S/O Feedback on Deal

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:PP here-- we did use a math tutor in elementary school for math and writing. Since moving onto Deal (now in 8th grade) we haven't used any tutoring. There hasn't been a need since the teachers have all worked with my child extensively. In fact I don't really know of any friends using tutors. I know a few who got language tutors but none having math tutors.

And if your kid is lucky enough to get Ms. Milikin for math, you will be forever grateful. She is amazing.

+1. My DC LOVED, LOVED, LOVED Ms. Milikin. She also has high praise for her geometry teacher, Mr. Eckel.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:PP here-- we did use a math tutor in elementary school for math and writing. Since moving onto Deal (now in 8th grade) we haven't used any tutoring. There hasn't been a need since the teachers have all worked with my child extensively. In fact I don't really know of any friends using tutors. I know a few who got language tutors but none having math tutors.

And if your kid is lucky enough to get Ms. Milikin for math, you will be forever grateful. She is amazing.

+1. My DC LOVED, LOVED, LOVED Ms. Milikin. She also has high praise for her geometry teacher, Mr. Eckel.

We have kids on the same team. He is the one with the 15 kid Algebra class who stays after all the time. Great combo of cool nerd for the kids.

[Anonymous]

What is the range of class sizes at Deal?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What do you mean by average to below average? I personally would not send an average child to Deal -- it's too big and the kids don't get enough attention. The homework load, which is pretty light, is not the issue. You want a place where the teachers have time to work with kids who are struggling. Deal is not that place.

Completely untrue. PP my son is in the same place. Sweet as a button, but really struggles. Deal has been WONDERFUL and supportive. He has gotten all of the help he's needed, including a teacher checking his notebook everyday before he goes home. He loves it and doesn't know that he is actually behind. He's working very hard and the staff has been great. I thought his biggest struggle would be the size, but he learned how to navigate it. I was shocked. The clusters are small though.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What do you mean by average to below average? I personally would not send an average child to Deal -- it's too big and the kids don't get enough attention. The homework load, which is pretty light, is not the issue. You want a place where the teachers have time to work with kids who are struggling. Deal is not that place.

Completely untrue. PP my son is in the same place. Sweet as a button, but really struggles. Deal has been WONDERFUL and supportive. He has gotten all of the help he's needed, including a teacher checking his notebook everyday before he goes home. He loves it and doesn't know that he is actually behind. He's working very hard and the staff has been great. I thought his biggest struggle would be the size, but he learned how to navigate it. I was shocked. The clusters are small though.

I could say the same in one class and not another. Deal is a big school with some absolutely amazing teachers and a handful still in progress teachers, frankly it is like most places on earth with a mix. There are just no guarantees but then there are not in the workplace and most of our kids will need to work and deal with difficult coworkers and bosses.

I would say it is worth your kid going on a a shadow trip and seeing how it feels. If possible find another school like Hardy and try it on for size. Not to restart one is better than the other debate but they do have different size dynamics that may favor a child in one direction or another. Fit is more important than perfect.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What do you mean by average to below average? I personally would not send an average child to Deal -- it's too big and the kids don't get enough attention. The homework load, which is pretty light, is not the issue. You want a place where the teachers have time to work with kids who are struggling. Deal is not that place.

Completely untrue. PP my son is in the same place. Sweet as a button, but really struggles. Deal has been WONDERFUL and supportive. He has gotten all of the help he's needed, including a teacher checking his notebook everyday before he goes home. He loves it and doesn't know that he is actually behind. He's working very hard and the staff has been great. I thought his biggest struggle would be the size, but he learned how to navigate it. I was shocked. The clusters are small though.

I could say the same in one class and not another. Deal is a big school with some absolutely amazing teachers and a handful still in progress teachers, frankly it is like most places on earth with a mix. There are just no guarantees but then there are not in the workplace and most of our kids will need to work and deal with difficult coworkers and bosses.

I would say it is worth your kid going on a a shadow trip and seeing how it feels. If possible find another school like Hardy and try it on for size. Not to restart one is better than the other debate but they do have different size dynamics that may favor a child in one direction or another. Fit is more important than perfect.

This is true about size. Though the two schools are comparable in academics.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What is the range of class sizes at Deal?

During the open house, principle said 13 - 24. Some homerooms are bigger, but next year the addition will be open and they will add 15 classes or something like that, so homerooms will be smaller too. That's what I understood.

Last year was a bubble class (feeders grew and started graduating one more classroom full than they used to), so the addition will help with that. The next bubble class is currently in second grade, and the boundary change is supposed to manage that.

[Anonymous]

Isn't Janney adding two classrooms?

[Anonymous]

They also have Ms. Culp this year, and excellent English teacher coming from a charter school.

[Anonymous]

Not the OP but I am sending my DD there next year for sixth grade so you won't be alone! We have definite untapped aptitude issues, organizational issues and in math have needed tutoring the past two years. I'm a bit nervous but socially, I feel its best to keep her with her cohort for sixth. We will see -- I'm open to switching if it doesn't work out. What elementary are you coming from?

[Anonymous]

What about the transition from the small Deal classes to the much larger classes at Wilson. How have the kids adapted? I would love to hear feedback

[Anonymous]

Deal is really over-crowded. Middle school is an awkward age that is not eased by being in a 1300 person school. If your kid is effortless, sure, go for it. Otherwise, think twice.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Deal is really over-crowded. Middle school is an awkward age that is not eased by being in a 1300 person school. If your kid is effortless, sure, go for it. Otherwise, think twice.

Could you be more specific? When I visited, it seemed like you could not tell at all that 1300 kids were in the building. It actually felt small somehow.