What do we think about Latin second campus

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What percentage of slots will be at risk? Presumably thr total composition will be higher than that bc at risk kids could get in thru the regular lotto too.

Yes, that's the point. But it would not have been zero. It's an incremental change and not that big of a deal.

Disagree.

1) 15-30% is a big deal. Non-sibling families currently have about a 17% of getting into Latin for 5th grade through the lottery; that will go down significantly for them with the at-risk prioritization.

2) There is a lot we don't know. Is at-risk going to be prioritized over sibling? If so, that will have even more impact.

3) After the first-year, at-risk will also be able to get sibling preference for brothers and sisters, so that will give the latter a double preference starting the year after next. Given that around 50% of DCPS is at-risk that mean that 5th grade Latin slots will be fewer and fewer every year.

Incremental change? No big deal? Nah.

That's not how it works. A sibling that is at-risk doesn't get to take up two seats.

Right, but unless Latin calculates its at-risk percentage carefully ahead of time using sibling data, they’re going to offer x sibling spots and y at risk spots every year, making the at-risk percentage even higher year over year.

I wish them good luck, but it’s going to make the school an unattractive option for middle class families. People flee to Latin not for the academics (which are not any better than many DCPS) but for the cohort of high performing kids and the guaranteed feed through high school. Turn it into another Eastern or Dunbar and people simply wont go.

LOL. The goal for Latin was not to be a haven for middle class families, it was to provide a classical education to the children of DC. The school has gotten progressively more wealthy and middle class, and the admin wants to get the at-risk percentage back up to where it used to be. Because the entry point is only fifth grade (and a few seats at 9th), it's going to take several years before the overall at-risk percentages go up. In fact, we were apprised that the at-risk percentages might be stagnant for a while as the current cohort of middle school students has the lowest at-risk percentage yet.

And really, are there "many" DCPS that have same or better academics than Latin? I think you should start another thread with this information because we are desperate for good middle school options in this city. People will be delighted to learn that DCPS has "many"!

Instead of using coded language, why don't you just say out loud what you (and many at DCPS) really mean: You hate middle class families.

sour grapes

Or they could allow entries in other grades. Oh, but our model, our precious precious model, our culture which is so special that it would be ruined by adding more of the kids we say we want to serve!

huh? what are you talking about? The reason is that retention is so high, not that kids aren't allowed to enter in other grades. There used to be a chunk of seats that would open up at 9th as some parents peeled off for private/Walls/burbs, but that's not happening as frequently any more.

And what of grades 10, 11, and 12?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What percentage of slots will be at risk? Presumably thr total composition will be higher than that bc at risk kids could get in thru the regular lotto too.

Yes, that's the point. But it would not have been zero. It's an incremental change and not that big of a deal.

Disagree.

1) 15-30% is a big deal. Non-sibling families currently have about a 17% of getting into Latin for 5th grade through the lottery; that will go down significantly for them with the at-risk prioritization.

2) There is a lot we don't know. Is at-risk going to be prioritized over sibling? If so, that will have even more impact.

3) After the first-year, at-risk will also be able to get sibling preference for brothers and sisters, so that will give the latter a double preference starting the year after next. Given that around 50% of DCPS is at-risk that mean that 5th grade Latin slots will be fewer and fewer every year.

Incremental change? No big deal? Nah.

That's not how it works. A sibling that is at-risk doesn't get to take up two seats.

Right, but unless Latin calculates its at-risk percentage carefully ahead of time using sibling data, they’re going to offer x sibling spots and y at risk spots every year, making the at-risk percentage even higher year over year.

I wish them good luck, but it’s going to make the school an unattractive option for middle class families. People flee to Latin not for the academics (which are not any better than many DCPS) but for the cohort of high performing kids and the guaranteed feed through high school. Turn it into another Eastern or Dunbar and people simply wont go.

LOL. The goal for Latin was not to be a haven for middle class families, it was to provide a classical education to the children of DC. The school has gotten progressively more wealthy and middle class, and the admin wants to get the at-risk percentage back up to where it used to be. Because the entry point is only fifth grade (and a few seats at 9th), it's going to take several years before the overall at-risk percentages go up. In fact, we were apprised that the at-risk percentages might be stagnant for a while as the current cohort of middle school students has the lowest at-risk percentage yet.

And really, are there "many" DCPS that have same or better academics than Latin? I think you should start another thread with this information because we are desperate for good middle school options in this city. People will be delighted to learn that DCPS has "many"!

Instead of using coded language, why don't you just say out loud what you (and many at DCPS) really mean: You hate middle class families.

sour grapes

Or they could allow entries in other grades. Oh, but our model, our precious precious model, our culture which is so special that it would be ruined by adding more of the kids we say we want to serve!

Your cynical responses just proved my point. It's obvious you're pi$$ed that some families might do slightly better in school.

Or you're just mad that other people don't buy their rationale for delay.

No, this is not even about Latin PCS specifically. It's this general unrelenting zeal to stomp out any pockets of excellence wherever they may exist across DC schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What percentage of slots will be at risk? Presumably thr total composition will be higher than that bc at risk kids could get in thru the regular lotto too.

Yes, that's the point. But it would not have been zero. It's an incremental change and not that big of a deal.

Disagree.

1) 15-30% is a big deal. Non-sibling families currently have about a 17% of getting into Latin for 5th grade through the lottery; that will go down significantly for them with the at-risk prioritization.

2) There is a lot we don't know. Is at-risk going to be prioritized over sibling? If so, that will have even more impact.

3) After the first-year, at-risk will also be able to get sibling preference for brothers and sisters, so that will give the latter a double preference starting the year after next. Given that around 50% of DCPS is at-risk that mean that 5th grade Latin slots will be fewer and fewer every year.

Incremental change? No big deal? Nah.

That's not how it works. A sibling that is at-risk doesn't get to take up two seats.

Right, but unless Latin calculates its at-risk percentage carefully ahead of time using sibling data, they’re going to offer x sibling spots and y at risk spots every year, making the at-risk percentage even higher year over year.

I wish them good luck, but it’s going to make the school an unattractive option for middle class families. People flee to Latin not for the academics (which are not any better than many DCPS) but for the cohort of high performing kids and the guaranteed feed through high school. Turn it into another Eastern or Dunbar and people simply wont go.

LOL. The goal for Latin was not to be a haven for middle class families, it was to provide a classical education to the children of DC. The school has gotten progressively more wealthy and middle class, and the admin wants to get the at-risk percentage back up to where it used to be. Because the entry point is only fifth grade (and a few seats at 9th), it's going to take several years before the overall at-risk percentages go up. In fact, we were apprised that the at-risk percentages might be stagnant for a while as the current cohort of middle school students has the lowest at-risk percentage yet.

And really, are there "many" DCPS that have same or better academics than Latin? I think you should start another thread with this information because we are desperate for good middle school options in this city. People will be delighted to learn that DCPS has "many"!

Instead of using coded language, why don't you just say out loud what you (and many at DCPS) really mean: You hate middle class families.

sour grapes

Or they could allow entries in other grades. Oh, but our model, our precious precious model, our culture which is so special that it would be ruined by adding more of the kids we say we want to serve!

Your cynical responses just proved my point. It's obvious you're pi$$ed that some families might do slightly better in school.

Or you're just mad that other people don't buy their rationale for delay.

No, this is not even about Latin PCS specifically. It's this general unrelenting zeal to stomp out any pockets of excellence wherever they may exist across DC schools.

"Excellence" that is achieved by excluding at-risk and special needs students is not real excellence, it's just patting yourself on the back for upper income kids on grade level. True excellence would be getting good results from a representative student populatjon

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What percentage of slots will be at risk? Presumably thr total composition will be higher than that bc at risk kids could get in thru the regular lotto too.

Yes, that's the point. But it would not have been zero. It's an incremental change and not that big of a deal.

Disagree.

1) 15-30% is a big deal. Non-sibling families currently have about a 17% of getting into Latin for 5th grade through the lottery; that will go down significantly for them with the at-risk prioritization.

2) There is a lot we don't know. Is at-risk going to be prioritized over sibling? If so, that will have even more impact.

3) After the first-year, at-risk will also be able to get sibling preference for brothers and sisters, so that will give the latter a double preference starting the year after next. Given that around 50% of DCPS is at-risk that mean that 5th grade Latin slots will be fewer and fewer every year.

Incremental change? No big deal? Nah.

That's not how it works. A sibling that is at-risk doesn't get to take up two seats.

Right, but unless Latin calculates its at-risk percentage carefully ahead of time using sibling data, they’re going to offer x sibling spots and y at risk spots every year, making the at-risk percentage even higher year over year.

I wish them good luck, but it’s going to make the school an unattractive option for middle class families. People flee to Latin not for the academics (which are not any better than many DCPS) but for the cohort of high performing kids and the guaranteed feed through high school. Turn it into another Eastern or Dunbar and people simply wont go.

LOL. The goal for Latin was not to be a haven for middle class families, it was to provide a classical education to the children of DC. The school has gotten progressively more wealthy and middle class, and the admin wants to get the at-risk percentage back up to where it used to be. Because the entry point is only fifth grade (and a few seats at 9th), it's going to take several years before the overall at-risk percentages go up. In fact, we were apprised that the at-risk percentages might be stagnant for a while as the current cohort of middle school students has the lowest at-risk percentage yet.

And really, are there "many" DCPS that have same or better academics than Latin? I think you should start another thread with this information because we are desperate for good middle school options in this city. People will be delighted to learn that DCPS has "many"!

Instead of using coded language, why don't you just say out loud what you (and many at DCPS) really mean: You hate middle class families.

sour grapes

Or they could allow entries in other grades. Oh, but our model, our precious precious model, our culture which is so special that it would be ruined by adding more of the kids we say we want to serve!

huh? what are you talking about? The reason is that retention is so high, not that kids aren't allowed to enter in other grades. There used to be a chunk of seats that would open up at 9th as some parents peeled off for private/Walls/burbs, but that's not happening as frequently any more.

And what of grades 10, 11, and 12?

? You can try the lottery for any year

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What percentage of slots will be at risk? Presumably thr total composition will be higher than that bc at risk kids could get in thru the regular lotto too.

Yes, that's the point. But it would not have been zero. It's an incremental change and not that big of a deal.

Disagree.

1) 15-30% is a big deal. Non-sibling families currently have about a 17% of getting into Latin for 5th grade through the lottery; that will go down significantly for them with the at-risk prioritization.

2) There is a lot we don't know. Is at-risk going to be prioritized over sibling? If so, that will have even more impact.

3) After the first-year, at-risk will also be able to get sibling preference for brothers and sisters, so that will give the latter a double preference starting the year after next. Given that around 50% of DCPS is at-risk that mean that 5th grade Latin slots will be fewer and fewer every year.

Incremental change? No big deal? Nah.

That's not how it works. A sibling that is at-risk doesn't get to take up two seats.

Right, but unless Latin calculates its at-risk percentage carefully ahead of time using sibling data, they’re going to offer x sibling spots and y at risk spots every year, making the at-risk percentage even higher year over year.

I wish them good luck, but it’s going to make the school an unattractive option for middle class families. People flee to Latin not for the academics (which are not any better than many DCPS) but for the cohort of high performing kids and the guaranteed feed through high school. Turn it into another Eastern or Dunbar and people simply wont go.

LOL. The goal for Latin was not to be a haven for middle class families, it was to provide a classical education to the children of DC. The school has gotten progressively more wealthy and middle class, and the admin wants to get the at-risk percentage back up to where it used to be. Because the entry point is only fifth grade (and a few seats at 9th), it's going to take several years before the overall at-risk percentages go up. In fact, we were apprised that the at-risk percentages might be stagnant for a while as the current cohort of middle school students has the lowest at-risk percentage yet.

And really, are there "many" DCPS that have same or better academics than Latin? I think you should start another thread with this information because we are desperate for good middle school options in this city. People will be delighted to learn that DCPS has "many"!

Instead of using coded language, why don't you just say out loud what you (and many at DCPS) really mean: You hate middle class families.

sour grapes

Or they could allow entries in other grades. Oh, but our model, our precious precious model, our culture which is so special that it would be ruined by adding more of the kids we say we want to serve!

huh? what are you talking about? The reason is that retention is so high, not that kids aren't allowed to enter in other grades. There used to be a chunk of seats that would open up at 9th as some parents peeled off for private/Walls/burbs, but that's not happening as frequently any more.

And what of grades 10, 11, and 12?

? You can try the lottery for any year

Right but they never let anyone in.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What percentage of slots will be at risk? Presumably thr total composition will be higher than that bc at risk kids could get in thru the regular lotto too.

Yes, that's the point. But it would not have been zero. It's an incremental change and not that big of a deal.

Disagree.

1) 15-30% is a big deal. Non-sibling families currently have about a 17% of getting into Latin for 5th grade through the lottery; that will go down significantly for them with the at-risk prioritization.

2) There is a lot we don't know. Is at-risk going to be prioritized over sibling? If so, that will have even more impact.

3) After the first-year, at-risk will also be able to get sibling preference for brothers and sisters, so that will give the latter a double preference starting the year after next. Given that around 50% of DCPS is at-risk that mean that 5th grade Latin slots will be fewer and fewer every year.

Incremental change? No big deal? Nah.

That's not how it works. A sibling that is at-risk doesn't get to take up two seats.

Right, but unless Latin calculates its at-risk percentage carefully ahead of time using sibling data, they’re going to offer x sibling spots and y at risk spots every year, making the at-risk percentage even higher year over year.

I wish them good luck, but it’s going to make the school an unattractive option for middle class families. People flee to Latin not for the academics (which are not any better than many DCPS) but for the cohort of high performing kids and the guaranteed feed through high school. Turn it into another Eastern or Dunbar and people simply wont go.

LOL. The goal for Latin was not to be a haven for middle class families, it was to provide a classical education to the children of DC. The school has gotten progressively more wealthy and middle class, and the admin wants to get the at-risk percentage back up to where it used to be. Because the entry point is only fifth grade (and a few seats at 9th), it's going to take several years before the overall at-risk percentages go up. In fact, we were apprised that the at-risk percentages might be stagnant for a while as the current cohort of middle school students has the lowest at-risk percentage yet.

And really, are there "many" DCPS that have same or better academics than Latin? I think you should start another thread with this information because we are desperate for good middle school options in this city. People will be delighted to learn that DCPS has "many"!

Instead of using coded language, why don't you just say out loud what you (and many at DCPS) really mean: You hate middle class families.

sour grapes

Or they could allow entries in other grades. Oh, but our model, our precious precious model, our culture which is so special that it would be ruined by adding more of the kids we say we want to serve!

Your cynical responses just proved my point. It's obvious you're pi$$ed that some families might do slightly better in school.

Or you're just mad that other people don't buy their rationale for delay.

No, this is not even about Latin PCS specifically. It's this general unrelenting zeal to stomp out any pockets of excellence wherever they may exist across DC schools.

"Excellence" that is achieved by excluding at-risk and special needs students is not real excellence, it's just patting yourself on the back for upper income kids on grade level. True excellence would be getting good results from a representative student populatjon

I totally agree and more should be done to help at-risk students. But until we get to that promised land of perfect equality, it's these never-ending jealousies that are failing ALL our kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What percentage of slots will be at risk? Presumably thr total composition will be higher than that bc at risk kids could get in thru the regular lotto too.

Yes, that's the point. But it would not have been zero. It's an incremental change and not that big of a deal.

Disagree.

1) 15-30% is a big deal. Non-sibling families currently have about a 17% of getting into Latin for 5th grade through the lottery; that will go down significantly for them with the at-risk prioritization.

2) There is a lot we don't know. Is at-risk going to be prioritized over sibling? If so, that will have even more impact.

3) After the first-year, at-risk will also be able to get sibling preference for brothers and sisters, so that will give the latter a double preference starting the year after next. Given that around 50% of DCPS is at-risk that mean that 5th grade Latin slots will be fewer and fewer every year.

Incremental change? No big deal? Nah.

That's not how it works. A sibling that is at-risk doesn't get to take up two seats.

Right, but unless Latin calculates its at-risk percentage carefully ahead of time using sibling data, they’re going to offer x sibling spots and y at risk spots every year, making the at-risk percentage even higher year over year.

I wish them good luck, but it’s going to make the school an unattractive option for middle class families. People flee to Latin not for the academics (which are not any better than many DCPS) but for the cohort of high performing kids and the guaranteed feed through high school. Turn it into another Eastern or Dunbar and people simply wont go.

LOL. The goal for Latin was not to be a haven for middle class families, it was to provide a classical education to the children of DC. The school has gotten progressively more wealthy and middle class, and the admin wants to get the at-risk percentage back up to where it used to be. Because the entry point is only fifth grade (and a few seats at 9th), it's going to take several years before the overall at-risk percentages go up. In fact, we were apprised that the at-risk percentages might be stagnant for a while as the current cohort of middle school students has the lowest at-risk percentage yet.

And really, are there "many" DCPS that have same or better academics than Latin? I think you should start another thread with this information because we are desperate for good middle school options in this city. People will be delighted to learn that DCPS has "many"!

Instead of using coded language, why don't you just say out loud what you (and many at DCPS) really mean: You hate middle class families.

sour grapes

Or they could allow entries in other grades. Oh, but our model, our precious precious model, our culture which is so special that it would be ruined by adding more of the kids we say we want to serve!

Your cynical responses just proved my point. It's obvious you're pi$$ed that some families might do slightly better in school.

Or you're just mad that other people don't buy their rationale for delay.

No, this is not even about Latin PCS specifically. It's this general unrelenting zeal to stomp out any pockets of excellence wherever they may exist across DC schools.

"Excellence" that is achieved by excluding at-risk and special needs students is not real excellence, it's just patting yourself on the back for upper income kids on grade level. True excellence would be getting good results from a representative student populatjon

According to you. Not according to me. I believe excellence is achieved by pushing all kids as far as each one can go. That includes kids with special needs, from poor familiesm, AND kids who are smart, well-resourced, and even gifted.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What percentage of slots will be at risk? Presumably thr total composition will be higher than that bc at risk kids could get in thru the regular lotto too.

Yes, that's the point. But it would not have been zero. It's an incremental change and not that big of a deal.

Disagree.

1) 15-30% is a big deal. Non-sibling families currently have about a 17% of getting into Latin for 5th grade through the lottery; that will go down significantly for them with the at-risk prioritization.

2) There is a lot we don't know. Is at-risk going to be prioritized over sibling? If so, that will have even more impact.

3) After the first-year, at-risk will also be able to get sibling preference for brothers and sisters, so that will give the latter a double preference starting the year after next. Given that around 50% of DCPS is at-risk that mean that 5th grade Latin slots will be fewer and fewer every year.

Incremental change? No big deal? Nah.

That's not how it works. A sibling that is at-risk doesn't get to take up two seats.

Right, but unless Latin calculates its at-risk percentage carefully ahead of time using sibling data, they’re going to offer x sibling spots and y at risk spots every year, making the at-risk percentage even higher year over year.

I wish them good luck, but it’s going to make the school an unattractive option for middle class families. People flee to Latin not for the academics (which are not any better than many DCPS) but for the cohort of high performing kids and the guaranteed feed through high school. Turn it into another Eastern or Dunbar and people simply wont go.

LOL. The goal for Latin was not to be a haven for middle class families, it was to provide a classical education to the children of DC. The school has gotten progressively more wealthy and middle class, and the admin wants to get the at-risk percentage back up to where it used to be. Because the entry point is only fifth grade (and a few seats at 9th), it's going to take several years before the overall at-risk percentages go up. In fact, we were apprised that the at-risk percentages might be stagnant for a while as the current cohort of middle school students has the lowest at-risk percentage yet.

And really, are there "many" DCPS that have same or better academics than Latin? I think you should start another thread with this information because we are desperate for good middle school options in this city. People will be delighted to learn that DCPS has "many"!

Instead of using coded language, why don't you just say out loud what you (and many at DCPS) really mean: You hate middle class families.

sour grapes

Or they could allow entries in other grades. Oh, but our model, our precious precious model, our culture which is so special that it would be ruined by adding more of the kids we say we want to serve!

Your cynical responses just proved my point. It's obvious you're pi$$ed that some families might do slightly better in school.

Or you're just mad that other people don't buy their rationale for delay.

No, this is not even about Latin PCS specifically. It's this general unrelenting zeal to stomp out any pockets of excellence wherever they may exist across DC schools.

"Excellence" that is achieved by excluding at-risk and special needs students is not real excellence, it's just patting yourself on the back for upper income kids on grade level. True excellence would be getting good results from a representative student populatjon

According to you. Not according to me. I believe excellence is achieved by pushing all kids as far as each one can go. That includes kids with special needs, from poor familiesm, AND kids who are smart, well-resourced, and even gifted.

And you think that can't happen if anyone with an IEP is in the room?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What percentage of slots will be at risk? Presumably thr total composition will be higher than that bc at risk kids could get in thru the regular lotto too.

Yes, that's the point. But it would not have been zero. It's an incremental change and not that big of a deal.

Disagree.

1) 15-30% is a big deal. Non-sibling families currently have about a 17% of getting into Latin for 5th grade through the lottery; that will go down significantly for them with the at-risk prioritization.

2) There is a lot we don't know. Is at-risk going to be prioritized over sibling? If so, that will have even more impact.

3) After the first-year, at-risk will also be able to get sibling preference for brothers and sisters, so that will give the latter a double preference starting the year after next. Given that around 50% of DCPS is at-risk that mean that 5th grade Latin slots will be fewer and fewer every year.

Incremental change? No big deal? Nah.

That's not how it works. A sibling that is at-risk doesn't get to take up two seats.

Right, but unless Latin calculates its at-risk percentage carefully ahead of time using sibling data, they’re going to offer x sibling spots and y at risk spots every year, making the at-risk percentage even higher year over year.

I wish them good luck, but it’s going to make the school an unattractive option for middle class families. People flee to Latin not for the academics (which are not any better than many DCPS) but for the cohort of high performing kids and the guaranteed feed through high school. Turn it into another Eastern or Dunbar and people simply wont go.

LOL. The goal for Latin was not to be a haven for middle class families, it was to provide a classical education to the children of DC. The school has gotten progressively more wealthy and middle class, and the admin wants to get the at-risk percentage back up to where it used to be. Because the entry point is only fifth grade (and a few seats at 9th), it's going to take several years before the overall at-risk percentages go up. In fact, we were apprised that the at-risk percentages might be stagnant for a while as the current cohort of middle school students has the lowest at-risk percentage yet.

And really, are there "many" DCPS that have same or better academics than Latin? I think you should start another thread with this information because we are desperate for good middle school options in this city. People will be delighted to learn that DCPS has "many"!

Instead of using coded language, why don't you just say out loud what you (and many at DCPS) really mean: You hate middle class families.

sour grapes

Or they could allow entries in other grades. Oh, but our model, our precious precious model, our culture which is so special that it would be ruined by adding more of the kids we say we want to serve!

huh? what are you talking about? The reason is that retention is so high, not that kids aren't allowed to enter in other grades. There used to be a chunk of seats that would open up at 9th as some parents peeled off for private/Walls/burbs, but that's not happening as frequently any more.

And what of grades 10, 11, and 12?

? You can try the lottery for any year

Right but they never let anyone in.

They can only allow people in if there is attrition. Part of the Latin model is small class sizes. The nice thing about having fifth grade being the only significant entry point, I guess, is that they can vary the at-risk seats to get the mix they want.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What percentage of slots will be at risk? Presumably thr total composition will be higher than that bc at risk kids could get in thru the regular lotto too.

Yes, that's the point. But it would not have been zero. It's an incremental change and not that big of a deal.

Disagree.

1) 15-30% is a big deal. Non-sibling families currently have about a 17% of getting into Latin for 5th grade through the lottery; that will go down significantly for them with the at-risk prioritization.

2) There is a lot we don't know. Is at-risk going to be prioritized over sibling? If so, that will have even more impact.

3) After the first-year, at-risk will also be able to get sibling preference for brothers and sisters, so that will give the latter a double preference starting the year after next. Given that around 50% of DCPS is at-risk that mean that 5th grade Latin slots will be fewer and fewer every year.

Incremental change? No big deal? Nah.

That's not how it works. A sibling that is at-risk doesn't get to take up two seats.

Right, but unless Latin calculates its at-risk percentage carefully ahead of time using sibling data, they’re going to offer x sibling spots and y at risk spots every year, making the at-risk percentage even higher year over year.

I wish them good luck, but it’s going to make the school an unattractive option for middle class families. People flee to Latin not for the academics (which are not any better than many DCPS) but for the cohort of high performing kids and the guaranteed feed through high school. Turn it into another Eastern or Dunbar and people simply wont go.

LOL. The goal for Latin was not to be a haven for middle class families, it was to provide a classical education to the children of DC. The school has gotten progressively more wealthy and middle class, and the admin wants to get the at-risk percentage back up to where it used to be. Because the entry point is only fifth grade (and a few seats at 9th), it's going to take several years before the overall at-risk percentages go up. In fact, we were apprised that the at-risk percentages might be stagnant for a while as the current cohort of middle school students has the lowest at-risk percentage yet.

And really, are there "many" DCPS that have same or better academics than Latin? I think you should start another thread with this information because we are desperate for good middle school options in this city. People will be delighted to learn that DCPS has "many"!

Instead of using coded language, why don't you just say out loud what you (and many at DCPS) really mean: You hate middle class families.

sour grapes

Or they could allow entries in other grades. Oh, but our model, our precious precious model, our culture which is so special that it would be ruined by adding more of the kids we say we want to serve!

Your cynical responses just proved my point. It's obvious you're pi$$ed that some families might do slightly better in school.

Or you're just mad that other people don't buy their rationale for delay.

No, this is not even about Latin PCS specifically. It's this general unrelenting zeal to stomp out any pockets of excellence wherever they may exist across DC schools.

"Excellence" that is achieved by excluding at-risk and special needs students is not real excellence, it's just patting yourself on the back for upper income kids on grade level. True excellence would be getting good results from a representative student populatjon

According to you. Not according to me. I believe excellence is achieved by pushing all kids as far as each one can go. That includes kids with special needs, from poor familiesm, AND kids who are smart, well-resourced, and even gifted.

And you think that can't happen if anyone with an IEP is in the room?

Of course it can. What is wrong with you. But excellence is not about just bringing the bottom up, but also pushing the top as well. All we do in DC is focus on the bottom and when there is a school who does push advantaged kids, we say its unsucessful because the gulf is too wide.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What percentage of slots will be at risk? Presumably thr total composition will be higher than that bc at risk kids could get in thru the regular lotto too.

Yes, that's the point. But it would not have been zero. It's an incremental change and not that big of a deal.

Disagree.

1) 15-30% is a big deal. Non-sibling families currently have about a 17% of getting into Latin for 5th grade through the lottery; that will go down significantly for them with the at-risk prioritization.

2) There is a lot we don't know. Is at-risk going to be prioritized over sibling? If so, that will have even more impact.

3) After the first-year, at-risk will also be able to get sibling preference for brothers and sisters, so that will give the latter a double preference starting the year after next. Given that around 50% of DCPS is at-risk that mean that 5th grade Latin slots will be fewer and fewer every year.

Incremental change? No big deal? Nah.

That's not how it works. A sibling that is at-risk doesn't get to take up two seats.

Right, but unless Latin calculates its at-risk percentage carefully ahead of time using sibling data, they’re going to offer x sibling spots and y at risk spots every year, making the at-risk percentage even higher year over year.

I wish them good luck, but it’s going to make the school an unattractive option for middle class families. People flee to Latin not for the academics (which are not any better than many DCPS) but for the cohort of high performing kids and the guaranteed feed through high school. Turn it into another Eastern or Dunbar and people simply wont go.

LOL. The goal for Latin was not to be a haven for middle class families, it was to provide a classical education to the children of DC. The school has gotten progressively more wealthy and middle class, and the admin wants to get the at-risk percentage back up to where it used to be. Because the entry point is only fifth grade (and a few seats at 9th), it's going to take several years before the overall at-risk percentages go up. In fact, we were apprised that the at-risk percentages might be stagnant for a while as the current cohort of middle school students has the lowest at-risk percentage yet.

And really, are there "many" DCPS that have same or better academics than Latin? I think you should start another thread with this information because we are desperate for good middle school options in this city. People will be delighted to learn that DCPS has "many"!

Instead of using coded language, why don't you just say out loud what you (and many at DCPS) really mean: You hate middle class families.

sour grapes

Or they could allow entries in other grades. Oh, but our model, our precious precious model, our culture which is so special that it would be ruined by adding more of the kids we say we want to serve!

Your cynical responses just proved my point. It's obvious you're pi$$ed that some families might do slightly better in school.

Or you're just mad that other people don't buy their rationale for delay.

No, this is not even about Latin PCS specifically. It's this general unrelenting zeal to stomp out any pockets of excellence wherever they may exist across DC schools.

"Excellence" that is achieved by excluding at-risk and special needs students is not real excellence, it's just patting yourself on the back for upper income kids on grade level. True excellence would be getting good results from a representative student populatjon

According to you. Not according to me. I believe excellence is achieved by pushing all kids as far as each one can go. That includes kids with special needs, from poor familiesm, AND kids who are smart, well-resourced, and even gifted.

And you think that can't happen if anyone with an IEP is in the room?

Of course it can. What is wrong with you. But excellence is not about just bringing the bottom up, but also pushing the top as well. All we do in DC is focus on the bottom and when there is a school who does push advantaged kids, we say its unsucessful because the gulf is too wide.

I'm not quite catching how they can't push advantaged kids if there are a few more SN or at-risk kids in the room.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What percentage of slots will be at risk? Presumably thr total composition will be higher than that bc at risk kids could get in thru the regular lotto too.

Yes, that's the point. But it would not have been zero. It's an incremental change and not that big of a deal.

Disagree.

1) 15-30% is a big deal. Non-sibling families currently have about a 17% of getting into Latin for 5th grade through the lottery; that will go down significantly for them with the at-risk prioritization.

2) There is a lot we don't know. Is at-risk going to be prioritized over sibling? If so, that will have even more impact.

3) After the first-year, at-risk will also be able to get sibling preference for brothers and sisters, so that will give the latter a double preference starting the year after next. Given that around 50% of DCPS is at-risk that mean that 5th grade Latin slots will be fewer and fewer every year.

Incremental change? No big deal? Nah.

That's not how it works. A sibling that is at-risk doesn't get to take up two seats.

Right, but unless Latin calculates its at-risk percentage carefully ahead of time using sibling data, they’re going to offer x sibling spots and y at risk spots every year, making the at-risk percentage even higher year over year.

I wish them good luck, but it’s going to make the school an unattractive option for middle class families. People flee to Latin not for the academics (which are not any better than many DCPS) but for the cohort of high performing kids and the guaranteed feed through high school. Turn it into another Eastern or Dunbar and people simply wont go.

LOL. The goal for Latin was not to be a haven for middle class families, it was to provide a classical education to the children of DC. The school has gotten progressively more wealthy and middle class, and the admin wants to get the at-risk percentage back up to where it used to be. Because the entry point is only fifth grade (and a few seats at 9th), it's going to take several years before the overall at-risk percentages go up. In fact, we were apprised that the at-risk percentages might be stagnant for a while as the current cohort of middle school students has the lowest at-risk percentage yet.

And really, are there "many" DCPS that have same or better academics than Latin? I think you should start another thread with this information because we are desperate for good middle school options in this city. People will be delighted to learn that DCPS has "many"!

Instead of using coded language, why don't you just say out loud what you (and many at DCPS) really mean: You hate middle class families.

sour grapes

Or they could allow entries in other grades. Oh, but our model, our precious precious model, our culture which is so special that it would be ruined by adding more of the kids we say we want to serve!

Your cynical responses just proved my point. It's obvious you're pi$$ed that some families might do slightly better in school.

Or you're just mad that other people don't buy their rationale for delay.

No, this is not even about Latin PCS specifically. It's this general unrelenting zeal to stomp out any pockets of excellence wherever they may exist across DC schools.

"Excellence" that is achieved by excluding at-risk and special needs students is not real excellence, it's just patting yourself on the back for upper income kids on grade level. True excellence would be getting good results from a representative student populatjon

According to you. Not according to me. I believe excellence is achieved by pushing all kids as far as each one can go. That includes kids with special needs, from poor familiesm, AND kids who are smart, well-resourced, and even gifted.

And you think that can't happen if anyone with an IEP is in the room?

Of course it can. What is wrong with you. But excellence is not about just bringing the bottom up, but also pushing the top as well. All we do in DC is focus on the bottom and when there is a school who does push advantaged kids, we say its unsucessful because the gulf is too wide.

I'm not quite catching how they can't push advantaged kids if there are a few more SN or at-risk kids in the room.

I think you're being disingenuous. This is not about "a few more" SN or at-risk kids. If the majority of a classroom is academically behind, the dynamic will shift to remediating learning gaps instead of pushing advanced learners. There is a balance that you're not honest about.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What percentage of slots will be at risk? Presumably thr total composition will be higher than that bc at risk kids could get in thru the regular lotto too.

Yes, that's the point. But it would not have been zero. It's an incremental change and not that big of a deal.

Disagree.

1) 15-30% is a big deal. Non-sibling families currently have about a 17% of getting into Latin for 5th grade through the lottery; that will go down significantly for them with the at-risk prioritization.

2) There is a lot we don't know. Is at-risk going to be prioritized over sibling? If so, that will have even more impact.

3) After the first-year, at-risk will also be able to get sibling preference for brothers and sisters, so that will give the latter a double preference starting the year after next. Given that around 50% of DCPS is at-risk that mean that 5th grade Latin slots will be fewer and fewer every year.

Incremental change? No big deal? Nah.

That's not how it works. A sibling that is at-risk doesn't get to take up two seats.

Right, but unless Latin calculates its at-risk percentage carefully ahead of time using sibling data, they’re going to offer x sibling spots and y at risk spots every year, making the at-risk percentage even higher year over year.

I wish them good luck, but it’s going to make the school an unattractive option for middle class families. People flee to Latin not for the academics (which are not any better than many DCPS) but for the cohort of high performing kids and the guaranteed feed through high school. Turn it into another Eastern or Dunbar and people simply wont go.

LOL. The goal for Latin was not to be a haven for middle class families, it was to provide a classical education to the children of DC. The school has gotten progressively more wealthy and middle class, and the admin wants to get the at-risk percentage back up to where it used to be. Because the entry point is only fifth grade (and a few seats at 9th), it's going to take several years before the overall at-risk percentages go up. In fact, we were apprised that the at-risk percentages might be stagnant for a while as the current cohort of middle school students has the lowest at-risk percentage yet.

And really, are there "many" DCPS that have same or better academics than Latin? I think you should start another thread with this information because we are desperate for good middle school options in this city. People will be delighted to learn that DCPS has "many"!

Instead of using coded language, why don't you just say out loud what you (and many at DCPS) really mean: You hate middle class families.

sour grapes

Or they could allow entries in other grades. Oh, but our model, our precious precious model, our culture which is so special that it would be ruined by adding more of the kids we say we want to serve!

Your cynical responses just proved my point. It's obvious you're pi$$ed that some families might do slightly better in school.

Or you're just mad that other people don't buy their rationale for delay.

No, this is not even about Latin PCS specifically. It's this general unrelenting zeal to stomp out any pockets of excellence wherever they may exist across DC schools.

"Excellence" that is achieved by excluding at-risk and special needs students is not real excellence, it's just patting yourself on the back for upper income kids on grade level. True excellence would be getting good results from a representative student populatjon

According to you. Not according to me. I believe excellence is achieved by pushing all kids as far as each one can go. That includes kids with special needs, from poor familiesm, AND kids who are smart, well-resourced, and even gifted.

And you think that can't happen if anyone with an IEP is in the room?

Of course it can. What is wrong with you. But excellence is not about just bringing the bottom up, but also pushing the top as well. All we do in DC is focus on the bottom and when there is a school who does push advantaged kids, we say its unsucessful because the gulf is too wide.

I'm not quite catching how they can't push advantaged kids if there are a few more SN or at-risk kids in the room.

I think you're being disingenuous. This is not about "a few more" SN or at-risk kids. If the majority of a classroom is academically behind, the dynamic will shift to remediating learning gaps instead of pushing advanced learners. There is a balance that you're not honest about.

But Latin is not proposing that a majority of the classroom be academically behind. Not all at-risk kids are academically behind, and Latin is proposing only a modest increase in at-risk admissions. And will still be offering advanced classes for higher achieving students, no?

I just think that a truly excellent school would be able to handle this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What percentage of slots will be at risk? Presumably thr total composition will be higher than that bc at risk kids could get in thru the regular lotto too.

Yes, that's the point. But it would not have been zero. It's an incremental change and not that big of a deal.

Disagree.

1) 15-30% is a big deal. Non-sibling families currently have about a 17% of getting into Latin for 5th grade through the lottery; that will go down significantly for them with the at-risk prioritization.

2) There is a lot we don't know. Is at-risk going to be prioritized over sibling? If so, that will have even more impact.

3) After the first-year, at-risk will also be able to get sibling preference for brothers and sisters, so that will give the latter a double preference starting the year after next. Given that around 50% of DCPS is at-risk that mean that 5th grade Latin slots will be fewer and fewer every year.

Incremental change? No big deal? Nah.

That's not how it works. A sibling that is at-risk doesn't get to take up two seats.

Right, but unless Latin calculates its at-risk percentage carefully ahead of time using sibling data, they’re going to offer x sibling spots and y at risk spots every year, making the at-risk percentage even higher year over year.

I wish them good luck, but it’s going to make the school an unattractive option for middle class families. People flee to Latin not for the academics (which are not any better than many DCPS) but for the cohort of high performing kids and the guaranteed feed through high school. Turn it into another Eastern or Dunbar and people simply wont go.

LOL. The goal for Latin was not to be a haven for middle class families, it was to provide a classical education to the children of DC. The school has gotten progressively more wealthy and middle class, and the admin wants to get the at-risk percentage back up to where it used to be. Because the entry point is only fifth grade (and a few seats at 9th), it's going to take several years before the overall at-risk percentages go up. In fact, we were apprised that the at-risk percentages might be stagnant for a while as the current cohort of middle school students has the lowest at-risk percentage yet.

And really, are there "many" DCPS that have same or better academics than Latin? I think you should start another thread with this information because we are desperate for good middle school options in this city. People will be delighted to learn that DCPS has "many"!

Instead of using coded language, why don't you just say out loud what you (and many at DCPS) really mean: You hate middle class families.

sour grapes

Or they could allow entries in other grades. Oh, but our model, our precious precious model, our culture which is so special that it would be ruined by adding more of the kids we say we want to serve!

Your cynical responses just proved my point. It's obvious you're pi$$ed that some families might do slightly better in school.

Or you're just mad that other people don't buy their rationale for delay.

No, this is not even about Latin PCS specifically. It's this general unrelenting zeal to stomp out any pockets of excellence wherever they may exist across DC schools.

"Excellence" that is achieved by excluding at-risk and special needs students is not real excellence, it's just patting yourself on the back for upper income kids on grade level. True excellence would be getting good results from a representative student populatjon

According to you. Not according to me. I believe excellence is achieved by pushing all kids as far as each one can go. That includes kids with special needs, from poor familiesm, AND kids who are smart, well-resourced, and even gifted.

And you think that can't happen if anyone with an IEP is in the room?

Of course it can. What is wrong with you. But excellence is not about just bringing the bottom up, but also pushing the top as well. All we do in DC is focus on the bottom and when there is a school who does push advantaged kids, we say its unsucessful because the gulf is too wide.

I'm not quite catching how they can't push advantaged kids if there are a few more SN or at-risk kids in the room.

I think you're being disingenuous. This is not about "a few more" SN or at-risk kids. If the majority of a classroom is academically behind, the dynamic will shift to remediating learning gaps instead of pushing advanced learners. There is a balance that you're not honest about.

Where are you getting the idea that Latin is going to be a "majority" academically behind if they set aside a few seats in each advisory for at-risk kids? What is wrong with you?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What percentage of slots will be at risk? Presumably thr total composition will be higher than that bc at risk kids could get in thru the regular lotto too.

Yes, that's the point. But it would not have been zero. It's an incremental change and not that big of a deal.

Disagree.

1) 15-30% is a big deal. Non-sibling families currently have about a 17% of getting into Latin for 5th grade through the lottery; that will go down significantly for them with the at-risk prioritization.

2) There is a lot we don't know. Is at-risk going to be prioritized over sibling? If so, that will have even more impact.

3) After the first-year, at-risk will also be able to get sibling preference for brothers and sisters, so that will give the latter a double preference starting the year after next. Given that around 50% of DCPS is at-risk that mean that 5th grade Latin slots will be fewer and fewer every year.

Incremental change? No big deal? Nah.

That's not how it works. A sibling that is at-risk doesn't get to take up two seats.

Right, but unless Latin calculates its at-risk percentage carefully ahead of time using sibling data, they’re going to offer x sibling spots and y at risk spots every year, making the at-risk percentage even higher year over year.

I wish them good luck, but it’s going to make the school an unattractive option for middle class families. People flee to Latin not for the academics (which are not any better than many DCPS) but for the cohort of high performing kids and the guaranteed feed through high school. Turn it into another Eastern or Dunbar and people simply wont go.

LOL. The goal for Latin was not to be a haven for middle class families, it was to provide a classical education to the children of DC. The school has gotten progressively more wealthy and middle class, and the admin wants to get the at-risk percentage back up to where it used to be. Because the entry point is only fifth grade (and a few seats at 9th), it's going to take several years before the overall at-risk percentages go up. In fact, we were apprised that the at-risk percentages might be stagnant for a while as the current cohort of middle school students has the lowest at-risk percentage yet.

And really, are there "many" DCPS that have same or better academics than Latin? I think you should start another thread with this information because we are desperate for good middle school options in this city. People will be delighted to learn that DCPS has "many"!

Instead of using coded language, why don't you just say out loud what you (and many at DCPS) really mean: You hate middle class families.

sour grapes

Or they could allow entries in other grades. Oh, but our model, our precious precious model, our culture which is so special that it would be ruined by adding more of the kids we say we want to serve!

Your cynical responses just proved my point. It's obvious you're pi$$ed that some families might do slightly better in school.

Or you're just mad that other people don't buy their rationale for delay.

No, this is not even about Latin PCS specifically. It's this general unrelenting zeal to stomp out any pockets of excellence wherever they may exist across DC schools.

"Excellence" that is achieved by excluding at-risk and special needs students is not real excellence, it's just patting yourself on the back for upper income kids on grade level. True excellence would be getting good results from a representative student populatjon

According to you. Not according to me. I believe excellence is achieved by pushing all kids as far as each one can go. That includes kids with special needs, from poor familiesm, AND kids who are smart, well-resourced, and even gifted.

And you think that can't happen if anyone with an IEP is in the room?

Of course it can. What is wrong with you. But excellence is not about just bringing the bottom up, but also pushing the top as well. All we do in DC is focus on the bottom and when there is a school who does push advantaged kids, we say its unsucessful because the gulf is too wide.

This