Feedback on Washington Latin?

[Anonymous]

I also wonder what they are doing for a facility since the current one just sold. Any idea where they could be moving? Will they build their own? Where do their buses run from now?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:One thing I wonder about when I look at the OSSE report cards for Latin is, why is there such huge disparity among races in who is advanced vs. who is below basic?

I don't mean to be facile and start a sub-thread about the history of racism and slavery in the U.S. What I'm getting at is, why can't such a lauded school close the gap a little more after 'X' years of teaching this group of kids?

The fact that it can't is a little worrisome. Put another way: Is Latin really that great at *educating* ? you wouldn't see that kind of disparity at a KIPP.

It's a fair critique. I think one day Latin would like to take every child who walks in the door at 5th grade from good to great, but they're just not there yet as measured by DC-CAS. On the other hand, this year's graduating class will leave with a classical language under their belt, a really unique story to tell, amazing teachers, and a guidance counselor going majorly to bat for them and building relations for subsequent classes. What also gets lost in the statistics is that there are very high performing minority students at Latin, struggling white ones, and vice versa. We're extremely proud of all our students.

[Anonymous]

My understanding is that the students who were 10th graders tested in 2010-11 school year, many of them started at Latin as 9th graders. So in that group, many of the below basic were admitted to 9th, after the affluent/high SES/advanced students moved on to Walls, Banneker, privates. The 10th graders had 1 2/3 years at Latin prior to the test.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:One thing I wonder about when I look at the OSSE report cards for Latin is, why is there such huge disparity among races in who is advanced vs. who is below basic?

I don't mean to be facile and start a sub-thread about the history of racism and slavery in the U.S. What I'm getting at is, why can't such a lauded school close the gap a little more after 'X' years of teaching this group of kids?

The fact that it can't is a little worrisome. Put another way: Is Latin really that great at *educating* ? you wouldn't see that kind of disparity at a KIPP.

It's a fair critique. I think one day Latin would like to take every child who walks in the door at 5th grade from good to great, but they're just not there yet as measured by DC-CAS. On the other hand, this year's graduating class will leave with a classical language under their belt, a really unique story to tell, amazing teachers, and a guidance counselor going majorly to bat for them and building relations for subsequent classes. What also gets lost in the statistics is that there are very high performing minority students at Latin, struggling white ones, and vice versa. We're extremely proud of all our students.

You'd never see that kind of diversity at KIPP either.


If scores are all you care about -- stick with DCPS.

[Anonymous]

I think I read somewhere that Latin does not admit new students beyond 8th grade. At that point it is too difficult to catch up with the Latin language classes.
Our DD goes to Latin and she is thriving there. For the first time since preschool I feel like the teachers really know and appreciate my daughter.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I also wonder what they are doing for a facility since the current one just sold. Any idea where they could be moving? Will they build their own? Where do their buses run from now?

Buses run from Capitol Hill and Tenleytown.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think I read somewhere that Latin does not admit new students beyond 8th grade. At that point it is too difficult to catch up with the Latin language classes.
Our DD goes to Latin and she is thriving there. For the first time since preschool I feel like the teachers really know and appreciate my daughter.

The website says for 2012-13 they are accepting applications for entrance to 5th through 9th grade

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think I read somewhere that Latin does not admit new students beyond 8th grade. At that point it is too difficult to catch up with the Latin language classes.
Our DD goes to Latin and she is thriving there. For the first time since preschool I feel like the teachers really know and appreciate my daughter.

Latin has always accepted students through 9th grade. That is the last entry point (it's in the school's charter).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I also wonder what they are doing for a facility since the current one just sold. Any idea where they could be moving? Will they build their own? Where do their buses run from now?

According to s friend who works there, the sale doesn't affect the terms of the school's lease at all. The lease runs through next school year, so they could stay there one more year after this, but they are looking for a permanent location.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:One thing I wonder about when I look at the OSSE report cards for Latin is, why is there such huge disparity among races in who is advanced vs. who is below basic?

I don't mean to be facile and start a sub-thread about the history of racism and slavery in the U.S. What I'm getting at is, why can't such a lauded school close the gap a little more after 'X' years of teaching this group of kids?

The fact that it can't is a little worrisome. Put another way: Is Latin really that great at *educating* ? you wouldn't see that kind of disparity at a KIPP.

One possibility, PP, is that this gap needs to be closed before 5th grade. By that time, perhaps it is too late, at least statistically.

[Anonymous]

When looking at test scores, it needs to be said, and said often, that Washington Latin has the most privileged student body of any public middle school in the city. The percent of kids on free or reduced lunch is so low (14% the last time I checked) that I think an investigation into admissions practices would not be unreasonable.

I think Latin does a fine job with affluent kids who come to them at and above grade level. The school gives these kids an interesting experience and keeps them at grade level, according to the CAS reports. But Latin cannot and does not compare to a school like KIPP that is changing the life trajectory of students. It's true, as a PP said, that KIPP is not "diverse," but KIPP does not try to be diverse. They locate exclusively in high-poverty areas, recruit heavily from those areas, and take a student body is almost entirely FARMS and low achieving, and raise them to exceptional proficiency levels. Even if Latin is a few points ahead of KIPP on test scores (and it would only be a few points), KIPP is clearly doing a better job of actually educating.

[Anonymous]

This pp is so naive. You seem to believe that there is only one way to "really educate", that being bringing low ses students from below grade level to grade level. Seems like you completely devalue what you believe Latin does, which is give an interesting educational experience to kids who are already on grade level.

Also, you believe that there is some admissions fraud at Latin that needs to be investigated while KIPP is all over the news for the way that they counsel out or dissuade any but the most motivated students and families with constant threats of expulsion. They are under constant investigation for that kind of thing and have yet to successfully take over a regular public school ( having to educate all comers ) successfully.

Furthermore, any family who has chosen KIPP could choose Washington Latin and vice versa. But they don't. Should KIPP vary its model to appeal to families who don't want their kids in school until 6pm and on Saturday? Should Washington Latin vary its model to appeal to parents who have no interest in their children learning Latin or Roman history on a daily basis?

There is choice going on here, not discrimination. And by the way, Latin is one of the most racially diverse schools around even if there is a low percentage of FARMS families.

Let's suppose, that for the sake of economic integration, you mandated that Latin must have 50% FARMS students and KIPP had to have 50% non FARMS students. Do you think you could actually find enough families who want those particular programs for their kids? Would that make those schools better in some way?

[Anonymous]

The lower school at Latin is now 6% FARMS. The upper school is just under 10%.

That's quite a bit of "choice" going on.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:When looking at test scores, it needs to be said, and said often, that Washington Latin has the most privileged student body of any public middle school in the city. The percent of kids on free or reduced lunch is so low (14% the last time I checked) that I think an investigation into admissions practices would not be unreasonable.

I think Latin does a fine job with affluent kids who come to them at and above grade level. The school gives these kids an interesting experience and keeps them at grade level, according to the CAS reports. But Latin cannot and does not compare to a school like KIPP that is changing the life trajectory of students. It's true, as a PP said, that KIPP is not "diverse," but KIPP does not try to be diverse. They locate exclusively in high-poverty areas, recruit heavily from those areas, and take a student body is almost entirely FARMS and low achieving, and raise them to exceptional proficiency levels. Even if Latin is a few points ahead of KIPP on test scores (and it would only be a few points), KIPP is clearly doing a better job of actually educating.

Hogwash. And go ahead and investigate--it's a transparent lottery. Parents and children self-select for a variety of schools for a variety of reasons, and that's OK. That's why options exist. Do you send your kids to KIPP where they 'truly educate' or have you opted for other paths?

[Anonymous]

Bravo to posters at 8:56 and 9:12