Hardy IB Population

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:To the writer who chased away the PP because he or she does not have children of middle school age: don't you think that all residents have an interest in ensuring Hardy becomes an excellent middle school? First, every involved citizen has a general interest in seeing that the public-school offerings are rigorous. Second local residents have a more pecuniary interest, because a second rate local middle school can be a drag on property values. If a prospective buyer questions the quality of the local public school offering the buyer may go elsewhere. Anyone who doubts the strong connection between top-quality public schools and real estate values needlook no further then in AU Park and Tenleytown, where even small brick colonials on tiny lots fetch substantial price premiums because they feed to Janney, Deal and Wilson. Clearly residence of upper Northwest want Hardy to improve but the unwillingness of those more directly connected to the school to entertain suggestions for change or disheartening.

What are you even talking about? Is this the uniforms again? The school IS changing, rapidly, in many, many ways. Just because you can't find anyone on DCUM to engage you doesn't mean anything about what's happening in real life. I can't for the life of me figure out why there is so much shit-stirring over Hardy by purportedly IB families who don't want to send their kids to Hardy but insist on trying to poison the well.

-not a Hardy parent, but Hardy alum and neighbor

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:To the writer who chased away the PP because he or she does not have children of middle school age: don't you think that all residents have an interest in ensuring Hardy becomes an excellent middle school? First, every involved citizen has a general interest in seeing that the public-school offerings are rigorous. Second local residents have a more pecuniary interest, because a second rate local middle school can be a drag on property values. If a prospective buyer questions the quality of the local public school offering the buyer may go elsewhere. Anyone who doubts the strong connection between top-quality public schools and real estate values needlook no further then in AU Park and Tenleytown, where even small brick colonials on tiny lots fetch substantial price premiums because they feed to Janney, Deal and Wilson. Clearly residence of upper Northwest want Hardy to improve but the unwillingness of those more directly connected to the school to entertain suggestions for change or disheartening.

sure, but someone actually considering sending their kids to a school is more likely to actually visit the school and learn about its offerings, rather than judge based on the presence or absence of uniforms.

BTW, are homes really selling for a discount in Hardy Feeder zones because of the uniforms? My kid is past school age, and I would love to find a bargain in upper NW because of my tolerance for uniforms. Are there are any rising EOTP neighborhoods where the schools require uniforms? Preferably neighborhoods with nice coffee shops and not too much crime.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
How has the school not met the needs of the surrounding population? It serves an overwhelnning OOB population because the IB population chooses not to attend.

This neatly summarizes the Alice-in-Wonderland world of DC School politics. In any normal place, the fact that the IB population chooses not to attend would by itself be proof that the school isn't meeting the needs of the IB population. No other proof would be necessary.

1. Few "normal" places have the range of charter options DC has, or the income to pay for private schools that folks in that part of Upper NW have.
2. In most normal places (I mean other than DCUM, not other than DC) people would wait to see how the actual IB number is changing to determine if the school is NOW meeting the needs of the IB population

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

I am not the previous poster, but I think what she/he was trying to say is that Hardy, at least until now, has not offered the kind of program that would be appealing to its IB population. The school, for example, did not offer advanced math until this year. I believe Chinese is also a relatively new addition to the curriculum. The athletic program, which is important to many IB students, did not come close to that at Deal. And finally, the uniforms create the impression that the school has disciplinary issues. I remember driving by there and asking myself why on earth those kids were wearing uniforms when I am not aware of a single other public school in the area that requires uniforms. That may be unfair, but it's my perception and perception matters when choosing a school.

I do not have a dog in this fight. My children are in high school. I will say that I have looked at the website and there are some good things going on at Hardy. Some sort of gimicky, like SEM, but others that are interesting. If I were the principal, I would put more information about academics on the website (many pages are blank), invite parents to visit, and . . . gasp . . . lose the uniforms! Like it or not, the uniforms send a bad message and keep people from looking at the school. I think you are unlikely to attract Eaton parents in large numbers until the grandfathering expires, but if Hardy is a strong option by then, more IB parents will try it.

Ok, since you do not have a dog in this fight, and apparently you are not even well-informed about the school (you just happen to drive by it), then please refrain from writing on this thread.

Just to mention one point from your email, advanced math was offered since the first year of Principal Pride's tenure. My son, now in 7th grade, was in that class last year (and is heading to the geometry class for next year which will give him the credit for Wilson) . Difference from last year is that this year the advanced 6th classes are two, not one, as the number of advanced kids has increased.

7th grade Hardy parent (IB)

This is why IB parents feel unwelcome. I tried to write a constructive post and got shot down. Yes, admittedly, I do not have a middle school child, but I am IB for Hardy, drive by every single day, have done research, and have spoken with many, many IB parents about why they would/would not consider the school. If you and others at the school are unwilling to consider some gently-offered constructive criticism, then Hardy is likely to remain in the same position it is now. Constructive criticism is a good thing.

Ha, ha, ha, you do realize you're responding to another IB parent, right?

I don't really care. I wrote a thoughtful message and you shot back with an unhelpful and unwelcoming one. Whether you are IB or OOB doesn't really matter, but you do not represent the school community well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

I am not the previous poster, but I think what she/he was trying to say is that Hardy, at least until now, has not offered the kind of program that would be appealing to its IB population. The school, for example, did not offer advanced math until this year. I believe Chinese is also a relatively new addition to the curriculum. The athletic program, which is important to many IB students, did not come close to that at Deal. And finally, the uniforms create the impression that the school has disciplinary issues. I remember driving by there and asking myself why on earth those kids were wearing uniforms when I am not aware of a single other public school in the area that requires uniforms. That may be unfair, but it's my perception and perception matters when choosing a school.

I do not have a dog in this fight. My children are in high school. I will say that I have looked at the website and there are some good things going on at Hardy. Some sort of gimicky, like SEM, but others that are interesting. If I were the principal, I would put more information about academics on the website (many pages are blank), invite parents to visit, and . . . gasp . . . lose the uniforms! Like it or not, the uniforms send a bad message and keep people from looking at the school. I think you are unlikely to attract Eaton parents in large numbers until the grandfathering expires, but if Hardy is a strong option by then, more IB parents will try it.

Ok, since you do not have a dog in this fight, and apparently you are not even well-informed about the school (you just happen to drive by it), then please refrain from writing on this thread.

Just to mention one point from your email, advanced math was offered since the first year of Principal Pride's tenure. My son, now in 7th grade, was in that class last year (and is heading to the geometry class for next year which will give him the credit for Wilson) . Difference from last year is that this year the advanced 6th classes are two, not one, as the number of advanced kids has increased.

7th grade Hardy parent (IB)

This is why IB parents feel unwelcome. I tried to write a constructive post and got shot down. Yes, admittedly, I do not have a middle school child, but I am IB for Hardy, drive by every single day, have done research, and have spoken with many, many IB parents about why they would/would not consider the school. If you and others at the school are unwilling to consider some gently-offered constructive criticism, then Hardy is likely to remain in the same position it is now. Constructive criticism is a good thing.

Ha, ha, ha, you do realize you're responding to another IB parent, right?

I don't really care. I wrote a thoughtful message and you shot back with an unhelpful and unwelcoming one. Whether you are IB or OOB doesn't really matter, but you do not represent the school community well.

I am the ha, ha, ha poster, and just to clarify, I'm not the IB Hardy parent. I don't think the parent was particularly unwelcoming, but your mileage may vary. I do think that the opinion of a non-prospective parent on, yawn, the uniforms AGAIN, isn't particularly constructive. The website, yes, you are 100 percent correct.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

I am not the previous poster, but I think what she/he was trying to say is that Hardy, at least until now, has not offered the kind of program that would be appealing to its IB population. The school, for example, did not offer advanced math until this year. I believe Chinese is also a relatively new addition to the curriculum. The athletic program, which is important to many IB students, did not come close to that at Deal. And finally, the uniforms create the impression that the school has disciplinary issues. I remember driving by there and asking myself why on earth those kids were wearing uniforms when I am not aware of a single other public school in the area that requires uniforms. That may be unfair, but it's my perception and perception matters when choosing a school.

I do not have a dog in this fight. My children are in high school. I will say that I have looked at the website and there are some good things going on at Hardy. Some sort of gimicky, like SEM, but others that are interesting. If I were the principal, I would put more information about academics on the website (many pages are blank), invite parents to visit, and . . . gasp . . . lose the uniforms! Like it or not, the uniforms send a bad message and keep people from looking at the school. I think you are unlikely to attract Eaton parents in large numbers until the grandfathering expires, but if Hardy is a strong option by then, more IB parents will try it.

Ok, since you do not have a dog in this fight, and apparently you are not even well-informed about the school (you just happen to drive by it), then please refrain from writing on this thread.

Just to mention one point from your email, advanced math was offered since the first year of Principal Pride's tenure. My son, now in 7th grade, was in that class last year (and is heading to the geometry class for next year which will give him the credit for Wilson) . Difference from last year is that this year the advanced 6th classes are two, not one, as the number of advanced kids has increased.

7th grade Hardy parent (IB)

This is why IB parents feel unwelcome. I tried to write a constructive post and got shot down. Yes, admittedly, I do not have a middle school child, but I am IB for Hardy, drive by every single day, have done research, and have spoken with many, many IB parents about why they would/would not consider the school. If you and others at the school are unwilling to consider some gently-offered constructive criticism, then Hardy is likely to remain in the same position it is now. Constructive criticism is a good thing.

Ha, ha, ha, you do realize you're responding to another IB parent, right?

I don't really care. I wrote a thoughtful message and you shot back with an unhelpful and unwelcoming one. Whether you are IB or OOB doesn't really matter, but you do not represent the school community well.

The problem with your post was that it contained numerous innacuracies indicating that while you have a pereception of the school, you do not actually understand what is happening inside the schoo.

To list just two.

1. SEM is not a "gimmick". It's a significant addition to the curriculum - and it was put in place because IB parents asked for it.
2. Hardy has been offering advance math for years. It's not new.

So when you make big factual errors while trying to pass yourself off as being knowledgeable about the school, yes, people are going to be mad.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:To the writer who chased away the PP because he or she does not have children of middle school age: don't you think that all residents have an interest in ensuring Hardy becomes an excellent middle school? First, every involved citizen has a general interest in seeing that the public-school offerings are rigorous. Second local residents have a more pecuniary interest, because a second rate local middle school can be a drag on property values. If a prospective buyer questions the quality of the local public school offering the buyer may go elsewhere. Anyone who doubts the strong connection between top-quality public schools and real estate values needlook no further then in AU Park and Tenleytown, where even small brick colonials on tiny lots fetch substantial price premiums because they feed to Janney, Deal and Wilson. Clearly residence of upper Northwest want Hardy to improve but the unwillingness of those more directly connected to the school to entertain suggestions for change or disheartening.

sure, but someone actually considering sending their kids to a school is more likely to actually visit the school and learn about its offerings, rather than judge based on the presence or absence of uniforms.

BTW, are homes really selling for a discount in Hardy Feeder zones because of the uniforms? My kid is past school age, and I would love to find a bargain in upper NW because of my tolerance for uniforms. Are there are any rising EOTP neighborhoods where the schools require uniforms? Preferably neighborhoods with nice coffee shops and not too much crime.

Both DCI and Latin are EOP, and they both require the students to wear uniforms. I guess people opposed to uniforms will not use lottery picks for those two schools

[Anonymous]

I know that some folks at Hardy think that the criticism of the school uniforms is trivial complaining, but I was talking with a feeder school principal recently who was rolling his/her eyes about the uniforms and stated that in that principal's view they are not helpful to Hardy's reputation and ability to attract IB students. I will not identify the principal or the feeder for obvious reasons but it is important to note that even administrators within DCPS think the uniforms should go.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:To the writer who chased away the PP because he or she does not have children of middle school age: don't you think that all residents have an interest in ensuring Hardy becomes an excellent middle school? First, every involved citizen has a general interest in seeing that the public-school offerings are rigorous. Second local residents have a more pecuniary interest, because a second rate local middle school can be a drag on property values. If a prospective buyer questions the quality of the local public school offering the buyer may go elsewhere. Anyone who doubts the strong connection between top-quality public schools and real estate values needlook no further then in AU Park and Tenleytown, where even small brick colonials on tiny lots fetch substantial price premiums because they feed to Janney, Deal and Wilson. Clearly residence of upper Northwest want Hardy to improve but the unwillingness of those more directly connected to the school to entertain suggestions for change or disheartening.

sure, but someone actually considering sending their kids to a school is more likely to actually visit the school and learn about its offerings, rather than judge based on the presence or absence of uniforms.

BTW, are homes really selling for a discount in Hardy Feeder zones because of the uniforms? My kid is past school age, and I would love to find a bargain in upper NW because of my tolerance for uniforms. Are there are any rising EOTP neighborhoods where the schools require uniforms? Preferably neighborhoods with nice coffee shops and not too much crime.

Both DCI and Latin are EOP, and they both require the students to wear uniforms. I guess people opposed to uniforms will not use lottery picks for those two schools

Brent, Maury and Ludlow-Taylor come to mind. I won't bother to list privates.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:To the writer who chased away the PP because he or she does not have children of middle school age: don't you think that all residents have an interest in ensuring Hardy becomes an excellent middle school? First, every involved citizen has a general interest in seeing that the public-school offerings are rigorous. Second local residents have a more pecuniary interest, because a second rate local middle school can be a drag on property values. If a prospective buyer questions the quality of the local public school offering the buyer may go elsewhere. Anyone who doubts the strong connection between top-quality public schools and real estate values needlook no further then in AU Park and Tenleytown, where even small brick colonials on tiny lots fetch substantial price premiums because they feed to Janney, Deal and Wilson. Clearly residence of upper Northwest want Hardy to improve but the unwillingness of those more directly connected to the school to entertain suggestions for change or disheartening.

sure, but someone actually considering sending their kids to a school is more likely to actually visit the school and learn about its offerings, rather than judge based on the presence or absence of uniforms.

BTW, are homes really selling for a discount in Hardy Feeder zones because of the uniforms? My kid is past school age, and I would love to find a bargain in upper NW because of my tolerance for uniforms. Are there are any rising EOTP neighborhoods where the schools require uniforms? Preferably neighborhoods with nice coffee shops and not too much crime.

Both DCI and Latin are EOP, and they both require the students to wear uniforms. I guess people opposed to uniforms will not use lottery picks for those two schools

Brent, Maury and Ludlow-Taylor come to mind. I won't bother to list privates.

thanks, I think will look in those areas. I hope to get a bargain, because of the uniforms.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I know that some folks at Hardy think that the criticism of the school uniforms is trivial complaining, but I was talking with a feeder school principal recently who was rolling his/her eyes about the uniforms and stated that in that principal's view they are not helpful to Hardy's reputation and ability to attract IB students. I will not identify the principal or the feeder for obvious reasons but it is important to note that even administrators within DCPS think the uniforms should go.

Uniforms are also at several of the privates. So, if you are IB for hardy and cannot lottery into Deal, will you go private because of the uniform. If so, will you disqualify an otherwise good fit because the school requires a uniform?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:To the writer who chased away the PP because he or she does not have children of middle school age: don't you think that all residents have an interest in ensuring Hardy becomes an excellent middle school? First, every involved citizen has a general interest in seeing that the public-school offerings are rigorous. Second local residents have a more pecuniary interest, because a second rate local middle school can be a drag on property values. If a prospective buyer questions the quality of the local public school offering the buyer may go elsewhere. Anyone who doubts the strong connection between top-quality public schools and real estate values needlook no further then in AU Park and Tenleytown, where even small brick colonials on tiny lots fetch substantial price premiums because they feed to Janney, Deal and Wilson. Clearly residence of upper Northwest want Hardy to improve but the unwillingness of those more directly connected to the school to entertain suggestions for change or disheartening.

sure, but someone actually considering sending their kids to a school is more likely to actually visit the school and learn about its offerings, rather than judge based on the presence or absence of uniforms.

BTW, are homes really selling for a discount in Hardy Feeder zones because of the uniforms? My kid is past school age, and I would love to find a bargain in upper NW because of my tolerance for uniforms. Are there are any rising EOTP neighborhoods where the schools require uniforms? Preferably neighborhoods with nice coffee shops and not too much crime.

Both DCI and Latin are EOP, and they both require the students to wear uniforms. I guess people opposed to uniforms will not use lottery picks for those two schools

Brent, Maury and Ludlow-Taylor come to mind. I won't bother to list privates.

thanks, I think will look in those areas. I hope to get a bargain, because of the uniforms.

School uniforms are an endogenous variable in Zillow.com's algorithm to calculate house prices.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I know that some folks at Hardy think that the criticism of the school uniforms is trivial complaining, but I was talking with a feeder school principal recently who was rolling his/her eyes about the uniforms and stated that in that principal's view they are not helpful to Hardy's reputation and ability to attract IB students. I will not identify the principal or the feeder for obvious reasons but it is important to note that even administrators within DCPS think the uniforms should go.

So the principal at Key or Stoddard or Mann. Schools where families send kids to NCS, St. Albans, The British School, WES...what do all of those schools have in common??? UNIFORMS

So tired of this Palisades nonsense.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I know that some folks at Hardy think that the criticism of the school uniforms is trivial complaining, but I was talking with a feeder school principal recently who was rolling his/her eyes about the uniforms and stated that in that principal's view they are not helpful to Hardy's reputation and ability to attract IB students. I will not identify the principal or the feeder for obvious reasons but it is important to note that even administrators within DCPS think the uniforms should go.

So the principal at Key or Stoddard or Mann. Schools where families send kids to NCS, St. Albans, The British School, WES...what do all of those schools have in common??? UNIFORMS

So tired of this Palisades nonsense.

Not Mann Principal for sure.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I know that some folks at Hardy think that the criticism of the school uniforms is trivial complaining, but I was talking with a feeder school principal recently who was rolling his/her eyes about the uniforms and stated that in that principal's view they are not helpful to Hardy's reputation and ability to attract IB students. I will not identify the principal or the feeder for obvious reasons but it is important to note that even administrators within DCPS think the uniforms should go.

So the principal at Key or Stoddard or Mann. Schools where families send kids to NCS, St. Albans, The British School, WES...what do all of those schools have in common??? UNIFORMS

So tired of this Palisades nonsense.

Not Mann Principal for sure.

Uniforms in the urban public school context convey something very different -- and the association is not positive.