advice on switching to Key

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:few parents from Key frequent DCUM (first rule of Key, don't talk about Key on DCUM). That said, I'll violate.

The majority of the kids at Key have been there since PreK or K. There's about 10-15 OOB kids per each class, depending on the IB enrollment population which fluctuates (for instance, this year's 1st added a 4th class but the 2nd grade class doesn't fill up all 3 - just seems like birth year fluctuations). About 1/3 of the grade cohort leaves the school by 4th and 5th, so it goes from around 75 kids in 3rd down to 40 by 5th. Hardy, the IB middle school is changing dramatically, which is keeping more and more families invested, but at Key there is definitely a set of kids who will always be bound for privates and there is a large international population, and families moving in & out too. So, each year, by kids classes there is some proportion of kids moving to the area and some moving away.

It is a WOTP school. Smaller than Janney, Murch, and Lafayette by a lot. So closer knit, and the Palisades is a geographically isolated neighborhood in the city 'small town in the city' - so you run into people from Key all up and down MacArthur Blvd, rec center, playground at Key, etc anytime you go out.

Like other WOTP's the PTA funding supplements a lot - so things like supporting social emotional learning, supplies, aides for younger years, etc etc. We've had great experiences with all the teachers being very invested and engaged in our kids - and being highly available. They started things like acceleration blocks from differentiated learning, do some fun creative units, etc. But the school follows common core, has PARCC tests, and there are some teachers that are exceptional and some that are just good. They school seems to quickly turn over the not great teachers, but any given year with the regular teacher turnover you might get bad luck, or a mismatch for your kid.

There's no real after school options option except the aftercare program, since the rec center at palisades is still under construction, but they did set up some sort of relationship with Jellef and some kids do go there, but lots of families have nannies, au pairs, or a stay at home parent.

Key is about 67% white. 5% disadvantaged. The school is overcrowded so the person above who said the OOB keeps it open is about 15 years out of date.
http://profiles.dcps.dc.gov/Key+Elementary+School

How do you even know that?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:few parents from Key frequent DCUM (first rule of Key, don't talk about Key on DCUM). That said, I'll violate.

The majority of the kids at Key have been there since PreK or K. There's about 10-15 OOB kids per each class, depending on the IB enrollment population which fluctuates (for instance, this year's 1st added a 4th class but the 2nd grade class doesn't fill up all 3 - just seems like birth year fluctuations). About 1/3 of the grade cohort leaves the school by 4th and 5th, so it goes from around 75 kids in 3rd down to 40 by 5th. Hardy, the IB middle school is changing dramatically, which is keeping more and more families invested, but at Key there is definitely a set of kids who will always be bound for privates and there is a large international population, and families moving in & out too. So, each year, by kids classes there is some proportion of kids moving to the area and some moving away.

It is a WOTP school. Smaller than Janney, Murch, and Lafayette by a lot. So closer knit, and the Palisades is a geographically isolated neighborhood in the city 'small town in the city' - so you run into people from Key all up and down MacArthur Blvd, rec center, playground at Key, etc anytime you go out.

Like other WOTP's the PTA funding supplements a lot - so things like supporting social emotional learning, supplies, aides for younger years, etc etc. We've had great experiences with all the teachers being very invested and engaged in our kids - and being highly available. They started things like acceleration blocks from differentiated learning, do some fun creative units, etc. But the school follows common core, has PARCC tests, and there are some teachers that are exceptional and some that are just good. They school seems to quickly turn over the not great teachers, but any given year with the regular teacher turnover you might get bad luck, or a mismatch for your kid.

There's no real after school options option except the aftercare program, since the rec center at palisades is still under construction, but they did set up some sort of relationship with Jellef and some kids do go there, but lots of families have nannies, au pairs, or a stay at home parent.

Key is about 67% white. 5% disadvantaged. The school is overcrowded so the person above who said the OOB keeps it open is about 15 years out of date.
http://profiles.dcps.dc.gov/Key+Elementary+School

How do you even know that?

If you went to Key (or your kids did) you'd get it.

[Anonymous]

Key is amazing. Though rich & white & lots of sahms - certainly no pinnacle of diversity if that matters to you. It is small and cozy. The teachers are great.

[Anonymous]

Key is great but there's low tolerance for high drama parents and families. It's just kind of ... a regular, good school. Teachers and admin run it well, families step aside and let them do so

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:few parents from Key frequent DCUM (first rule of Key, don't talk about Key on DCUM). That said, I'll violate.

The majority of the kids at Key have been there since PreK or K. There's about 10-15 OOB kids per each class, depending on the IB enrollment population which fluctuates (for instance, this year's 1st added a 4th class but the 2nd grade class doesn't fill up all 3 - just seems like birth year fluctuations). About 1/3 of the grade cohort leaves the school by 4th and 5th, so it goes from around 75 kids in 3rd down to 40 by 5th. Hardy, the IB middle school is changing dramatically, which is keeping more and more families invested, but at Key there is definitely a set of kids who will always be bound for privates and there is a large international population, and families moving in & out too. So, each year, by kids classes there is some proportion of kids moving to the area and some moving away.

It is a WOTP school. Smaller than Janney, Murch, and Lafayette by a lot. So closer knit, and the Palisades is a geographically isolated neighborhood in the city 'small town in the city' - so you run into people from Key all up and down MacArthur Blvd, rec center, playground at Key, etc anytime you go out.

Like other WOTP's the PTA funding supplements a lot - so things like supporting social emotional learning, supplies, aides for younger years, etc etc. We've had great experiences with all the teachers being very invested and engaged in our kids - and being highly available. They started things like acceleration blocks from differentiated learning, do some fun creative units, etc. But the school follows common core, has PARCC tests, and there are some teachers that are exceptional and some that are just good. They school seems to quickly turn over the not great teachers, but any given year with the regular teacher turnover you might get bad luck, or a mismatch for your kid.

There's no real after school options option except the aftercare program, since the rec center at palisades is still under construction, but they did set up some sort of relationship with Jellef and some kids do go there, but lots of families have nannies, au pairs, or a stay at home parent.

Key is about 67% white. 5% disadvantaged. The school is overcrowded so the person above who said the OOB keeps it open is about 15 years out of date.
http://profiles.dcps.dc.gov/Key+Elementary+School

How do you even know that?

If you went to Key (or your kids did) you'd get it.

So you are the lone exception.

[Anonymous]

Key is WOTP and the K of JKLM. It’s close to MacArthur and is a wonderful place.

[Anonymous]

There is a clear messaging from Key teachers re working moms. Oh - you work, we are inclusive to families that have 1 or 2 working parents.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thanks, DCUM. I knew I could count on you. A little snark, a dash of good humor, a pinch of grumpiness, but most importantly good information from thoughtful sources, too. Thanks again, all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:few parents from Key frequent DCUM (first rule of Key, don't talk about Key on DCUM). That said, I'll violate.

The majority of the kids at Key have been there since PreK or K. There's about 10-15 OOB kids per each class, depending on the IB enrollment population which fluctuates (for instance, this year's 1st added a 4th class but the 2nd grade class doesn't fill up all 3 - just seems like birth year fluctuations). About 1/3 of the grade cohort leaves the school by 4th and 5th, so it goes from around 75 kids in 3rd down to 40 by 5th. Hardy, the IB middle school is changing dramatically, which is keeping more and more families invested, but at Key there is definitely a set of kids who will always be bound for privates and there is a large international population, and families moving in & out too. So, each year, by kids classes there is some proportion of kids moving to the area and some moving away.

It is a WOTP school. Smaller than Janney, Murch, and Lafayette by a lot. So closer knit, and the Palisades is a geographically isolated neighborhood in the city 'small town in the city' - so you run into people from Key all up and down MacArthur Blvd, rec center, playground at Key, etc anytime you go out.

Like other WOTP's the PTA funding supplements a lot - so things like supporting social emotional learning, supplies, aides for younger years, etc etc. We've had great experiences with all the teachers being very invested and engaged in our kids - and being highly available. They started things like acceleration blocks from differentiated learning, do some fun creative units, etc. But the school follows common core, has PARCC tests, and there are some teachers that are exceptional and some that are just good. They school seems to quickly turn over the not great teachers, but any given year with the regular teacher turnover you might get bad luck, or a mismatch for your kid.

There's no real after school options option except the aftercare program, since the rec center at palisades is still under construction, but they did set up some sort of relationship with Jellef and some kids do go there, but lots of families have nannies, au pairs, or a stay at home parent.

Key is about 67% white. 5% disadvantaged. The school is overcrowded so the person above who said the OOB keeps it open is about 15 years out of date.
http://profiles.dcps.dc.gov/Key+Elementary+School

How do you even know that?

If you went to Key (or your kids did) you'd get it.

So you are the lone exception.

I've since been outed, shunned, and fined with extra auction volunteer work for the coming year...