Petty incident or detail that turned you off a school?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:School was still asking for Vax card to visit even though this was last year. Even though we are vaxxed it seemed strange like they are a crazy over the top worry school.

Ooh ooh ooh I know! Burke!

Burke required vax cards emailed ahead and proof of negative rapid tests, but wasn’t 100% consistent with checking them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Two schools, two pretty "petty" things, probably, with two highly regarded schools--thus amplifying the likelihood that these were petty details for us to look at:

1. At one school, they had the 1st grade kids in circle time for about 15 minutes learning the word "otoscope." They referred back to this particular circle time throughout the tour as an example of how the kids are learning such amazing things. I thought to myself, "why in the world do first graders need to know what an otoscope is? Why is this the big bragging point"

2. At another school, the whole lower school was just dark. Rainy day? Dark. Sunny day? Dark. Hallways? Dark. Classrooms? Dark. It seemed drab and somber, and despite the fancy name, we just couldn't see sending our kid to a school where the light just didn't manage to get in anywhere.

#2, St. Patrick's?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:School was still asking for Vax card to visit even though this was last year. Even though we are vaxxed it seemed strange like they are a crazy over the top worry school.

Ooh ooh ooh I know! Burke!

Happened to me at Burke, too. Also they demanded I wear a mask.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Two schools, two pretty "petty" things, probably, with two highly regarded schools--thus amplifying the likelihood that these were petty details for us to look at:

1. At one school, they had the 1st grade kids in circle time for about 15 minutes learning the word "otoscope." They referred back to this particular circle time throughout the tour as an example of how the kids are learning such amazing things. I thought to myself, "why in the world do first graders need to know what an otoscope is? Why is this the big bragging point"

2. At another school, the whole lower school was just dark. Rainy day? Dark. Sunny day? Dark. Hallways? Dark. Classrooms? Dark. It seemed drab and somber, and despite the fancy name, we just couldn't see sending our kid to a school where the light just didn't manage to get in anywhere.

#2, St. Patrick's?

I was assuming Sidwell for that one

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Two schools, two pretty "petty" things, probably, with two highly regarded schools--thus amplifying the likelihood that these were petty details for us to look at:

1. At one school, they had the 1st grade kids in circle time for about 15 minutes learning the word "otoscope." They referred back to this particular circle time throughout the tour as an example of how the kids are learning such amazing things. I thought to myself, "why in the world do first graders need to know what an otoscope is? Why is this the big bragging point"

2. At another school, the whole lower school was just dark. Rainy day? Dark. Sunny day? Dark. Hallways? Dark. Classrooms? Dark. It seemed drab and somber, and despite the fancy name, we just couldn't see sending our kid to a school where the light just didn't manage to get in anywhere.

#2, St. Patrick's?

I was assuming Sidwell for that one

Yep, I would assume same since poster said it had a fancy name.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:School was still asking for Vax card to visit even though this was last year. Even though we are vaxxed it seemed strange like they are a crazy over the top worry school.

Ooh ooh ooh I know! Burke!

Happened to me at Burke, too. Also they demanded I wear a mask.

In 2022?!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Two schools, two pretty "petty" things, probably, with two highly regarded schools--thus amplifying the likelihood that these were petty details for us to look at:

1. At one school, they had the 1st grade kids in circle time for about 15 minutes learning the word "otoscope." They referred back to this particular circle time throughout the tour as an example of how the kids are learning such amazing things. I thought to myself, "why in the world do first graders need to know what an otoscope is? Why is this the big bragging point"

2. At another school, the whole lower school was just dark. Rainy day? Dark. Sunny day? Dark. Hallways? Dark. Classrooms? Dark. It seemed drab and somber, and despite the fancy name, we just couldn't see sending our kid to a school where the light just didn't manage to get in anywhere.

#2 sounds like Beauvoir

[Anonymous]

We live 2 blocks from what I understand to be one of the best public ES in DC. I tried so hard to like it.
I feel so petty for the initial reasons that turned me off. Makes me wonder why others aren't affected like me- everyone just gushes about the school.

1. The admin/front desk areas, even the office areas you that open up near the lobby, are so disorganized. Stacks of paper and things - not even stacks, more like piles. Don't they want to try to make a good impression by keeping things near and tidy?
2. The cafeteria is small, which is so surprising to me, for a school of 395+ students; the wall by the kitchen is covered in grime. Like as if years of young children have slouched against/rubbed that wall with grimy hands. It gave me the impression of a prison cafeteria . Again, the rich parents around here are happy like this? I just don't get it. If I worked there or had a kid there, I'd paint it myself or something.
3. Maybe this one isn't as petty - but still makes me wonder why others kept going on the tour like sheep; I finally left after that. We're touring the kindergarten wing, and I am genuinely wondering about screen time, because we've managed to keep our 5 year old off phones, tablets, and computers and we want to continue to encourage reading books, coloring and art before screen time. So I ask if they have screen time in K, and the tour guide responds, "No, they don't start using screens until 2nd grade." The classrooms are right there, I peek in and... Guess what? Half the class is using tablets and headphones. It's 9:20 in the morning. Really??!? So I literally point it out. "Um... I see half the class in there is using tablets," and the guide says something like, "Oh, well, yeah, that's normal." At least be honest, if this is how downtime is in K, tell us, but don't lie. I tried to keep a pasted smile on my face as I backed away.

Oh. Also, when we were in the school for summer camps, the bathrooms were terrible. Like they hadn't been cleaned in months. Half the toilets/sinks non functional. Empty soap cartridges. Hopefully it's better in the school year but, man. Not really great impressions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We live 2 blocks from what I understand to be one of the best public ES in DC. I tried so hard to like it.
I feel so petty for the initial reasons that turned me off. Makes me wonder why others aren't affected like me- everyone just gushes about the school.

1. The admin/front desk areas, even the office areas you that open up near the lobby, are so disorganized. Stacks of paper and things - not even stacks, more like piles. Don't they want to try to make a good impression by keeping things near and tidy?
2. The cafeteria is small, which is so surprising to me, for a school of 395+ students; the wall by the kitchen is covered in grime. Like as if years of young children have slouched against/rubbed that wall with grimy hands. It gave me the impression of a prison cafeteria . Again, the rich parents around here are happy like this? I just don't get it. If I worked there or had a kid there, I'd paint it myself or something.
3. Maybe this one isn't as petty - but still makes me wonder why others kept going on the tour like sheep; I finally left after that. We're touring the kindergarten wing, and I am genuinely wondering about screen time, because we've managed to keep our 5 year old off phones, tablets, and computers and we want to continue to encourage reading books, coloring and art before screen time. So I ask if they have screen time in K, and the tour guide responds, "No, they don't start using screens until 2nd grade." The classrooms are right there, I peek in and... Guess what? Half the class is using tablets and headphones. It's 9:20 in the morning. Really??!? So I literally point it out. "Um... I see half the class in there is using tablets," and the guide says something like, "Oh, well, yeah, that's normal." At least be honest, if this is how downtime is in K, tell us, but don't lie. I tried to keep a pasted smile on my face as I backed away.

Oh. Also, when we were in the school for summer camps, the bathrooms were terrible. Like they hadn't been cleaned in months. Half the toilets/sinks non functional. Empty soap cartridges. Hopefully it's better in the school year but, man. Not really great impressions.

Oh.. woops I just realized this post is for private/independent schools, which we're not in. Sorry to be the single poster bashing DCPS sorry...!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Interviewer essentially told us our kid had no shot (in front of our kid).

We had this too before she met my kid. During the parent part of the interview, she said “you know there are so many great schools in the area. I only send one of my kids here.” Turns out they only had three spots for the grade and all three went to siblings.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We live 2 blocks from what I understand to be one of the best public ES in DC. I tried so hard to like it.
I feel so petty for the initial reasons that turned me off. Makes me wonder why others aren't affected like me- everyone just gushes about the school.

1. The admin/front desk areas, even the office areas you that open up near the lobby, are so disorganized. Stacks of paper and things - not even stacks, more like piles. Don't they want to try to make a good impression by keeping things near and tidy?
2. The cafeteria is small, which is so surprising to me, for a school of 395+ students; the wall by the kitchen is covered in grime. Like as if years of young children have slouched against/rubbed that wall with grimy hands. It gave me the impression of a prison cafeteria . Again, the rich parents around here are happy like this? I just don't get it. If I worked there or had a kid there, I'd paint it myself or something.
3. Maybe this one isn't as petty - but still makes me wonder why others kept going on the tour like sheep; I finally left after that. We're touring the kindergarten wing, and I am genuinely wondering about screen time, because we've managed to keep our 5 year old off phones, tablets, and computers and we want to continue to encourage reading books, coloring and art before screen time. So I ask if they have screen time in K, and the tour guide responds, "No, they don't start using screens until 2nd grade." The classrooms are right there, I peek in and... Guess what? Half the class is using tablets and headphones. It's 9:20 in the morning. Really??!? So I literally point it out. "Um... I see half the class in there is using tablets," and the guide says something like, "Oh, well, yeah, that's normal." At least be honest, if this is how downtime is in K, tell us, but don't lie. I tried to keep a pasted smile on my face as I backed away.

Oh. Also, when we were in the school for summer camps, the bathrooms were terrible. Like they hadn't been cleaned in months. Half the toilets/sinks non functional. Empty soap cartridges. Hopefully it's better in the school year but, man. Not really great impressions.

Oh.. woops I just realized this post is for private/independent schools, which we're not in. Sorry to be the single poster bashing DCPS sorry...!

That’s ok, it was a helpful comment! I’m on the board of our school. We don’t deal with the day-to-day but another Trustee got squirrelly with the Head and wanted to fuss about 3-figure expenditures on touch-up paint and new soap dispensers. He went on and on about how it wasn’t necessary. The Head was like, trust me, parents notice.

Every prospective parent who’s walked down the hallway and past the doorjambs that just got painted has said “wow, the light in here is amazing.” It’s not, but it feels clean and fresh so it gives the impression of being bright and conducive to learning.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We live 2 blocks from what I understand to be one of the best public ES in DC. I tried so hard to like it.
I feel so petty for the initial reasons that turned me off. Makes me wonder why others aren't affected like me- everyone just gushes about the school.

1. The admin/front desk areas, even the office areas you that open up near the lobby, are so disorganized. Stacks of paper and things - not even stacks, more like piles. Don't they want to try to make a good impression by keeping things near and tidy?
2. The cafeteria is small, which is so surprising to me, for a school of 395+ students; the wall by the kitchen is covered in grime. Like as if years of young children have slouched against/rubbed that wall with grimy hands. It gave me the impression of a prison cafeteria . Again, the rich parents around here are happy like this? I just don't get it. If I worked there or had a kid there, I'd paint it myself or something.
3. Maybe this one isn't as petty - but still makes me wonder why others kept going on the tour like sheep; I finally left after that. We're touring the kindergarten wing, and I am genuinely wondering about screen time, because we've managed to keep our 5 year old off phones, tablets, and computers and we want to continue to encourage reading books, coloring and art before screen time. So I ask if they have screen time in K, and the tour guide responds, "No, they don't start using screens until 2nd grade." The classrooms are right there, I peek in and... Guess what? Half the class is using tablets and headphones. It's 9:20 in the morning. Really??!? So I literally point it out. "Um... I see half the class in there is using tablets," and the guide says something like, "Oh, well, yeah, that's normal." At least be honest, if this is how downtime is in K, tell us, but don't lie. I tried to keep a pasted smile on my face as I backed away.

Oh. Also, when we were in the school for summer camps, the bathrooms were terrible. Like they hadn't been cleaned in months. Half the toilets/sinks non functional. Empty soap cartridges. Hopefully it's better in the school year but, man. Not really great impressions.

Oh.. woops I just realized this post is for private/independent schools, which we're not in. Sorry to be the single poster bashing DCPS sorry...!

That’s ok, it was a helpful comment! I’m on the board of our school. We don’t deal with the day-to-day but another Trustee got squirrelly with the Head and wanted to fuss about 3-figure expenditures on touch-up paint and new soap dispensers. He went on and on about how it wasn’t necessary. The Head was like, trust me, parents notice.

Every prospective parent who’s walked down the hallway and past the doorjambs that just got painted has said “wow, the light in here is amazing.” It’s not, but it feels clean and fresh so it gives the impression of being bright and conducive to learning.

Thanks! Now I don't feel so bad! We ended up going to a public charter school, which we love - it's a total 180. Like, I have been inside multiple times now, and the bathrooms, halls, cafeteria, rooms, were obviously freshly painted this summer, everything is clean and taken care of with respect.. and the teachers high five the students when they're picked up, they're smiling at us, just an environment that feels... Good.

Those details in the environment definitely make a difference.

[Anonymous]

Multiple Sidwell classrooms were really dark and some only had windows up high where you couldn't see outside. It felt like a dungeon.

[Anonymous]

The person who was checking people in at admissions for a tour acknowledged all the white families with kids named things like Clay. We had arrived before many of those other families and it wasn't crowded before the other families arrived.

The other admissions people was wonderful though or else we would have not applied.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We live 2 blocks from what I understand to be one of the best public ES in DC. I tried so hard to like it.
I feel so petty for the initial reasons that turned me off. Makes me wonder why others aren't affected like me- everyone just gushes about the school.

1. The admin/front desk areas, even the office areas you that open up near the lobby, are so disorganized. Stacks of paper and things - not even stacks, more like piles. Don't they want to try to make a good impression by keeping things near and tidy?
2. The cafeteria is small, which is so surprising to me, for a school of 395+ students; the wall by the kitchen is covered in grime. Like as if years of young children have slouched against/rubbed that wall with grimy hands. It gave me the impression of a prison cafeteria . Again, the rich parents around here are happy like this? I just don't get it. If I worked there or had a kid there, I'd paint it myself or something.
3. Maybe this one isn't as petty - but still makes me wonder why others kept going on the tour like sheep; I finally left after that. We're touring the kindergarten wing, and I am genuinely wondering about screen time, because we've managed to keep our 5 year old off phones, tablets, and computers and we want to continue to encourage reading books, coloring and art before screen time. So I ask if they have screen time in K, and the tour guide responds, "No, they don't start using screens until 2nd grade." The classrooms are right there, I peek in and... Guess what? Half the class is using tablets and headphones. It's 9:20 in the morning. Really??!? So I literally point it out. "Um... I see half the class in there is using tablets," and the guide says something like, "Oh, well, yeah, that's normal." At least be honest, if this is how downtime is in K, tell us, but don't lie. I tried to keep a pasted smile on my face as I backed away.

Oh. Also, when we were in the school for summer camps, the bathrooms were terrible. Like they hadn't been cleaned in months. Half the toilets/sinks non functional. Empty soap cartridges. Hopefully it's better in the school year but, man. Not really great impressions.

Oh.. woops I just realized this post is for private/independent schools, which we're not in. Sorry to be the single poster bashing DCPS sorry...!

That’s ok, it was a helpful comment! I’m on the board of our school. We don’t deal with the day-to-day but another Trustee got squirrelly with the Head and wanted to fuss about 3-figure expenditures on touch-up paint and new soap dispensers. He went on and on about how it wasn’t necessary. The Head was like, trust me, parents notice.

Every prospective parent who’s walked down the hallway and past the doorjambs that just got painted has said “wow, the light in here is amazing.” It’s not, but it feels clean and fresh so it gives the impression of being bright and conducive to learning.

Thanks! Now I don't feel so bad! We ended up going to a public charter school, which we love - it's a total 180. Like, I have been inside multiple times now, and the bathrooms, halls, cafeteria, rooms, were obviously freshly painted this summer, everything is clean and taken care of with respect.. and the teachers high five the students when they're picked up, they're smiling at us, just an environment that feels... Good.

Those details in the environment definitely make a difference.

So you decided to stay at YY? Moving to be closer or staying in the neighborhood with the sheep?