IT v. MV

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How would the MV move to NoMa year after next factor in to your work commute?

Can someone fill me in on the MV's move? TIA!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Another IT parent here (PK). I don't think anyone is arguing that the school is perfect. No school is, and both IT and MV have had growing pains since they are new charters. But we are happy there, happy with the teacher and administration, classroom management, the cohort in his class and what our son is learning. I've also been impressed with what I have seen from the higher grades at the learning showcase. I also wouldn't read anything into the fact that IT has more trouble recruiting the higher grades. There are fewer children total in DC in those grades and they are likely settled into their schools at this point. The negative that we see to the school right now is the building (we love the location) - We would love a traditional school building with more outdoor space. But that's mitigated for us by the fact that it is temporary and that we have a younger child - his world is his classroom and it is bright, cheery and well supplied.

As to the OP's specific questions regarding language, we were of a similar mindset and ended up not applying to the immersion schools. Personally, I thought it would be problematic to have my child in an immersion school when it wasn't a high priority for me. I worried that I would not be able to support him as he would need in that aspect of his education. Also (and this is totally just my feelings and absolutely no judgment on people who do not feel the same way) it seemed unfair to take an immersion spot that I wasn't wild about when so many of our friends truly valued the language and were desperate for one.

PP, how do you know that the location is temporary? My understanding is the administration/board is in the process of negotiating a longer lease at their current location. I would personally desire IT more if I knew the chances of them moving are good.

Charter locations are always temporary until they either buy a building or sign a long-term lease.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Another IT parent here (PK). I don't think anyone is arguing that the school is perfect. No school is, and both IT and MV have had growing pains since they are new charters. But we are happy there, happy with the teacher and administration, classroom management, the cohort in his class and what our son is learning. I've also been impressed with what I have seen from the higher grades at the learning showcase. I also wouldn't read anything into the fact that IT has more trouble recruiting the higher grades. There are fewer children total in DC in those grades and they are likely settled into their schools at this point. The negative that we see to the school right now is the building (we love the location) - We would love a traditional school building with more outdoor space. But that's mitigated for us by the fact that it is temporary and that we have a younger child - his world is his classroom and it is bright, cheery and well supplied.

As to the OP's specific questions regarding language, we were of a similar mindset and ended up not applying to the immersion schools. Personally, I thought it would be problematic to have my child in an immersion school when it wasn't a high priority for me. I worried that I would not be able to support him as he would need in that aspect of his education. Also (and this is totally just my feelings and absolutely no judgment on people who do not feel the same way) it seemed unfair to take an immersion spot that I wasn't wild about when so many of our friends truly valued the language and were desperate for one.

PP, how do you know that the location is temporary? My understanding is the administration/board is in the process of negotiating a longer lease at their current location. I would personally desire IT more if I knew the chances of them moving are good.

If I had to guess, IT will negotiate a lease to stay beyond NEXT year at the current location (sign another 1 to 3 year lease) but they won't stay there forever. If you know of potential permanent locations coming available, I'm sure the administration would love to hear about them

Regarding language immersion -- it was something I really thought we wanted. But as it turns out, I don't really mind not having it. I am glad they will likely add some language instruction next year.

Charter locations are always temporary until they either buy a building or sign a long-term lease.

[Anonymous]

Am I the only person that hopes MV moves somewhere that parents don't want to go to free up spots..

[Anonymous]

MV is getting the JF cook building:

http://mayor.dc.gov/release/deputy-mayor-education-and-department-general-services-award-jf-cook-school-building-mundo

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Am I the only person that hopes MV moves somewhere that parents don't want to go to free up spots..

it is going some place in 2014 that may influence decisions for familiess. Many of the 1st year families were from Adams Morgan so the location in Dupont and Columbia Heights was very desireable. It aligned with Green as they walked or biked to school.

These families will not be walking or biking to NoMa - but maybe they will carpool as their kids are a little older and they will be in booster seats as opposed to carseats. Or maybe they will metro or bus or maybe they will go somewhere else.


As a datapoint, when CapCity and Stokes moved from Columbia Heights, most of the families followed along.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Am I the only person that hopes MV moves somewhere that parents don't want to go to free up spots..

it is going some place in 2014 that may influence decisions for familiess. Many of the 1st year families were from Adams Morgan so the location in Dupont and Columbia Heights was very desireable. It aligned with Green as they walked or biked to school.

These families will not be walking or biking to NoMa - but maybe they will carpool as their kids are a little older and they will be in booster seats as opposed to carseats. Or maybe they will metro or bus or maybe they will go somewhere else.


As a datapoint, when CapCity and Stokes moved from Columbia Heights, most of the families followed along.

Insteresting, I wonder how many of those "green" MV families will be driving their cars to the new location?

Personally, as someone who lives in NOMA, I'm not looking forward to seeing the Ward 3 SUVs driving through my 'hood as parents drive their kids to MV as I drive the oposite way.

[Anonymous]

MV doesn't have many Ward 3 families. There are a few, but most are from Logan Circle, U Street, Shaw, Columbia Heights, Adams Morgan, Mount Pleasant, Petworth, and Tacoma/Brookland. Everyone I know from these neighborhoods plans to follow the school to its new location. The U St/Shaw and NE families plan to commute by public transportation. Others haven't figured out a plan, but it may involve a school-organized bus or carpool system. There really isn't room to park a big SUV in most of these neighborhoods so I don't think you have a lot to worry about.

My guess is the new locale will attract more Hill and NE families over time, along with ones from nearby Bloomingdale/Eckington. But I don't predict a lot of drop off from current families.

[Anonymous]

Currently at MV and everyone I know plans to follow the school to the new location. With the opportunity to have access to DCI for middle school and high school, most of us will follow the school wherever it goes. Regarding driving, there has been talk of organizing a shuttle service from CH.

[Anonymous]

I think you should determine how important the green and bilingual aspects are to you and visit both in action. I'm also curious what turned you off of MV at the expo?