El Haynes vs. Powell: Are we crazy to...
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Anonymous
| As an FYI the principal of Haynes high school has moved this year on so there will be new leadership in that capacity. If you like Powell then stay there. If the test scores and the general feed of EL Haynes is more comfortable and the schedule is more accommodating then move them. Also think about your kid's personalities...will they thrive in a very structured charter environment? What about class sizes. Powell is a pretty big school but it sounds like your kids like it and are doing well there. |
Anonymous
| What are Powell and EL Haynes elementary class sizes? |
Anonymous
| You forgot the Powell pro of the renovated facility. I really think that is going to anchor the school's performance on a continued upwards trajectory. |
Anonymous
It was mentioned. She said they both are renovated so there was no need to debate that aspect. |
Anonymous
| Outside renovations don't change inside issues |
Anonymous
| OP, if you are committed to not moving before middle school, go with Haynes. Otherwise, why leave dual language? |
Anonymous
We are not committed to not moving. Just don't want to be forced to move. |
Anonymous
One can want a Hispanic (or whatever) experience for their child and not be anti-black. OP is EOTP, near to both schools. That's pretty close to majority AA. Plus one parent is Hispanic, so they probably have "brown" kids. For all we know, one parent could be AA. |
Anonymous
| OP, I take it you have 1st grade twins? Even though they have each other, 3 schools in 4 years is a lot. We move a lot with my job, and we have very resilient kids. However, the frequent moves definitely take a toll. Our 5 year old (3 schools in as many years) recently has been expressing that she does not want to move again and have to make new friends again. She is a very outgoing, social kid, so we were caught off guard. But her feeling is that these are people she is close to, and she doesn't want to lose them and start over. Have you talked to your kids about this possibility to gauge reaction? I never would have said this a year or two ago, but I think you should talk with them before you decide. They are old enough to get it, and their reaction might help inform your decision. |
Anonymous
so, wouldn't staying at Powell mean you have to move for middle school? |
Anonymous
But if they after to move for 6th grade why not make a move now? |
Anonymous
OP here: Maybe for Powell, as they are doing a big remodel of McFarland, and we have 6 years for it to improve before we decide. And 6 years for EL Haynes to get better or worse. If we moved it would be to somewhere we didn't have to stress about schools, like Bethesda or overseas. |
Anonymous
| Obviously none of these people commenting have children at either of the schools' upper grades. I would try and talk to actual parents and you can find them in your neighborhood or just by going to school at drop off. Don't you think so? |
Anonymous
| Why not move to Bethesda now? |
Anonymous
OP here: the thought has crossed our minds, but we like our community and our neighbors, we can afford our house, and our commutes are short. We are also city people and do enjoy the diversity of our community. Going north would be tough financially - we certainly could not afford as much house/yard as we have now - and the extra 30 minutes each way per parent is 2 hours less per day with our kids, not to mention all the extra driving here and there. If we have to move, we will, but it's not our preferred option by far. |