JR: Course selection and academies not coming from DCPS MS

[Anonymous]

It looks like you can’t register for classes and apply for the academies without enrolling, and if you didn’t come from a DCPS middle school, they won’t officially enroll you until they do a home visit. They told us the home visits would be done in July.
How will that affect course selection and academies?

[Anonymous]

Someone asked this question at the open house last week. The counselor told her to email her directly and she’d see what she could do. I would call or email one of the counselors and see what they say. Their email addresses are on the website, and there’s an option for the counseling dept on the automated system for the school’s main number.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It looks like you can’t register for classes and apply for the academies without enrolling, and if you didn’t come from a DCPS middle school, they won’t officially enroll you until they do a home visit. They told us the home visits would be done in July.
How will that affect course selection and academies?

Wow. This is terrible. I would try to get city officials involved. This seems illegal.

[Anonymous]

If you don't make an academy as a freshman you get preference as a sophomore.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you don't make an academy as a freshman you get preference as a sophomore.

We are considering a move IB for Jackson Reed over the summer and son would be a sophomore. Do you "make" an academy or choose one?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you don't make an academy as a freshman you get preference as a sophomore.

We are considering a move IB for Jackson Reed over the summer and son would be a sophomore. Do you "make" an academy or choose one?

They choose, but note that many/most students aren’t in academies. Neither of my kids were interested; very few classes are academy-only (and none that my kids have been interested in). Hospitality, international, and engineering seem to be the most popular. Unless your kid is really set on one of those paths, I wouldn’t worry too much (and even he is interested, I wouldn’t panic; just reach out to the school).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you don't make an academy as a freshman you get preference as a sophomore.

We are considering a move IB for Jackson Reed over the summer and son would be a sophomore. Do you "make" an academy or choose one?

They choose, but note that many/most students aren’t in academies. Neither of my kids were interested; very few classes are academy-only (and none that my kids have been interested in). Hospitality, international, and engineering seem to be the most popular. Unless your kid is really set on one of those paths, I wouldn’t worry too much (and even he is interested, I wouldn’t panic; just reach out to the school).

Ok very good to know. He is unlikely to be interested but I clearly have not done enough research to realize its not mandatory. Thank you!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It looks like you can’t register for classes and apply for the academies without enrolling, and if you didn’t come from a DCPS middle school, they won’t officially enroll you until they do a home visit. They told us the home visits would be done in July.
How will that affect course selection and academies?

We were told this as well, and that course selection will happen in July. I asked if there was any way we could do it sooner and was told sorry, no.

[Anonymous]

Do courses fill up before kids can register?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do courses fill up before kids can register?

Pretty sure they do, at least with electives.

[Anonymous]

I was the "J-R or DCI" poster and this sealed the decision for us. We live in bounds and have another child in DCPS, but were told to go to the end of the line.

Having gone back and forth between DCPS and charters for years, I think this stems from a resentment of charter schools more than a genuine need to verify that I'm not lying about my address.

[Anonymous]

Do core classes and APs fill also? We are likely moving inbound but it won’t be until mid summer so the delays are concerning!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do core classes and APs fill also? We are likely moving inbound but it won’t be until mid summer so the delays are concerning!

I don't know the answer to all of your questions, as the parent of a 9th grader who isn't taking any APs. 9th graders all take many (or most) of the same core classes--biology, history, English, I think.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do core classes and APs fill also? We are likely moving inbound but it won’t be until mid summer so the delays are concerning!

No. Students will receive required/core courses (including APs, if that’s the version of the core class they want to take). It’s possible their schedule won’t be perfect on day one, but they will get the classes they need.

And as a PP said, 9th grade classes are pretty standardized, with no APs (with the possible exceptions of math and foreign language, where a very small number of 9th graders will be in AP classes).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I was the "J-R or DCI" poster and this sealed the decision for us. We live in bounds and have another child in DCPS, but were told to go to the end of the line.

Having gone back and forth between DCPS and charters for years, I think this stems from a resentment of charter schools more than a genuine need to verify that I'm not lying about my address.

Of course it does. And it's BS. How about you focus on educating the kids you're required to educate, DCPS and not try to look petty and corrupt?