Loved SWW at Francis Stevens (open house today); why all the negative reviews?

[Anonymous]

OP, I would not want the k-8 model or a principal who covers k-12, that just sounds ridiculous.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, I would not want the k-8 model or a principal who covers k-12, that just sounds ridiculous.

And K-12 in two different buildings and where the K-8 don't get a leg-up on entry into SWW. I just can't see what the point is of having this principal cover so much ground when the two programs are otherwise not connected.

[Anonymous]

+100

[Anonymous]

HS and FS each associate and assistant 1 principal who cover for the head principal if he is absent. So between the 1000 students in both buildings they have plenty of coverage: have 2.5 FTEs per building, a pretty good ratio.

[Anonymous]

There is no other HS in the city that does not have a full time principal. It's not enough coverage. Both schools need their own dedicated leader.

[Anonymous]

Visited FS last year. Seemed like a fantastic school. Sadly, am OOB and did not get a PK3 slot.

[Anonymous]

I wonder if, once FS gets to full enrollment, both schools will be given a principal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm OOB for Francis Stevens but am considering putting it as my #1 choice. Went to the open house today and liked the 'feel' of the school, the curriculum, etc. Also appealing that DC could be there through 8th grade and that the demographics for the younger classes seemed similar to the older classes. Other schools I've been to have a stark difference between K and 4th/5th...clearly at some point many parents decide to pull their kids out. Based on demographics alone, that seems to happen less at Francis Stevens. But searching on DCUM I find overwhelmingly negative comments...are these dated? Or would I be making a mistake sending DC there when our IB option is well regarded?

Really? I heard the upper grades are not diverse at all.

+1 that's what I heard as well from someone who visited during the school day.

[Anonymous]

Dcps needs to stop keeping under enrolled schools open.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What is your IB school OP?

OP here - my IB is Hyde Addison.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Dcps needs to stop keeping under enrolled schools open.

We were told at open house last month that they 430 students and that the MS is full.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There is no other HS in the city that does not have a full time principal. It's not enough coverage. Both schools need their own dedicated leader.

+1. My kid is in the high school. While I wish Francis-Stevens well, it's got nothing to do with us and shouldn't be tapping our resources!

[Anonymous]

Why would you choose FS over Hyde?