on track for a middle school we're more happy with, even if my younger DC doesn't switch this year.

Get your kids out of TR. The problem with TR (and many other DC charters) is that academics are secondary to social justice and equity instruction. We thought my son was behind in math and writing after pulling him out after 4th grade; he was significantly behind. Thankfully he had an IEP was in place when he started his new school so he was able to receive appropriate support. 5th grade was spent getting caught up.
Not to mention the complete inability for TR staff to address behavioral issues, particularly bullying.
The behavior issues only get more severe as the kids get older.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Agree you should look at Stuart-Hobson feeders, Brent, Maury, and SWS. Also, if the commute works for you, I'd look at SWW at Francis Stevens and the other elementary schools that feed into it. Seaton and Garrison too, if you're ok with the feeder or lotterying again for middle school.

Brent feeds into Jefferson.

Yes, that's why I used a comma after "Stuart-Hobson feeders" rather than a colon. Brent, Maury, and SWS are not Stuart-Hobson feeders.
With that said, I think there are some good things going on at Jefferson.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Thanks everyone! Middle school is close enough that we're really only interested in schools that feed to a good one. Our IB middle school is not appealing (don't wanna out myself by naming it), but Stuart-Hobson could be. Honestly, one of the reasons we want to switch schools is behavior, and that's something that gives me pause about DCPS middle schools as well.

Inspired Teaching is our #1 pick right now, we tried last year for both kids but didn't get in.

As for staying at TR, I dunno... it's hard to predict what the experience will be like with so many people lotterying in and out. I'm most eager to get my older DC on track for a middle school we're more happy with, even if my younger DC doesn't switch this year.

Get your kids out of TR. The problem with TR (and many other DC charters) is that academics are secondary to social justice and equity instruction. We thought my son was behind in math and writing after pulling him out after 4th grade; he was significantly behind. Thankfully he had an IEP was in place when he started his new school so he was able to receive appropriate support. 5th grade was spent getting caught up.
Not to mention the complete inability for TR staff to address behavioral issues, particularly bullying.
The behavior issues only get more severe as the kids get older.

When did you leave TR?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Agree you should look at Stuart-Hobson feeders, Brent, Maury, and SWS. Also, if the commute works for you, I'd look at SWW at Francis Stevens and the other elementary schools that feed into it. Seaton and Garrison too, if you're ok with the feeder or lotterying again for middle school.

Brent feeds into Jefferson.

Yes, that's why I used a comma after "Stuart-Hobson feeders" rather than a colon. Brent, Maury, and SWS are not Stuart-Hobson feeders.
With that said, I think there are some good things going on at Jefferson.

I have a 7th grader at Jefferson and happy to answer any questions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Thanks everyone! Middle school is close enough that we're really only interested in schools that feed to a good one. Our IB middle school is not appealing (don't wanna out myself by naming it), but Stuart-Hobson could be. Honestly, one of the reasons we want to switch schools is behavior, and that's something that gives me pause about DCPS middle schools as well.

Inspired Teaching is our #1 pick right now, we tried last year for both kids but didn't get in.

As for staying at TR, I dunno... it's hard to predict what the experience will be like with so many people lotterying in and out. I'm most eager to get my older DC on track for a middle school we're more happy with, even if my younger DC doesn't switch this year.

Get your kids out of TR. The problem with TR (and many other DC charters) is that academics are secondary to social justice and equity instruction. We thought my son was behind in math and writing after pulling him out after 4th grade; he was significantly behind. Thankfully he had an IEP was in place when he started his new school so he was able to receive appropriate support. 5th grade was spent getting caught up.
Not to mention the complete inability for TR staff to address behavioral issues, particularly bullying.
The behavior issues only get more severe as the kids get older.

When did you leave TR?

In the middle of 4th grade.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Thanks everyone! Middle school is close enough that we're really only interested in schools that feed to a good one. Our IB middle school is not appealing (don't wanna out myself by naming it), but Stuart-Hobson could be. Honestly, one of the reasons we want to switch schools is behavior, and that's something that gives me pause about DCPS middle schools as well.

Inspired Teaching is our #1 pick right now, we tried last year for both kids but didn't get in.

As for staying at TR, I dunno... it's hard to predict what the experience will be like with so many people lotterying in and out. I'm most eager to get my older DC on track for a middle school we're more happy with, even if my younger DC doesn't switch this year.

Get your kids out of TR. The problem with TR (and many other DC charters) is that academics are secondary to social justice and equity instruction. We thought my son was behind in math and writing after pulling him out after 4th grade; he was significantly behind. Thankfully he had an IEP was in place when he started his new school so he was able to receive appropriate support. 5th grade was spent getting caught up.
Not to mention the complete inability for TR staff to address behavioral issues, particularly bullying.
The behavior issues only get more severe as the kids get older.

When did you leave TR?

In the middle of 4th grade.

Mid-year? Must have been a bad year, especially if you left before lottery results for Latin and BASIS.

Did you go to you IB or private? I know most charters do not pull from the wait-list mid-year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Get your kids out of TR. The problem with TR (and many other DC charters) is that academics are secondary to social justice and equity instruction. We thought my son was behind in math and writing after pulling him out after 4th grade; he was significantly behind. Thankfully he had an IEP was in place when he started his new school so he was able to receive appropriate support. 5th grade was spent getting caught up.
Not to mention the complete inability for TR staff to address behavioral issues, particularly bullying.
The behavior issues only get more severe as the kids get older.

What is social justice and equity instruction? Seriously, is this a class?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Agree you should look at Stuart-Hobson feeders, Brent, Maury, and SWS. Also, if the commute works for you, I'd look at SWW at Francis Stevens and the other elementary schools that feed into it. Seaton and Garrison too, if you're ok with the feeder or lotterying again for middle school.

Brent feeds into Jefferson.

Yes, that's why I used a comma after "Stuart-Hobson feeders" rather than a colon. Brent, Maury, and SWS are not Stuart-Hobson feeders.
With that said, I think there are some good things going on at Jefferson.

I have a 7th grader at Jefferson and happy to answer any questions.

Thank you! If you're a TR alum, how did your kids do with the transition from one style of school to another? And is Jefferson your IB or did you lottery in?