Questions on Deal

[Anonymous]

Sounds like good changes are afoot!

[Anonymous]

Pp here...have had 3 kids through Deal and loved it but not sure it could accommodate the truly gifted vs the really smart child. Which is why I suggested a suburban system where OP could find the kids destined for TJ and Blair

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You had a 7th grader in Geometry? Never heard of that. OP you might really want to look at suburban programs for differentiation. DC doesn't let you do APS till 10th grade with few exceptions

BASIS DC has some students who complete the equivalent of 1 year of high school geometry which goes on the high school transcript in 7th grade as well as Algebra 1, Algebra 2, and Pre-Calculus done in 5th, 6th and 7th grades who go on to AP Calculus AB in 8th grade.

[Anonymous]

Seems like basis might be good for middle and then on to Wilson for broader experience...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You had a 7th grader in Geometry? Never heard of that. OP you might really want to look at suburban programs for differentiation. DC doesn't let you do APS till 10th grade with few exceptions

This isn't true. We just met with Wison about this an there is no rule in DCPS about what grade you can take APs. Now the vast majority of kids (including suburban kids) aren't ready for AP in 9th grade but for those who are ready they are available --I would assume suburban schools operate the same way.

ok. Report back AFTER you've tried to enroll a 9th grader in an AP class.. .even with a teacher recommendation from middle school.
I tried that last year and wasn't successful . I DO know of kids who got exemptions in the past but not recently. As for going past Geometry at Deal that is very new and experimental

Currently there are BASIS DC 8th grade students taking AP Calculus AB, AP Psychology, and AP World History, and Leap (Honors equivalent) Chemistry which leads to AP Chemistry in 9th grade as well as a slew of other AP courses in 9-11 or 12th grade.

[Anonymous]

Basis has no outdoor space and has classrooms with no windows, I heard.

[Anonymous]

Welcome to DC, OP! Basis is a charter school, so you can only attend via a random lottery which takes place the previous spring. Deal is a zoned neighborhood school. If you buy a house in boundary for Deal, you can still apply for Basis, although they only accept rising 5 and 6 graders. We have a son at Deal and a daughter who will start next year. Like any large school, the quality of the education is subject to variable teacher quality. Deal does a reasonable job of insulating students from this by team planning to ensure all students are at least benefitting from the same basic curriculum. Our son has been challenged by his 8th grade geometry class, although his teacher has apologized that she doesn't feel able to provide him the level of challenge he requires. We were also told this, unprompted, by his science and history teachers. Clearly, the teachers at Deal, at least these three, are somewhat frustrated by the mix of ability levels, even for a class like geometry which is already split by ability. Can't imagine this dilemma is any different at other large public schools, but there it is.

OP, you should also carefully consider your HS options as that looms very near! Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Basis has no outdoor space and has classrooms with no windows, I heard.

Actually many classrooms have windows and the student use a different classroom for each class. The school often uses the National Mall for outdoor space seeing as it is only 2 blocks away.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You had a 7th grader in Geometry? Never heard of that. OP you might really want to look at suburban programs for differentiation. DC doesn't let you do APS till 10th grade with few exceptions

This isn't true. We just met with Wison about this an there is no rule in DCPS about what grade you can take APs. Now the vast majority of kids (including suburban kids) aren't ready for AP in 9th grade but for those who are ready they are available --I would assume suburban schools operate the same way.

ok. Report back AFTER you've tried to enroll a 9th grader in an AP class.. .even with a teacher recommendation from middle school.
I tried that last year and wasn't successful . I DO know of kids who got exemptions in the past but not recently. As for going past Geometry at Deal that is very new and experimental

Currently there are BASIS DC 8th grade students taking AP Calculus AB, AP Psychology, and AP World History, and Leap (Honors equivalent) Chemistry which leads to AP Chemistry in 9th grade as well as a slew of other AP courses in 9-11 or 12th grade.

That's intense, but are they required to take the AP and what are the scores like, or us it like the jay Mathews trick where just high numbers of students take them but they don't do great.

[Anonymous]

I meant take the ap exam. I'd rather be at deal and have my kid actually learn the foundations for HS than race through things superficially. At least that's my current thought...

[Anonymous]

OP from your statement I would assume you have a smart and motivated child, but not one that is so exceptional that you would have them tested for gifted i.e. in at least the 95%. Deal will meet that need. If your child is exceptional and needs exceptions because they do music or some other progeny type thing, not so much.

Also in terms of crime ect, you will be in shock just because the variety of human beings, homeless, crazy kid behaviors and other variable that just are less common in small town environment, you will have to keep saying that to yourself or find another small town to live in.

[Anonymous]

Different poster: I have an average child. Can Deal accommodate average or will DC feel out of place?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Different poster: I have an average child. Can Deal accommodate average or will DC feel out of place?

Your DC will have no problem at Deal.

Signed, average child parent of a former Deal student

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Different poster: I have an average child. Can Deal accommodate average or will DC feel out of place?

Totally. Though they will push your child so be prepared for that.

[Anonymous]

Thanks everyone! We are excited yet a little nervous moving to DC. I think a home in the Janney/Deal area would be perfect for our family. Thank you to the poster who said to be careful about high schools. We're looking at School Without Walls, Wilson and Georgetown Day. We'll see where we land. Again, thanks for all the help