Good schools EoTP

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:By the time hill kids are in late ES or MS their families are venturing into ward 3 and the burbs a lot. There is less of a need for ward 3 families to to the reverse. Ward 6 has built up an infrastructure for young families but has less for older kids. Schools, sports, the arts, etc.

We are bound for DCI and no need to go anywhere. Lots of clubs, extracurriculars, and sports. Just pick up after the above or kid can take public transportation home. Easy, just like the bigger schools in the burbs with similar offerings.

How is your kid going to get from DCI to the Hill? Will your 6th grader walk throught Brightwood, cross Georgia, then take the Redline to Union Station? I might have sort of planned on this a few years ago, but not right now.

Guys the fact is - beyond ES is a HUGE toss-up on the Hill. Other than "be really rich," there's no guaranteed solution. So you have to really like the neighborhood. Or face moving right when RE prices are cratering, whee!

I’m the PP and we are not on the Hill. We are by H St. Groups of middle school kids take metro to school all the time.

2 minute car ride to NOMA metro and straight red line. Bus at metro to school. Lots of kids do this.

Except you still have to win the lottery to do it. And then pick up your kid at the NOMA metro in the afternoon. Last time I walked somewhere out the NOMA metro the sidewalk was literally covered in a trail of blood for like three blocks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Give us break. We've been on the Hill since the 1990s. We know Hill kids who used to be at our DCPS ES who ended up at all sorts of "really solid" privates, GDS, Maret, Sidwell, NCS, St. Alban's, St. Anselm's, St. John's etc. Fact is, the population of the Hill is double what is what just 25 years ago. Plenty of families, and money, to go around these days. We're not as affluent collectively as Upper NW families, true, but we're no longer far behind. I can't count the number of Hill families we've rubbed shoulders with over the years who went with DC public elementary and middle schools while saving up for private high schools.

The commute from the Hill to GDS is excrutiating. Why would you live on the Hill (paying 1mil+ for a house) and save for private that will significantly disrupt your day, instead of just moving to NW?

FWIW the only Hill families I know decamping for privates are the ones who already didn't really fit in (like law partner families). Nice people, clearly were not going to stay on the Hill. As for "trying out the IB MS" ha ha, no.

. Read more carefully. PP talked about Hill families using public middle schools while saving for HS, not just in boundary middle schools. Some families go private for HS after MS at Latin or Basis.

[Anonymous]

middle school options on the hill arent great. but the options are probably still better than just about anywhere else in dc eotp. not everybody moves away.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:By the time hill kids are in late ES or MS their families are venturing into ward 3 and the burbs a lot. There is less of a need for ward 3 families to to the reverse. Ward 6 has built up an infrastructure for young families but has less for older kids. Schools, sports, the arts, etc.

We are bound for DCI and no need to go anywhere. Lots of clubs, extracurriculars, and sports. Just pick up after the above or kid can take public transportation home. Easy, just like the bigger schools in the burbs with similar offerings.

How is your kid going to get from DCI to the Hill? Will your 6th grader walk throught Brightwood, cross Georgia, then take the Redline to Union Station? I might have sort of planned on this a few years ago, but not right now.

Guys the fact is - beyond ES is a HUGE toss-up on the Hill. Other than "be really rich," there's no guaranteed solution. So you have to really like the neighborhood. Or face moving right when RE prices are cratering, whee!

I’m the PP and we are not on the Hill. We are by H St. Groups of middle school kids take metro to school all the time.

2 minute car ride to NOMA metro and straight red line. Bus at metro to school. Lots of kids do this.

Except you still have to win the lottery to do it. And then pick up your kid at the NOMA metro in the afternoon. Last time I walked somewhere out the NOMA metro the sidewalk was literally covered in a trail of blood for like three blocks.

Nope kid can easily walk home. 2 min drive, 8-10 minute walk. No problem for few middle school kids.

So drama queen. It’s obvious you don’t live in the area or have a clue.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's not unusual for Capitol Hill families who stay after elementary to go with affordable parochial middle schools in DC and Arlington. That's been true for decades.

We're not Catholic but we're fine with a good parochial middle school in Arlington enrolling many non Catholics that runs us 11K/year. We carpool with 2 other Hill families. Everybody in the car pool is hoping that our children will test into Walls or Banneker eventually.

There is no longer testing into Walls and Banneker. It’s GPA then interview for Walls.

Yes and your chances of getting in are likely going to be much lower not even going to a public/charter school in DC for middle.

+1

The change to the admissions process favors DCPS’ ‘leniant’ grading policies.

It’s more than that. They will know in the interview and from grades that PP did not invest in DC schools so why should those competitive spots go to her and not a family who did.

The admissions policy now is subjective and you can bet there is going to be bias and opaque.

That's more Banneker than Walls. They are accustomed to kids coming in from private schools.

Sounds like you haven’t heard the plan for better ward representation at Walls so if you are in ward 3 or 6, your chances are lower.

You will be further dinged coming from a private school because you have the means to send your kid somewhere else. Equity is here to stay in DCPS weather you like it or not.

I'm aware but just went thru the process. So I'm speaking from first hand experience. We are coming from a private school. I'll let you guess which of the two didn't contact us at all which is akin to "denied".

Ok but your experience of one doesn’t represent the majority. Overwhelming majority of kids at Walls are not coming from private school. They are coming from DCPS or charters.

And yes they might not ask what middle school in the interview but of course they are going to know what school and ward. It’s obvious in the grades and it’s going to be very important with future classes for equity in ward representation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's not unusual for Capitol Hill families who stay after elementary to go with affordable parochial middle schools in DC and Arlington. That's been true for decades.

We're not Catholic but we're fine with a good parochial middle school in Arlington enrolling many non Catholics that runs us 11K/year. We carpool with 2 other Hill families. Everybody in the car pool is hoping that our children will test into Walls or Banneker eventually.

There is no longer testing into Walls and Banneker. It’s GPA then interview for Walls.

Yes and your chances of getting in are likely going to be much lower not even going to a public/charter school in DC for middle.

+1

The change to the admissions process favors DCPS’ ‘leniant’ grading policies.

It’s more than that. They will know in the interview and from grades that PP did not invest in DC schools so why should those competitive spots go to her and not a family who did.

The admissions policy now is subjective and you can bet there is going to be bias and opaque.

That's more Banneker than Walls. They are accustomed to kids coming in from private schools.

Sounds like you haven’t heard the plan for better ward representation at Walls so if you are in ward 3 or 6, your chances are lower.

You will be further dinged coming from a private school because you have the means to send your kid somewhere else. Equity is here to stay in DCPS weather you like it or not.

I'm aware but just went thru the process. So I'm speaking from first hand experience. We are coming from a private school. I'll let you guess which of the two didn't contact us at all which is akin to "denied".

Ok but your experience of one doesn’t represent the majority. Overwhelming majority of kids at Walls are not coming from private school. They are coming from DCPS or charters.

And yes they might not ask what middle school in the interview but of course they are going to know what school and ward. It’s obvious in the grades and it’s going to be very important with future classes for equity in ward representation.

As someone who has done interviews at Walls I can say I had no clue what middle school the kids went to, what classes they took and what they’re grades were (other than their GPA was above the cutoff for obvious reasons). I didn’t know if they had an IEP, what ward they lived in, whether their families owned or rented, etc.

[Anonymous]

I’m not sure if this makes me feel better or worse. I agree something like whether a student has an IEP should not affect admission, but I think GPAs should be scrutinized for course difficulty. If the only standard is being above the cutoff, students would be better off taking the easiest classes available. This is not in line with what an academic high school should be looking for in its student body.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's not unusual for Capitol Hill families who stay after elementary to go with affordable parochial middle schools in DC and Arlington. That's been true for decades.

We're not Catholic but we're fine with a good parochial middle school in Arlington enrolling many non Catholics that runs us 11K/year. We carpool with 2 other Hill families. Everybody in the car pool is hoping that our children will test into Walls or Banneker eventually.

There is no longer testing into Walls and Banneker. It’s GPA then interview for Walls.

Yes and your chances of getting in are likely going to be much lower not even going to a public/charter school in DC for middle.

+1

The change to the admissions process favors DCPS’ ‘leniant’ grading policies.

It’s more than that. They will know in the interview and from grades that PP did not invest in DC schools so why should those competitive spots go to her and not a family who did.

The admissions policy now is subjective and you can bet there is going to be bias and opaque.

That's more Banneker than Walls. They are accustomed to kids coming in from private schools.

Sounds like you haven’t heard the plan for better ward representation at Walls so if you are in ward 3 or 6, your chances are lower.

You will be further dinged coming from a private school because you have the means to send your kid somewhere else. Equity is here to stay in DCPS weather you like it or not.

I'm aware but just went thru the process. So I'm speaking from first hand experience. We are coming from a private school. I'll let you guess which of the two didn't contact us at all which is akin to "denied".

Ok but your experience of one doesn’t represent the majority. Overwhelming majority of kids at Walls are not coming from private school. They are coming from DCPS or charters.

And yes they might not ask what middle school in the interview but of course they are going to know what school and ward. It’s obvious in the grades and it’s going to be very important with future classes for equity in ward representation.

As someone who has done interviews at Walls I can say I had no clue what middle school the kids went to, what classes they took and what they’re grades were (other than their GPA was above the cutoff for obvious reasons). I didn’t know if they had an IEP, what ward they lived in, whether their families owned or rented, etc.

Noted but the interview was determined by who tested the highest. The criteria for admission has changed and preferences are going to be given based on ward which is directly tied to what middle school.

So maybe you still won’t know but this preference and screening is going to be done somehow. Maybe before the interview, maybe after the interview. Who knows. The whole process is very opaque and not transparent.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m not sure if this makes me feel better or worse. I agree something like whether a student has an IEP should not affect admission, but I think GPAs should be scrutinized for course difficulty. If the only standard is being above the cutoff, students would be better off taking the easiest classes available. This is not in line with what an academic high school should be looking for in its student body.

Take that up with DCPS. The GPA is the first round of cutoffs. Once the interview phase occurs we don’t know anything about their transcripts . Which I think is a good thing because grades are already accounted for. Not a perfect process but the interview should have nothing to do with punishing a kid for going to a school that doesn’t offer geometry in 8th grade.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's not unusual for Capitol Hill families who stay after elementary to go with affordable parochial middle schools in DC and Arlington. That's been true for decades.

We're not Catholic but we're fine with a good parochial middle school in Arlington enrolling many non Catholics that runs us 11K/year. We carpool with 2 other Hill families. Everybody in the car pool is hoping that our children will test into Walls or Banneker eventually.

There is no longer testing into Walls and Banneker. It’s GPA then interview for Walls.

Yes and your chances of getting in are likely going to be much lower not even going to a public/charter school in DC for middle.

+1

The change to the admissions process favors DCPS’ ‘leniant’ grading policies.

It’s more than that. They will know in the interview and from grades that PP did not invest in DC schools so why should those competitive spots go to her and not a family who did.

The admissions policy now is subjective and you can bet there is going to be bias and opaque.

That's more Banneker than Walls. They are accustomed to kids coming in from private schools.

Sounds like you haven’t heard the plan for better ward representation at Walls so if you are in ward 3 or 6, your chances are lower.

You will be further dinged coming from a private school because you have the means to send your kid somewhere else. Equity is here to stay in DCPS weather you like it or not.

I'm aware but just went thru the process. So I'm speaking from first hand experience. We are coming from a private school. I'll let you guess which of the two didn't contact us at all which is akin to "denied".

Ok but your experience of one doesn’t represent the majority. Overwhelming majority of kids at Walls are not coming from private school. They are coming from DCPS or charters.

And yes they might not ask what middle school in the interview but of course they are going to know what school and ward. It’s obvious in the grades and it’s going to be very important with future classes for equity in ward representation.

As someone who has done interviews at Walls I can say I had no clue what middle school the kids went to, what classes they took and what they’re grades were (other than their GPA was above the cutoff for obvious reasons). I didn’t know if they had an IEP, what ward they lived in, whether their families owned or rented, etc.

Noted but the interview was determined by who tested the highest. The criteria for admission has changed and preferences are going to be given based on ward which is directly tied to what middle school.

So maybe you still won’t know but this preference and screening is going to be done somehow. Maybe before the interview, maybe after the interview. Who knows. The whole process is very opaque and not transparent.

How do you know it will be done by ward? Honest question because the idea has been floated but not solidified. Also will ward mean by address or middle school? Because OOB and charters mean a kid can go to Deal but live in any ward in the city.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's not unusual for Capitol Hill families who stay after elementary to go with affordable parochial middle schools in DC and Arlington. That's been true for decades.

We're not Catholic but we're fine with a good parochial middle school in Arlington enrolling many non Catholics that runs us 11K/year. We carpool with 2 other Hill families. Everybody in the car pool is hoping that our children will test into Walls or Banneker eventually.

There is no longer testing into Walls and Banneker. It’s GPA then interview for Walls.

Yes and your chances of getting in are likely going to be much lower not even going to a public/charter school in DC for middle.

+1

The change to the admissions process favors DCPS’ ‘leniant’ grading policies.

It’s more than that. They will know in the interview and from grades that PP did not invest in DC schools so why should those competitive spots go to her and not a family who did.

The admissions policy now is subjective and you can bet there is going to be bias and opaque.

That's more Banneker than Walls. They are accustomed to kids coming in from private schools.

Sounds like you haven’t heard the plan for better ward representation at Walls so if you are in ward 3 or 6, your chances are lower.

You will be further dinged coming from a private school because you have the means to send your kid somewhere else. Equity is here to stay in DCPS weather you like it or not.

I'm aware but just went thru the process. So I'm speaking from first hand experience. We are coming from a private school. I'll let you guess which of the two didn't contact us at all which is akin to "denied".

Ok but your experience of one doesn’t represent the majority. Overwhelming majority of kids at Walls are not coming from private school. They are coming from DCPS or charters.

And yes they might not ask what middle school in the interview but of course they are going to know what school and ward. It’s obvious in the grades and it’s going to be very important with future classes for equity in ward representation.

As someone who has done interviews at Walls I can say I had no clue what middle school the kids went to, what classes they took and what they’re grades were (other than their GPA was above the cutoff for obvious reasons). I didn’t know if they had an IEP, what ward they lived in, whether their families owned or rented, etc.

Noted but the interview was determined by who tested the highest. The criteria for admission has changed and preferences are going to be given based on ward which is directly tied to what middle school.

So maybe you still won’t know but this preference and screening is going to be done somehow. Maybe before the interview, maybe after the interview. Who knows. The whole process is very opaque and not transparent.

How do you know it will be done by ward? Honest question because the idea has been floated but not solidified. Also will ward mean by address or middle school? Because OOB and charters mean a kid can go to Deal but live in any ward in the city.

I don’t have answers and no one knows these answers but DCPS has made it very clear that they want better ward representation at Walls. I suspect they will likely define ward by address and not school if you go to OOB school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Give us break. We've been on the Hill since the 1990s. We know Hill kids who used to be at our DCPS ES who ended up at all sorts of "really solid" privates, GDS, Maret, Sidwell, NCS, St. Alban's, St. Anselm's, St. John's etc. Fact is, the population of the Hill is double what is what just 25 years ago. Plenty of families, and money, to go around these days. We're not as affluent collectively as Upper NW families, true, but we're no longer far behind. I can't count the number of Hill families we've rubbed shoulders with over the years who went with DC public elementary and middle schools while saving up for private high schools.

The commute from the Hill to GDS is excrutiating. Why would you live on the Hill (paying 1mil+ for a house) and save for private that will significantly disrupt your day, instead of just moving to NW?

FWIW the only Hill families I know decamping for privates are the ones who already didn't really fit in (like law partner families). Nice people, clearly were not going to stay on the Hill. As for "trying out the IB MS" ha ha, no.

. Read more carefully. PP talked about Hill families using public middle schools while saving for HS, not just in boundary middle schools. Some families go private for HS after MS at Latin or Basis.

I mean … if you can pay a mortgage, pay for daycare, then save for private MS/HS, and save for college at the same time, you are definitely rich.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:By the time hill kids are in late ES or MS their families are venturing into ward 3 and the burbs a lot. There is less of a need for ward 3 families to to the reverse. Ward 6 has built up an infrastructure for young families but has less for older kids. Schools, sports, the arts, etc.

We are bound for DCI and no need to go anywhere. Lots of clubs, extracurriculars, and sports. Just pick up after the above or kid can take public transportation home. Easy, just like the bigger schools in the burbs with similar offerings.

How is your kid going to get from DCI to the Hill? Will your 6th grader walk throught Brightwood, cross Georgia, then take the Redline to Union Station? I might have sort of planned on this a few years ago, but not right now.

Guys the fact is - beyond ES is a HUGE toss-up on the Hill. Other than "be really rich," there's no guaranteed solution. So you have to really like the neighborhood. Or face moving right when RE prices are cratering, whee!

I’m the PP and we are not on the Hill. We are by H St. Groups of middle school kids take metro to school all the time.

2 minute car ride to NOMA metro and straight red line. Bus at metro to school. Lots of kids do this.

Except you still have to win the lottery to do it. And then pick up your kid at the NOMA metro in the afternoon. Last time I walked somewhere out the NOMA metro the sidewalk was literally covered in a trail of blood for like three blocks.

Nope kid can easily walk home. 2 min drive, 8-10 minute walk. No problem for few middle school kids.

So drama queen. It’s obvious you don’t live in the area or have a clue.

I live in the area which is exactly why I know exactly what I’m talking about.

The idea that an 11 year old is going to walk home from the NOMA metro alone is pretty questionable. So people who are considering it when their kids are toddlers need to know that and factor it into their decisionmaking. Not only would you need to win the charter lottery, but you’d also have to be OK with your child at 11 walking alone through what is currently one of the more dangerous DC neighborhoods (and until recently, likely walk through a homeless encampment.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:By the time hill kids are in late ES or MS their families are venturing into ward 3 and the burbs a lot. There is less of a need for ward 3 families to to the reverse. Ward 6 has built up an infrastructure for young families but has less for older kids. Schools, sports, the arts, etc.

We are bound for DCI and no need to go anywhere. Lots of clubs, extracurriculars, and sports. Just pick up after the above or kid can take public transportation home. Easy, just like the bigger schools in the burbs with similar offerings.

How is your kid going to get from DCI to the Hill? Will your 6th grader walk throught Brightwood, cross Georgia, then take the Redline to Union Station? I might have sort of planned on this a few years ago, but not right now.

Guys the fact is - beyond ES is a HUGE toss-up on the Hill. Other than "be really rich," there's no guaranteed solution. So you have to really like the neighborhood. Or face moving right when RE prices are cratering, whee!

I’m the PP and we are not on the Hill. We are by H St. Groups of middle school kids take metro to school all the time.

2 minute car ride to NOMA metro and straight red line. Bus at metro to school. Lots of kids do this.

Except you still have to win the lottery to do it. And then pick up your kid at the NOMA metro in the afternoon. Last time I walked somewhere out the NOMA metro the sidewalk was literally covered in a trail of blood for like three blocks.

Nope kid can easily walk home. 2 min drive, 8-10 minute walk. No problem for few middle school kids.

So drama queen. It’s obvious you don’t live in the area or have a clue.

I live in the area which is exactly why I know exactly what I’m talking about.

The idea that an 11 year old is going to walk home from the NOMA metro alone is pretty questionable. So people who are considering it when their kids are toddlers need to know that and factor it into their decisionmaking. Not only would you need to win the charter lottery, but you’d also have to be OK with your child at 11 walking alone through what is currently one of the more dangerous DC neighborhoods (and until recently, likely walk through a homeless encampment.)

+1

I work in NoMa and bought my house in Bloomingdale before the station was even built. It’s disingenuous to imply that there are no issues around that station. MPDC and the employees at the 7-11 would disagree with you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:By the time hill kids are in late ES or MS their families are venturing into ward 3 and the burbs a lot. There is less of a need for ward 3 families to to the reverse. Ward 6 has built up an infrastructure for young families but has less for older kids. Schools, sports, the arts, etc.

We are bound for DCI and no need to go anywhere. Lots of clubs, extracurriculars, and sports. Just pick up after the above or kid can take public transportation home. Easy, just like the bigger schools in the burbs with similar offerings.

How is your kid going to get from DCI to the Hill? Will your 6th grader walk throught Brightwood, cross Georgia, then take the Redline to Union Station? I might have sort of planned on this a few years ago, but not right now.

Guys the fact is - beyond ES is a HUGE toss-up on the Hill. Other than "be really rich," there's no guaranteed solution. So you have to really like the neighborhood. Or face moving right when RE prices are cratering, whee!

I’m the PP and we are not on the Hill. We are by H St. Groups of middle school kids take metro to school all the time.

2 minute car ride to NOMA metro and straight red line. Bus at metro to school. Lots of kids do this.

Except you still have to win the lottery to do it. And then pick up your kid at the NOMA metro in the afternoon. Last time I walked somewhere out the NOMA metro the sidewalk was literally covered in a trail of blood for like three blocks.

Nope kid can easily walk home. 2 min drive, 8-10 minute walk. No problem for few middle school kids.

So drama queen. It’s obvious you don’t live in the area or have a clue.

I live in the area which is exactly why I know exactly what I’m talking about.

The idea that an 11 year old is going to walk home from the NOMA metro alone is pretty questionable. So people who are considering it when their kids are toddlers need to know that and factor it into their decisionmaking. Not only would you need to win the charter lottery, but you’d also have to be OK with your child at 11 walking alone through what is currently one of the more dangerous DC neighborhoods (and until recently, likely walk through a homeless encampment.)

I live in the area and you do you. A group, no one said alone, of middle schoolers are fine getting out of the NOMA metro on the REI side and walking down M St. The encampment has long been gone,

LOL! You sound like you would be better living in the burbs if you think NOMA and H st are dangerous areas. You will be driving your kid everywhere if that’s your judgement.