Seeking advice on Eaton & Oyster Adams

[Anonymous]

When is the Eaton construction?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’d consider sticking with Marie reed if you want Spanish. My older child goes to Adams, the upper school, and the bullying is vicious. People seem to love the lower school though. Eaton might be great if you don’t care about Spanish, but why wouldn’t you?

Can you elaborate on this some? I used to be at Adams all the time when my kid was there and I was coaching there, and I just didn't see this. I'll add that I attended middle school at a school that had lots kids who had been heavily involved with the criminal justice system, and they pretty much terrorized the kids who got decent grades and had never been to juvie, so I hate bullying. Had I seen it at Adams (or had our kid experienced it), I would have made a pretty big deal about it. I still socialize with a fair number of parents who are heavily involved with the school, and they don't report anything like that. What I did see when my kid was there was a couple of kids who tried to exclude other kids socially, but it seemed like most kids weren't into that and tended to hold it against the kids who tried it.

Also, Eaton apparently feeds Hardy and Oyster feeds Adams, so I'm not sure how Deal is relevant to the discussion. Do some Eaton kids go to Deal?

I think it’s possible it’s just my kid who’s been a target. I’d rather not elaborate. Bullying has been physical, verbal and exclusion.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’d consider sticking with Marie reed if you want Spanish. My older child goes to Adams, the upper school, and the bullying is vicious. People seem to love the lower school though. Eaton might be great if you don’t care about Spanish, but why wouldn’t you?

Can you elaborate on this some? I used to be at Adams all the time when my kid was there and I was coaching there, and I just didn't see this. I'll add that I attended middle school at a school that had lots kids who had been heavily involved with the criminal justice system, and they pretty much terrorized the kids who got decent grades and had never been to juvie, so I hate bullying. Had I seen it at Adams (or had our kid experienced it), I would have made a pretty big deal about it. I still socialize with a fair number of parents who are heavily involved with the school, and they don't report anything like that. What I did see when my kid was there was a couple of kids who tried to exclude other kids socially, but it seemed like most kids weren't into that and tended to hold it against the kids who tried it.

Also, Eaton apparently feeds Hardy and Oyster feeds Adams, so I'm not sure how Deal is relevant to the discussion. Do some Eaton kids go to Deal?

Pretty good chance this is the Oyster troll. (Who is likely to come back and pretend to be a current parent, if so)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’d consider sticking with Marie reed if you want Spanish. My older child goes to Adams, the upper school, and the bullying is vicious. People seem to love the lower school though. Eaton might be great if you don’t care about Spanish, but why wouldn’t you?

Can you elaborate on this some? I used to be at Adams all the time when my kid was there and I was coaching there, and I just didn't see this. I'll add that I attended middle school at a school that had lots kids who had been heavily involved with the criminal justice system, and they pretty much terrorized the kids who got decent grades and had never been to juvie, so I hate bullying. Had I seen it at Adams (or had our kid experienced it), I would have made a pretty big deal about it. I still socialize with a fair number of parents who are heavily involved with the school, and they don't report anything like that. What I did see when my kid was there was a couple of kids who tried to exclude other kids socially, but it seemed like most kids weren't into that and tended to hold it against the kids who tried it.

Also, Eaton apparently feeds Hardy and Oyster feeds Adams, so I'm not sure how Deal is relevant to the discussion. Do some Eaton kids go to Deal?

Pretty good chance this is the Oyster troll. (Who is likely to come back and pretend to be a current parent, if so)

I’m not the poster above. I don’t have a child that goes to any of the schools mentioned. But what I have noticed is that whenever any poster says anything remotely negative about OA, all the OA people claim it’s the OA troll.

It’s probably not. But OA people on here are either in total denial that there are any problems at their school or just try to shut down any concerns which is concerning in of itself.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’d consider sticking with Marie reed if you want Spanish. My older child goes to Adams, the upper school, and the bullying is vicious. People seem to love the lower school though. Eaton might be great if you don’t care about Spanish, but why wouldn’t you?

Can you elaborate on this some? I used to be at Adams all the time when my kid was there and I was coaching there, and I just didn't see this. I'll add that I attended middle school at a school that had lots kids who had been heavily involved with the criminal justice system, and they pretty much terrorized the kids who got decent grades and had never been to juvie, so I hate bullying. Had I seen it at Adams (or had our kid experienced it), I would have made a pretty big deal about it. I still socialize with a fair number of parents who are heavily involved with the school, and they don't report anything like that. What I did see when my kid was there was a couple of kids who tried to exclude other kids socially, but it seemed like most kids weren't into that and tended to hold it against the kids who tried it.

Also, Eaton apparently feeds Hardy and Oyster feeds Adams, so I'm not sure how Deal is relevant to the discussion. Do some Eaton kids go to Deal?

Pretty good chance this is the Oyster troll. (Who is likely to come back and pretend to be a current parent, if so)

I’m not the poster above. I don’t have a child that goes to any of the schools mentioned. But what I have noticed is that whenever any poster says anything remotely negative about OA, all the OA people claim it’s the OA troll.

It’s probably not. But OA people on here are either in total denial that there are any problems at their school or just try to shut down any concerns which is concerning in of itself.

OP, people rehash these arguments in every OA thread, such that it's hard to find information you can trust on here, even though some of them may be true. I suppose you can always filter by looking for comments with credible detail and that aren't hysterical. But you may have better luck elsewhere - try neighborhood listservs, facebook groups, your networks. By the way, according to the DCPS open houses page, the November open house is for Adams (middle school), and the PK open house at Oyster is in February.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’d consider sticking with Marie reed if you want Spanish. My older child goes to Adams, the upper school, and the bullying is vicious. People seem to love the lower school though. Eaton might be great if you don’t care about Spanish, but why wouldn’t you?

Can you elaborate on this some? I used to be at Adams all the time when my kid was there and I was coaching there, and I just didn't see this. I'll add that I attended middle school at a school that had lots kids who had been heavily involved with the criminal justice system, and they pretty much terrorized the kids who got decent grades and had never been to juvie, so I hate bullying. Had I seen it at Adams (or had our kid experienced it), I would have made a pretty big deal about it. I still socialize with a fair number of parents who are heavily involved with the school, and they don't report anything like that. What I did see when my kid was there was a couple of kids who tried to exclude other kids socially, but it seemed like most kids weren't into that and tended to hold it against the kids who tried it.

Also, Eaton apparently feeds Hardy and Oyster feeds Adams, so I'm not sure how Deal is relevant to the discussion. Do some Eaton kids go to Deal?

Pretty good chance this is the Oyster troll. (Who is likely to come back and pretend to be a current parent, if so)

I’m not the poster above. I don’t have a child that goes to any of the schools mentioned. But what I have noticed is that whenever any poster says anything remotely negative about OA, all the OA people claim it’s the OA troll.

It’s probably not. But OA people on here are either in total denial that there are any problems at their school or just try to shut down any concerns which is concerning in of itself.

I’m one of the people who points out characteristic OA troll posts. I am also the « can you elaborate » poster.

I think PP is an Adams parent whose kid is having a bad experience, not the OA troll. PP, is Susan Gonzales still a counselor at Adams? She was pretty good and on top of this kinds of concern when our kid was there.

To the immediate PP - I totally get the concern about how defensive OA parents may sound, and it makes me hesitant to respond to OA posts. There are certainly issues with the school, and when we were there I think we were considered difficult parents by the previous principal because we pointed them out.

However, there is also a kinda strange person who has a characteristic set of 4 or 5 very odd, extreme and totally absurd claims that they have been repeating with word for word identical language about the school since at least 2008. It’s weird and after 10 years of seeing the same craziness it’s hard sometimes not to point it out. Also, probably hard not to be a bit defensive sometimes, although personally I try not to be.

I think the advice of looking elsewhere for info is good.

[Anonymous]

We just moved up to Adams and find the school to be warm and academics challenging. (DC is above grade in English/Math/Science but also grade level in Spanish.) Per the earlier comment, the counselor is Susan and she’s fantastic. Warm, empowers the kids, and also provides support/connection to administration and academic challenges.

What we appreciate as a family is the relative size and norm of each cohort as they go into the middle school years. As the kids have gotten older they have grown to accept/appreciate the quirks of their classmates.

From four different families we are friends with, they all love Eaton. Close community, responsive teachers and a building under renovation.

Can’t go wrong with either- just be focused/sure of your interest and commitment to Spanish if you go to Oyster. For our family it’s a priority- one not always shared by DC!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’d consider sticking with Marie reed if you want Spanish. My older child goes to Adams, the upper school, and the bullying is vicious. People seem to love the lower school though. Eaton might be great if you don’t care about Spanish, but why wouldn’t you?

Can you elaborate on this some? I used to be at Adams all the time when my kid was there and I was coaching there, and I just didn't see this. I'll add that I attended middle school at a school that had lots kids who had been heavily involved with the criminal justice system, and they pretty much terrorized the kids who got decent grades and had never been to juvie, so I hate bullying. Had I seen it at Adams (or had our kid experienced it), I would have made a pretty big deal about it. I still socialize with a fair number of parents who are heavily involved with the school, and they don't report anything like that. What I did see when my kid was there was a couple of kids who tried to exclude other kids socially, but it seemed like most kids weren't into that and tended to hold it against the kids who tried it.

Also, Eaton apparently feeds Hardy and Oyster feeds Adams, so I'm not sure how Deal is relevant to the discussion. Do some Eaton kids go to Deal?

Yeah, I’m not the OA troll. I don’t really care if people want to send their kids there. I think it’s a good school, just not immune to problems like bullying. We’re actually thinking of switching our child mid year. How is it so hard to believe that when teachers backs are turned these kids are vicious to my child? Again my point is not to convince anyone. Just sharing pure pe. It’s literally like a tween movie with the outrageous bullying.

Pretty good chance this is the Oyster troll. (Who is likely to come back and pretend to be a current parent, if so)

I’m not the poster above. I don’t have a child that goes to any of the schools mentioned. But what I have noticed is that whenever any poster says anything remotely negative about OA, all the OA people claim it’s the OA troll.

It’s probably not. But OA people on here are either in total denial that there are any problems at their school or just try to shut down any concerns which is concerning in of itself.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’d consider sticking with Marie reed if you want Spanish. My older child goes to Adams, the upper school, and the bullying is vicious. People seem to love the lower school though. Eaton might be great if you don’t care about Spanish, but why wouldn’t you?

Can you elaborate on this some? I used to be at Adams all the time when my kid was there and I was coaching there, and I just didn't see this. I'll add that I attended middle school at a school that had lots kids who had been heavily involved with the criminal justice system, and they pretty much terrorized the kids who got decent grades and had never been to juvie, so I hate bullying. Had I seen it at Adams (or had our kid experienced it), I would have made a pretty big deal about it. I still socialize with a fair number of parents who are heavily involved with the school, and they don't report anything like that. What I did see when my kid was there was a couple of kids who tried to exclude other kids socially, but it seemed like most kids weren't into that and tended to hold it against the kids who tried it.

Also, Eaton apparently feeds Hardy and Oyster feeds Adams, so I'm not sure how Deal is relevant to the discussion. Do some Eaton kids go to Deal?

I think it’s possible it’s just my kid who’s been a target. I’d rather not elaborate. Bullying has been physical, verbal and exclusion.

I’m sorry about what’s happening to your kid. Please do pull out all the stops at the school and move them if you need to. Bullying can affect them for the rest of their lives if it isn’t addressed; several of my friends were just discussing how this happened to them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’d consider sticking with Marie reed if you want Spanish. My older child goes to Adams, the upper school, and the bullying is vicious. People seem to love the lower school though. Eaton might be great if you don’t care about Spanish, but why wouldn’t you?

Can you elaborate on this some? I used to be at Adams all the time when my kid was there and I was coaching there, and I just didn't see this. I'll add that I attended middle school at a school that had lots kids who had been heavily involved with the criminal justice system, and they pretty much terrorized the kids who got decent grades and had never been to juvie, so I hate bullying. Had I seen it at Adams (or had our kid experienced it), I would have made a pretty big deal about it. I still socialize with a fair number of parents who are heavily involved with the school, and they don't report anything like that. What I did see when my kid was there was a couple of kids who tried to exclude other kids socially, but it seemed like most kids weren't into that and tended to hold it against the kids who tried it.

Also, Eaton apparently feeds Hardy and Oyster feeds Adams, so I'm not sure how Deal is relevant to the discussion. Do some Eaton kids go to Deal?

I think it’s possible it’s just my kid who’s been a target. I’d rather not elaborate. Bullying has been physical, verbal and exclusion.

I’m sorry about what’s happening to your kid. Please do pull out all the stops at the school and move them if you need to. Bullying can affect them for the rest of their lives if it isn’t addressed; several of my friends were just discussing how this happened to them.

Echo this thought!

Several years ago when we had bullying in DC classroom at Oyster, the administration took swift action after evaluating, and the child was transferred to another class. The entire class reset, that child integrated better into the new setting with expectations set. In the time since passed, this has cropped up again with other players, but the school has tremendous support systems with their counselors at both Oyster and Adams who will have lunch groups, one on ones, different methods to understand where the behavior is coming, who it is impacting, and strengthen the path forward. We were at another school previously where the principal was absolutely unwilling to manage/change situations, leaving both teachers and kids frustrated.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We just moved up to Adams and find the school to be warm and academics challenging. (DC is above grade in English/Math/Science but also grade level in Spanish.) Per the earlier comment, the counselor is Susan and she’s fantastic. Warm, empowers the kids, and also provides support/connection to administration and academic challenges.

What we appreciate as a family is the relative size and norm of each cohort as they go into the middle school years. As the kids have gotten older they have grown to accept/appreciate the quirks of their classmates.

From four different families we are friends with, they all love Eaton. Close community, responsive teachers and a building under renovation.

Can’t go wrong with either- just be focused/sure of your interest and commitment to Spanish if you go to Oyster. For our family it’s a priority- one not always shared by DC!

NP here. Could you elaborate on where the grade-level assessments for each subject come from? PARCC scores?

[Anonymous]

I’m always amazed when I see OPs who on the one hand have a couple million to spend on a house (most houses IB for Eaton, with some exceptions for condos etc) and on the other hand, care about free daycare for a year — AKA, preK3.

Also, people who have the means to buy a $2M house but have no deep reservations abiout iffy-at-best middle schools. What goes through your minds? I understand parents with few/no other choices prioritizing free daycare but that’s not you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We just moved up to Adams and find the school to be warm and academics challenging. (DC is above grade in English/Math/Science but also grade level in Spanish.) Per the earlier comment, the counselor is Susan and she’s fantastic. Warm, empowers the kids, and also provides support/connection to administration and academic challenges.

What we appreciate as a family is the relative size and norm of each cohort as they go into the middle school years. As the kids have gotten older they have grown to accept/appreciate the quirks of their classmates.

From four different families we are friends with, they all love Eaton. Close community, responsive teachers and a building under renovation.

Can’t go wrong with either- just be focused/sure of your interest and commitment to Spanish if you go to Oyster. For our family it’s a priority- one not always shared by DC!

NP here. Could you elaborate on where the grade-level assessments for each subject come from? PARCC scores?

We had PTC on Friday and the teacher shared the data points from assessments. (The feedback correlates to parcc fwiw)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m always amazed when I see OPs who on the one hand have a couple million to spend on a house (most houses IB for Eaton, with some exceptions for condos etc) and on the other hand, care about free daycare for a year — AKA, preK3.

Also, people who have the means to buy a $2M house but have no deep reservations abiout iffy-at-best middle schools. What goes through your minds? I understand parents with few/no other choices prioritizing free daycare but that’s not you.

We rent! And moved inbounds to attend.

There are a number of nice condos/coops/apartments available for both schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m always amazed when I see OPs who on the one hand have a couple million to spend on a house (most houses IB for Eaton, with some exceptions for condos etc) and on the other hand, care about free daycare for a year — AKA, preK3.

Also, people who have the means to buy a $2M house but have no deep reservations abiout iffy-at-best middle schools. What goes through your minds? I understand parents with few/no other choices prioritizing free daycare but that’s not you.

We rent! And moved inbounds to attend.

There are a number of nice condos/coops/apartments available for both schools.

We too. The idea that only wealthy people live in upper NW gets old. A lot of us sacrifice spacious, up-to-date housing for good schools.