Van Ness Elementary Finally Open

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

I think it was a legitimate quesiton given the pages and pages of people pontificating and predicting what the demographics would be like. Also, this is one of the few schools with gauranteed entry for IB preschool kids. The catchment area is two extremes-wealthy/educated/gentrifiers in Cap Riverfront and very very low income from Public housing on the other side of S.Capitol. Most education experts agree that for a school to be "successful" it needs to not exceed 35% FARMS kids. So this is an interesting question to answer as it points to how the school might grow. The demand is there now in preschool but honestly the school needs to retain those higher SES families as the years go on.

This is absolutely true. Hopefully Capitol Riverfront families support this school and send their kids there.

[Anonymous]

+100

[Anonymous]

I stopped for the after school orientation and the school looks great (despite the fact that construction on phase 2 is ongoing). The staff is top notch and it looks like the school is filled with committed families looking to support the school. Van Ness may truly be a great amenity for Capitol Riverfront families looking for a tier 1 DC Public Elementary School.

[Anonymous]

DCPS doesn't used "tiered" rankings and Van Ness is several years away from being classified as rising or reward. Booster on, baby, booster on. Cue "Don't Stop Believing" by Journey.

[Anonymous]

Is an elementary school really considered to be an amenity?

[Anonymous]

What do committed families "look like"? gag.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What do committed families "look like"? gag.

Interested, engaged, speaking with their child's teachers, talking to other families...what do they look like to you?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What do committed families "look like"? gag.

Interested, engaged, speaking with their child's teachers, talking to other families...what do they look like to you?

They look like families who don't consider elementary school to be an amenity.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What do committed families "look like"? gag.

Interested, engaged, speaking with their child's teachers, talking to other families...what do they look like to you?

They look like families who don't consider elementary school to be an amenity.

Good for you that school choice means you can avoid them

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What do committed families "look like"? gag.

Interested, engaged, speaking with their child's teachers, talking to other families...what do they look like to you?

They look not visually obvious. Some of those "interested, engaged, speaking with their child's teachers, talking to other families" looking parents are simultaneously eyeing their low wait list number at their next preferred school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why is that good news? I would argue that the class should have been capped at 21 or 22.

No DC public school has Kindergarten classes capped at 21 or 22. Why would Van Ness be special?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What do committed families "look like"? gag.

Interested, engaged, speaking with their child's teachers, talking to other families...what do they look like to you?

They look like families who don't consider elementary school to be an amenity.

Pretty low standards

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What do committed families "look like"? gag.

Interested, engaged, speaking with their child's teachers, talking to other families...what do they look like to you?

They look not visually obvious. Some of those "interested, engaged, speaking with their child's teachers, talking to other families" looking parents are simultaneously eyeing their low wait list number at their next preferred school.

Well that's the reality at many schools. The term September Shuffle wasn't coined because of Van Ness. And why does it bother you if a poster says she saw committed parents? We all know what you were hoping she'd answer with what commitment "looks like".

[Anonymous]

Anecdotally, there are at least 12 kids from there attending immersion charters!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Anecdotally, there are at least 12 kids from there attending immersion charters!

Ok. VN doesn't offer language immersion so why wouldn't they?