I've barely found information on LaSalle-Backus. Anybody have a relationship/child at the school?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Current PK3 parent. Have had a great experience at the school and with our teacher. There is a PTA and when they do events are the school (like a holiday dinner) there is great turnout. Principal does communicate a lot and hosts monthly engagements with parents too.

Wells PP here. This is great to hear! I know Principal Gray and I'm glad to hear families are engaged. Thank you for posting!

[Anonymous]

Hoping to bump this up, because I'm hoping to hear more from others going into new lottery season. Has the school continued to get better since the middle school grades moved to Wells? Anyone know what the situation/timeline is with renovations? How will it effect students?

It seems a shame for this school to be skipped over by IB considering how many young families are in the area.

[Anonymous]

Sorry about all the typos in the last message. It was an early morning.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The school is closed to parents meaning they can only enter the building when allowed during special occasions. Teachers and principal send a ton of communications. It's a safe environment.

At least for parents of kids with IEPs, this is not a thing. The law gives parents (or their delegate) the right to observe.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hoping to bump this up, because I'm hoping to hear more from others going into new lottery season. Has the school continued to get better since the middle school grades moved to Wells? Anyone know what the situation/timeline is with renovations? How will it effect students?

It seems a shame for this school to be skipped over by IB considering how many young families are in the area.

The thinking is that the modular campus being built at Takoma Rec for the Whittier renovation will also serve as LaSalle-Backus's swing space, which should be helpful (compared to the swing space at Sharpe). Whittier's is supposed to be done in 2027, I think, to give you a sense of timing.

[Anonymous]

Their special ed team is pretty terrible, if that's relevant to you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The school is closed to parents meaning they can only enter the building when allowed during special occasions. Teachers and principal send a ton of communications. It's a safe environment.

At least for parents of kids with IEPs, this is not a thing. The law gives parents (or their delegate) the right to observe.

As a parent and former teacher, I think this rule about 'schools being closed except when allowed' is the norm for elementary schools now. Both for security reasons, and residual impact of COVID limiting folks in the building. As a teacher it would be super disruptive to have parents coming in all the time, but it is lovely to have parents come for performances, events, or other 'open house' or holiday type events. Anyway - just wanted to chime in, I am not sure about this school specifically, but I don't think this school should be given a bad rep because of that policy.

[Anonymous]

Now that we are here (here post lottery results) any anyone' wanna share Thier thoughts on LaSalle or how they want to prep for the school this fall?

[Anonymous]

The test scores at LaSalle Backus are lower than the average. Last year, only 20% of students passed ELA, and 25% passed Math, according to the DCPS website. I would consider other options.

https://profiles.dcps.dc.gov/LaSalle-Backus+Elementary+School

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Now that we are here (here post lottery results) any anyone' wanna share Thier thoughts on LaSalle or how they want to prep for the school this fall?

I would put my child in LaSalle as a backup. There are better options in DCPS, and some of the best charter schools are in the area.

[Anonymous]

Late to the party here but it is a very strong school in terms of a great sense of caring about the kids by the staff/teachers/administration.