Eaton or Mundo Verde for PK - 4?
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Anonymous
it's been the most frequently rumored to switch feeders to Hardy. By the time today's PreK 4 reaches 6th, it's very uncertain. |
Anonymous
| Eaton all the way--very diverse offerings there for a DCPS and facility is good. |
Anonymous
| Having been at an "expand a grade a year" charter, I would take Eaton. The problem with expanding a grade a year, is the school is getting larger for a long long time. so, it can't "right size" any of it's systems. Gettting enough art, music, PE teachers. Even figuring out drop off pick up. How to handle school events (like fairs, dances) with an ever expanding population. It takes a very nimble administration to handle this challenge. MV (I think) also has a facility issue and will need a bigger building in a couple years, right? All very stressful. |
Anonymous
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We were at a school that did not have a playground, it was awful. The first 30-45 minutes after recess was spent resolving conflict because the kids had nothing to do but beat on each other. All the adult did was watch and yell at the kids from the far side of the space.
I would go to the school after a recess and ask to observe the class so you can see for yourself. I thought it was crazy that it would be that big of an issue but after experiencing it for several years there was no way I was going to subject my second child to that experience. It hurts their learning, creates adversarial classes and for some kids increases the likelihood they will be bullied. We transferred to Eaton through the OOB process and have had a very good experience. Involved teachers, very nice staff, active parents and a limited number of problem kids and a nice playground. |
Anonymous
| MV doesn't have a designated playground now-- my child walks to a nearby playground/park with his class. He gets plenty of exercise walking there and playing during recess. The teachers also takes the kids on walks around the neighborhood. MV prioritizes physical education and also incorporates specials such as yoga and dance during the school day. I am not worried about next year. The kids at MV are happy, energetic and get along well. Yes, it would be great to have great facilities and Eaton is a good option. Each family is different and our family is happy with MV as our child is happy, benefits from expeditionary learning and bilingual education. |
Anonymous
| Eaton without a doubt for all the reasons previously listed. Well-established and well-functioning DCPS trumps a new charter any day. |
Anonymous
| I have two kids at Eaton and agree with other posters that it is a gem of a school. It's small enough that no one gets lost, but big enough to have lots of options to engage young minds (cute library, small garden, great play spaces, good after school options, chinese, art, breakout groups in older classrooms, etc). The teachers are very good and the community is very strong. It's also diverse and the parents are active, positive and accepting. While I can understand the draw of a bilingual program, I think you'd be very happy at Eaton. |
Anonymous
There's a former Eaton family at IT. Different strokes for different folks. Thinking the different educational philosophies make a difference (DCPS vs charter). |
Anonymous
If you have girls. The parents of boys will tell you that there's a reliably higher ratio of boys in trouble every day than girls. While I recognize that the modern education system favors milder, female behavior, there are some older teachers at Eaton that seem to have a genuine problem with teaching boys at all, much less disciplining them. If you have mild-mannered easy boys then maybe Eaton will be good for you, but I've known it to be an unhappy place for many boys. See: "The War Against Boys" (Eaton Style) |
Anonymous
| We are also at MV, and the lack of a playground, while unfortunate, hasn't been a big deal at all. My daughter, who came from a school with a large playground, hasn't mentioned it once. |
Anonymous
| I checked out the area behind the MV & IT buildings yesterday. It's quite large and I'm sure it will make a great playground. |
Anonymous
| I wholeheartedly agree with the PP who mentioned the issues with boys at Eaton. We had a horrible experience in PreK because of it and my son developed an anxiety disorder that took over a year to get over. |
Anonymous
Did you leave Eaton? What was the administration's reaction to your experience? |
Anonymous
| It is not just Eaton, there are plenty of "old school" teachers in DC with this attitude (haven't changed much since my childhood!). We left a school because I didn't like the fact my son and other boys in the class were always labeled as having behavior problems and the "traditional" approach to classroom management and teaching. I don't think 3 and 4 yr olds period can sit and pay attention for long periods of time and there is research that boys need to move around. My son is doing well at another school that takes a projects-based approach and allows kids to move around, sit on the carpet, etc. |
Anonymous
You must have meant MV and CM - right? |