Has anyone accepted a spot at a highly coveted DC Charter and then later been disappointed?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:uh huh. sounds like your kid was a problem, not a solution

Now now, Every school isn't right for every child.

OK, sure, so which DCPC is right for an advanced learner (particularly good at math)? Where's the GT program for the gifted kids? Where's the test-in GT program like in New York City?

We wish we'd bought in the Brent or Maury Districts. Perhaps the greater high-SES populations at those schools would have kept us from private tuition to stay in the city. We can't keep moving our kid around in search of a public school solution.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:uh huh. sounds like your kid was a problem, not a solution

+1. It's easier to think that your kid is GT than admit there is a problem.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:uh huh. sounds like your kid was a problem, not a solution

Now now, Every school isn't right for every child.

OK, sure, so which DCPC is right for an advanced learner (particularly good at math)? Where's the GT program for the gifted kids? Where's the test-in GT program like in New York City?

We wish we'd bought in the Brent or Maury Districts. Perhaps the greater high-SES populations at those schools would have kept us from private tuition to stay in the city. We can't keep moving our kid around in search of a public school solution.

a

G&T? Test-in? These are wholly alien concepts to DCPS and you will hear a whole host of outraged exceptions dare you even speak of such things.

But, if you do indeed have a math-talented child, currently the best bet is BASIS, given they are the most well-equipped for accommodating truly math-talented children, i.e. Algebra in 5th grade, Calculus by 8th grade and well beyond (impossible in any other school in the district or burbs).

But again, one dare not even speak of such things; according to some here, there is no such thing as children capable of or ever needing such learning (despite the fact that there already are many kids enrolled in accelerated math outside of DCPS and succeeding at it, not to mention, that many other industrialized nations are ahead of where DCPS is on math as the norm, as opposed to the exception.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:uh huh. sounds like your kid was a problem, not a solution

+1. It's easier to think that your kid is GT than admit there is a problem.

Behavioral problems / G&T are two totally separate things, and one has little to do with nor is explained away by the other.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Questions to ask: What the mission of the charter means for my family? Are our children the students that the school really wants to focus on? Or will they be an afterthought? If not, find a school with a better fit. Think about long-term. Is there a path to middle school and high school that you want? Moving schools is disruptive so start where you think you see a future. Do you want to do playdates over the city? Logistically it can be a nightmare and friendships are difficult to build.

This is a very good point. My daughter is at a highly sought after charter school. She is bright (I'm under no illusions that she's some budding genius, but she's a grade level or so ahead of where she should be). But she's not being pushed BECAUSE of that. The school is focused on getting the kids from more difficult backgrounds up to speed, and is content to let her (and others) move along without really pressing them to excel. While it's tough to argue that those other kids have the more pressing need, I struggle with whether this is a good "fit" for my daughter, and whether I will be able to find that fit at ANY charter school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Questions to ask: What the mission of the charter means for my family? Are our children the students that the school really wants to focus on? Or will they be an afterthought? If not, find a school with a better fit. Think about long-term. Is there a path to middle school and high school that you want? Moving schools is disruptive so start where you think you see a future. Do you want to do playdates over the city? Logistically it can be a nightmare and friendships are difficult to build.

This is a very good point. My daughter is at a highly sought after charter school. She is bright (I'm under no illusions that she's some budding genius, but she's a grade level or so ahead of where she should be). But she's not being pushed BECAUSE of that. The school is focused on getting the kids from more difficult backgrounds up to speed, and is content to let her (and others) move along without really pressing them to excel. While it's tough to argue that those other kids have the more pressing need, I struggle with whether this is a good "fit" for my daughter, and whether I will be able to find that fit at ANY charter school.

Many charters have a more specialized focus and mission- they aren't all like. Some are "sought after" for very specific reasons, and mere fact that one segment of parents is seeking that school out doesn't necessarily mean it's one that every family should seek it out. Different families prioritize different needs, and what is well aligned with one student's objectives and needs may not be well aligned or meet another student's needs - and for some that includes "highly coveted" charters. Ultimately, families need to do the research and make informed decisions, and NOT just apply at charters because "they are sought after". Remember, it's about lining your child's educational needs, capabilities and interests with the school that most closely meets them, it's not a popularity contest.

[Anonymous]

^ "they aren't all like" -> "they aren't all alike"

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:uh huh. sounds like your kid was a problem, not a solution

+1. It's easier to think that your kid is GT than admit there is a problem.

True, true. 2 Rivers insisted that our kid be evaluated by a psychologist. The psychologist determined that our child has a high IQ (140+) and was behaving badly because she was bored out her skull, often being forced to trace letters when she could already read. They promised to do more for her, but we'd had it. The teacher wasn't on the ball. Private school for us - 2 Rivers was our second DC public school for a 5 year old and we can't move her every year.

[Anonymous]

G&T? Test-in? These are wholly alien concepts to DCPS and you will hear a whole host of outraged exceptions dare you even speak of such things.

But, if you do indeed have a math-talented child, currently the best bet is BASIS, given they are the most well-equipped for accommodating truly math-talented children, i.e. Algebra in 5th grade, Calculus by 8th grade and well beyond (impossible in any other school in the district or burbs).

To DCPS yes, but not to every school. Times are changing. At Brent's PTA meeting last week, the principal announced that, as of the fall, upper grades math classes will all be held at the same times during the week, enabling a 3rd grader who can handle 4th grade math to "loop up" a grade, or even two grades. Also, 5th graders who can handle 6th grade math will now work with their own teacher, even if there are only a few kids being pulled out. The six-figure PTA is paying for the pullout instruction.

I'm sure the math at BASIS is wonderful, just not sold a a middle school without outdoor space, a gym, a stage, real sports teams, decent art room, band/orchestra....

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Questions to ask: What the mission of the charter means for my family? Are our children the students that the school really wants to focus on? Or will they be an afterthought? If not, find a school with a better fit. Think about long-term. Is there a path to middle school and high school that you want? Moving schools is disruptive so start where you think you see a future. Do you want to do playdates over the city? Logistically it can be a nightmare and friendships are difficult to build.

This is a very good point. My daughter is at a highly sought after charter school. She is bright (I'm under no illusions that she's some budding genius, but she's a grade level or so ahead of where she should be). But she's not being pushed BECAUSE of that. The school is focused on getting the kids from more difficult backgrounds up to speed, and is content to let her (and others) move along without really pressing them to excel. While it's tough to argue that those other kids have the more pressing need, I struggle with whether this is a good "fit" for my daughter, and whether I will be able to find that fit at ANY charter school.

Many charters have a more specialized focus and mission- they aren't all like. Some are "sought after" for very specific reasons, and mere fact that one segment of parents is seeking that school out doesn't necessarily mean it's one that every family should seek it out. Different families prioritize different needs, and what is well aligned with one student's objectives and needs may not be well aligned or meet another student's needs - and for some that includes "highly coveted" charters. Ultimately, families need to do the research and make informed decisions, and NOT just apply at charters because "they are sought after". Remember, it's about lining your child's educational needs, capabilities and interests with the school that most closely meets them, it's not a popularity contest.

Absolutely true, but this is a bit more fundamental. Unless a charter school is improperly screening applicants and/or counseling out low SES kids, this scenation will play out everywhere, in every charter school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:uh huh. sounds like your kid was a problem, not a solution

+1. It's easier to think that your kid is GT than admit there is a problem.

Behavioral problems / G&T are two totally separate things, and one has little to do with nor is explained away by the other.

Not really. See the other poster above who describes a child with a high iq who was bored and probably understimulated at school.
Also, that wasn't my point. The above poster is probably a legit issue, but I feel like some parents seem to explain away behavior problems by believing that their kid is gifted. That often isn't the case and the school get blamed because the parent is in denial. Am I off base here?

[Anonymous]

We left a highly sought after bilingual charter after two weeks. We were offered a position at another school closer to home, and we just couldn't make the commute work for us and our family at the time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:uh huh. sounds like your kid was a problem, not a solution

+1. It's easier to think that your kid is GT than admit there is a problem.

Behavioral problems / G&T are two totally separate things, and one has little to do with nor is explained away by the other.

Not really. See the other poster above who describes a child with a high iq who was bored and probably understimulated at school.
Also, that wasn't my point. The above poster is probably a legit issue, but I feel like some parents seem to explain away behavior problems by believing that their kid is gifted. That often isn't the case and the school get blamed because the parent is in denial. Am I off base here?

Not off base at all. I especially have a hard time with parents who explain away their 3, 4, 5 yr olds behavior problems b/c the kid is "gifted" and "bored". The whole point of early childhood education is socialization, getting ready for school - the main and most important part of which is learning how to behave, share and get along with others. While a high IQ may indicate a child's ability to do more academic work not being able to sit at circle time, acting out, etc indicates "social" immaturity unless the kid has a diagnosis like ADHD.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't feel comfortable naming the school as it is new and I truly wish it the best. We left because I felt that my son could be getting "more" from a different school. The teachers in his class had their hands full and were teaching to the middle of the class. (As they should). I know this sounds arrogant but my son is very bright and I felt he was not stimulated, nurtured or challenged in the ways that I would expect for early childhood. I also wanted a better facility w a real at ground and opportunities for different physical activities. I know this will happen in the coming years. However, we didn't want to wait... We felt that we could so better for him.

+1 I could have written this! Maybe we were at the same school

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

G&T? Test-in? These are wholly alien concepts to DCPS and you will hear a whole host of outraged exceptions dare you even speak of such things.

But, if you do indeed have a math-talented child, currently the best bet is BASIS, given they are the most well-equipped for accommodating truly math-talented children, i.e. Algebra in 5th grade, Calculus by 8th grade and well beyond (impossible in any other school in the district or burbs).

To DCPS yes, but not to every school. Times are changing. At Brent's PTA meeting last week, the principal announced that, as of the fall, upper grades math classes will all be held at the same times during the week, enabling a 3rd grader who can handle 4th grade math to "loop up" a grade, or even two grades. Also, 5th graders who can handle 6th grade math will now work with their own teacher, even if there are only a few kids being pulled out. The six-figure PTA is paying for the pullout instruction.

I'm sure the math at BASIS is wonderful, just not sold a a middle school without outdoor space, a gym, a stage, real sports teams, decent art room, band/orchestra....


Lack of those facilities describes just about every charter in the city, along with a few DCPS schools as well.