Deal or Basis for DCs? Advice Needed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm disappointed, but not surprised, to learn that Deal only tracks for math, and will indefinitely from the sounds of it. I say this because the "differentiated learning within the classroom approach" has worked less well for us with each passing year of elementary school as the gap between the kids who struggle (yes, mostly low-SES and AA, but certainly not all) and the advanced kids (yes, mostly white or Asian and high-SES, but certainly not all) grows. My older child read all the Harry Potter books in the 3rd grade, where she sat alongide a few kids who struggled to read chapter books. Since tracking for subjects other than math is almost certainly what it's going to take this particular child to be consistently challenged, it doen't sound like Deal would be good fit. And I can't feel enthusiastic about the sounds of the non-academic facilities at Basis. I'd really like a school with at least a gym and a stage/auditorium.



You know I have one those children and she struggles to read because she has Dyslexia, however she is just as smart as your child, just needs to consume the text in an auditory function. One should not be so sure that your kid that can read Harry Potter is brilliant, she just may be good at decoding.

You should check out Latin. It has a better and/or more solid reputation than both Deal and Basis.

[Anonymous]

With Spingarn being closed, Eastern will absorb some of their students. Wonder how that will affect the school's direction.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:With Spingarn being closed, Eastern will absorb some of their students. Wonder how that will affect the school's direction.

If the bet is "over/under" on same performance? My money is on the under.

[Anonymous]

Where's Word Salad Eastern booster now? Heard spingarn has been thinking about implementing IB, so the students should feel right at home. . .

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm disappointed, but not surprised, to learn that Deal only tracks for math, and will indefinitely from the sounds of it. I say this because the "differentiated learning within the classroom approach" has worked less well for us with each passing year of elementary school as the gap between the kids who struggle (yes, mostly low-SES and AA, but certainly not all) and the advanced kids (yes, mostly white or Asian and high-SES, but certainly not all) grows. My older child read all the Harry Potter books in the 3rd grade, where she sat alongide a few kids who struggled to read chapter books. Since tracking for subjects other than math is almost certainly what it's going to take this particular child to be consistently challenged, it doen't sound like Deal would be good fit. And I can't feel enthusiastic about the sounds of the non-academic facilities at Basis. I'd really like a school with at least a gym and a stage/auditorium.



You know I have one those children and she struggles to read because she has Dyslexia, however she is just as smart as your child, just needs to consume the text in an auditory function. One should not be so sure that your kid that can read Harry Potter is brilliant, she just may be good at decoding.

You should check out Latin. It has a better and/or more solid reputation than both Deal and Basis.

Out on a limb to say Latin as a "better" or "more solid" reputation than Basis when Basis DC hasn't yet had time to even get a reputation, a comparison can't yet be made.

[Anonymous]

New poster. We're in exactly the same boat, PP, taking a hard look at Deal (in-bounds), BASIS and MoCo schools for AY 2013-2014 or 2014-2015.

We share your concern about the lack of tracking, other than for math, not just at Deal but at Basis! Our kid has done Johns Hopkins CTY camps for humanities after 2nd and 3rd grades, and will go after 4th, yet both schools would toss her into science, English and social studies classes with kids who can't test proficient in reading on the DC-CAS, let alone advanced. Galling. We've learned that MoCo middle schools almost always track for math and English, and usually do for other academic subjects. We're leaning toward MoCo and it sounds like you will be as well. Best of luck.

Wow. I can't believe there are people who are so singularly focused as you. I really hope your kids don't disappoint someday. You sound out of touch and inflexible, bordering on hostile.

Brand new poster here. You really can't believe there are parents like 1st PP? Seriously? Will you indulge me and tell me where your child attends school right now and how old your oldest is? I assume you live in the District somewhere, as do I.

I, on the other hand, am surrounded on all sides by parents like PP #1. I am just like her (him?) too. Our 4th grade son easily handles all the bonus academic stuff we offer him, like CTY and the like. In fact, it's so easy for him, he has plenty of time to also watch stupid TV, play Lego, do a couple of sports and pick his nose and play with the dog. And play an instrument half-heartedly (we do push on that, I admit).

For some kids, this fancy learnin' stuff is no sweat and takes minutes. Can you explain in your own words why seeking out greater challenge for these kinds of kids is so problematic for you? I might agree it'd be different if the pushed child crumpled into frustrated tears every night trying to please Mom by completely work they just weren't capable of doing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: Dude...my kid read all of the Harry Potter series in the fall of 2nd grade, with about half of the class (I know this because the kids discussed it ad nauseum all year and tried to beat each other on the accelerated reading program). He attends Lafayette, and something like 96% of last year's 5th grade class moved on to Deal, so that's who your kids would be in class with. Geez.

Haven't posted here but am interested in the discussion because we're IB for Deal but not sure we're OK with it. Dude...what about the kids who don't test proficient being in middle school classes with your very advanced kid (no question that 2nd grade Harry Potter is way ahead of the curve)?

The 8th grade Deal test scores for 2011 weren't nearly as impressive as the 6th grade scores -so don't things slip as you go? Wouldn't your kid be better of in honors MS classes, like the ones on offer in MoCo middle schools? Teachers do need to focus on bringing up the bottom to increase proficiency rates, so wouldn't your kid be better off in English, social studies and science classes where providing him and his advanced peers was the focus? You really don't mind that there aren't any honors classes at Deal outside math? You don't feel like you should lobby for advanced classes at Deal with other WotP parents of advanced learners?

I ask in all seriousness. Thanks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

New poster. We're in exactly the same boat, PP, taking a hard look at Deal (in-bounds), BASIS and MoCo schools for AY 2013-2014 or 2014-2015.

We share your concern about the lack of tracking, other than for math, not just at Deal but at Basis! Our kid has done Johns Hopkins CTY camps for humanities after 2nd and 3rd grades, and will go after 4th, yet both schools would toss her into science, English and social studies classes with kids who can't test proficient in reading on the DC-CAS, let alone advanced. Galling. We've learned that MoCo middle schools almost always track for math and English, and usually do for other academic subjects. We're leaning toward MoCo and it sounds like you will be as well. Best of luck.

Wow. I can't believe there are people who are so singularly focused as you. I really hope your kids don't disappoint someday. You sound out of touch and inflexible, bordering on hostile.

Brand new poster here. You really can't believe there are parents like 1st PP? Seriously? Will you indulge me and tell me where your child attends school right now and how old your oldest is? I assume you live in the District somewhere, as do I.

I, on the other hand, am surrounded on all sides by parents like PP #1. I am just like her (him?) too. Our 4th grade son easily handles all the bonus academic stuff we offer him, like CTY and the like. In fact, it's so easy for him, he has plenty of time to also watch stupid TV, play Lego, do a couple of sports and pick his nose and play with the dog. And play an instrument half-heartedly (we do push on that, I admit).

For some kids, this fancy learnin' stuff is no sweat and takes minutes. Can you explain in your own words why seeking out greater challenge for these kinds of kids is so problematic for you? I might agree it'd be different if the pushed child crumpled into frustrated tears every night trying to please Mom by completely work they just weren't capable of doing.

I have a DCPS 4th grader. He is bright, tests above grade level on both math and reading, but is not gifted. I guess the fancy learnin' stuff is not no sweat for him. He's had to start an daily organizer this year, do research reports with cited material, and participate in multi-disciplinary performances. This is his first year of science, and he loves his social studies textbook, which he reads voluntarily in the evening. He still does kid things like play outside and with legos and video games. I've never seen him bored enough to pick his nose. He never complains about going to school, expresses interest in subject-matter, and tells me what he's learned. He's eager to do the dissection project in science. He also has kids in class who aren't testing as high as him, but I don't feel they are holding him back. None of it is galling to me.

If your kid is getting stuff done in minutes, he is most likely an outlier. My kid spent several days doing his various research/book reports, so he's not got as much free time as your child. Your child definitely sounds extremely bright, so if he were mine, then yes I would either send him to a more rigorous private school, or would advance him a few grades. I might even home school him, if I knew much more about child and curriculum development. It does sound like your child is putting in minimal effort wrt to music, so maybe life it too easy right now. That could signal a problem.

I guess I'm just a mom of low expectations. I thought because he was doing much more academically than I ever did (and I've turned out to be successful) and has has much more in the way of opportunity that he would have an edge. Through your viewfinder, I'm a slacker. But, it's okay because we're not outliers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: Dude...my kid read all of the Harry Potter series in the fall of 2nd grade, with about half of the class (I know this because the kids discussed it ad nauseum all year and tried to beat each other on the accelerated reading program). He attends Lafayette, and something like 96% of last year's 5th grade class moved on to Deal, so that's who your kids would be in class with. Geez.

Haven't posted here but am interested in the discussion because we're IB for Deal but not sure we're OK with it. Dude...what about the kids who don't test proficient being in middle school classes with your very advanced kid (no question that 2nd grade Harry Potter is way ahead of the curve)?

The 8th grade Deal test scores for 2011 weren't nearly as impressive as the 6th grade scores -so don't things slip as you go? Wouldn't your kid be better of in honors MS classes, like the ones on offer in MoCo middle schools? Teachers do need to focus on bringing up the bottom to increase proficiency rates, so wouldn't your kid be better off in English, social studies and science classes where providing him and his advanced peers was the focus? You really don't mind that there aren't any honors classes at Deal outside math? You don't feel like you should lobby for advanced classes at Deal with other WotP parents of advanced learners?

I ask in all seriousness. Thanks.

Another poster here. IMO I don't think the test scores are really a good measure of whether or not the classroom content is rigorous. It's about as reliable as deciding that a kid that reads Harry Potter books in the 2nd or 3rd grade is advanced and will be advanced in middle school. My Deal 7th grader is being challenged and is growing in other ways beyond academics. I'm not opposed to Deal having more advanced classes, but I don't believe she's missing anything - especially when I compare notes with her private school peers.

[Anonymous]

New poster. We're in exactly the same boat, PP, taking a hard look at Deal (in-bounds), BASIS and MoCo schools for AY 2013-2014 or 2014-2015.

We share your concern about the lack of tracking, other than for math, not just at Deal but at Basis! Our kid has done Johns Hopkins CTY camps for humanities after 2nd and 3rd grades, and will go after 4th, yet both schools would toss her into science, English and social studies classes with kids who can't test proficient in reading on the DC-CAS, let alone advanced. Galling. We've learned that MoCo middle schools almost always track for math and English, and usually do for other academic subjects. We're leaning toward MoCo and it sounds like you will be as well. Best of luck.



Wow. I can't believe there are people who are so singularly focused as you. I really hope your kids don't disappoint someday. You sound out of touch and inflexible, bordering on hostile.


Brand new poster here. You really can't believe there are parents like 1st PP? Seriously? Will you indulge me and tell me where your child attends school right now and how old your oldest is? I assume you live in the District somewhere, as do I.

I, on the other hand, am surrounded on all sides by parents like PP #1. I am just like her (him?) too. Our 4th grade son easily handles all the bonus academic stuff we offer him, like CTY and the like. In fact, it's so easy for him, he has plenty of time to also watch stupid TV, play Lego, do a couple of sports and pick his nose and play with the dog. And play an instrument half-heartedly (we do push on that, I admit).

For some kids, this fancy learnin' stuff is no sweat and takes minutes. Can you explain in your own words why seeking out greater challenge for these kinds of kids is so problematic for you? I might agree it'd be different if the pushed child crumpled into frustrated tears every night trying to please Mom by completely work they just weren't capable of doing.

You know, PP, I almost made the mistake of taking you seriously until your idiotic fake folksy tone got so damn loud.

[Anonymous]

I'm not opposed to Deal having more advanced classes, but I don't believe she's missing anything - especially when I compare notes with her private school peers.

Parent of a math-minded 4th grader, IB for Deal. But IS Deal going to have more advanced classes? Which ones and when? After attending open houses at BASIS, Latin, and Deal, that's not a question I feel I need to ask of BASIS parents. BASIS sounded definite about what they're offering, and planning to (which isn't to say that I consider all the expectations laid out to be entirely reasonable). But after visiting Deal and Latin, I emerged with more questions than answers. E.g. I'm left asking why these schools accelerate only for math via separate classes for advanced learners.

So the story is that most parents of kids who would benefit from more advanced classes at Deal are "not opposed" which is to say not sufficiently in favor to fight for them, outide math? The school community/leadership isn't amenable, or what? We're fairly new to NW and don't have the inside scoop on any ms. It seems that you can hire consultants to brief you on the whys and wherefores of various private schools in search of a "good fit" independent; not so for public schools. So you end up here, trying to fill in the gaps...

[Anonymous]

With Deal's in-bounds population now above 2/3 and FARMS population below 1/4, I predict more advanced classes as time marches on. The sort of parents willing to push for honors classes are a lot more likely to try the school than even two or three years ago.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

I'm not opposed to Deal having more advanced classes, but I don't believe she's missing anything - especially when I compare notes with her private school peers.

Parent of a math-minded 4th grader, IB for Deal. But IS Deal going to have more advanced classes? Which ones and when? After attending open houses at BASIS, Latin, and Deal, that's not a question I feel I need to ask of BASIS parents. BASIS sounded definite about what they're offering, and planning to (which isn't to say that I consider all the expectations laid out to be entirely reasonable). But after visiting Deal and Latin, I emerged with more questions than answers. E.g. I'm left asking why these schools accelerate only for math via separate classes for advanced learners.

So the story is that most parents of kids who would benefit from more advanced classes at Deal are "not opposed" which is to say not sufficiently in favor to fight for them, outide math? The school community/leadership isn't amenable, or what? We're fairly new to NW and don't have the inside scoop on any ms. It seems that you can hire consultants to brief you on the whys and wherefores of various private schools in search of a "good fit" independent; not so for public schools. So you end up here, trying to fill in the gaps...




Parent of Deal 7th grader again. As I noted before I feel that my advanced learner is getting what she needs at Deal. Of course I can't speak for all parents at Deal but I truly don't understand the frenzy around wanting to have the label of advanced classes. Am I supposed to be in favor of this as part of some marketing tool for elementary school parents, so they can feel comfortable sending their child to Deal? The fact is that Deal continues to be overenrolled, with upwards of 80-90% of kids from Janney and Lafayette enrolling. Given this, the pool of kids that are now enrolling at Deal are probably working at a higher level than many other ms in DC - so teachers have to teach based on the kids that are in front of them. When I was investigating Deal, I was told that all of the class work is above grade level - and that is what I've seen in 6th and now in 7th. I think the rationale for offering advanced math is to make sure that kids have the opportunity to follow a specific sequence of math to reach the higher levels of math in high school - there is no wiggle room with math because the topics build on each other. If you have more specific questions I would contact the administrators directly. I'd personally be interested in hearing from other Deal parents about whether or not we need more advanced classes - I can be convinced but I need more evidence that my kid is missing something by not having these classes.

[Anonymous]

^ Deal parent applying to privates for 7th who craves advanced English and science classes. DC isn't challenged much in either area. Math is fine. We don't name names here on DCUM but a couple of his teachers are focused on bringing up the bottom, mostly OOB kids who lotteried in, short-changing the most advanced kids. Other parents we know are also seriously considering leaving, meaning that 8th grade will almost certainly be that much less challenging than 6th. If privates and the burbs are offering more challenge for advanced learners who are eager for it, some of the parents you probably want to keep will sacrifice to find it elsewhere. Deal has both a marketing problem and a challenge problem for too many kids. It also has a social problem with rowdy, below-the-curve kids disrupting classes and causing mayhem in the hallways and lunchroom. Good for BASIS for tracking for MS English and science.

[Anonymous]

The fact is that Deal continues to be overenrolled, with upwards of 80-90% of kids from Janney and Lafayette enrolling.

Where do you come by these fantasy stats, lady? Deal is no more than two-thirds IB overall. It's not unsual for JKLM parents who say they're enrolling to do so in the interests of avoiding friction with those who can't afford privates. Moreover, too many parents who try 6th and 7th leave, sometimes mid-year when spots open at privates. When you've got more than a few low-performing IB and OOB kids (generally AA kids with tough home lives) in the same classes as advanced learners, things are not as they should be....