Ranking assistance - Cap Hill/Brookland area

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Here is the bottom line if you have a high performing kid, it is Basis and DCI.

Average kid Latin

If your kid doesn’t get into the above, move to MD or VA. I would pick VA for state school benefit for college.

No good options for middle school other than above EOTP.

Don’t waste your time on settling for a poor middle school only to have to settle for another poor high school or move in high school which is worst.

Totally disagree with this. High performing kids definitely fit in at Latin. ITDS definitely has high-performers -- maybe not as many as some other middle schools because it's small -- and a really good track record of 8th graders getting into Banneker and Walls. I'm sure some Hill parents have something to say as well.

+1. The smartest kids at our DCI feeder went to Basis and Latin. We also know some super high performing kids at ITDS.

When was this? Because from our feeder all the smart kids went to DCI

One family with average kid did go to Latin because he needed more hand holding and smaller class but they are planning on sending younger kid to DCI.

I also call BS on the PP saying the “smart” kids went to Latin and basis. The only kids who ended up at Latin, Basis, or Deal were those who struggled with the target language or were burnt out with our charter administration. I’m not saying those kids are less intelligent but certainly would not describe them as the “smart” kids. DCI has been a great experience for us.

+1. I’m the PP and same at my feeder. Kids left because they just struggled with the language which of course affected core subjects.

I don’t blame them. I would pull my kid out too if they were struggling with math and ELA especially ELA where kids get 50% less teaching time.

Immersion isn’t for everyone and that’s OK. But it’s great for kids whom things coming easy in other subjects and who picks up languages easily.

We are a native Spanish speaking family that chose Latin over DCI. My kid scored 5s on Cape and advanced on Spanish MAP. I have seen this comment a few times here that kids that choose Latin over DCI are failing at the target language and that isn’t always the case. The screen usage at DCI is unappealing to us. Our neighbors kids go there and play video games during class. Some families want a different experience for their kids. That doesn’t mean they are immersion flunkies.

The spanish MAP you’re talking about is reading comprehension only. The gold standard in DC is the STAMP test which measures speaking, writing, comprehension, and understanding. I understand that only one immersion school continues to dupe their families by using this reading comprehension test as some sort of metric when there is so much more to spanish language learning. I’m glad you’re happy at Latin (great school!) but you’re deluded if you think that NWEA score means anything.

Also I am sure your kid is doing great but the majority of kids who did not continue at dci usually did because they struggled with spanish which is a really good move IMO. If your kid excelled at spanish beyond reading comprehension, I personally would not be at Latin but whatever. It’s a great place for the middle of the road kid!

If they speak Spanish at home they don’t need DCI.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Here is the bottom line if you have a high performing kid, it is Basis and DCI.

Average kid Latin

If your kid doesn’t get into the above, move to MD or VA. I would pick VA for state school benefit for college.

No good options for middle school other than above EOTP.

Don’t waste your time on settling for a poor middle school only to have to settle for another poor high school or move in high school which is worst.

Totally disagree with this. High performing kids definitely fit in at Latin. ITDS definitely has high-performers -- maybe not as many as some other middle schools because it's small -- and a really good track record of 8th graders getting into Banneker and Walls. I'm sure some Hill parents have something to say as well.

+1. The smartest kids at our DCI feeder went to Basis and Latin. We also know some super high performing kids at ITDS.

When was this? Because from our feeder all the smart kids went to DCI

One family with average kid did go to Latin because he needed more hand holding and smaller class but they are planning on sending younger kid to DCI.

I also call BS on the PP saying the “smart” kids went to Latin and basis. The only kids who ended up at Latin, Basis, or Deal were those who struggled with the target language or were burnt out with our charter administration. I’m not saying those kids are less intelligent but certainly would not describe them as the “smart” kids. DCI has been a great experience for us.

+1. I’m the PP and same at my feeder. Kids left because they just struggled with the language which of course affected core subjects.

I don’t blame them. I would pull my kid out too if they were struggling with math and ELA especially ELA where kids get 50% less teaching time.

Immersion isn’t for everyone and that’s OK. But it’s great for kids whom things coming easy in other subjects and who picks up languages easily.

We are a native Spanish speaking family that chose Latin over DCI. My kid scored 5s on Cape and advanced on Spanish MAP. I have seen this comment a few times here that kids that choose Latin over DCI are failing at the target language and that isn’t always the case. The screen usage at DCI is unappealing to us. Our neighbors kids go there and play video games during class. Some families want a different experience for their kids. That doesn’t mean they are immersion flunkies.

The spanish MAP you’re talking about is reading comprehension only. The gold standard in DC is the STAMP test which measures speaking, writing, comprehension, and understanding. I understand that only one immersion school continues to dupe their families by using this reading comprehension test as some sort of metric when there is so much more to spanish language learning. I’m glad you’re happy at Latin (great school!) but you’re deluded if you think that NWEA score means anything.

Also I am sure your kid is doing great but the majority of kids who did not continue at dci usually did because they struggled with spanish which is a really good move IMO. If your kid excelled at spanish beyond reading comprehension, I personally would not be at Latin but whatever. It’s a great place for the middle of the road kid!

If they speak Spanish at home they don’t need DCI.

Not true. If you want them to be fluent they do.

I spoke another language at home growing up. Lots of non everyday vocabulary I did not know. I can’t read or write. I don’t understand the language spoken formally on TV.

Just because you know conversational spanish or whatever language does not equate to fluency or even proficiency.

Talk to native speaking families with kids who came here young or grew up here. Dime a dozen will tell you same scenario.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Here is the bottom line if you have a high performing kid, it is Basis and DCI.

Average kid Latin

If your kid doesn’t get into the above, move to MD or VA. I would pick VA for state school benefit for college.

No good options for middle school other than above EOTP.

Don’t waste your time on settling for a poor middle school only to have to settle for another poor high school or move in high school which is worst.

Totally disagree with this. High performing kids definitely fit in at Latin. ITDS definitely has high-performers -- maybe not as many as some other middle schools because it's small -- and a really good track record of 8th graders getting into Banneker and Walls. I'm sure some Hill parents have something to say as well.

+1. The smartest kids at our DCI feeder went to Basis and Latin. We also know some super high performing kids at ITDS.

When was this? Because from our feeder all the smart kids went to DCI

One family with average kid did go to Latin because he needed more hand holding and smaller class but they are planning on sending younger kid to DCI.

I also call BS on the PP saying the “smart” kids went to Latin and basis. The only kids who ended up at Latin, Basis, or Deal were those who struggled with the target language or were burnt out with our charter administration. I’m not saying those kids are less intelligent but certainly would not describe them as the “smart” kids. DCI has been a great experience for us.

+1. I’m the PP and same at my feeder. Kids left because they just struggled with the language which of course affected core subjects.

I don’t blame them. I would pull my kid out too if they were struggling with math and ELA especially ELA where kids get 50% less teaching time.

Immersion isn’t for everyone and that’s OK. But it’s great for kids whom things coming easy in other subjects and who picks up languages easily.

We are a native Spanish speaking family that chose Latin over DCI. My kid scored 5s on Cape and advanced on Spanish MAP. I have seen this comment a few times here that kids that choose Latin over DCI are failing at the target language and that isn’t always the case. The screen usage at DCI is unappealing to us. Our neighbors kids go there and play video games during class. Some families want a different experience for their kids. That doesn’t mean they are immersion flunkies.

The spanish MAP you’re talking about is reading comprehension only. The gold standard in DC is the STAMP test which measures speaking, writing, comprehension, and understanding. I understand that only one immersion school continues to dupe their families by using this reading comprehension test as some sort of metric when there is so much more to spanish language learning. I’m glad you’re happy at Latin (great school!) but you’re deluded if you think that NWEA score means anything.

Also I am sure your kid is doing great but the majority of kids who did not continue at dci usually did because they struggled with spanish which is a really good move IMO. If your kid excelled at spanish beyond reading comprehension, I personally would not be at Latin but whatever. It’s a great place for the middle of the road kid!

If they speak Spanish at home they don’t need DCI.

Not true. If you want them to be fluent they do.

I spoke another language at home growing up. Lots of non everyday vocabulary I did not know. I can’t read or write. I don’t understand the language spoken formally on TV.

Just because you know conversational spanish or whatever language does not equate to fluency or even proficiency.

Talk to native speaking families with kids who came here young or grew up here. Dime a dozen will tell you same scenario.

We are a Spanish speaking family and my elementary age kids know how to write, read, and speak in Spanish. They have been at immersion school/day care since they were babies. We are Not sure if we will continue at immersion in middle school and aren’t worried about them losing their Spanish skills.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Here is the bottom line if you have a high performing kid, it is Basis and DCI.

Average kid Latin

If your kid doesn’t get into the above, move to MD or VA. I would pick VA for state school benefit for college.

No good options for middle school other than above EOTP.

Don’t waste your time on settling for a poor middle school only to have to settle for another poor high school or move in high school which is worst.

Totally disagree with this. High performing kids definitely fit in at Latin. ITDS definitely has high-performers -- maybe not as many as some other middle schools because it's small -- and a really good track record of 8th graders getting into Banneker and Walls. I'm sure some Hill parents have something to say as well.

+1. The smartest kids at our DCI feeder went to Basis and Latin. We also know some super high performing kids at ITDS.

When was this? Because from our feeder all the smart kids went to DCI

One family with average kid did go to Latin because he needed more hand holding and smaller class but they are planning on sending younger kid to DCI.

I also call BS on the PP saying the “smart” kids went to Latin and basis. The only kids who ended up at Latin, Basis, or Deal were those who struggled with the target language or were burnt out with our charter administration. I’m not saying those kids are less intelligent but certainly would not describe them as the “smart” kids. DCI has been a great experience for us.

+1. I’m the PP and same at my feeder. Kids left because they just struggled with the language which of course affected core subjects.

I don’t blame them. I would pull my kid out too if they were struggling with math and ELA especially ELA where kids get 50% less teaching time.

Immersion isn’t for everyone and that’s OK. But it’s great for kids whom things coming easy in other subjects and who picks up languages easily.

We are a native Spanish speaking family that chose Latin over DCI. My kid scored 5s on Cape and advanced on Spanish MAP. I have seen this comment a few times here that kids that choose Latin over DCI are failing at the target language and that isn’t always the case. The screen usage at DCI is unappealing to us. Our neighbors kids go there and play video games during class. Some families want a different experience for their kids. That doesn’t mean they are immersion flunkies.

The spanish MAP you’re talking about is reading comprehension only. The gold standard in DC is the STAMP test which measures speaking, writing, comprehension, and understanding. I understand that only one immersion school continues to dupe their families by using this reading comprehension test as some sort of metric when there is so much more to spanish language learning. I’m glad you’re happy at Latin (great school!) but you’re deluded if you think that NWEA score means anything.

Also I am sure your kid is doing great but the majority of kids who did not continue at dci usually did because they struggled with spanish which is a really good move IMO. If your kid excelled at spanish beyond reading comprehension, I personally would not be at Latin but whatever. It’s a great place for the middle of the road kid!

If they speak Spanish at home they don’t need DCI.

Not true. If you want them to be fluent they do.

I spoke another language at home growing up. Lots of non everyday vocabulary I did not know. I can’t read or write. I don’t understand the language spoken formally on TV.

Just because you know conversational spanish or whatever language does not equate to fluency or even proficiency.

Talk to native speaking families with kids who came here young or grew up here. Dime a dozen will tell you same scenario.

Maybe for you but I had family members who could not speak English and went to the country where the language is spoken almost every summer. So yes, I am a native speaker, reader, and writer.
And immersion school would have been soooo boring to me. I personally am native in 2 languages and fluent in a 3rd -all without immersion.

You think in other nations they all go to immersions schools and that’s why it’s the norm to speak 2-3 languages??

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Here is the bottom line if you have a high performing kid, it is Basis and DCI.

Average kid Latin

If your kid doesn’t get into the above, move to MD or VA. I would pick VA for state school benefit for college.

No good options for middle school other than above EOTP.

Don’t waste your time on settling for a poor middle school only to have to settle for another poor high school or move in high school which is worst.

Totally disagree with this. High performing kids definitely fit in at Latin. ITDS definitely has high-performers -- maybe not as many as some other middle schools because it's small -- and a really good track record of 8th graders getting into Banneker and Walls. I'm sure some Hill parents have something to say as well.

+1. The smartest kids at our DCI feeder went to Basis and Latin. We also know some super high performing kids at ITDS.

When was this? Because from our feeder all the smart kids went to DCI

One family with average kid did go to Latin because he needed more hand holding and smaller class but they are planning on sending younger kid to DCI.

I also call BS on the PP saying the “smart” kids went to Latin and basis. The only kids who ended up at Latin, Basis, or Deal were those who struggled with the target language or were burnt out with our charter administration. I’m not saying those kids are less intelligent but certainly would not describe them as the “smart” kids. DCI has been a great experience for us.

+1. I’m the PP and same at my feeder. Kids left because they just struggled with the language which of course affected core subjects.

I don’t blame them. I would pull my kid out too if they were struggling with math and ELA especially ELA where kids get 50% less teaching time.

Immersion isn’t for everyone and that’s OK. But it’s great for kids whom things coming easy in other subjects and who picks up languages easily.

We are a native Spanish speaking family that chose Latin over DCI. My kid scored 5s on Cape and advanced on Spanish MAP. I have seen this comment a few times here that kids that choose Latin over DCI are failing at the target language and that isn’t always the case. The screen usage at DCI is unappealing to us. Our neighbors kids go there and play video games during class. Some families want a different experience for their kids. That doesn’t mean they are immersion flunkies.

The spanish MAP you’re talking about is reading comprehension only. The gold standard in DC is the STAMP test which measures speaking, writing, comprehension, and understanding. I understand that only one immersion school continues to dupe their families by using this reading comprehension test as some sort of metric when there is so much more to spanish language learning. I’m glad you’re happy at Latin (great school!) but you’re deluded if you think that NWEA score means anything.

Also I am sure your kid is doing great but the majority of kids who did not continue at dci usually did because they struggled with spanish which is a really good move IMO. If your kid excelled at spanish beyond reading comprehension, I personally would not be at Latin but whatever. It’s a great place for the middle of the road kid!

If they speak Spanish at home they don’t need DCI.

Not true. If you want them to be fluent they do.

I spoke another language at home growing up. Lots of non everyday vocabulary I did not know. I can’t read or write. I don’t understand the language spoken formally on TV.

Just because you know conversational spanish or whatever language does not equate to fluency or even proficiency.

Talk to native speaking families with kids who came here young or grew up here. Dime a dozen will tell you same scenario.

Maybe for you but I had family members who could not speak English and went to the country where the language is spoken almost every summer. So yes, I am a native speaker, reader, and writer.
And immersion school would have been soooo boring to me. I personally am native in 2 languages and fluent in a 3rd -all without immersion.

You think in other nations they all go to immersions schools and that’s why it’s the norm to speak 2-3 languages??

Not same comparison at all. You supplemented extensively every summer with immersion. It was not a school setting but it was immersion all the same.

Also no one said other countries all go to immersion schools. Yes many don’t because of geographic locations where they are surrounded by other languages. Not the same in the US.

Lastly, yes the ones most fluent in English from other countries are the wealthy that sent their kids to english speaking schools. If you don’t think this is common throughout the world, think again.

Please tell us how you expect someone living in the US to be fluent in another language if they do not have the opportunity to go abroad every summer or out of the country?

[Anonymous]

DCI has really helped my spanish speaking kids who spend every summer in Spain really improve their reading and writing skills. Not sure why this is hard to understand. Sure you can do it without immersion but it’s a serious commitment. Kudos to you if you make it work!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Here is the bottom line if you have a high performing kid, it is Basis and DCI.

Average kid Latin

If your kid doesn’t get into the above, move to MD or VA. I would pick VA for state school benefit for college.

No good options for middle school other than above EOTP.

Don’t waste your time on settling for a poor middle school only to have to settle for another poor high school or move in high school which is worst.

Totally disagree with this. High performing kids definitely fit in at Latin. ITDS definitely has high-performers -- maybe not as many as some other middle schools because it's small -- and a really good track record of 8th graders getting into Banneker and Walls. I'm sure some Hill parents have something to say as well.

+1. The smartest kids at our DCI feeder went to Basis and Latin. We also know some super high performing kids at ITDS.

When was this? Because from our feeder all the smart kids went to DCI

One family with average kid did go to Latin because he needed more hand holding and smaller class but they are planning on sending younger kid to DCI.

I also call BS on the PP saying the “smart” kids went to Latin and basis. The only kids who ended up at Latin, Basis, or Deal were those who struggled with the target language or were burnt out with our charter administration. I’m not saying those kids are less intelligent but certainly would not describe them as the “smart” kids. DCI has been a great experience for us.

I call BS on your calling BS. Half the kids in our feeder tried for Latin. Many from Spanish-speaking homes. Some got in and are in Latin now.

When was this? A few years ago when DCI was more of an unknown?

No way families at our feeder are going for Latin over DCI. This is especially true of native Spanish families. Just look at the ELL population at both schools.

I attended the Latin open house 2 years ago at the main campus. During Q and A, a parent raised her hand and asked if Latin had many families from immersion charters. The answer was no.

FWIW we were not impressed with Latin and DCI was our top choice. It’s been great so far.

It was this year’s 5th graders. How can you be shocked that families would opt for Latin, have you seen the waitlist? Did you just move here? Only an crazy DCI booster would be surprised at families going to Latin.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:why every DCI feeder except MV8?

It is a well known fact that MV is a hot mess.

Maybe MVP a few years ago. But not anymore.

MV8 has been smooth sailing and unfortunately now the secret is out….

Do you not remember parents actually protesting MV. Never seen parents protest their own elementary school before.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wouldn't be surprised if YY parents are splitting for Latin. The language has always been more of an after thought there and few native speaking families.

Nope. You can see from the waitlist how many kids went tracked to DCI for each school with seats they had. They all went to DCI.

Because all the people that got into Latin left after 4th grade. Then the schools backfilled. The 5th graders didn’t have a choice.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wouldn't be surprised if YY parents are splitting for Latin. The language has always been more of an after thought there and few native speaking families.

Nope. You can see from the waitlist how many kids went tracked to DCI for each school with seats they had. They all went to DCI.

How do you know, though? From the waitlist data you can see that they all matched with DCI in the initial lottery, but that's different from actually going there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Here is the bottom line if you have a high performing kid, it is Basis and DCI.

Average kid Latin

If your kid doesn’t get into the above, move to MD or VA. I would pick VA for state school benefit for college.

No good options for middle school other than above EOTP.

Don’t waste your time on settling for a poor middle school only to have to settle for another poor high school or move in high school which is worst.

Totally disagree with this. High performing kids definitely fit in at Latin. ITDS definitely has high-performers -- maybe not as many as some other middle schools because it's small -- and a really good track record of 8th graders getting into Banneker and Walls. I'm sure some Hill parents have something to say as well.

+1. The smartest kids at our DCI feeder went to Basis and Latin. We also know some super high performing kids at ITDS.

When was this? Because from our feeder all the smart kids went to DCI

One family with average kid did go to Latin because he needed more hand holding and smaller class but they are planning on sending younger kid to DCI.

I also call BS on the PP saying the “smart” kids went to Latin and basis. The only kids who ended up at Latin, Basis, or Deal were those who struggled with the target language or were burnt out with our charter administration. I’m not saying those kids are less intelligent but certainly would not describe them as the “smart” kids. DCI has been a great experience for us.

+1. I’m the PP and same at my feeder. Kids left because they just struggled with the language which of course affected core subjects.

I don’t blame them. I would pull my kid out too if they were struggling with math and ELA especially ELA where kids get 50% less teaching time.

Immersion isn’t for everyone and that’s OK. But it’s great for kids whom things coming easy in other subjects and who picks up languages easily.

We are a native Spanish speaking family that chose Latin over DCI. My kid scored 5s on Cape and advanced on Spanish MAP. I have seen this comment a few times here that kids that choose Latin over DCI are failing at the target language and that isn’t always the case. The screen usage at DCI is unappealing to us. Our neighbors kids go there and play video games during class. Some families want a different experience for their kids. That doesn’t mean they are immersion flunkies.

The spanish MAP you’re talking about is reading comprehension only. The gold standard in DC is the STAMP test which measures speaking, writing, comprehension, and understanding. I understand that only one immersion school continues to dupe their families by using this reading comprehension test as some sort of metric when there is so much more to spanish language learning. I’m glad you’re happy at Latin (great school!) but you’re deluded if you think that NWEA score means anything.

Also I am sure your kid is doing great but the majority of kids who did not continue at dci usually did because they struggled with spanish which is a really good move IMO. If your kid excelled at spanish beyond reading comprehension, I personally would not be at Latin but whatever. It’s a great place for the middle of the road kid!

Why are DCI supporters so nasty? Damn.

[Anonymous]

Why is this thread so DCI-focused? The OP is lotterying for a PK spot. Odds are decent she won't even get into a DCI feeder and it will all be moot. At this stage, she should rank according to her actual preference (sure, factor in the benefit of the DCI feed for the immersion charters, that is a real benefit for parents on the East side who have poor MS and HS options) but then let it go.

I also feel like DCI is a better deal for parents in Brookland than Capital Hill, because the immersion charters are so much more convenient to Brookland for the most part, and then DCI is a shorter commute for them as well. From where I live on the Hill, the DCI feeder>DCI path through school would have meant nearly 1 hr commutes, both ways, daily, for 14 years. That's... a lot.

I do understand that DCI is a good school. I'm happy for others who go there and like it.

[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:Here is the bottom line if you have a high performing kid, it is Basis and DCI.

Average kid Latin

If your kid doesn’t get into the above, move to MD or VA. I would pick VA for state school benefit for college.

No good options for middle school other than above EOTP.

Don’t waste your time on settling for a poor middle school only to have to settle for another poor high school or move in high school which is worst.

Totally disagree with this. High performing kids definitely fit in at Latin. ITDS definitely has high-performers -- maybe not as many as some other middle schools because it's small -- and a really good track record of 8th graders getting into Banneker and Walls. I'm sure some Hill parents have something to say as well.

+1. The smartest kids at our DCI feeder went to Basis and Latin. We also know some super high performing kids at ITDS.

When was this? Because from our feeder all the smart kids went to DCI

One family with average kid did go to Latin because he needed more hand holding and smaller class but they are planning on sending younger kid to DCI.

I also call BS on the PP saying the “smart” kids went to Latin and basis. The only kids who ended up at Latin, Basis, or Deal were those who struggled with the target language or were burnt out with our charter administration. I’m not saying those kids are less intelligent but certainly would not describe them as the “smart” kids. DCI has been a great experience for us.

+1. I’m the PP and same at my feeder. Kids left because they just struggled with the language which of course affected core subjects.

I don’t blame them. I would pull my kid out too if they were struggling with math and ELA especially ELA where kids get 50% less teaching time.

Immersion isn’t for everyone and that’s OK. But it’s great for kids whom things coming easy in other subjects and who picks up languages easily.

We are a native Spanish speaking family that chose Latin over DCI. My kid scored 5s on Cape and advanced on Spanish MAP. I have seen this comment a few times here that kids that choose Latin over DCI are failing at the target language and that isn’t always the case. The screen usage at DCI is unappealing to us. Our neighbors kids go there and play video games during class. Some families want a different experience for their kids. That doesn’t mean they are immersion flunkies.

The spanish MAP you’re talking about is reading comprehension only. The gold standard in DC is the STAMP test which measures speaking, writing, comprehension, and understanding. I understand that only one immersion school continues to dupe their families by using this reading comprehension test as some sort of metric when there is so much more to spanish language learning. I’m glad you’re happy at Latin (great school!) but you’re deluded if you think that NWEA score means anything.

Also I am sure your kid is doing great but the majority of kids who did not continue at dci usually did because they struggled with spanish which is a really good move IMO. If your kid excelled at spanish beyond reading comprehension, I personally would not be at Latin but whatever. It’s a great place for the middle of the road kid!

If they speak Spanish at home they don’t need DCI.

Not true. If you want them to be fluent they do.

I spoke another language at home growing up. Lots of non everyday vocabulary I did not know. I can’t read or write. I don’t understand the language spoken formally on TV.

Just because you know conversational spanish or whatever language does not equate to fluency or even proficiency.

Talk to native speaking families with kids who came here young or grew up here. Dime a dozen will tell you same scenario.

Maybe for you but I had family members who could not speak English and went to the country where the language is spoken almost every summer. So yes, I am a native speaker, reader, and writer.
And immersion school would have been soooo boring to me. I personally am native in 2 languages and fluent in a 3rd -all without immersion.

You think in other nations they all go to immersions schools and that’s why it’s the norm to speak 2-3 languages??

Not same comparison at all. You supplemented extensively every summer with immersion. It was not a school setting but it was immersion all the same.

Also no one said other countries all go to immersion schools. Yes many don’t because of geographic locations where they are surrounded by other languages. Not the same in the US.

Lastly, yes the ones most fluent in English from other countries are the wealthy that sent their kids to english speaking schools. If you don’t think this is common throughout the world, think again.

Please tell us how you expect someone living in the US to be fluent in another language if they do not have the opportunity to go abroad every summer or out of the country?

There is more Spanish spoken on my street than English.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Here is the bottom line if you have a high performing kid, it is Basis and DCI.

Average kid Latin

If your kid doesn’t get into the above, move to MD or VA. I would pick VA for state school benefit for college.

No good options for middle school other than above EOTP.

Don’t waste your time on settling for a poor middle school only to have to settle for another poor high school or move in high school which is worst.

Totally disagree with this. High performing kids definitely fit in at Latin. ITDS definitely has high-performers -- maybe not as many as some other middle schools because it's small -- and a really good track record of 8th graders getting into Banneker and Walls. I'm sure some Hill parents have something to say as well.

+1. The smartest kids at our DCI feeder went to Basis and Latin. We also know some super high performing kids at ITDS.

When was this? Because from our feeder all the smart kids went to DCI

One family with average kid did go to Latin because he needed more hand holding and smaller class but they are planning on sending younger kid to DCI.

I also call BS on the PP saying the “smart” kids went to Latin and basis. The only kids who ended up at Latin, Basis, or Deal were those who struggled with the target language or were burnt out with our charter administration. I’m not saying those kids are less intelligent but certainly would not describe them as the “smart” kids. DCI has been a great experience for us.

I call BS on your calling BS. Half the kids in our feeder tried for Latin. Many from Spanish-speaking homes. Some got in and are in Latin now.

When was this? A few years ago when DCI was more of an unknown?

No way families at our feeder are going for Latin over DCI. This is especially true of native Spanish families. Just look at the ELL population at both schools.

I attended the Latin open house 2 years ago at the main campus. During Q and A, a parent raised her hand and asked if Latin had many families from immersion charters. The answer was no.

FWIW we were not impressed with Latin and DCI was our top choice. It’s been great so far.

It was this year’s 5th graders. How can you be shocked that families would opt for Latin, have you seen the waitlist? Did you just move here? Only a crazy DCI booster would be surprised at families going to Latin.

+1 I am PP who sent my kid to Latin and at least 10 families that I know of sent kids to Latin in 5th for this school year and a bunch more to Basis. Not everyone wants DCI.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Here is the bottom line if you have a high performing kid, it is Basis and DCI.

Average kid Latin

If your kid doesn’t get into the above, move to MD or VA. I would pick VA for state school benefit for college.

No good options for middle school other than above EOTP.

Don’t waste your time on settling for a poor middle school only to have to settle for another poor high school or move in high school which is worst.

Totally disagree with this. High performing kids definitely fit in at Latin. ITDS definitely has high-performers -- maybe not as many as some other middle schools because it's small -- and a really good track record of 8th graders getting into Banneker and Walls. I'm sure some Hill parents have something to say as well.

+1. The smartest kids at our DCI feeder went to Basis and Latin. We also know some super high performing kids at ITDS.

When was this? Because from our feeder all the smart kids went to DCI

One family with average kid did go to Latin because he needed more hand holding and smaller class but they are planning on sending younger kid to DCI.

I also call BS on the PP saying the “smart” kids went to Latin and basis. The only kids who ended up at Latin, Basis, or Deal were those who struggled with the target language or were burnt out with our charter administration. I’m not saying those kids are less intelligent but certainly would not describe them as the “smart” kids. DCI has been a great experience for us.

+1. I’m the PP and same at my feeder. Kids left because they just struggled with the language which of course affected core subjects.

I don’t blame them. I would pull my kid out too if they were struggling with math and ELA especially ELA where kids get 50% less teaching time.

Immersion isn’t for everyone and that’s OK. But it’s great for kids whom things coming easy in other subjects and who picks up languages easily.

We are a native Spanish speaking family that chose Latin over DCI. My kid scored 5s on Cape and advanced on Spanish MAP. I have seen this comment a few times here that kids that choose Latin over DCI are failing at the target language and that isn’t always the case. The screen usage at DCI is unappealing to us. Our neighbors kids go there and play video games during class. Some families want a different experience for their kids. That doesn’t mean they are immersion flunkies.

The spanish MAP you’re talking about is reading comprehension only. The gold standard in DC is the STAMP test which measures speaking, writing, comprehension, and understanding. I understand that only one immersion school continues to dupe their families by using this reading comprehension test as some sort of metric when there is so much more to spanish language learning. I’m glad you’re happy at Latin (great school!) but you’re deluded if you think that NWEA score means anything.

Also I am sure your kid is doing great but the majority of kids who did not continue at dci usually did because they struggled with spanish which is a really good move IMO. If your kid excelled at spanish beyond reading comprehension, I personally would not be at Latin but whatever. It’s a great place for the middle of the road kid!

Why are DCI supporters so nasty? Damn.

I think there is one truly nasty DCI poster, she has the same demeaning phrases "middle of the road kid" "not good enough for my kid" etc and feels the need to insult literally every other school.