What do we think about Latin second campus

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What percentage of slots will be at risk? Presumably thr total composition will be higher than that bc at risk kids could get in thru the regular lotto too.

Yes, that's the point. But it would not have been zero. It's an incremental change and not that big of a deal.

Disagree.

1) 15-30% is a big deal. Non-sibling families currently have about a 17% of getting into Latin for 5th grade through the lottery; that will go down significantly for them with the at-risk prioritization.

2) There is a lot we don't know. Is at-risk going to be prioritized over sibling? If so, that will have even more impact.

3) After the first-year, at-risk will also be able to get sibling preference for brothers and sisters, so that will give the latter a double preference starting the year after next. Given that around 50% of DCPS is at-risk that mean that 5th grade Latin slots will be fewer and fewer every year.

Incremental change? No big deal? Nah.

That's not how it works. A sibling that is at-risk doesn't get to take up two seats.

Right, but unless Latin calculates its at-risk percentage carefully ahead of time using sibling data, they’re going to offer x sibling spots and y at risk spots every year, making the at-risk percentage even higher year over year.

I wish them good luck, but it’s going to make the school an unattractive option for middle class families. People flee to Latin not for the academics (which are not any better than many DCPS) but for the cohort of high performing kids and the guaranteed feed through high school. Turn it into another Eastern or Dunbar and people simply wont go.

LOL. The goal for Latin was not to be a haven for middle class families, it was to provide a classical education to the children of DC. The school has gotten progressively more wealthy and middle class, and the admin wants to get the at-risk percentage back up to where it used to be. Because the entry point is only fifth grade (and a few seats at 9th), it's going to take several years before the overall at-risk percentages go up. In fact, we were apprised that the at-risk percentages might be stagnant for a while as the current cohort of middle school students has the lowest at-risk percentage yet.

And really, are there "many" DCPS that have same or better academics than Latin? I think you should start another thread with this information because we are desperate for good middle school options in this city. People will be delighted to learn that DCPS has "many"!

The *only* reason Latin does moderately well on standardized tests is middle class families, and by the way, their scores are not even really good. Especially when you look at how they’re educating at risk kids. That tells me that it’s not the teaching, it’s the students that are attending. And it also tells me that as more at risk kids attend, the scores will plummet.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What percentage of slots will be at risk? Presumably thr total composition will be higher than that bc at risk kids could get in thru the regular lotto too.

Yes, that's the point. But it would not have been zero. It's an incremental change and not that big of a deal.

Disagree.

1) 15-30% is a big deal. Non-sibling families currently have about a 17% of getting into Latin for 5th grade through the lottery; that will go down significantly for them with the at-risk prioritization.

2) There is a lot we don't know. Is at-risk going to be prioritized over sibling? If so, that will have even more impact.

3) After the first-year, at-risk will also be able to get sibling preference for brothers and sisters, so that will give the latter a double preference starting the year after next. Given that around 50% of DCPS is at-risk that mean that 5th grade Latin slots will be fewer and fewer every year.

Incremental change? No big deal? Nah.

That's not how it works. A sibling that is at-risk doesn't get to take up two seats.

Right, but unless Latin calculates its at-risk percentage carefully ahead of time using sibling data, they’re going to offer x sibling spots and y at risk spots every year, making the at-risk percentage even higher year over year.

I wish them good luck, but it’s going to make the school an unattractive option for middle class families. People flee to Latin not for the academics (which are not any better than many DCPS) but for the cohort of high performing kids and the guaranteed feed through high school. Turn it into another Eastern or Dunbar and people simply wont go.

This is so wrong. The academics are absolutely on a different plane than DCPS Middle Schools. That is the draw, not the cohort.

The test scores say otherwise. They’re not any better than, say, Stuart Hobson.

You have just illustrated my point. A PARCC test in reading and math does not sum up the academic program for Latin. It’s kind of a by-product. The rich curriculum in world studies/geography, ancient history/mythology and Latin, plus theater/public speaking all happen in separate classes in 5th grade. That’s not happening at many other DCPS Middle Schools—-that I know of.

[Anonymous]

I should say DCPS *elementary* schools, since 5th is still elementary for DCPS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What percentage of slots will be at risk? Presumably thr total composition will be higher than that bc at risk kids could get in thru the regular lotto too.

Yes, that's the point. But it would not have been zero. It's an incremental change and not that big of a deal.

Disagree.

1) 15-30% is a big deal. Non-sibling families currently have about a 17% of getting into Latin for 5th grade through the lottery; that will go down significantly for them with the at-risk prioritization.

2) There is a lot we don't know. Is at-risk going to be prioritized over sibling? If so, that will have even more impact.

3) After the first-year, at-risk will also be able to get sibling preference for brothers and sisters, so that will give the latter a double preference starting the year after next. Given that around 50% of DCPS is at-risk that mean that 5th grade Latin slots will be fewer and fewer every year.


Incremental change? No big deal? Nah.

That's not how it works. A sibling that is at-risk doesn't get to take up two seats.

Right, but unless Latin calculates its at-risk percentage carefully ahead of time using sibling data, they’re going to offer x sibling spots and y at risk spots every year, making the at-risk percentage even higher year over year.

I wish them good luck, but it’s going to make the school an unattractive option for middle class families. People flee to Latin not for the academics (which are not any better than many DCPS) but for the cohort of high performing kids and the guaranteed feed through high school. Turn it into another Eastern or Dunbar and people simply wont go.

LOL. The goal for Latin was not to be a haven for middle class families, it was to provide a classical education to the children of DC. The school has gotten progressively more wealthy and middle class, and the admin wants to get the at-risk percentage back up to where it used to be. Because the entry point is only fifth grade (and a few seats at 9th), it's going to take several years before the overall at-risk percentages go up. In fact, we were apprised that the at-risk percentages might be stagnant for a while as the current cohort of middle school students has the lowest at-risk percentage yet.

And really, are there "many" DCPS that have same or better academics than Latin? I think you should start another thread with this information because we are desperate for good middle school options in this city. People will be delighted to learn that DCPS has "many"!

The *only* reason Latin does moderately well on standardized tests is middle class families, and by the way, their scores are not even really good. Especially when you look at how they’re educating at risk kids. That tells me that it’s not the teaching, it’s the students that are attending. And it also tells me that as more at risk kids attend, the scores will plummet.

I think your methods for evaluating teaching and learning from afar leave something to be desired…

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What percentage of slots will be at risk? Presumably thr total composition will be higher than that bc at risk kids could get in thru the regular lotto too.

Yes, that's the point. But it would not have been zero. It's an incremental change and not that big of a deal.

Disagree.

1) 15-30% is a big deal. Non-sibling families currently have about a 17% of getting into Latin for 5th grade through the lottery; that will go down significantly for them with the at-risk prioritization.

2) There is a lot we don't know. Is at-risk going to be prioritized over sibling? If so, that will have even more impact.

3) After the first-year, at-risk will also be able to get sibling preference for brothers and sisters, so that will give the latter a double preference starting the year after next. Given that around 50% of DCPS is at-risk that mean that 5th grade Latin slots will be fewer and fewer every year.

Incremental change? No big deal? Nah.

That's not how it works. A sibling that is at-risk doesn't get to take up two seats.

Right, but unless Latin calculates its at-risk percentage carefully ahead of time using sibling data, they’re going to offer x sibling spots and y at risk spots every year, making the at-risk percentage even higher year over year.

I wish them good luck, but it’s going to make the school an unattractive option for middle class families. People flee to Latin not for the academics (which are not any better than many DCPS) but for the cohort of high performing kids and the guaranteed feed through high school. Turn it into another Eastern or Dunbar and people simply wont go.

This is so wrong. The academics are absolutely on a different plane than DCPS Middle Schools. That is the draw, not the cohort.

The test scores say otherwise. They’re not any better than, say, Stuart Hobson.

You have just illustrated my point. A PARCC test in reading and math does not sum up the academic program for Latin. It’s kind of a by-product. The rich curriculum in world studies/geography, ancient history/mythology and Latin, plus theater/public speaking all happen in separate classes in 5th grade. That’s not happening at many other DCPS Middle Schools—-that I know of.

Look. My kids attend a charter. I tell myself the same BS about how holistic the education is and how the test scores don’t really matter. Difference is, my kids are in elementary school. I’m not willing to suspend disbelief in high school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What percentage of slots will be at risk? Presumably thr total composition will be higher than that bc at risk kids could get in thru the regular lotto too.

Yes, that's the point. But it would not have been zero. It's an incremental change and not that big of a deal.

Disagree.

1) 15-30% is a big deal. Non-sibling families currently have about a 17% of getting into Latin for 5th grade through the lottery; that will go down significantly for them with the at-risk prioritization.

2) There is a lot we don't know. Is at-risk going to be prioritized over sibling? If so, that will have even more impact.

3) After the first-year, at-risk will also be able to get sibling preference for brothers and sisters, so that will give the latter a double preference starting the year after next. Given that around 50% of DCPS is at-risk that mean that 5th grade Latin slots will be fewer and fewer every year.

Incremental change? No big deal? Nah.

That's not how it works. A sibling that is at-risk doesn't get to take up two seats.

Right, but unless Latin calculates its at-risk percentage carefully ahead of time using sibling data, they’re going to offer x sibling spots and y at risk spots every year, making the at-risk percentage even higher year over year.

I wish them good luck, but it’s going to make the school an unattractive option for middle class families. People flee to Latin not for the academics (which are not any better than many DCPS) but for the cohort of high performing kids and the guaranteed feed through high school. Turn it into another Eastern or Dunbar and people simply wont go.

This is so wrong. The academics are absolutely on a different plane than DCPS Middle Schools. That is the draw, not the cohort.

The test scores say otherwise. They’re not any better than, say, Stuart Hobson.

You have just illustrated my point. A PARCC test in reading and math does not sum up the academic program for Latin. It’s kind of a by-product. The rich curriculum in world studies/geography, ancient history/mythology and Latin, plus theater/public speaking all happen in separate classes in 5th grade. That’s not happening at many other DCPS Middle Schools—-that I know of.

Look. My kids attend a charter. I tell myself the same BS about how holistic the education is and how the test scores don’t really matter. Difference is, my kids are in elementary school. I’m not willing to suspend disbelief in high school.

What are you even talking about? I don’t have to speculate because already had a couple of kids go through high school and matriculate to highly selective colleges and be praised by their professors for being among the most academically, socially and intellectually prepared students they’ve seen.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What percentage of slots will be at risk? Presumably thr total composition will be higher than that bc at risk kids could get in thru the regular lotto too.

Yes, that's the point. But it would not have been zero. It's an incremental change and not that big of a deal.

Disagree.

1) 15-30% is a big deal. Non-sibling families currently have about a 17% of getting into Latin for 5th grade through the lottery; that will go down significantly for them with the at-risk prioritization.

2) There is a lot we don't know. Is at-risk going to be prioritized over sibling? If so, that will have even more impact.

3) After the first-year, at-risk will also be able to get sibling preference for brothers and sisters, so that will give the latter a double preference starting the year after next. Given that around 50% of DCPS is at-risk that mean that 5th grade Latin slots will be fewer and fewer every year.

Incremental change? No big deal? Nah.

That's not how it works. A sibling that is at-risk doesn't get to take up two seats.

Right, but unless Latin calculates its at-risk percentage carefully ahead of time using sibling data, they’re going to offer x sibling spots and y at risk spots every year, making the at-risk percentage even higher year over year.

I wish them good luck, but it’s going to make the school an unattractive option for middle class families. People flee to Latin not for the academics (which are not any better than many DCPS) but for the cohort of high performing kids and the guaranteed feed through high school. Turn it into another Eastern or Dunbar and people simply wont go.

This is so wrong. The academics are absolutely on a different plane than DCPS Middle Schools. That is the draw, not the cohort.

The test scores say otherwise. They’re not any better than, say, Stuart Hobson.

You have just illustrated my point. A PARCC test in reading and math does not sum up the academic program for Latin. It’s kind of a by-product. The rich curriculum in world studies/geography, ancient history/mythology and Latin, plus theater/public speaking all happen in separate classes in 5th grade. That’s not happening at many other DCPS Middle Schools—-that I know of.

Look. My kids attend a charter. I tell myself the same BS about how holistic the education is and how the test scores don’t really matter. Difference is, my kids are in elementary school. I’m not willing to suspend disbelief in high school.

What are you even talking about? I don’t have to speculate because already had a couple of kids go through high school and matriculate to highly selective colleges and be praised by their professors for being among the most academically, socially and intellectually prepared students they’ve seen.

None of that happened.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What percentage of slots will be at risk? Presumably thr total composition will be higher than that bc at risk kids could get in thru the regular lotto too.

Yes, that's the point. But it would not have been zero. It's an incremental change and not that big of a deal.

Disagree.

1) 15-30% is a big deal. Non-sibling families currently have about a 17% of getting into Latin for 5th grade through the lottery; that will go down significantly for them with the at-risk prioritization.

2) There is a lot we don't know. Is at-risk going to be prioritized over sibling? If so, that will have even more impact.

3) After the first-year, at-risk will also be able to get sibling preference for brothers and sisters, so that will give the latter a double preference starting the year after next. Given that around 50% of DCPS is at-risk that mean that 5th grade Latin slots will be fewer and fewer every year.

Incremental change? No big deal? Nah.

That's not how it works. A sibling that is at-risk doesn't get to take up two seats.

Right, but unless Latin calculates its at-risk percentage carefully ahead of time using sibling data, they’re going to offer x sibling spots and y at risk spots every year, making the at-risk percentage even higher year over year.

I wish them good luck, but it’s going to make the school an unattractive option for middle class families. People flee to Latin not for the academics (which are not any better than many DCPS) but for the cohort of high performing kids and the guaranteed feed through high school. Turn it into another Eastern or Dunbar and people simply wont go.

This is so wrong. The academics are absolutely on a different plane than DCPS Middle Schools. That is the draw, not the cohort.

The test scores say otherwise. They’re not any better than, say, Stuart Hobson.

You have just illustrated my point. A PARCC test in reading and math does not sum up the academic program for Latin. It’s kind of a by-product. The rich curriculum in world studies/geography, ancient history/mythology and Latin, plus theater/public speaking all happen in separate classes in 5th grade. That’s not happening at many other DCPS Middle Schools—-that I know of.

Latin will never be Eastern— come on. Latin, Stuart Hobson, and Basis are 3 very different schools with very different vibes. Each attracts its own group of families. The problem is that Latin doesn’t have enough seats to accommodate the families who want to go there, which the new campus will solve. I can tell you though that most Latin families would welcome an increase in at-risk percentages, because that type of welcoming thinking is what draws them to Latin in the first place.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What percentage of slots will be at risk? Presumably thr total composition will be higher than that bc at risk kids could get in thru the regular lotto too.

Yes, that's the point. But it would not have been zero. It's an incremental change and not that big of a deal.

Disagree.

1) 15-30% is a big deal. Non-sibling families currently have about a 17% of getting into Latin for 5th grade through the lottery; that will go down significantly for them with the at-risk prioritization.

2) There is a lot we don't know. Is at-risk going to be prioritized over sibling? If so, that will have even more impact.

3) After the first-year, at-risk will also be able to get sibling preference for brothers and sisters, so that will give the latter a double preference starting the year after next. Given that around 50% of DCPS is at-risk that mean that 5th grade Latin slots will be fewer and fewer every year.

Incremental change? No big deal? Nah.

That's not how it works. A sibling that is at-risk doesn't get to take up two seats.

Right, but unless Latin calculates its at-risk percentage carefully ahead of time using sibling data, they’re going to offer x sibling spots and y at risk spots every year, making the at-risk percentage even higher year over year.

I wish them good luck, but it’s going to make the school an unattractive option for middle class families. People flee to Latin not for the academics (which are not any better than many DCPS) but for the cohort of high performing kids and the guaranteed feed through high school. Turn it into another Eastern or Dunbar and people simply wont go.

This is so wrong. The academics are absolutely on a different plane than DCPS Middle Schools. That is the draw, not the cohort.

The test scores say otherwise. They’re not any better than, say, Stuart Hobson.

You have just illustrated my point. A PARCC test in reading and math does not sum up the academic program for Latin. It’s kind of a by-product. The rich curriculum in world studies/geography, ancient history/mythology and Latin, plus theater/public speaking all happen in separate classes in 5th grade. That’s not happening at many other DCPS Middle Schools—-that I know of.

Latin will never be Eastern— come on. Latin, Stuart Hobson, and Basis are 3 very different schools with very different vibes. Each attracts its own group of families. The problem is that Latin doesn’t have enough seats to accommodate the families who want to go there, which the new campus will solve. I can tell you though that most Latin families would welcome an increase in at-risk percentages, because that type of welcoming thinking is what draws them to Latin in the first place.

I'm not buying this dewy-eyed silliness. Most Latin families want the kind of public high schools our near-neighbors offer, in the DC suburbs, with a much better mix of kids, better facilities and extra-curriculars and more challenging academics than DCPS will provide for our tax dollars. Alternatively, they want to be able to afford a parochial or private school of their choosing, but can't, at least not easily.

Latin is a make-do alternative for the families of the strongest students, which works to keep families in treasured communities of historic row house. Yes, a lefty minority will welcome an increase in at-risk percentages for students who struggle academically, but most Latin parents won't for practical reasons. But they won't vocalize their objection, because that would invite hostility from others without improving their position. They shut up, put up and dream of Boston Latin.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What percentage of slots will be at risk? Presumably thr total composition will be higher than that bc at risk kids could get in thru the regular lotto too.

Yes, that's the point. But it would not have been zero. It's an incremental change and not that big of a deal.

Disagree.

1) 15-30% is a big deal. Non-sibling families currently have about a 17% of getting into Latin for 5th grade through the lottery; that will go down significantly for them with the at-risk prioritization.

2) There is a lot we don't know. Is at-risk going to be prioritized over sibling? If so, that will have even more impact.

3) After the first-year, at-risk will also be able to get sibling preference for brothers and sisters, so that will give the latter a double preference starting the year after next. Given that around 50% of DCPS is at-risk that mean that 5th grade Latin slots will be fewer and fewer every year.

Incremental change? No big deal? Nah.

That's not how it works. A sibling that is at-risk doesn't get to take up two seats.

Right, but unless Latin calculates its at-risk percentage carefully ahead of time using sibling data, they’re going to offer x sibling spots and y at risk spots every year, making the at-risk percentage even higher year over year.

I wish them good luck, but it’s going to make the school an unattractive option for middle class families. People flee to Latin not for the academics (which are not any better than many DCPS) but for the cohort of high performing kids and the guaranteed feed through high school. Turn it into another Eastern or Dunbar and people simply wont go.

This is so wrong. The academics are absolutely on a different plane than DCPS Middle Schools. That is the draw, not the cohort.

The test scores say otherwise. They’re not any better than, say, Stuart Hobson.

You have just illustrated my point. A PARCC test in reading and math does not sum up the academic program for Latin. It’s kind of a by-product. The rich curriculum in world studies/geography, ancient history/mythology and Latin, plus theater/public speaking all happen in separate classes in 5th grade. That’s not happening at many other DCPS Middle Schools—-that I know of.

Look. My kids attend a charter. I tell myself the same BS about how holistic the education is and how the test scores don’t really matter. Difference is, my kids are in elementary school. I’m not willing to suspend disbelief in high school.

What are you even talking about? I don’t have to speculate because already had a couple of kids go through high school and matriculate to highly selective colleges and be praised by their professors for being among the most academically, socially and intellectually prepared students they’ve seen.

None of that happened.

What the hell? Of course it did. I not just my kids, but lots of classmates including *gasp* at-risk students. What’s wrong with you? Do you lie regularly, because I don’t.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What percentage of slots will be at risk? Presumably thr total composition will be higher than that bc at risk kids could get in thru the regular lotto too.

Yes, that's the point. But it would not have been zero. It's an incremental change and not that big of a deal.

Disagree.

1) 15-30% is a big deal. Non-sibling families currently have about a 17% of getting into Latin for 5th grade through the lottery; that will go down significantly for them with the at-risk prioritization.

2) There is a lot we don't know. Is at-risk going to be prioritized over sibling? If so, that will have even more impact.

3) After the first-year, at-risk will also be able to get sibling preference for brothers and sisters, so that will give the latter a double preference starting the year after next. Given that around 50% of DCPS is at-risk that mean that 5th grade Latin slots will be fewer and fewer every year.

Incremental change? No big deal? Nah.

That's not how it works. A sibling that is at-risk doesn't get to take up two seats.

Right, but unless Latin calculates its at-risk percentage carefully ahead of time using sibling data, they’re going to offer x sibling spots and y at risk spots every year, making the at-risk percentage even higher year over year.

I wish them good luck, but it’s going to make the school an unattractive option for middle class families. People flee to Latin not for the academics (which are not any better than many DCPS) but for the cohort of high performing kids and the guaranteed feed through high school. Turn it into another Eastern or Dunbar and people simply wont go.

This is so wrong. The academics are absolutely on a different plane than DCPS Middle Schools. That is the draw, not the cohort.

The test scores say otherwise. They’re not any better than, say, Stuart Hobson.

You have just illustrated my point. A PARCC test in reading and math does not sum up the academic program for Latin. It’s kind of a by-product. The rich curriculum in world studies/geography, ancient history/mythology and Latin, plus theater/public speaking all happen in separate classes in 5th grade. That’s not happening at many other DCPS Middle Schools—-that I know of.

Latin will never be Eastern— come on. Latin, Stuart Hobson, and Basis are 3 very different schools with very different vibes. Each attracts its own group of families. The problem is that Latin doesn’t have enough seats to accommodate the families who want to go there, which the new campus will solve. I can tell you though that most Latin families would welcome an increase in at-risk percentages, because that type of welcoming thinking is what draws them to Latin in the first place.

I'm not buying this dewy-eyed silliness. Most Latin families want the kind of public high schools our near-neighbors offer, in the DC suburbs, with a much better mix of kids, better facilities and extra-curriculars and more challenging academics than DCPS will provide for our tax dollars. Alternatively, they want to be able to afford a parochial or private school of their choosing, but can't, at least not easily.

Latin is a make-do alternative for the families of the strongest students, which works to keep families in treasured communities of historic row house. Yes, a lefty minority will welcome an increase in at-risk percentages for students who struggle academically, but most Latin parents won't for practical reasons. But they won't vocalize their objection, because that would invite hostility from others without improving their position. They shut up, put up and dream of Boston Latin.

You are wrong. Have you even been on the Latin campus to see what students you are talking about?

[Anonymous]

The Latin community simply isn't the kumbaya circle you imagine. We have a child who attend Latin's MS.

What proof do you have that most of the parents want more at-risk students at Latin 2 than Latin 1? Results of a survey? A survey of whom, current Latin 1 parents who will never set foot at Latin 2?

This issue highlights a real problem relying on charters for middle school - there's no discrete constituency to serve, no real accountability to parents/taxpayers Whatever an un-elected charter board and the leaders of a one-off charter want goes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The Latin community simply isn't the kumbaya circle you imagine. We have a child who attend Latin's MS.

What proof do you have that most of the parents want more at-risk students at Latin 2 than Latin 1? Results of a survey? A survey of whom, current Latin 1 parents who will never set foot at Latin 2?

This issue highlights a real problem relying on charters for middle school - there's no discrete constituency to serve, no real accountability to parents/taxpayers Whatever an un-elected charter board and the leaders of a one-off charter want goes.

Have you brought your concerns up with the administration? Or just griping privately?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What percentage of slots will be at risk? Presumably thr total composition will be higher than that bc at risk kids could get in thru the regular lotto too.

Yes, that's the point. But it would not have been zero. It's an incremental change and not that big of a deal.

Disagree.

1) 15-30% is a big deal. Non-sibling families currently have about a 17% of getting into Latin for 5th grade through the lottery; that will go down significantly for them with the at-risk prioritization.

2) There is a lot we don't know. Is at-risk going to be prioritized over sibling? If so, that will have even more impact.

3) After the first-year, at-risk will also be able to get sibling preference for brothers and sisters, so that will give the latter a double preference starting the year after next. Given that around 50% of DCPS is at-risk that mean that 5th grade Latin slots will be fewer and fewer every year.

Incremental change? No big deal? Nah.

That's not how it works. A sibling that is at-risk doesn't get to take up two seats.

Right, but unless Latin calculates its at-risk percentage carefully ahead of time using sibling data, they’re going to offer x sibling spots and y at risk spots every year, making the at-risk percentage even higher year over year.

I wish them good luck, but it’s going to make the school an unattractive option for middle class families. People flee to Latin not for the academics (which are not any better than many DCPS) but for the cohort of high performing kids and the guaranteed feed through high school. Turn it into another Eastern or Dunbar and people simply wont go.

This is so wrong. The academics are absolutely on a different plane than DCPS Middle Schools. That is the draw, not the cohort.

The test scores say otherwise. They’re not any better than, say, Stuart Hobson.

You have just illustrated my point. A PARCC test in reading and math does not sum up the academic program for Latin. It’s kind of a by-product. The rich curriculum in world studies/geography, ancient history/mythology and Latin, plus theater/public speaking all happen in separate classes in 5th grade. That’s not happening at many other DCPS Middle Schools—-that I know of.

Latin will never be Eastern— come on. Latin, Stuart Hobson, and Basis are 3 very different schools with very different vibes. Each attracts its own group of families. The problem is that Latin doesn’t have enough seats to accommodate the families who want to go there, which the new campus will solve. I can tell you though that most Latin families would welcome an increase in at-risk percentages, because that type of welcoming thinking is what draws them to Latin in the first place.

I'm not buying this dewy-eyed silliness. Most Latin families want the kind of public high schools our near-neighbors offer, in the DC suburbs, with a much better mix of kids, better facilities and extra-curriculars and more challenging academics than DCPS will provide for our tax dollars. Alternatively, they want to be able to afford a parochial or private school of their choosing, but can't, at least not easily.

Latin is a make-do alternative for the families of the strongest students, which works to keep families in treasured communities of historic row house. Yes, a lefty minority will welcome an increase in at-risk percentages for students who struggle academically, but most Latin parents won't for practical reasons. But they won't vocalize their objection, because that would invite hostility from others without improving their position. They shut up, put up and dream of Boston Latin.

+1 Latin family here. We already made our social justice contribution by paying a huge DC tax bill. We're also in favor of at-risk preferences. But can we please also make sure that schools keep pushing advanced learners instead of watering down standards?

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Anonymous wrote:What percentage of slots will be at risk? Presumably thr total composition will be higher than that bc at risk kids could get in thru the regular lotto too.

Yes, that's the point. But it would not have been zero. It's an incremental change and not that big of a deal.

Disagree.

1) 15-30% is a big deal. Non-sibling families currently have about a 17% of getting into Latin for 5th grade through the lottery; that will go down significantly for them with the at-risk prioritization.

2) There is a lot we don't know. Is at-risk going to be prioritized over sibling? If so, that will have even more impact.

3) After the first-year, at-risk will also be able to get sibling preference for brothers and sisters, so that will give the latter a double preference starting the year after next. Given that around 50% of DCPS is at-risk that mean that 5th grade Latin slots will be fewer and fewer every year.

Incremental change? No big deal? Nah.

That's not how it works. A sibling that is at-risk doesn't get to take up two seats.

Right, but unless Latin calculates its at-risk percentage carefully ahead of time using sibling data, they’re going to offer x sibling spots and y at risk spots every year, making the at-risk percentage even higher year over year.

I wish them good luck, but it’s going to make the school an unattractive option for middle class families. People flee to Latin not for the academics (which are not any better than many DCPS) but for the cohort of high performing kids and the guaranteed feed through high school. Turn it into another Eastern or Dunbar and people simply wont go.

This is so wrong. The academics are absolutely on a different plane than DCPS Middle Schools. That is the draw, not the cohort.

The test scores say otherwise. They’re not any better than, say, Stuart Hobson.

You have just illustrated my point. A PARCC test in reading and math does not sum up the academic program for Latin. It’s kind of a by-product. The rich curriculum in world studies/geography, ancient history/mythology and Latin, plus theater/public speaking all happen in separate classes in 5th grade. That’s not happening at many other DCPS Middle Schools—-that I know of.

Latin will never be Eastern— come on. Latin, Stuart Hobson, and Basis are 3 very different schools with very different vibes. Each attracts its own group of families. The problem is that Latin doesn’t have enough seats to accommodate the families who want to go there, which the new campus will solve. I can tell you though that most Latin families would welcome an increase in at-risk percentages, because that type of welcoming thinking is what draws them to Latin in the first place.

I'm not buying this dewy-eyed silliness. Most Latin families want the kind of public high schools our near-neighbors offer, in the DC suburbs, with a much better mix of kids, better facilities and extra-curriculars and more challenging academics than DCPS will provide for our tax dollars. Alternatively, they want to be able to afford a parochial or private school of their choosing, but can't, at least not easily.

Latin is a make-do alternative for the families of the strongest students, which works to keep families in treasured communities of historic row house. Yes, a lefty minority will welcome an increase in at-risk percentages for students who struggle academically, but most Latin parents won't for practical reasons. But they won't vocalize their objection, because that would invite hostility from others without improving their position. They shut up, put up and dream of Boston Latin.

+1 Latin family here. We already made our social justice contribution by paying a huge DC tax bill. We're also in favor of at-risk preferences. But can we please also make sure that schools keep pushing advanced learners instead of watering down standards?

You do realize that Latin had a much larger cohort of at-risk students a few years ago before you lot arrived. They've always had high standards. Why would that change as they raise the at-risk levels back to where it was? I don't thibk you understand the culture of the school you have joined.