Any programming or teaching differences at the Upper NW Elementary Schools?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are touring the NW public elementary schools and we are curious to know what the differences are without going to each and every one. So, besides test scores and student body, what are the differences? It seems to me that Hearst actually has very small class sizes. Do any of the schools manage to get PE more than once a week? More outdoor time? Specialty teachers? Unique facilities? Different teaching philosophies? Basically, I am wondering if there are any differences to these schools beyond the preparedness of the student body.

Janney and Mann have more academic enrichment and other programs than other upper NW schools with substantial OOB populations like Hearst or Eaton can sustain.

What exactly is the relationship between OOB enrollment and enrichments? Hearst has tons of programs. I just can't understand how you think they relate. But now I know exactly which poster you are in all these threads.

Because a lot of the extracurriculars are either started or run by parents and PTAs. There tends to be more PTA involvement in schools with wealthier, local parents.

Ummm...you really should not speak about that which you don't know. Again...did you even look at the list of extracurricular's on Hearst's website that was posted up thread? (http://www.hearstes.org/enrichment_programs ) Do you realize that Hearst is a solidly middle-middle upper class school (which really shouldn't matter except that you seem to think that involved parents are wealthy, and that the only parents in DC who are wealthy are those located in Ward 3). Finally, our PTA meetings are standing room only EVERY month. So I really don't know what you're talking about and apparently, neither do you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are touring the NW public elementary schools and we are curious to know what the differences are without going to each and every one. So, besides test scores and student body, what are the differences? It seems to me that Hearst actually has very small class sizes. Do any of the schools manage to get PE more than once a week? More outdoor time? Specialty teachers? Unique facilities? Different teaching philosophies? Basically, I am wondering if there are any differences to these schools beyond the preparedness of the student body.

Janney and Mann have more academic enrichment and other programs than other upper NW schools with substantial OOB populations like Hearst or Eaton can sustain.

What exactly is the relationship between OOB enrollment and enrichments? Hearst has tons of programs. I just can't understand how you think they relate. But now I know exactly which poster you are in all these threads.

Because a lot of the extracurriculars are either started or run by parents and PTAs. There tends to be more PTA involvement in schools with wealthier, local parents.

Ummm...you really should not speak about that which you don't know. Again...did you even look at the list of extracurricular's on Hearst's website that was posted up thread? (http://www.hearstes.org/enrichment_programs ) Do you realize that Hearst is a solidly middle-middle upper class school (which really shouldn't matter except that you seem to think that involved parents are wealthy, and that the only parents in DC who are wealthy are those located in Ward 3). Finally, our PTA meetings are standing room only EVERY month. So I really don't know what you're talking about and apparently, neither do you.

It's all about you, isn't it?

The question was about the relationship between enrichment and OOB in general. That Hearst has a robust PTA is great, congrats! But it is not the norm for schools with a larger, more diverse OOB populous. Eaton and Stoddert are two examples.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are touring the NW public elementary schools and we are curious to know what the differences are without going to each and every one. So, besides test scores and student body, what are the differences? It seems to me that Hearst actually has very small class sizes. Do any of the schools manage to get PE more than once a week? More outdoor time? Specialty teachers? Unique facilities? Different teaching philosophies? Basically, I am wondering if there are any differences to these schools beyond the preparedness of the student body.

Janney and Mann have more academic enrichment and other programs than other upper NW schools with substantial OOB populations like Hearst or Eaton can sustain.

I actually do not think that is true, particularly on a per student basis, but in any case, most of these schools have more than enough to satisfy a given child.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are touring the NW public elementary schools and we are curious to know what the differences are without going to each and every one. So, besides test scores and student body, what are the differences? It seems to me that Hearst actually has very small class sizes. Do any of the schools manage to get PE more than once a week? More outdoor time? Specialty teachers? Unique facilities? Different teaching philosophies? Basically, I am wondering if there are any differences to these schools beyond the preparedness of the student body.

Janney and Mann have more academic enrichment and other programs than other upper NW schools with substantial OOB populations like Hearst or Eaton can sustain.

What exactly is the relationship between OOB enrollment and enrichments? Hearst has tons of programs. I just can't understand how you think they relate. But now I know exactly which poster you are in all these threads.

Because a lot of the extracurriculars are either started or run by parents and PTAs. There tends to be more PTA involvement in schools with wealthier, local parents.

Ummm...you really should not speak about that which you don't know. Again...did you even look at the list of extracurricular's on Hearst's website that was posted up thread? (http://www.hearstes.org/enrichment_programs ) Do you realize that Hearst is a solidly middle-middle upper class school (which really shouldn't matter except that you seem to think that involved parents are wealthy, and that the only parents in DC who are wealthy are those located in Ward 3). Finally, our PTA meetings are standing room only EVERY month. So I really don't know what you're talking about and apparently, neither do you.

It's all about you, isn't it?

The question was about the relationship between enrichment and OOB in general. That Hearst has a robust PTA is great, congrats! But it is not the norm for schools with a larger, more diverse OOB populous. Eaton and Stoddert are two examples.

Ok. I'm going to ignore your first comment (WTF?), but the OPs question was, "Any programming or teaching differences at the Upper NW Elementary Schools?" I was responding to statements that you were apparently pulling from a bodily orifice. And by the way...you don't seem to have first hand knowledge of Eaton or Stoddert either. Just sayin'.

[Anonymous]

I think some people end up being so pleasantly surprised at how good their ES is that they just can't believe it. Therefore, they automatically believe that no other ES could possibly be as good as theirs because they can't believe theirs is so good. And, they don't have any experience with any of the others, so they just don't realize that some others are really good too.

Those people are counterbalanced by those for whom no school will ever be good enough.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are touring the NW public elementary schools and we are curious to know what the differences are without going to each and every one. So, besides test scores and student body, what are the differences? It seems to me that Hearst actually has very small class sizes. Do any of the schools manage to get PE more than once a week? More outdoor time? Specialty teachers? Unique facilities? Different teaching philosophies? Basically, I am wondering if there are any differences to these schools beyond the preparedness of the student body.

Class size is fairly universal, and in general a whole lot smaller than MoCo or FFX schools.

I know one of them -- maybe Murch? -- has more autonomy in terms of curriculum, but I haven't heard anyone boast or complain one way or the other on this issue. They each have different strengths and weaknesses. Lafayette and Janney, for instance, are very big schools. The upside to that, however, is that there are tons of extracurriculars to chose from. The down side is they are large! Lafayette is know for its peace program and its art integration; aftercare is limited. I don't know as much about Key.

Also, you might look at the schedule of construction. Mann is finishing up its construction, Lafayette is slated to be completely redone next year-- all the kids will be in trailers. Janney is also getting "some work done" and Murch (which needs it) is less clear -- I think it was supposed to be done this year, but got delayed. Others on this forum know more than me.

Eaton is a good school, but with neighborhood enrollment below 40% they keep getting pushed down the renovation list. No council member advocates for it because parent voters are so dispersed around the city.

We know of some IB Eaton parents who are applying OOB to Hearst in order to stay on the Deal track. Could lead to higher OOB populations at Eaton in the coming years.

Very true. A number of IB families at John Eaton are quite upset and frankly pissed off at how Eaton is being shafted in the rezoning from Deal to Hardy. It unfortunately may have a negative impact on the trajectory of Eaton (and further Hearst's upward trajectory), as parents strategically try to secure spots in Hearst to assure Deal

[Anonymous]

^^^ That's too bad. As a parent of a student at Deal, I really would have had no issue sending my kid to Hardy. Deal is excellent (I was skeptical but it actually does live up to the hype). However, I sincerely believe Hardy is completely underrated.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think some people end up being so pleasantly surprised at how good their ES is that they just can't believe it. Therefore, they automatically believe that no other ES could possibly be as good as theirs because they can't believe theirs is so good. And, they don't have any experience with any of the others, so they just don't realize that some others are really good too.

Those people are counterbalanced by those for whom no school will ever be good enough.

I think the bold is true, but I for one, wanted a tried and true excellent school. Meaning, I was not willing to send my kid to Hearst, for example, because I wasn't comfortable with a school that shows 1/3 of the school at basic or below basic reading levels. We chose a school with less than half that figure.

That said, had our kid ended up at Hearst I am sure they would have been fine - but when you are in a position to have the choice of any of these schools it's reasonable for people like OP to look for the differences, whatever they may be.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think some people end up being so pleasantly surprised at how good their ES is that they just can't believe it. Therefore, they automatically believe that no other ES could possibly be as good as theirs because they can't believe theirs is so good. And, they don't have any experience with any of the others, so they just don't realize that some others are really good too.

Those people are counterbalanced by those for whom no school will ever be good enough.

I think the bold is true, but I for one, wanted a tried and true excellent school. Meaning, I was not willing to send my kid to Hearst, for example, because I wasn't comfortable with a school that shows 1/3 of the school at basic or below basic reading levels. We chose a school with less than half that figure.

That said, had our kid ended up at Hearst I am sure they would have been fine - but when you are in a position to have the choice of any of these schools it's reasonable for people like OP to look for the differences, whatever they may be.

You sound like a jewel of an individual. I'm sure your school community is so glad to have you as part of the family.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are touring the NW public elementary schools and we are curious to know what the differences are without going to each and every one. So, besides test scores and student body, what are the differences? It seems to me that Hearst actually has very small class sizes. Do any of the schools manage to get PE more than once a week? More outdoor time? Specialty teachers? Unique facilities? Different teaching philosophies? Basically, I am wondering if there are any differences to these schools beyond the preparedness of the student body.

Janney and Mann have more academic enrichment and other programs than other upper NW schools with substantial OOB populations like Hearst or Eaton can sustain.

What exactly is the relationship between OOB enrollment and enrichments? Hearst has tons of programs. I just can't understand how you think they relate. But now I know exactly which poster you are in all these threads.

Because a lot of the extracurriculars are either started or run by parents and PTAs. There tends to be more PTA involvement in schools with wealthier, local parents.

Ummm...you really should not speak about that which you don't know. Again...did you even look at the list of extracurricular's on Hearst's website that was posted up thread? (http://www.hearstes.org/enrichment_programs ) Do you realize that Hearst is a solidly middle-middle upper class school (which really shouldn't matter except that you seem to think that involved parents are wealthy, and that the only parents in DC who are wealthy are those located in Ward 3). Finally, our PTA meetings are standing room only EVERY month. So I really don't know what you're talking about and apparently, neither do you.

Define "solidly." I realize that more than 1 in 3 Hearst students is poor.

-- new poster

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think some people end up being so pleasantly surprised at how good their ES is that they just can't believe it. Therefore, they automatically believe that no other ES could possibly be as good as theirs because they can't believe theirs is so good. And, they don't have any experience with any of the others, so they just don't realize that some others are really good too.

Those people are counterbalanced by those for whom no school will ever be good enough.

I think the bold is true, but I for one, wanted a tried and true excellent school. Meaning, I was not willing to send my kid to Hearst, for example, because I wasn't comfortable with a school that shows 1/3 of the school at basic or below basic reading levels. We chose a school with less than half that figure.

That said, had our kid ended up at Hearst I am sure they would have been fine - but when you are in a position to have the choice of any of these schools it's reasonable for people like OP to look for the differences, whatever they may be.

You sound like a jewel of an individual. I'm sure your school community is so glad to have you as part of the family.

What is wrong with not wanting to take a risk with my kids' education? What is your limit? Would you send your kid to a school with 1/2 the kids at basic or below? 3/4? Certainly many OOB families think the way I do, or they wouldn't be applying to schools outside of their neighborhood. Hearst is filled with them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are touring the NW public elementary schools and we are curious to know what the differences are without going to each and every one. So, besides test scores and student body, what are the differences? It seems to me that Hearst actually has very small class sizes. Do any of the schools manage to get PE more than once a week? More outdoor time? Specialty teachers? Unique facilities? Different teaching philosophies? Basically, I am wondering if there are any differences to these schools beyond the preparedness of the student body.

Janney and Mann have more academic enrichment and other programs than other upper NW schools with substantial OOB populations like Hearst or Eaton can sustain.

What exactly is the relationship between OOB enrollment and enrichments? Hearst has tons of programs. I just can't understand how you think they relate. But now I know exactly which poster you are in all these threads.

Because a lot of the extracurriculars are either started or run by parents and PTAs. There tends to be more PTA involvement in schools with wealthier, local parents.

Ummm...you really should not speak about that which you don't know. Again...did you even look at the list of extracurricular's on Hearst's website that was posted up thread? (http://www.hearstes.org/enrichment_programs ) Do you realize that Hearst is a solidly middle-middle upper class school (which really shouldn't matter except that you seem to think that involved parents are wealthy, and that the only parents in DC who are wealthy are those located in Ward 3). Finally, our PTA meetings are standing room only EVERY month. So I really don't know what you're talking about and apparently, neither do you.

Define "solidly." I realize that more than 1 in 3 Hearst students is poor.

-- new poster

That would be, "are poor." You must not have gone to Hearst, or else your grammar would not be so "poor."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are touring the NW public elementary schools and we are curious to know what the differences are without going to each and every one. So, besides test scores and student body, what are the differences? It seems to me that Hearst actually has very small class sizes. Do any of the schools manage to get PE more than once a week? More outdoor time? Specialty teachers? Unique facilities? Different teaching philosophies? Basically, I am wondering if there are any differences to these schools beyond the preparedness of the student body.

Class size is fairly universal, and in general a whole lot smaller than MoCo or FFX schools.

I know one of them -- maybe Murch? -- has more autonomy in terms of curriculum, but I haven't heard anyone boast or complain one way or the other on this issue. They each have different strengths and weaknesses. Lafayette and Janney, for instance, are very big schools. The upside to that, however, is that there are tons of extracurriculars to chose from. The down side is they are large! Lafayette is know for its peace program and its art integration; aftercare is limited. I don't know as much about Key.

Also, you might look at the schedule of construction. Mann is finishing up its construction, Lafayette is slated to be completely redone next year-- all the kids will be in trailers. Janney is also getting "some work done" and Murch (which needs it) is less clear -- I think it was supposed to be done this year, but got delayed. Others on this forum know more than me.

Eaton is a good school, but with neighborhood enrollment below 40% they keep getting pushed down the renovation list. No council member advocates for it because parent voters are so dispersed around the city.

We know of some IB Eaton parents who are applying OOB to Hearst in order to stay on the Deal track. Could lead to higher OOB populations at Eaton in the coming years.

Very true. A number of IB families at John Eaton are quite upset and frankly pissed off at how Eaton is being shafted in the rezoning from Deal to Hardy. It unfortunately may have a negative impact on the trajectory of Eaton (and further Hearst's upward trajectory), as parents strategically try to secure spots in Hearst to assure Deal

Eaton parent here - have not heard of anyone applying OOB to Hearst or elsewhere, but even if true I'm confident Eaton is going to be fine. The 3 Eaton kindergarten classes are 50% in boundary -- great, committed, diverse, smart kids and families. The OOB families -- who live in AU Park (Janney), Mount Pleasant, 16th St Heights, Brookland, Petworth, etc. -- are totally committed to the school, as much as the IB families. Size is perfect. Lots of enrichment options. The foreign language offered is Chinese, which may be different from other NWES. We are very happy there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are touring the NW public elementary schools and we are curious to know what the differences are without going to each and every one. So, besides test scores and student body, what are the differences? It seems to me that Hearst actually has very small class sizes. Do any of the schools manage to get PE more than once a week? More outdoor time? Specialty teachers? Unique facilities? Different teaching philosophies? Basically, I am wondering if there are any differences to these schools beyond the preparedness of the student body.

Janney and Mann have more academic enrichment and other programs than other upper NW schools with substantial OOB populations like Hearst or Eaton can sustain.

What exactly is the relationship between OOB enrollment and enrichments? Hearst has tons of programs. I just can't understand how you think they relate. But now I know exactly which poster you are in all these threads.

Because a lot of the extracurriculars are either started or run by parents and PTAs. There tends to be more PTA involvement in schools with wealthier, local parents.

Ummm...you really should not speak about that which you don't know. Again...did you even look at the list of extracurricular's on Hearst's website that was posted up thread? (http://www.hearstes.org/enrichment_programs ) Do you realize that Hearst is a solidly middle-middle upper class school (which really shouldn't matter except that you seem to think that involved parents are wealthy, and that the only parents in DC who are wealthy are those located in Ward 3). Finally, our PTA meetings are standing room only EVERY month. So I really don't know what you're talking about and apparently, neither do you.

Define "solidly." I realize that more than 1 in 3 Hearst students is poor.

-- new poster

That would be, "are poor." You must not have gone to Hearst, or else your grammar would not be so "poor."

Actually, "is poor" is grammatically correct. "Is" corresponds with "1" and the verb is singular.

You wouldn't say "one are poor" -- well, you might, but you shouldn't.

You're welcome.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are touring the NW public elementary schools and we are curious to know what the differences are without going to each and every one. So, besides test scores and student body, what are the differences? It seems to me that Hearst actually has very small class sizes. Do any of the schools manage to get PE more than once a week? More outdoor time? Specialty teachers? Unique facilities? Different teaching philosophies? Basically, I am wondering if there are any differences to these schools beyond the preparedness of the student body.

Janney and Mann have more academic enrichment and other programs than other upper NW schools with substantial OOB populations like Hearst or Eaton can sustain.

What exactly is the relationship between OOB enrollment and enrichments? Hearst has tons of programs. I just can't understand how you think they relate. But now I know exactly which poster you are in all these threads.

Because a lot of the extracurriculars are either started or run by parents and PTAs. There tends to be more PTA involvement in schools with wealthier, local parents.

Ah yes... I stand corrected. Thank you. Carry on!

Ummm...you really should not speak about that which you don't know. Again...did you even look at the list of extracurricular's on Hearst's website that was posted up thread? (http://www.hearstes.org/enrichment_programs ) Do you realize that Hearst is a solidly middle-middle upper class school (which really shouldn't matter except that you seem to think that involved parents are wealthy, and that the only parents in DC who are wealthy are those located in Ward 3). Finally, our PTA meetings are standing room only EVERY month. So I really don't know what you're talking about and apparently, neither do you.

Define "solidly." I realize that more than 1 in 3 Hearst students is poor.

-- new poster

That would be, "are poor." You must not have gone to Hearst, or else your grammar would not be so "poor."

Actually, "is poor" is grammatically correct. "Is" corresponds with "1" and the verb is singular.

You wouldn't say "one are poor" -- well, you might, but you shouldn't.

You're welcome.